3677b53c 2392 4833 93f0 0111714b4fe8

San Gabriel & Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy: 

San Gabriel & Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy Long Beach Wetlands Study Session July 10, 2007

Slide2: 

State Conservancies – What are they and what do they bring to the park and habitat protection mix? State Conservancies Through direct action, alliances, partnerships, and joint powers authorities, the Conservancies in the State of California strategically acquire, preserve, protect, restore, and enhance treasured pieces of their State to form an interlinking system of urban, rural and river parks, open space, trails, wildlife habitats and cultural spaces that are easily accessible to the general public. However, Conservancies are limited to doing this within their assigned legal boundaries and statutory powers. Each agency has slightly different powers.

Slide3: 

RMC Was Established by the Legislature Because….. Need for Funding from state park bond measures for the SG & Lower LA River Watersheds State staff to provide technical assistance to cities and non profits in the local area Development of local open space, watershed improvement, recreation, environmental education and habitat protection plans which meet state goals. Local Control

Slide4: 

The San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy (RMC) was created by the California legislature in 1999 in a bill co-authored by then Senator Solis and Assemblywoman Havice. Unique among the Conservancies as the first agency with locally elected officials holding a majority of the board seats along with LA & OC Public Works and Water agencies represented on the Governing Board. What is the RMC?

RMC Board: 

RMC Board 13 Voting Members 2 Members from each COG, San Gabriel, Gateway & OC LA County Board Of Supervisors Secretaries of Resources & Cal EPA Department of Finance San Gabriel Valley & Central Basin Water Associations Environmental Member, Appointed by the Governor 7 Ex-Oficio US Forest Service, Army Corp of Engineers, State Parks, Wildlife Conservation Board, SG River Watermaster, LA Flood Control District, OC Watershed Division

Slide6: 

The Territory of the RMC RMCs territory covers: 1,600 sq. miles in eastern Los Angeles County and western Orange County 68 cities within RMCs jurisdiction; 10 of these cities are in Orange County. The Conservancy has no power of condemnation or authority over city zoning laws.

Slide7: 

Common Ground: RMC Watersheds Open Space Plan MISSION – HEALTHY WATERSHED Parks and Natural Areas Protection and Enhancement of Wildlife and Habitat Low-Impact Recreation Educational Uses Water Quality & Supply Improvements

Slide8: 

Watershed Conservation Authority Rivers and Mountains Conservancy and Los Angeles County Flood Control District Duck Farm, El Encanto, Integrated Regional Water Management Program, Green Visions, River Bikeway Enhancement Program San Gabriel River Discovery Center Authority Rivers and Mountains Conservancy, Upper San Gabriel Municipal Water District, Central Basin Municipal Water District and Los Angeles County Dept. of Parks A new watershed education facility in the Whittier Narrows Natural Area Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority Rivers and Mountains Conservancy, State Coastal Conservancy, Cities of Long Beach and Seal Beach Acquisition, restoration and maintenance of lands in the Los Cerritos Wetlands complex. Partnerships-Joint Powers Entities

Slide9: 

RMC Funding Proposition 40 – California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks, and Coastal Protection Act of 2002 $40 million directed to the RMC Proposition 50 - Water Security, Clean Drinking Water, Coastal and Beach Protection Act of 2002 $20 million directed to the RMC

RMC GRANT PROGRAM: 

RMC GRANT PROGRAM 130 Grants approved by the RMC Board River Parkway, Mountains, Hills, Urban Core Areas $44.6M in grants authorized to date Next Grant Round: October 2007 New Project Applications: Visit our website: www.rmc.ca.gov

RMC Wetlands Projects: 

RMC Wetlands Projects Historical Ecology Project Los Cerritos Wetlands – Acquisition & Restoration Colorado Lagoon El Dorado Park Wetlands Coyote Creek Master Plan Wetlands/Riparian Restoration Project Elements

Wetlands Planning – Historical EcologySouthern California Coastal Water Research Project – Dr. Eric Stein: 

Wetlands Planning – Historical Ecology Southern California Coastal Water Research Project – Dr. Eric Stein

Tools for Future Wetlands Planning: 

Tools for Future Wetlands Planning

Wetland and Riparian Mapping Project – SCCWRP: 

Wetland and Riparian Mapping Project – SCCWRP To map the wetlands and riparian habitat in the RMC geographic area Study area = 21 quads in San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers Additional 5 quads being done by USFWS

Use of Wetland and Riparian Maps: 

Use of Wetland and Riparian Maps Regional conservation and restoration planning Prioritize conservation and restoration via Green Visions Identify high quality areas in need of conservation Identify degraded areas which could still support good habitat, if restored Overlay habitat maps on maps of public lands, future development risk, etc.

What Has RMC Accomplished?: 

What Has RMC Accomplished? Workprogram: Over 400 projects Preserved over 800 acres in three years. Leveraged over $40 million in funding from other agencies, WCB, Prop A, SCC, SMMC Acquired through our JPA partnerships three critical sites along the SG River: El Encanto, Duck Farm & Los Cerritos Bryant Properties – 163 Acres for less than $15 million Leaders in watershed planning: Common Ground, Green Visions & IRWMP

Slide17: 

Get the Job Done – Buy the Land, Make Improvements & Keep Projects Relevant to Communities Maintain High Quality Maintenance Standards Plan for Future Opportunities – Prop 84 makes $51 million available for RMC projects –Call for Projects in October 2007 Educate the public! How Does the RMC Deliver?

Slide18: 

Challenges – Relevancy to Our Communities Fewer than 2% of the general public understand the meaning of the word “watershed” More describe a watershed as a kind of toilet or outhouse than are able to define the word correctly (LJS,2001)

Slide19: 

Belinda V. Faustinos, Executive Officer RIVERS AND MOUNTAINS CONSERVANCY 900 S. Fremont Avenue, Annex Bldg. Alhambra, CA 91802 (626) 458-4315 E-mail: bfaustinos@rmc.ca.gov Web: www.rmc.ca.gov Green Visions: www.greenvisionsplan.org IRWM: www.lawaterplan.org THANK YOU!!!