CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME (DFG) This state agency acquires land in the region under special circumstances.
For example, it may acquire or take title to important
habitat endangered by a specific development. For more information visit
the DFG's website at:
www.dfg.ca.gov. Top
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION (DPR) This state agency acquires land near its state park boundaries. As a trustee
agency of the State it is also interested in preserving the long-term health
of its parks.
With nearly 13,000 acres, Chino Hills State Park is the largest single protected
area within the Corridor. A permanent staff maintains park functions and works
to restore parks lands to encourage native species. For further information call
909-780-6222 or visit the DPR's website at:
http://www.parks.ca.gov. Top
CITY OF WHITTIER This city is buying land because the citizens of Whittier have made it clear
that they cherish their hillside backdrop. Through various County Bond Acts, the
City has purchased over 1700 acres in its jurisdiction for a total of about $15,086,500. For more information visit Whittier's website at:
http://www.whittierch.org. Top
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES Los Angeles County owns and operates the 600-acre Schabarum Park. The park has
both an active park area as well as substantial wilderness areas. Top
PUENTE HILLS LANDFILL NATIVE HABITAT PRESERVATION
AUTHORITY (HABITAT AUTHORITY) Joint Powers Authorities (JPA) The Habitat Authority is a Joint Powers Authority.
Under California law, governmental entities, such as cities and public agencies, are permitted to come together in
pursuit of a common goal through the mechanism of a JPA.
Funding Source The Habitat Authority was created in 1994 as a condition of the landfill's
official operating permit (Conditional Use Permit). The Authority is funded with
a surcharge of a two-dollar-per-ton "tipping" fee. This fee is mitigation for
the expansion of the landfill.
Jurisdiction The fund was established to purchase, maintain, and restore wilderness habitat
in the vicinity of the landfill. The Habitat Authority's jurisdiction stretches from the 605 Freeway to the eastern city boundary of La Habra
Heights at Harbor Blvd. These fees paid for the acquisition, at fair market
value, of a number of properties, such as Powder Canyon and other parcels in La
Habra Heights, Sycamore Canyon in Los Angeles County, and some of the other properties in the
hills of Hacienda Heights.
Tipping fees Currently over $3 million dollars per year are collected for this open space
fund. In most years the landfill takes in 3,700,000 tons of trash. The
landfill is permitted until 2004 and it may be extended until 2014 at which time
the landfill will be closed.
Goals The early focus of the Authority has been to acquire the most critical lands
before they are developed. Now that that phase is nearing completion, the Board
wants to
expand programs for education of children and adults about our wilderness areas
and its natural wonders. In addition, restoration of lands that have been
disturbed by oil development and by grazing is a high priority. This will help
reduce the risk of fire and maximize the native habitat for wildlife.
Finally, efforts are under way to construct trails to encourage safe movement by
hikers and equestrian users.
Role of the Public The public is invited to listen and to give input to the Citizen's Technical
Advisory Committee of the Habitat Authority.
All Citizen's Technical Advisory Committee meetings are held monthly, the first
Tuesday of the month at Whittier City Hall. Habitat Authority
Board of Director's meetings are held monthly, the fourth Thursday of the month,
at the Los Angeles
County Sanitation District offices.
After Closure of the Landfill After closure, the Habitat Authority has two years to transfer its holdings to
an appropriate public agency. Most likely the transfer will be to another park
agency such as State Parks, a
park district, L.A. County Parks or the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers
and Mountains Conservancy.
Members Members of the JPA include the City of Whittier, Los Angeles County, the
Hacienda Heights Improvement Association (appointed by the Supervisor of the 4th
District), and the Los Angeles Sanitation Districts.
Acquisitions Approximately 300 acres more need to be preserved. In October 2002, 951
acres in the Turnbull Canyon area were added as protected open space.
Land Management
The Authority contracts with the Mountains Recreation Conservation Authority (MRCA)
to provide ranger services, brush clearing, trail construction, fire protection,
and related activities for all of the wilderness lands within its jurisdiction.
The Habitat Authority manages its land and other open space lands owned by the
City of Whittier and the Sanitation Districts.
Use of Open Space Property purchased by the Habitat Authority can only be used as wilderness open
space. Facilities necessary to service the lands (such as ranger quarters,
nature
centers, etc.) can be built, but must go through the local jurisdiction permit
process.
Future Management To assure the continuous management, the Board has committed itself to
establishing an "endowment fund." This fund will contain about $10,000,000 which
will allow the earnings on the fund to more than adequately provide for all
ongoing services needed on the properties (e.g., brush clearing, trail
maintenance, nature studies, rangers, etc.) in perpetuity.
Contact Information The office is located at:
7702 Washington Ave. Suite C, Whittier, CA 90602. For
more information you can contact Executive Director Andrea Gullo at 562-945-9003.
For more information please contact the Habitat Authority's website:
http://www.habitatauthority.org. Top
SAN
GABRIEL AND LOWER LOS ANGELES RIVERS AND MOUNTAINS CONSERVANCY (RMC)
This is one of then newest state conservancies. Its jurisdiction includes the
watershed of the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers – this includes the
lands from Tonner Canyon on the east over to the San Gabriel River on the west
near Whittier. From Carbon Canyon eastward, the hills are in the Santa Ana River
watershed. For more information visit the RMC's website at:
http://www.rmc.ca.gov. Top
WHITTIER/PUENTE HILLS CONSERVATION AUTHORITY (WPHCA) This JPA between Whittier City and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy was
formed to more effectively spend L.A. County Prop A funds. Its work is nearly
complete having spent $7 million of L.A. County 1992 Proposition A funds to buy
hundreds of acres of wilderness lands in the Whittier/Puente Hills. The Board
includes two Whittier City Council members, two Board members from the Santa
Monica Mountains Conservancy and one Whittier resident. Top
WILDLIFE CORRIDOR CONSERVATION AUTHORITY (WCCA) Purpose WCCA, formed in 1996, is another JPA created to permanently connect the
remaining open space in the Puente-Chino Hills Wildlife Corridor for present and
future generations. By working together the member agencies hope to protect the
remaining open space as a regional community asset. WCCA has provided an oversight
function and catalyst for determining acquisition needs throughout the Corridor.
Governing Board
The Board is composed of the cities of Whittier, La Habra Heights, Diamond Bar, and
Brea, Los Angeles County, as well as three State Agencies: the California Department of Parks and
Recreation, the Department of Fish and Game, and the Santa
Monica Mountains Conservation Authority. The latter agency provides staff for WCCA. In addition, two public members are appointed by the Board to represent
the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles and Orange Counties. WCCA is basically a
planning agency to allow the cities and state agencies the ability to plan for
the preservation of vital linkages along the Corridor. Where necessary, WCCA
works with local, state, and national organizations to preserve though
acquisition the most vital properties.
Advisory Board
The Advisory Board meets monthly in either Brea or Whittier. The Governing Board
meets every other month either in Brea or Whittier. Neither the Governing Board
nor the Advisory Board get paid. Their work is completely voluntary. Contact
Judi Tamasi 310-589-3200 ext. 121 for further information. For more
information visit WCCA's website at:
http://smmc.ca.gov/WCCA.html.
Other Functions Both of these Corridor JPAs work to educate the public about the importance of
this parkland. Rangers patrol the property to protect and serve the people who
use the Corridor for a variety of recreational activities - walking, running,
mountain biking, and horseback riding. The rangers and other groups periodically
give nature walks to introduce people to the variety of the plants and animals
in different sections of the Wildlife Corridor. Chino Hills State Park offers
campfires throughout the year and special hikes are offered on Fish and Games
property by special arrangement.
Role of the Public As a government entity, all meetings are open to the public. WCCA also has an
Advisory Board composed of interested individuals appointed by the Governing
Board. Top
Other Functions