Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, May 07, 2019
Consent
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDER RESOLUTION 19-093 SUPPORTING AB 1694 (O'DONNELL) EXPANDING THE TERRITORY OF THE SAN GABRIEL AND LOWER LOS ANGELES RIVERS AND MOUNTAINS CONSERVANCY (CITY COUNCIL)
Body
I. SUMMARY
AB 1694 expands the territory of the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy (RMC) to include the Dominguez Channel watershed and Santa Catalina Island. This action could directly benefit the City of Carson as it may make the City eligible for more grant and bond funding for open space projects.
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
TAKE the following actions:
1. WAIVE further reading and ADOPT Resolution No. 19-093, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARSON, CALIFORNIA, SUPPORTING AB 1694 (O’Donnell), EXPANDING THE TERRITORY OF THE San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy TO INCLUDE THE Dominguez Channel watershed and Santa Catalina Island”
2. REQUEST that staff forward a copy of executed Resolution 19-093 to Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell’s Office, Attention: Arturo Salaices.
1.
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III. ALTERNATIVES
DO NOT support Resolution 19-093.
IV. BACKGROUND
The RMC is one of 10 conservancies created by the Legislature with the mission of preserving open space and habitat while facilitating public access to California's wilderness and wildlife. The RMC achieves these goals through projects that preserve and restore wildlife habitat, improve watersheds, and provide low-impact recreational and educational uses. The RMC applies for funding from public and private sources to support projects throughout their territory which covers eastern Los Angeles County and Western Orange County.
Need for the Bill:
While the Conservancy has successfully completed numerous projects within their territory, several neighboring and nearby communities in need have not had access to the same opportunities.
West of the Los Angeles River near its outlet to the ocean is the Dominguez Channel Watershed. This Watershed includes portions of the cities and communities of Carson, Compton, El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, Inglewood, Lawndale, Lomita, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Torrance, and San Pedro. Approximately 81 percent of the 133 square miles that make up the watershed are developed. With a population of 1 million, demand for services are high while parkland and open space are in short supply.
Another nearby community facing open space management challenges resides on Santa Catalina Island. Normally thought of as a tourist destination, the residents of the island itself are constituted primarily by those who provide services to tourists. With a population of only about 4,000 and a median household income of approximately $63,000, finding funding for open space and water management projects can be challenging. Additionally, the very nature of the island poses challenges with managing several native and non-native species as well as their limited access to equipment that must be brought by plane or boat.
Other than limited coverage by the Coastal Conservancy, neither of these communities have access to the opportunities provided by a state backed conservancy.
Solution:
AB 1694 seeks to bring the numerous benefits of the RMC to the Dominguez Channel Watershed and Santa Catalina Island. This will expand the reach of RMC's funding and expertise to many traditionally underserved communities with unique open space and water management challenges.
V. FISCAL IMPACT
None.
VI. EXHIBITS
1. Resolution 19-093. (pgs. 3-4)
2. Dominguez Channel & LA Harbor Watersheds Map (pg. 5)
Prepared by: City Manager's Office