Updated: Devil's Gate Dam Project Will Require Environmental Impact Report
The County Department of Public Works had, up to now, been planning to do the work without doing a full environmental impact report.
Updated 3/1: Antonovich's motion to require an EIR passed at the Board of Supervisor's meeting on Tuesday.
County Supervisor Michael Antonovich will push for the county to do an environmental impact report (EIR) on a controversial sediment removal project that is scheduled to take place in the Altadena-adjacent Hahamongna Watershed Park.
Antonovich will introduce a motion making the requirement official at an upcoming board meeting, according to a press release from his office.
The project, which would be done to remove over 1.5 million cubic yards of dirt from the Devil's Gate Dam, had been planned to be done on an emergency basis, which would have voided the environmental planning process that normally would be required for a project like this.
Local environmental advocates have opposed the current version of the project, comparing it to the sediment removal project in Arcadia that resulted in the removal of 11 acres of mature oak trees.
Since that project was started, Antonovich directed the County of Public Works to assemble a task force of local environmentalists to review any future sediment removal projects.
Antonovich's motion would require the public works department to come back with a plan in 90 days including a possible proposal to do lower impact removal work before the EIR is completed.
The project could result in 300 to 400 truckloads of dirt being removed on a daily basis for 9 months of the year for three to four years, according to the county's preliminary planning documents.
Updated 11:09 p.m: Tony Bell, Antonovich's spokesman, said the motion will be introduced at Tuesday's Board of Supervisors meeting.
He said that it will require the public works department to come back within 90 days for a plan to see if any short-term removal work can be done without an EIR or not.
He said it's unclear to the supervisor whether any work might be able to be done without an EIR, and does not know whether trucks would be allowed down in the area before an EIR is completed.
He said Antonovich has heard from a lot of environmental groups and community members and feels that the project needs to be fully studied.
"There's going to be a big impact on the environment and a big impact on the community and that's why it needs an EIR," Bell said.
Check back on this story throughout the day for updates.
michele Zack
10:41 am on Friday, February 25, 2011
I think the Sup is finally doing the right thing. An EIR is the tool we have to look at what needs to be done, and various approaches to solve the sediment problem behind Devil's Gate Dam. The County will gain credibility by following correct procedures — not by playing the "Emergency Card" to get around environmental protections put into law for a purpose. This project is one that will make certain contractors millions of dollars, avoiding an EIR not only enflamed environmentalists' passions for many good reasons, it also looked like a potential cover-up for financial improprieties.
Rev. Hannah Petrie
12:37 pm on Friday, February 25, 2011
The article says, "Antonovich's motion would allow the county to begin removal of sediment along the dam before the EIR would be completed, while requiring it to be finished before the bulk of the project was done." Doesn't this defeat the purpose of EIR if the work is begun before the EIR is completed?
Dan Abendschein
1:26 pm on Friday, February 25, 2011
@Rev. Hannah - Your point is well taken. I just spoke again with Tony Bell and he clarified that there is a possibility that no work should be allowed to be done without the EIR first. He said the report that the department brings back within 90 days will include a proposal on whether there are any measures that can be taken that would not require an EIR. It's possible that there may not be anything that can be done before the EIR is completed, Bell says.
I've updated the story above to reflect that information. Thanks for commenting- Dan.
michele Zack
2:53 pm on Friday, February 25, 2011
Good catch, Rev. Hannah. If any but the most absolute minimal work (as in 1/100th of the total proposed sediment removal to satisfy immediate concerns) begins before the EIR is complete, it looks like a PR move — not an honest look at alternative solutions to this $35 million "fix." Considering the dam cost about a million in the first place, and then a few million to retrofit for earthquake and other safety concerns in the 1990s, spending $35M without full accountability should raise eyebrows.
Altadena Cycling Gal
9:14 am on Saturday, February 26, 2011
Hooray!!! Thank you for the report!
I will share this story with friends and encourage them to make the walkabout next Saturday. http://www.arroyoseco.org/index.htm
As well, encourage them to sign the petition and stay informed.
http://www.savehahamongna.org/eirpetition.htm
Barbara Ellis
7:29 pm on Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Now they're closing the dam gates every time it rains so that the debris and trash can be floated out to the east side, any life down among the willows bar frogs has surely been displaced or drowned? So if the EIR is done soon, they won't find much life there. The area's under water at the moment almost all the way to Johnson Field.
If I've misunderstood the ability of lizards, jackrabbits and snakes to live in conditions of regular flooding, I'd love someone to tell me, so I can stop worrying about it.
Altadena Cycling Gal
7:44 pm on Wednesday, March 2, 2011
I agree with Barbara... don't know why the flood gates are closed? Is the coyote den under water now too?
Patrizzi Intergalactica
8:46 pm on Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Report back in 30 days not 90... And hopefully the furry nonswimmers have moved to higher ground for the short term.
Very important, Mike Antonovich wants to hear from other local governments and entities affected by this project. He has only received a statement from the Mayor of Pasadena. He said he wants to hear from Altadena Town Council, La Cañada Flintridge, JPL, the schools, churches, and surrounding neighborhood before moving forward. PLEASE TELL YOUR REPS and get the word out.
Roberta Martínez
7:29 am on Thursday, March 3, 2011
It would alos be great to hear from folks in Garvanza and Highland Park.