Read Supervisor Antonovich's Motion Here

Motion for EIR


Pasadena Mayor Bogaard's Letter to County Supervisors

Pasadena's Support


Hahamongna is the 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.

WE WON! - Supervisors Approve EIR Motion

March 1, 2011 - The Los Angeles County Supervisors today approved a motion instructing the County Department of Public Works (DPW) to conduct a full environmental impact report on the sediment management program at Devil's Gate Dam and Hahamongna in the Arroyo Seco. The motion, introduced by Supervisor Mike Antonovich, included a provision that Public Works staff report back to the Supervisors within 90 days on short-term measures that might be needed to ensure the functioning and safety of the dam. Supervisors Antonovich, Zaroslavsky and Ridley-Thomas supported the motion. Supervisors Molina and Knabe abstained.

These Supervisors Listened

Michael Antonovich

Mark Ridley-Thomas

Zev Yaroslavsky

Just a month ago, it seemed a foregone conclusion that the DPW would proceed without an environmental review on the basis of an Emergency Declaration. But then a storm of public concern about the 170,000 trucks and pollution and habitat destruction as well as the fallout from the destruction of the Arcadia Woodlands changed the whole picture. The Save Hahamongna petition, which collected over 540 signatures in just a few weeks, focused the opposition tactically, and the Pasadena City Council waded in on Monday night with a resolution supporting Supervisor Antonovich's motion. At the Supervisors' Meeting this morning, the County Counsel indicated that it was now the intent of DPW to pursue the project based on a maintenance exemption rather than an emergency declaration, but all the wiggling and persuasion of the Public Works managers was not convincing to the majority of the Supervisors.

Today's victory is the first step in ensuring that Hahamongna and its nature as well as the local neighborhoods are protected. A very important step in the right direction! We are sure that everyone, including the County, will come out winners from a better program that includes the evaluation of impacts and alternatives and fully involves the cities and stakeholders.

Congratulations to everyone involved. Let's celebrate at Hahamongna Walkabout!

Star-News Coverage