Rep. Schiff, National Park Service Kick Off Rim of the Valley Corridor Special Resource Study
Washington, DC –Today, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) kicked off the Rim of the Valley Corridor Special Resource Study with the National Park Service at the Eaton Canyon Nature Center. The study will help to determine what portions of the Rim of the Valley might be eligible to be included in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and to receive Federal assistance or protection. It will offer recommendations for resource protection, public use and enjoyment, as well as opportunities to think creatively about how to protect natural and cultural resources while enhancing the quality of life in our community.
"California’s wilderness lands, including the Southern California foothills, are treasures that we must continually work to preserve for our children and our children’s children to enjoy,” Rep. Schiff said. “Today’s kickoff of the Rim of the Valley Corridor Special Resource Study is the culmination of a nine-year effort. The Study is a locally- driven process to develop a plan that balances preservation, recreation, and the needs and interests of those living in and around the area."
Rep. Schiff first introduced Rim of the Valley Corridor Study legislation several years ago and it was included in the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 (S. 2739) and signed into law by President Bush in May 2008.
"The Rim of the Valley features spectacular natural beauty and recreational opportunities surrounded by vibrant cultural landscapes,” said Woody Smeck, Acting Deputy Regional Director, National Park Service, Pacific West Region. “We look forward to working with all stakeholders on appropriate conservation strategies."
“We will be working closely with the National Park Service to provide input for this study, which is designed to evaluate alternatives for collectively managing the various land resources within the proposed corridor,” said Jody Noiron, Forest Supervisor, Angeles National Forest.
The Corridor consists of parts of the Santa Monica Mountains, Santa Susanna Mountains, San Gabriel Mountains, Verdugo Mountains, San Rafael Hills, and adjacent connector areas to the Los Padres and San Bernardino National Forests—in essence many of the hills and mountains surrounding Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena, Altadena and other communities in our area.
Key issues to be examined in the Rim of the Valley Corridor Special Resource Study include:
Completion of the Rim of the Valley Trail System, including major feeder trails to connect adjoining communities and regional transit to the trail system;
Resource and other needs of communities within, or in the vicinity of, the Rim of the Valley Corridor;
Protection of wildlife habitat and linkages between major areas of open space;
Preservation of recreational opportunities and access to open space for a variety of recreational users; and
Protection of rare, threatened, or endangered species and rare or unusual plant communities and habitat.