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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-10-22 - AGENDA REPORTS - EEMP EAST CYN WILDLIFE PROJ (2)City Manager Item to be pr( Rick Putnam CONSENT CALENDAR DATE: October 22, 1996 SUBJECT: RE-APPLICATION TO ENVIRONMENTAL ENHANCEMENT MITIGA- TION PROGRAM (EEMP) FOR THE EAST CANYON WILDLIFE CORRIDOR REFORESTATION PROJECT RESOLUTION NO. 96-131 DEPARTMENT: Parks, Recreation and Community Services The East Canyon to Gavin Canyon area of the Santa Clarita Woodlands is a critical wildlife corridor. Additionally it is an ideal trailhead/staging area for low intensity recreational use of the southern portion of the Woodlands (such as East Canyon to O'Melveny Park, and the Rice Canyon area). However, this critical linkage has been degraded by the adjacent freeway demolition and reconstruction project resulting from the 1994 earthquake, and past grazing and other land uses have also taken their toll. Last October the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy Board of Directors authorized application for Environmental Enhancement Mitigation Program (EEMP) grant funds for this project. The total number of projects submitted at that time for consideration under the EEMP were several times the amount of money available. The Conservancy's application fell a mere few points short of qualifying for the previous grant. After discussion with the EEMP director at the State Resources Agency, staff was encouraged to reapply for the grant application, which closes on November 4, 1996. The Santa Clarita Watershed Recreation and Conservation Authority and the Mountains Recreation Conservation Authority 'can jointly apply for this grant to maximize East Canyon as an inter -mountain wildlife corridor, while also accommodating public use as a staging area by enhancing native tree cover. Increasing the vegetation at the mouth of the Canyon would benefit habitat linkage liability. Exotic non-native grasses and invasive weeds (thistles, as an example) will be eradicated or controlled as well, thereby improving habitat quality and visitor experience for enhancement of the riparian corridor and valley oak woodland. Adopted: /a -JJ -9(P Agenda Item: That the City Council adopt Resolution 96-131 supporting the joint re-application of the Santa Clarita Watershed Recreation and Conservation Authority with the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority for an EEMP grant totaling $235,000. Resolution No. 96-131 REP:mat PRCOUAVIL ,e pgm,,06 RESOLUTION NO. 96-131 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA RELATING TO RE-APPLICATION TO ENVIRONMENTAL ENHANCEMENT MITIGATION PROGRAM (EEMP) FOR THE EAST CANYON WILDLIFE CORRIDOR REFORESTATION PROJECT WHEREAS, the East Canyon to Gavin Canyon area of the Santa Clarita Woodlands is a critical wildlife corridor; and WHEREAS, the East Canyon is an ideal staging/trailhead location for low intensity recreational use of the southern portion of the Santa Clarita Woodlands, and WHEREAS, the East Canyon area was severely degraded by the adjacent freeway demolition and reconstruction project resulting from the 1994 earthquake; and WHEREAS, the Santa Clarita Watershed Recreation and Conservation Authority and the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority desire to jointly apply for an Environmental Enhancement Mitigation Program (EEMP) grant to restore the East Canyon area of the Santa Clarita Woodlands; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA does hereby support the joint EEMP grant application totaling $235,000 of the Santa Clarita Watershed Recreation and Conservation Authority and the Mountains Recreation Conservation Authority for the restoration and enhancement of the East Canyon area of the Santa Clarita Woodlands. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this day of 19 MAYOR ATTEST: CITY CLERK STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) § CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ) I, George A. Caravalho, City Manager/City Clerk of the City of Santa Clarita, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly adopted by the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita at a regular meeting thereof, held on the day of , 19_ by the following vote of Council: AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: CITY CLERK REP:mat PRC0UNCIL\mw96.103