AH Board Supports Lawsuit Opposing Devil’s Gate Sediment-Removal Program

At its January 2015 meeting, the Altadena Heritage (AH) board of directors approved a $999 donation to Arroyo Seco Foundation (ASF) in support of ASF’s lawsuit filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court December 11, 2014. The lawsuit challenges the Board of Supervisors’ approval of the Devil’s Gate Sediment-Removal Program in Hahamongna Watershed Park.

In December of 2013, concerned about the substantial negative impact on air quality, traffic, noise and habitat destruction the program as designed would bring to the western edge of Altadena, AH members voted to submit comments on the controversial program’s draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR). AH’s comments were among hundreds on the draft EIR urging the County to adopt a less adverse plan.

 

An environmentally sensitive alternative plan was developed in the interim by the Pasadena Sediment Removal Working Group. Known as “The Pasadena Plan,” it was approved by the Pasadena City Council and supported by numerous other communities and organizations, including the AH Board of Directors.

Nevertheless, the County passed the Final EIR on November 12, 2014, with no significant changes to the draft opposed by AH and other groups, including the affected communities. The five-year program based on that draft is scheduled to begin in the Fall of 2015.

On November 19, 2014, the Pasadena Audubon Society joined the Arroyo Seco Foundation to file the “No Big Dig” lawsuit, supported by AH.

AH is planning a community workshop related to the issues and options in February (see Upcoming Events).