No Big Dig Is the Clear Message at Hahamongna/ Devil's Gate Dam
On Wednesday December 10th, representatives of the Arroyo Seco Foundation (ASF) and Pasadena Audubon Society (PAS), surrounded by community members, announced that they are filing a lawsuit challenging the LA County Flood Control District's (LACFCD) program to scour the basin behind Devil's Gate Dam in Hahamongna Watershed Park in Pasadena. The lawsuit was filed today, December 11th.
Set against the spectacular backdrop of the San Gabriel Mountains, Tim Brick of the Arroyo Seco Foundation outlines the basis of the lawsuit, while (left to right) Tom Sieffert, Mitchell M. Tsai, Laura Garrett, Mark Hunter, Jeff Hunter, Tim Martinez and Mary Barrie look on.
Laura Garrett, Pasadena Audubon Society Conservation Chair, speaks about the threats to birds, wildlife and habitat that will result if the Big Dig is implemented.
The lawsuit will challenge the environmental impacts of the Flood Control District's Big Dig program, which would involve 150,000 diesel trucks removing more than 2.4 million cubic yards of sand and sediment from the basin behind Devil's Gate Dam over a five year period and permanently degrading more than 50 acres of streamzone habitat there.
The massive nature of the sediment trucking program has raised serious community concerns over air pollution, traffic and public health. (l to r: Garrett, Mark Hunter, Jeff Hunter, Mary Barrie, Tim Martinez, Dorothy Wong, Marnie Gaede).
Tim Brick, Managing Director Arroyo Seco Foundation, outlines the alternatives that could provide adequate flood protection while protecting the habitat, wildlife, recreational opportunities and the neighborhoods surrounding Hahamongna Watershed Park in the Arroyo Seco.
Attorney Mitchell M. Tsai details some of the flaws in the County's EIR and the prospects for a successful lawsuit.
For more information, please contact savehahamongna@arroyoseco.org or (323) 405-7326. See also: http://www.savehahamogna.org