Save the Arcadia Oak Woodland

The destruction by clear cutting of 11.3 acres of native oak woodland habitat along the east side of Santa Anita Wash in the City of Arcadia, is planned by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works (DPW), in order to create a disposal site for sediment to be removed behind Santa Anita Dam and to permit improvements to the dam’s operating structure.

The community of oak trees in the rich alluvium flatland which would become the Middle Sediment Placement Site includes magnificent large trees, many a hundred years or more in age. This woodland, which includes oak, Sycamore, California bay, elderberry, toyon, sugar bush and many other native plant species, provides habitat for bats, deer, bear, owl, hawk, and other bird and wildlife species. This intact and dynamic ecosystem provides regenerating functions of groundwater storage, shade, nutrient cycling, wind/noise/dust abatement, and carbon sequestration. The woodland is located at the northern end of an urban trail and, as flatland with a wide road winding through it, is especially suitable for children, the elderly, and equestrians to walk easily.

There have been major inadequacies in the planning and environmental review processes for this project including (a) failure to provide adequate notice to the public and all relevant public entities, including the city of Sierra Madre, (b) failure to adequately inform the public of the purposes of this project, which evidently include not only removal and placement of sediment removed from behind Santa Anita Dam but also creation of new sediment disposal capacity at a to-be-created Middle Sediment Placement Site for sediment not only from the dam but also for sediment trucked in from numerous nearby debris basins, (c) failure to adequately describe and evaluate the habitat values of the sycamore/oak woodlands where the Middle Sediment Placement Site would be created, and (d) failure to identify and evaluate viable alternatives to the proposed project that would preserve the woodlands.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works (DPW) has been presented with several alternatives for disposing of sediment that would not impact the woodland.

Please take action immediately! Urge Supervisor Antonovich to evaluate all alternatives to this project that would preserve the woodland. Also call his office (213-974-5555)

UPDATE: DPW commenced their "sediment removal project" and began bulldozing trees the morning of Jan 12, 2011. Protesters blocked the gate to the woodlands on Elkins Dr. Major TV channels and the press were present to report the event and interview protesters.