| Pasadena Star News - October 6, 2001
Officials tour Arroyo Seco |
|
| MELANIE INGALLS, left, Audubon Center director, Chris Kroll of California Coastal Conservatory, second from right, and Stanley Young of California Resources Agency discuss the nature center to be built in Ernest E. Debs Regional Park. (Staff Photo by WALT MANCINI) |
| Feasibility study for restoration near
completion
By Elizabeth Lee PASADENA -- State conservation and water officials toured the Arroyo Seco area Friday as part of a statewide watershed management initiative. California Secretary for Resources Mary D. Nichols and state Water Resources Control Board Chairman Art Baggett joined local conservationists for a look at the arroyo and a description of the Arroyo Seco Watershed Restoration Feasibility Study. The study is one of 10 watershed projects that California leaders will use as models for a statewide program. "From the point of view of the state, the Arroyo Seco is certainly one of the most interesting watersheds we will be looking at," Nichols said at a press conference at Devil's Gate Dam, noting the watershed's complexity and diversity of species made it a good candidate. A watershed is an area of land that drains waters into a central location such as a river, lake or ocean. The 47-square-mile Arroyo Seco Watershed starts in the mountains of the Angeles National Forest and extends through La Canada Flintridge, Altadena, Pasadena, South Pasadena and Los Angeles, where the Arroyo Seco flood control channel empties into the Los Angeles River. "It's a humble watershed in terms of size, but a spectacular one in terms of the impact it's had on the lives and culture of people in this area," said Tim Brick of the Arroyo Seco Foundation. The foundation and North East Trees are close to finishing their feasibility study on restoring and cleaning up the Arroyo Seco. The study received funding from the California Coastal Conservancy and other agencies. The study looks at ways to restore natural habitats, manage exotic animal and plant species and re-connect San Gabriel and Santa Monica mountain habitats. The draft study will be released to agencies that manage the watershed on Oct. 18. Acting under legislation passed last year, the Wayne Watershed Bill, the state is learning how local agencies cooperate and communicate with each other to protect watersheds. Officials who study local agencies will produce a report for the state Legislature recommending similar approaches for watershed programs statewide. -- Elizabeth Lee can be reached at (626) 578-6300, Ext. 4461, or by e-mail at elizabeth.lee@sgvn.com
|
