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Pasadena Council Approves Canyon Project EIR

Here's the City Council's "Compromise"

July, 2021 - We are quite disappointed, but we would like to know your response. Please sent your response to info@arroyoseco.org


Let the River Flow

Tim Brick Analyzes
What's Wrong with the Canyon Project

Pasadena Now

Pasadena Council to Decide ASCP EIR June 7th

Be sure to let the Mayor and your City Councilmember know what you think about the Arroyo Seco Canyon Project.

Council Contacts

The Arroyo Seco Canyon Project

Will Degrade Hahamongna and Pump More Groundwater from a Depleted Basin

What You Need to Know

Here's why a living stream is a better alternative than sterile, compacted spreading basins for conserving water in Hahamongna.

Public Comments Raise Serious Questions about the Arroyo Seco Canyon Project.

Comments from the public regarding Pasadena Water & Power Department's Draft Environmental Impact Report submitted last June raised a lot of concerns and contained some remarkable observations.

Now PWP has a lot of tough questions to answer.

  1. Why didn't they hold a public meeting?
  2. Why did they reject, without study, the most popular, environmentally appropriate alternative, restoring the natural stream?
  3. Why are they denying their responsbility for degrading conditions for fish and wildlife in the past and for being environmental stewards now?

ASCP      Official DEIR       Factsheet

Big Dig Settlement - What's In it?

We are pleased and proud that we — ASF and Pasadena Audubon — have been able to work out a settlement with the Los Angeles County Flood Control District that will minimize some of the negative aspects of their sediment management program in Hahamongna and provide for a more sustainable future for the Hahamongna basin.

Check in here to learn what's in the settlement and its implications for the future of Hahamongna.


Settlement Highlights


Signed the Petition Yet?
More than 5800 Have!

Hahamongna is that rare spot in the Arroyo Seco at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains where the mountainous watershed meets the urban plain. Periodically floods roar into this basin. Bounded on the north by the mountains and Jet Propulsion Laboratory and on the south by Devil's Gate Dam, Hahamongna contains five unique habitat zones that only exist in alluvial canyons near the mountains. Most sites like this in Southern California have been destroyed.

Don't let Hahamongna go the way of other lost environmental treasures in Southern California.

The Meaning of Hahamongna

The original settlers of the region were sometimes called the Hahamongna Indians. The word means "Flowing Waters, Fruitful Valley" in the native Tongva language.

Threats to Hahamongna

It's the most precious enviromental zone in our region, but it's under attack again.

A massive sediment and habitat removal program of the County of Los Angeles threatens to strip the basin of its rare riparian and alluvial scrub habitat

The Sustainable Plan for Hahamongna

Dangers of Diesel

Diesel


A Strategy to Save Hahamongna

Strategy

Hahamongna Updates


Victory! — Supervisors Approve Big Dig Settlement

July 7, 2020 — The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors today approved a settlement agreement with the Arroyo Seco Foundation and Pasadena Audubon Society regarding the County Flood Control District's sediment removal program behind Devil's Gate Dam in Hahamongna Watershed Park.

Supervisors' Agenda      Supervisors' Agenda Report

No Big Dig Lawsuit Factsheet

They're Back. Year 2 of Excavation Begins

Official Notice: Sediment Removal to Start June 3

"LA County Public Works will resume sediment removal at Devil’s Gate Reservoir on June 3rd and continue these operations through November.

"Public Works is dedicated to a community-first approach and has adopted numerous measures to keep communities safe, neighborhood streets clean and traffic impacts to a minimum. In the first year of its reservoir restoration project, the project team successfully removed more than 445,000 cubic yards of sediment—26% of its overall project goal.

"To protect hikers, cyclists and workers during construction, a number of trails within the reservoir, including the tunnel to the Lower Arroyo Seco Trail, will be closed, Monday through Friday, from 7 am-5 pm. The Rose Bowl Loop and recreational trails within Hahamongna Park and along the north side of the reservoir will remain open to visitors. Please refer to the trail closure map for details.

For more information on the full range of enhancements at Devil’s Gate Reservoir, visit the website at DevilsGateProject.com. You can also ask questions or share your concerns at devilsgateproject@pw.lacounty.gov or by calling the project hotline at (626) 458-2507."

Welcome to Hahamongna Watershed
Parking Lot

What kind of neighbor would destroy such precious streamzone habitat?

What kind of a city would let them?

Read the Full Story

Hopeful Progress in Big Dig Settlement

January 28, 2020 —We are pleased to report that some progress has been made regarding the settlement discussions with LA County over the impacts of the Big Dig. A new date has been set, April 30th, for Judge Chalfant to review the progress of settlement discussions and the solutions achieved.

October 14, 2019 — The hearing previously set for Tuesday, October 15 in Superior Court regarding LA County Flood Control District’s controversial sediment removal program at Devil’s Gate Dam in Hahamongna Watershed Park has now been continued to January 28, 2020.

"We — Arroyo Seco Foundation and Pasadena Audubon Society — have reluctantly agreed to a third delay in the Big Dig trial. We are not yest satisfied with the County Flood Control Districts commitment to protecting our neighborhoods and Hahamongna," said ASF Managing Director Tim Brick.

Supervisors Approve $7 Million More For Big Dig Trucker

September 18, 2019 — Los Angeles County Supervisors yesterday approved a 12% increase for the main construction and trucking contractor for their Big Dig project in Pasadena's Hahamongna Watershed Park.

But does Griffith deserve 12% more? And will the revised scope of work and increased funding resolve the massive operational problems that have plagued the Big Dig?

More

June 17, 2019 —Judge Chalfant Releases Tentative Decision
In Favor of Big Dig Opponents

Read the Tentative Decision

Get Ready for 4 Years of Diesel Pollution, Traffic, Noise, etc.

Brought to you by the County of Los Angeles

100 trucks, 425 truckloads per day for four years
all because the Flood Control District failed to maintain a safe restervoir

Help Save Hahamongna

For the past year more than 400 community scientists have documented how biodiverse this 300-acre jewel of the Arroyo Seco is by making as many observations of as many species as possible before the County erases our memory of its grandeur.

You can help! Visit Hahamongna Watershed Park and take your photos of life in the Watershed.

Join the iNaturalist Project:
Save Hahamongna BioBlitz

Hahamongna Accountability Project Formed

Local residents and community organizations have formed a group of watchdogs to ensure that the County Flood Cotrol District fully complies with all their responsibilities in implementation of their Big Dig project.

We need your help again to Save Hahamongna!

How You Can Help


Hahamongna Before - Don't Forget

Sup Barger: "There Was An Error That Was Done"

Read the Exchange With Dorothy Wong at Supervisor's Meeting

Hahamongna — What's Next?

Report from the Arroyo Seco Quarterly Meeting

Headline: "Anger, Frustration Over 'Decimation' of Hahamongna as Arroyo Seco Advocates Convene"
Pasadena Now Reports

County Bulldozers Destroy Most Precious Habitat in Region

Come to Hahamongna —
Before LA County Totally Destroys It

The bulldozers and trucks are lined up like an invasing army ready to waste $100 million of taxpayer funds to destroy the most precious habitat and wildlife corridor in the west San Gabriel Valley.

Come discover the magic of Hahamongna before the County's trucks and bulldozers destroy it permanently.

The Big Dig Begins

The County Department of Public Works has begun its devastation. The signs are posted. They are closing trails and preparing roads down into the Hahamongna basin. They intend to strip out 70 acres of prime habitat between now and next April. Then the big sediment excavation will begin and continue for the next four years.

But don't be surprised by any delays. They been delaying their maintenance responsibility for the last 24 years, but now they can do the Big Dig. It's more fun for the engineers to create massive destruction than to perform routine maintenance.

Get ready for Hell in Hahamongna.


The Trucks Are Coming - 425 Diesel-Spewing Monsters

To Dig a Massive Pit in Hahamogna Watershed Park

Petition Climbs Past 4000: It's Still the Big Dig — Save Hahamongna

Did we go to a different meeting of the Supervisors last November or what? We thought they reduced the size and impacts of the Flood Control District's Big Dig project by at least 30%, but that's not way the Flood Control District is acting. They now intend to build roads into basin in November and to destroy more than 70 acres of precious riparian habitat early next year.

We urge all who understand the value of Hahamongna and love it to sign the new petition now.

Corps Responds: Don't Bother Us

The US Army Corps of Engineers, among its other responsibilities, is charged with protecting the precious wetlands and streamzones in the United States, including Hahamongna. Recently the Corps issued a public notice regarding their permit for the Devil's Gate Sediment Mining and Trucking program, aka the Big Dig, and gave the public the opportunity to comment on the notice. Dozens of people and agencies responded with thoughtful commments. Most requested that the Corps conduct a public hearing to discuss their responsibilities.

David J. Castanon. the Chief of the Regulatory Division, Los Angeles District, U.S. Army Corps of EngineersCorps Regulatory Division has now officially responded with a generic letter to "Public Notice Comenters." "The issues you raised are similar to these other written comments we received for the proposed project. Considering the above opportunities the public has had to submit comments to the Corps, it is unlikely any new information would be disclosed as the result of a public hearing."

He continues: "After careful consideration of your request pursuant to Corps regulations at 33 CFR Part 327, we have determined that a public hearing is not warranted at this time."

Can you hear the County's bulldozers reving up their engines?

    

It's Still the Big Dig!

In November the County Supervisors reduced the amount of soil and habitat to be excavated and trucked out of Hahamongna by 30%. Then in December Judge Chalfant approved the impact report for the Big Dig. But there are still tremendous problems with the Flood Control District's devastating program. Like the 400+ diesel trucks and the massive permanent destruction zone.

ASF and Pasadena Audubon offered to settle our lawsuit with the Flood Control District if they minimize the impacts on Hahamongna and the local neighborhoods accordingly. Sadly the Flood Control District has responded negatively to our settlement offer.

We want all our supporters and friends to know that our attorneys have now appealed the original court decision as well as filed a second lawsuit to ensure that the Flood Control District reduces the negative impacts of their Big Dig.

We need your continuing support to win this historic fight to Save Hahamongna and preserve the Arroyo Seco as a wonderful natural resource for future generations.

Supervisors Scale Back Big Dig at Hahamongna

Surprise Amendment by Supervisor Barger dramatically reduces the size and negative impacts of Flood Control's Big Dig.

November 8, 2017 — The LA County Board of Supervisors by a unanimous vote yesterday substanially modified and reduced the Flood Control District's Big Dig program for Hahamongna Watershed Park.

Besides reducing the size and negative impacts of the program, there were additional commitments made to support ecosystem restoration and water conservation in the Arroyo Seco. The vote represents a significant step forward toward Saving Hahamongna.

More

Thanks, Supervisors, For Showing That Hahamongna is Important to You

Hahamongna's Fate: It's Up to You . . . and the County Supervisors

County Flood Issues EIR Revisions

The County Flood Control District released their revisions to the Final Environmental Impact Report for their Big Dig mining and trucking operation in Hahamongna on July 24th. They have made some minor concessions, but the worst parts of their program are still there: 1) its too big; 2) too fast; and 3) too destructive to habitat, our air quality, traffic and neighborhoods.

There review period for public comments has now closed. Some excellent analysis of the defects of the EIR and its revision was submitted by agencies and concerned citizens. Now the Flood Control District has to review and respond to those comments and submit their program to the LA County Board of Supervisors for a new approval.

The ultimate decision on the fate of Hahamongna will be made by the County Board of Supervisors, which must act to certify that the entire EIR is in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). This is the time for those who care about Hahamongna to speak with a loud voice telling the Supervisors to Save Hahamongna and ensure that the sediment removal program is reshaped along more sustainable and environmentally-sensitive lines.

We're Coming Down to the Final Decision —
Your Action Now is Critical:
Please Support the No Big Dig Lawsuit!

Remaining Steps to Save Hahamongna:

Factsheet  EIR Revisions  Sediment Resources  Contact Supervisors

The Trucks Are Coming! 50,000 a Year!

The Trucks are Coming!!!

150,000 double-bed, diesel belching monsters, clogging streets, creating noise, dust, pollution, destroying precious habitat and severely impacting our neighborhoods

SUPS: Time for a New Look at the Big Dig

Now that there's a new Board of Supervisors who are more progressive and environmentally oriented, it time for them to take a new look at the Flood Control District's devastating plan for Hahamongna and at the unchecked power of the Flood Control District.

Hopeful Progress in Big Dig Settlement

January 28, 2020 —We are pleased to report that some progress has been made regarding the settlement discussions with LA County over the impacts of the Big Dig. A new date has been set, April 30th, for Judge Chalfant to review the progress of settlement discussions and the solutions achieved.

October 14, 2019 — The hearing previously set for Tuesday, October 15 in Superior Court regarding LA County Flood Control District’s controversial sediment removal program at Devil’s Gate Dam in Hahamongna Watershed Park has now been continued to January 28, 2020.

"We — Arroyo Seco Foundation and Pasadena Audubon Society — have reluctantly agreed to a third delay in the Big Dig trial. We are not yest satisfied with the County Flood Control Districts commitment to protecting our neighborhoods and Hahamongna," said ASF Managing Director Tim Brick.

NBD Factsheet

Help Save Hahamogna

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Hahamongna is for the Birds

What a wonderful treasure Hahamongna is for birds and wildlife! (For people too, but that's another story). Participants in Pasadena Audubon Society's Hahamongna Bird Walk on Saturday spotted 45 unique species. The walk was led by Darren Dowell, Michael Long, Lois Brunet, Kathy Degner and others. You can read the complete report, including a listing of the species, by clicking on the link below. It's impressive.