With more than seven million people living in the watersheds drained by the San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers, the effects of humans on natural ecosystems are extensive: native habitat is scarce, wildlife movement is obstructed, surface and groundwater quality is largely impaired, and ocean water quality is adversely affected.
While flood protection has been a high priority and largely successful, creation of sufficient park space, a comprehensive network of trails and bike paths, and opportunities to observe nature in urban settings have been a low priority until now.
In recent years, cities, communities, agencies, and groups have begun working together to propose new approaches to these issues. The territory impacted includes all of parts of 56 cities in Los Angeles County including Los Angeles, Long Beach, Pasadena and Whittier; and 10 cities in Orange County including Anaheim, Fullerton and Seal Beach.
Because of the interconnected nature of the Upper and Lower Los Angeles River watersheds, the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy (RMC) and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy (SMMC) have joined to work with local governments, California's Resources Agency, and citizen organizations to develop a Watershed and Open Space Plan for the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Watersheds.
Together, the Watershed Plan and the Open Space Plan -- named "Common Ground" -- have taken a major step in preserving open space and protecting ground and surface waters that supports all animal and plant life in the greater Los Angeles area.
LOS ANGELES LINKS:
Expo Line
Grand Avenue
Tree People
Rivers and Mountains Conservancy
THE FOUR CITIES OF EDENS LOST & FOUND:
Chicago
Los Angeles
Philadelphia
Seattle
