Arroyo Currents

May 2017

No Big Dig: Where's It At?

As the result of the lawsuit filed by the Arroyo Seco Foundation and Pasadena Audubon Society, Honorable James C. Chalfant has shut down the County Flood Control's Big Dig Project for Devil's Gate Dam in Hahamongna Watershed Park. At a series of recent hearings, he ruled that the environmental impact report for the Devil's Gate Sediment Removal Project is critically flawed regarding air quality, mitigation and cumulative impacts measures. He has ordered the Flood Control District to redraft key sections of their flawed environmental impact report and then circulate the revised EIR to the public for a forty-five review period. The County Board of Supervisors then will hold a public hearing and must act to certify that the entire EIR is in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

Judge Chaltant also admonished the Flood Control District to take no further actions to further the project until they come back to him and demonstrate that they are in full environmental compliance.

Ask Supervisor Kathryn Barger

During her election campaign, she promised to listen to the community about the Big Dig, but since then she has indicated unequivocal support for the Flood Control District's devastating program.

Tell Her What You Think

Stand Up For Our Mountains

The San Gabriel Mountains National Monument is under review by the Trump Administration. The San Gabriel Mountains Community Collaborative (pictured above) has just sent an enthusiastic letter of support for the monument, documenting many of the accomplishments for the monument and the Angeles National Forest. Credit: John Monsen

Spectacular June Clearance Sale

Hahamongna Native Plant Nursery will be holding a clearance sale each Saturday and Sunday during June. Plants will be priced to move them out of the nursery and into your yard. Discounts as high as 40%. Don't miss this opportunity to beautify your yard with Southern California's best native plants at spectacular savings!

Call the nursery at (626) 657-0392.

It's For the Fish

The native trout and other aquatic species have been having a hard time in the Arroyo due to California's long drought. But ASF's Native Fish Restoration program is working to improve conditions for the fish in the upper Arroyo Seco watershed. Forty-four stellar vounteers from FedEx recent participated in a stream assessment to identify current conditions and fish barriers in the eleven mile mountain canyon.

Help the Fish

Arroyo News

Title
Summary
Study: Nearly Half of Native California Salmon Could Be Extinct in 50 Years May 16, 2017 - The prognosis is grim for California salmon, steelhead and trout species according to a new report from the authoritative UC Davis Center for Watershed Sciences and California Trout. But the trend can be reversed by restoring and protecting spawning grounds and productive river system.
‘Lethal arrogance’? Oroville Dam crisis sprang from Pat Brown’s towering ambitionMay 14, 2017 - The Sacramento Bee probes the origins of Oroville Dam and the role of Pat Brown in fostering it. -
Valley sinking due to groundwater depletion; threat to aqueduct remainsMay 12, 2017 - A Sacramento television station zeroes in on the lingering crisis of groundwater that has been aggravated by California's long drought.
What broke the Safe Drinking Water Act?May 10, 2017 - Are you aware of the perchlorate contamination in the Arroyo Seco? Well, it is being cleaned up and treated. Nationally, however, this serious contaminant is being ignored. Here is the shameful story.
Metropolitan Takes Region Off Water Alert, but Maintains Call for Voluntary Water SavingMay 9, 2017 - Emergency restrictions have been rescinded, but SoCal water officals are urging the publi to continue to embrace water-saving practices.
AEG Hosts Arroyo Seco Weekend Job Shadow DayMay 5, 2017 - AEG, the sponsor of the upcoming Arroyo Seco Weekend festival, showed off its corporate operations to a group of thirty students from Muir High School.
Historic Significance of Bridge Across the Arroyo SecoMay 3, 2017 - It was a festive scene in 1893 when they opened to bridge across Devil's Gate to all those who lived in the Cresenta Valley to travel to the fast developing town of Pasadena.
New group seeks ideas for Pasadena’s ‘over-loved’ Arroyo SecoMay 2, 2017 - In a January Pasadena City Council meeting, Mayor Terry Tornek, in one compound word, aptly described the dilemma facing the city’s greatest recreational asset: The Arroyo Seco is “over-loved.” -
Caring About Native TroutMay 1, 2017 - Here's some great advice on what you can do to help native trout from Trout Unlimited. And consider getting active with ASF Native Restoration Program. Contact John@arroyoseco.org
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