Save Whittier Narrows Natural Area

The Whittier Narrows Natural Area and Nature Center, a wildlife sanctuary founded in 1939 on the San Gabriel River in east Los Angeles County, is threatened by a proposal to build an unnecessary and environmentally destructive $22 million taxpayer-funded water museum and meeting hall. The project of an agency dominated by unelected government and water agency officials, the proposed San Gabriel River Discovery Center would:

* Destroy rare and valuable habitat within a historic wildlife sanctuary, Los Angeles County Significant Ecological Area and National Audubon Society Important Bird Area

* Waste tens of millions of taxpayer and ratepayer dollars when families and businesses are paying higher taxes/water rates even as critical services are being slashed

* Introduce user fees, thereby restricting access to outdoor recreation and environmental education opportunities for families, senior citizens, teachers and students

* Sacrifice the historically and culturally important Whittier Narrows Nature Center for a facility primarily intended to serve as meeting space for government and water agencies

* Expose the wildlife sanctuary to additional large-scale development projects proposed in the San Gabriel River Discovery Center Conceptual Master Plan

We urge that the following fiscally responsible, community-focused and environmentally appropriate alternative be pursued: (1) restoration of the wildlife sanctuary and improvement of its trails and interpretive displays; (2) eco-friendly renovation of the nature center so that it continues as a gateway to the outdoors; and (3) historic landmark status for the wildlife sanctuary and the larger Whittier Narrows Recreation Area, as recommended in a federal historic resources survey of Whittier Narrows.