Santa Clara River Enhancement and Management Plan Enters New Phase

At its April 14, 1999 meeting, the Project Steering Committee for the Santa Clara River Enhancement and Management Plan (Plan) approved a set of recommendations to be used in developing a plan for future management of the river. This approval constituted a milestone in the planning process, and set the stage for the next phase involving the hiring of a consultant to complete the draft plan. Funds for completion of the Plan, which will involve generation of documents in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act and the National Environmental Policy Act, are currently being sought. To date, Los Angeles County, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the City of Santa Clarita, have committed to providing funding. Other entities, including the State Coastal Conservancy and Ventura County, anticipate donating funds, pending approval of their respective boards. Newhall Land and Farming has offered to match any contributions by FSCR or the Santa Clarita Organization for Planning the Environment (SCOPE).

A new task force, consisting of several steering committee members including FSCR, has been established to define all work necessary to complete the Plan. This group will develop a document to be used in obtaining proposals from qualified consultants as part of a competitive bidding process.