The Arroyo Seco above JPL (Photo – Reg Green)
Arroyo Seco Canyon inhabits a river in Los Angeles whose current flows through Pasadena, bringing water to the city, as well as shelter and food for the local wildlife.
By Claire Ghantous
The City of Pasadena has a proposal that will be given attention during a hearing that will take place this upcoming Wednesday, January 6th, 2021.
The 2009 Station Fire was followed by a storm that caused large debris flows. The debris from this storm damaged the infrastructure facilities in the Arroyo Seco Canyon. These damages prevented the City from being able to redirect the Canyon’s water for “spreading and pumping credits.” The City of Pasadena’s proposal includes being allowed to repair and replace these damaged infrastructure facilities. This would allow the city to utilize their water rights from Arroyo Seco. The City’s proposal requires them to adopt and approve the Final Environmental Impact Report, the Mitigation Monitoring Reporting Program, a Statement of Overriding Consideration, and the Modification to Conditional Use Permit #6222, which will allow them to correct the damaged infrastructure. In general, the City would like to replace the dam as well as expand the spreading basins.
The Arroyo Seco Foundation opposes the Arroyo Seco Canyon Project for many reasons. Hahamongna Watershed Park is the area where the project will be completed. This area is vital because of its unique habitats and housing for many endangered or threatened species. The Foundation claims that this area is the region’s “greatest national treasure,” as it is crucial for water resources, habitat, wildlife, and a simple appreciation of nature and its beauty. The Foundation says that the City failed to evaluate the effects of the project, and failed to investigate environmentally healthier alternatives. They also claim that the impacts groundwater levels, fails to follow Integrated Water Resource Management principles, and will destroy nature in the Hahamongna habitat.
In summary
The City of Pasadena says that the Arroyo Seco Canyon Project will help to improve local water resources and the system’s reliability. It will also help the city become less dependent on other areas for their water supply, especially because the project will support more water capacity and rainwater capture. On the opposing side, the Arroyo Seco Foundation asserts that this project will not only harm the fish and other wildlife in the habitat, but also that the City refuses to evaluate better alternatives.
For further information, read The Arroyo Seco Foundation info and the City of Pasadena’s agenda.
> There will be an online public hearing on Wednesday, January 6, at 5:30 pm. Click to find out how to attend and/or to place a comment.
If so it is a shame to remake nature.
Question? Is this the waterway east of JPL that runs to Devil’s Gate Dam?
I was wondering how Pasadena was going to supply those bazillion new apartment/condo complexes.
Repair sure. Destroy no
Pasadena has so much historical significance it’s a shame to keep destroying its past. I can name many so-called improvements that ended up being torn down because they became eyesores of mismanagement. Naming one where nature raged its anger upon the developments.
Eaton Canyon being one. An famous country western restaurant washed away from flood waters headed toward the earthen filled dam. They built a housing development in the same path. After flooding out the rebuilt and then ravaged by a forest fire. Meguiar drive was taken out by the same fire. I grew up there. Now a development is on the other side of the dam. Listen to nature’s warnings