Agenda Item: 7
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
CONSENT CALENDAR
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
DATE: December 12, 2023
SUBJECT: THE NORTHERN ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST NATIONAL
MONUMENT PROPOSAL
DEPARTMENT: City Manager's Office
PRESENTER: Masis Hagobian
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council support efforts to designate the Northern Angeles National Forest as a national monument.
BACKGROUND
At the November 28, 2023, regular City Council meeting, the City Council requested a future agenda item to consider supporting recent efforts to designate the Northern Angeles National Forest as a national monument.
Proponents of the Northern Angeles Forest Campaign are advocating to designate 180,000 acres of the Angeles National Forest, located directly north of the City of Santa Clarita (City), as a national monument. The proposed area connects to the Tehachapi Mountains, Los Padres Forest, Tejon Ranch Conservancy, Mojave Desert, and San Gabriel Mountains.
Additionally, the proposed area contains significant natural resources and amenities including wildlife corridors, segments of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, and endangered species including the California red legged frog and unarmored three-spined stickleback. The proposed area also includes sensitive historical and cultural features including undeveloped lands of the Tataviam Band of Mission Indians, the Saint Francis Dam National Memorial and Monument, and Power Plant One, the first power plant to generate electricity for the City of Los Angeles.
A designation of a national monument will bring the Northern Angeles National Forest significant resources to better support and maintain the natural and historical features in the proposed area. Additionally, the designation of a national monument will require the United States Forest Service to develop and maintain a management plan, which would include efforts to better protect wildlife corridors, enhance visitor services, and address recreational needs and
accessibility.
Supporters of the Northern Angeles Forest Campaign include Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-40-Santa Clarita), Assemblyman Tom Lackey (R-34-Palmdale), Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce, Safe Action for the Environment, Saint Francis Dam National Memorial Foundation, National Parks Conservation Association, Sierra Club, and Pacific Crest Trail Association.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
Other direction, as provided by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
The resources required to implement the recommended action are contained within the City of Santa Clarita’s adopted Fiscal Year 2023-24 budget.