Arroyo Currents

     January 2018


Arroyo Advisory Group to Report
to Pasadena City Council - Monday, February 5th

Arroyo-lovers wait with bated breath to see what recommendations Mayor Tornek's Arroyo Advisory Group (AAG) will make in their report to the City Council on February 5th. The AAG will be presenting the findings of its trail concept study, including the development of an existing conditions study and report, and concepts and funding for a One Arroyo trail, including catch-up on long-deferred maintenance. You can check out their website at https://onearroyo.org for more information on the survey results and their report.

After all the Arroyo planning programs in the last thirty years, the AAG plans so far seem pretty low-key. No out-of-control commercialization, but not a lot of vision. A connecting trail is a good idea, but we've heard that before. ASF's Arroyo River Parks approach and the US Army Corps Arroyo Seco Ecosystem Study are the visionary models. How about science-based, watershed planning and stream restoration? Where does that fit in? How about something as exciting as Los Angeles' plan for the LA River?

We urge you to show up Monday night and make your voice heard for restoring and enhancing the natural character and functions of the Arroyo. That's a legacy that will inspire the community and future generations.

County Supervisors: Mandate Clean Air Vehicles for the Big Dig!

January 31, 2018 — The Arroyo Seco Foundation and Pasadena Audubon have now joined with the Coalition for Clean Air to advocate for the use of Clean Air Trucks for the Devil's Gate Sediment Removal Project. As a responsible public agency, the Los Angeles County Flood Control District should be a leader in adopting clean air technology in a region with some of the the worst air quality in the United States. The Hahamongna sediment program will have a massive impact on public health for local schools and residents unless every practical step is taken to reduce harmful diesel pollutants. Clean Air vehicles are the way to go.

Clean Air Trucks

Clean Air Trucks are Available —
Incentives Make Them Feasible

Arroyo Calendar

Saturday, January 27, 9:00am - 3:00pmNature Park Planting Party — In celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr., students from Occidental College and local volunteers will be planting native plants in the Arroyo Seco - South Pasadena Woodland and Wildlife Park (South Pas Nature Park, for short) on January 27, 2018. Volunteers are welcome to come anytime during the day.
Saturday, January 27, 9:00am - 10:30amArroyo Walk & Talk with Mayor Tornek — Get a first-hand look at the Central Arroyo Area and find out about plans to restore and enhance one of Pasadena's natural treasures in this informative walk with Pasadena Mayor Terry Tornek.
Monday, February 5, 6:30pm - 8:00pmArroyo Advisory Group Report — The Arroyo Advisory Group will report to the Pasadena City Council on the progress of their work to enhance and improve the management of the Arroyo Seco in Pasadena. Their report will include the development of a trail through Pasadena and other projects they are considering.

News of the Arroyo

An achive of news stories about and related to life in the Arroyo Seco.

Click on the title link to read the entire story

Title
Summary
A Pasadena Link to South Pasadena's BikewayJanuary 27, 2018 - A forgotten path down the east slope of the Arroyo could provide the link from Pasadena down into the Arroyo to eventually connect to the new South Pasadena Bike Trail.
The Arroyo Seco Bicycle Path December 2017January 23, 2018 - Take a ride down the Arroyo from a conceptual path near Orange Grove down the east slope of the Arroyo to the new Arroyo Seco Bike Trail in South Pasadena and then down the very real in-channel bike trail through Northeast Los Angeles.
What does the SCOTUS decision mean for clean water?January 23, 2018 - The Clean Water Rule has important implications for the Arroyo Seco, Tujunga Wash and other tributaries of the Los Angeles River, so this Supreme Court decision offers hope that administration attempts to scuttle the rule will not succeed and that the public right to clean water will be upheld.
Pasadena's Draft Climate Action Plan: A Key Roadmap to Improve Our Local EnvironmentJanuary 24, 2018 - Here's the long-awaited Draft Climate Action Plan for Pasadena. It details the situation and outlines specific actions you can take to do your share to reduce greenhouse gases. There is still time to offer suggestions for improvements to the plan. Public comments on the plan are due by February 10.
Editorial: Los Angeles needs open space for wildlife and for our sanityJanuary 17, 2018 - Yes, we can and should make space of wildlife in Los Angeles.
A retiring Bill Patzert, JPL's 'Prophet of California Climate,' leaves behind a legacy of ocean research and media appearancesJanuary 14, 2018 - He might be retiring from JPL, but you can still expect to hear a lot more from pithy scientist Bill Patzert about our volatile climate.
Rain reveals Arroyo Seco's winter characterJanuary 10, 2018 - Reg Green depicts the wondrous winter character of the Arroyo Seco and salutes ASF's goal of retaining its unique character.
What Abbey's 'Desert Solitaire' means in these trying timesJanuary 10, 2018 - As the Trump Administration moves to remove protections on rare wilderness land in southern Utah, Edward Abbey's "Desert Solitaire" acquires a new relevance.
Rep. Adam Schiff responds to parks criticism: LettersJanuary 9, 2018 - Congressman Adam Schiff responds to recent criticism of national parks with a call to move forward with the expansion of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area to include more portions of the Rim of the Valley Corridor.
Pasadena wants to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 83 percent, find out howJanuary 7, 2018 - Here's the scoop on Pasadena's Climate Action Plan, including some performance parameters and comments by Greg Gunther and Morey Wolfson.
Forests are Key to Fresh WaterDecember 27, 2017 - Freshwater ​resources are ​critical to ​both human ​civilization ​and natural ​ecosystems, but ​University of British Columbia researchers ​have discovered ​that changes to ​ground ​vegetation can ​have as much of ​an impact on ​global water ​resources as ​climate change. ​
Audubon Center break-in ruffles some feathers, but community spirit soarsDecember 7, 2017 - An early morning break-in at the Audubon Center in Debs Park resulted in the theft of $6,000 worth of equipment including computers, binoculars and other items. How sad that such a worthy group should be a victim.

Arroyo Seco Foundation
570 W. Avenue 26 #450
Los Angeles, CA 90065
(323)405-7326
PO Box 91622
Pasadena, CA 91109-1622

Hahamongna Native Plant Nursery
Hahamongna Watershed Park
4550 Oak Grove Drive
Pasadena, CA 91103
(626) 657-0392