CC - Item 3D - Resolution Supporting Creation of San Gabriel Mountains National Recreation AreaROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL
STAFF REPORT
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JEFF ALLRED, CITY MANAGER
DATE: SEPTEMBER 25, 2012
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION SUPPORTING CREATION OF SAN GABRIEL
MOUNTAINS NATIONAL RECREATION AREA
SUMMARY
The San Gabriel Mountains Forever campaign is requesting that the City Council adopt
a resolution in support of the creation of a San Gabriel Mountains National Recreation
Area. This designation would provide the San Gabriel Mountains with increased
attention and resources in order to improve recreational opportunities for residents and
further conservation efforts.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the resolution in support of the creation of
a San Gabriel Mountains National Recreation Area, specifically Alternative D.
ANALYSIS
During the August 14, 2012 City Council meeting, Rosemead resident Natalie Gurnica
presented Council with the San Gabriel Mountains Forever (SGMF) campaign. SGMF is
a diverse partnership formed by local business owners, faith groups, community
leaders, health and recreation groups, cities, conservation organizations, and residents.
Their objective is the preservation and protection of the San Gabriel Mountains, in
hopes that our future generations will be able to enjoy this natural resource.
The Angeles National Forest is not properly prepared for the heavy foot traffic that it
receives. The recreation area is underfunded and understaffed, with minimal parking
spaces, trash receptacles, and restrooms. Biking and hiking trails lack proper signage,
while visitor information and educational opportunities are scarce. According to the
SGMF, children in the San Gabriel Valley suffer from a high rate of obesity, possibly due
to their disconnect with nature. If the mountains were more accessible, it would motivate
the youth and make them more inclined to be physically active in the wild lands which
are at such a close proximity to their homes.
The creation of a San Gabriel Mountains National Recreation Area (NRA) would ensure
ITEM lei ®a
City Council Meeting
September 25, 2012
Page 2 of 2
that resources found in this mountain range are protected and enjoyed on a larger
scale. Additional staff, amenities, proper signage, youth programs, and trail expansions
will attract an increasingly diverse visitor base and alleviate the concerns of existing
patrons. Better supervision and maintenance would be beneficial and help transform the
wild lands back to their original beauty, while also guaranteeing their endurance.
The National Park Services has discussed four viable Alternatives relative to this
proposal. Alternative B was dismissed from further discussion due to its unpopularity
with the public.
Alternative A would create the NRA around the San Gabriel Mountains, designating it to
be managed solely by the U.S. Forest Service. Additional resources and recreational
opportunities would abound, but the river based section of the mountains would not
receive any assistance. Under this option, the NRA wouldn't be classified as an actual
unit of the national park system.
Alternative C would distribute the border of the NRA around the watershed, focusing on
river based recreations. The visibility of the San Gabriel River watershed would
improve, as there would be new educational opportunities for patrons. This area would
be managed by a partnership which includes agencies and organizations that have an
interest or land in the vicinity. Additionally, there would be a partnership comprised of
environmental education centers, school districts, visitor centers, and youth
organizations for the purpose of providing ranger programs and educational
opportunities about the cultural significance of the watershed.
Alternative D is the environmentally preferable option, and the one which best
represents the comments that were gathered from the public. This option essentially
would cover the areas of Alternative A and Alternative C combined, hence providing
greater opportunities for recreational and educational purposes. In addition, technical
support would be provided to neighboring communities in order to create a network of
habitats, parks, and open spaces for the purpose of conservation planning. The
management system would be collaborative and identical to Alternative C, with the
National Park Service assuming management roles for programs such as visitor
education and open space management while keeping the Forest Service as the lead
agency for all other services. Ecological restoration would be highlighted.
Prepared by:
U O
Barbara Tchobanian
Administrative Intern
RESOLUTION 2012 -54
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ROSEMEAD, CALIFORNIA, SUPPORTING THE CREATION OF A SAN
GABRIEL MOUNTAINS NATIONAL RECREATION AREA
WHEREAS, it is in the interest of the City of Rosemead to preserve nearby open
space and wild areas outside the boundaries of the City for the protection of our region's
mountain vistas, air quality, water quality, places for solitude and vast recreational
opportunities; and
WHEREAS, wilderness and wild rivers are an important component of our
community's historic, cultural, economic and social identity; and
WHEREAS, over three million of us visit the San Gabriel Mountains each year to
escape the pace of city life and to hike, ride horses or mountain bikes, watch wildlife,
meditate, fish or picnic with friends and family
WHEREAS, our region's youth obesity and diabetes crisis is growing, bringing
new urgency to better connecting our people and communities with the nearby
mountains and rivers; and
WHEREAS, despite the growing need for healthy recreational opportunities, the
ability of the Forest Service to support forest visitors is declining in the Angeles and San
Bernardino National Forests; and
WHEREAS, a national recreation area would improve the recreational
experience of all forest visitors by bringing in new resources for bettering facilities,
staffing, educational and youth programs, and trail expansion as well as provide
services for an increasing diverse visitor base; and
Now, therefore be it resolved, that the City of Rosemead asks Congress to create
a robust San Gabriel Mountains National Recreation Area that includes all of the
mountain range and appropriate areas of the surrounding region with an emphasis on
improving healthy recreational opportunities and also endorses the designation of
wilderness and wild and scenic rivers in the San Gabriel Mountains. Of all Alternatives
offered by the National Park Services, Alternative D would be preferable since it
benefits from avid public support and would protect a larger area.
1
PASSED, AND ADOPTED, by the City Council of the City of Rosemead, County of Los
Angeles of the State of California on September 25, 2012.
Sandra Armenta, Mayor
ATTEST:
Gloria Molleda, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Rachel H. Richman, City Attorney
2