The River Future San Gabriel River Confluence with Cattle Canyon Creek Improvements Project (the Cattle Canyon Project)
Collaboration Agency Leads Engaged Stakeholders Non-Profit Organizations USFS Pacific Southwest Research Station Regularly Agencies Watershed Conservation Authority (Local Public Entity / JPA) & Angeles National Forest & San Gabriel Mountains National Monument Planning Team Consultants BlueGreen Consulting Landscape Architecture / Planning Environmental Science Associates Environmental Consulting
Upper Canyon Heaton Flat Coyote Flat / Parking Area Camp Williams Lower Canyon Camp Williams Cattle Canyon Confluence
Purpose & Need Provide recreation facilities and infrastructure High quality Well-maintained Safe Accessible Consistent with visitors expectations Shift and concentrate recreational use to certain areas in order to minimize adverse effects over a broader area Promote stewardship of public land by providing quality and sustainable recreation opportunities that result in increased visitor satisfaction
Purpose & Need Allow for better management of the recreation resources on the Forest Improve riparian habitat conditions in certain areas and make progress toward enhancing stream habitat conditions Restoring vegetation Minimizing invasive plants and noxious weed Development of management strategies to regulate access
History of the Project Initial Project Funding ANF/WCA s First Agreement Monument Establishment Environmental Review & Design Development 2006 2008 2009 2012 Summer 2013 Summer 2014 Fall 2014 2015 2016/17 Student Investigation State Bond Freeze Outreach & Assessment Inventory & Site Planning
Visitor Assessment Principle Researchers: Robert Brown, Ph.D. California State University, San Marcos Upper Canyon Jerrell Ross Richer, Ph.D. Goshen College Lower Canyon
LA County Park Needs Assessment
Oaks Total Lower Canyon Upper Canyon Grand Total 2013 and 2014 Vehicle Count Comparisons Mean Median Mean Median Mean Median Mean Median 2014 2013 0 50 100 150 200 250 300
Site Development Plan Sustainable Site Access Model
Option 1 Focus: Public Access Prioritize parking (417) 16 access points 4 new picnic facilities Barriers added along road to improve safety and detour river access Restoration a part of all 3 options: Reduce impacts from informal trails Protect seeps/springs Preserve stream habitat in tributary behind Oaks Picnic Area Non-native vegetation removal and/or riparian plantings Phase out non-native plantation tree plantings Coyote Flat
Option 2 Focus: River Path Continuous 1.5 mile East Fork Scenic Trail 14 improved access points Loading/shuttle stops provided Angled and perpendicular parking bays Restoration (same as other options) Confluence Area
Option 3 Focus: Low Development Concentrate access 8 improved access points Parallel road side parking eliminated; off-road parking provided Use maximized in lower canyon Restoration (same as other options) Coyote Flat
Final Concept Site Plan Project Area Totals Trailheads 4 Restrooms 10 Crosswalks 7 Designated Picnic Areas 6 East Fork Scenic Trails (mil.) 2.5 Interpretive Elements 4 River Access Points 6 USFS Visitor Kiosks 3 Bus/Shuttle Stops 3 Parking 270
Oaks Area Draft Site Shown Plan: under represents parking areas
Oaks Area
Junction & Confluence Areas
Coyote Flat, Overlook, & Firestation
Coyote Flat, Overlook, & Firestation
Heaton Flat
Site Type Management Proposed to be managed as a Day Use Only area
Parking Distribution Upper Canyon Parking Space Count: 101 Median Peak Use: ~140 Lower Canyon Parking Space Count: 169 Median Peak Use: ~120
East Fork Trail Schematic
Where We Are Today Conceptual Development Report Environmental Review
Scoping Preparation of a joint EIS/EIR ANF & WCA seek comments on: What environmental issues should be analyzed? Are there alternatives that should be evaluated? What mitigation measures would help avoid or minimize any negative impacts? Public Meetings Wednesday, November 16, 2016 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Julia McNeill Senior Center 4100 Baldwin Park Boulevard Baldwin Park, California Saturday, November 19, 2016 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Angeles National Forest Headquarters 701 North Santa Anita Avenue Arcadia, California
Scoping Comments must be received no later than November 30, 2016 For comments or information: Rob Romanek, Project Manager Watershed Conservation Authority 100 N Old San Gabriel Canyon Road Azusa, California 91702 rromanek@wca.ca.gov (626) 815-1019 x108 Jeremy Sugden, Recreation Officer ANF, SGM National Monument 110 N Wabash Avenue Glendora, California 91741 jmsugden@fs.fed.us (626) 335-1251 x222 Project website with NOI/NOP and full project description: www.wca.ca.gov/cattle_canyon www.fs.usda.gov/projects/angeles/landmanagement/projects
National Monument Access Planning Efforts San Gabriel Mountains National Monument Access Plan Agency Leads Southern California Association of Governments Proposed Project Steering Committee Caltrans District 7 LA County MTA LA County DPW COGs Foothill communities Foothill Transit EJ focused non-profits ANF SCAG WCA
National Monument Access Planning Efforts San Gabriel Mountains National Monument Access Plan This planning project will: 1) Initiate a collaborative process, including engagement and dialog among stakeholders; 2) Identify existing conditions; 3) Evaluate and prioritize opportunities; and 4) Develop an initial implementation strategy to create connections between the Monument and neighboring communities.
Funding Grant Application Due Early Next Month Caltrans Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Sustainable Transportation Planning, Sustainable Communities Grant Program SCAG as applicant: To contribute highly skilled and experience transportation planning staff to manage and guide the development of this access plan WCA as sub-applicant: To contribute project management (as a match), bring knowledge of natural resources and recreational planning, experience with public land management, and a well-established cooperative partnership with ANF Grant request: ~$270,000