1. Los Angeles Greater IRWM:
Partnering on headwaters vegetation management to replenish water supplies
The perspective from most of Los Angeles
Restoring LA’s Backyard Forest and Headwaters
10/12/17

2. The National Forest Foundation
Formed by Congressional charter in 1991, the National Forest Foundation engages America in community-based and national programs that promote the health and public enjoyment of the 193-million-acre National Forest System.
NFF was formed in 1991 by Congressional Charter with the mission to engage Americans in community-based and national programs that promote the health and public enjoyment of the 193-million-acre National Forest System.

3. Due to the devastation from the Station Fire the National Forest Foundation worked with the Forest Service to Designate the Angeles National Forest and the Big Tujunga Watershed as a Treasured Landscape.

4. Station Fire of 2009 On August 26th, 2009 from an act of arson
Contained on Friday, October 26th, 2009:
burned 252 square miles a total of 161,189 acres approximately ¼ of the forest
It was the largest fire in Los Angeles County’s recorded history and cost over 95 million dollars on firefighting
It affected 35 local communities.

5. On August 26th, 2009 from an act of arson
Contained on Friday, October 26th, 2009:
burned 252 square miles a total of 161,189 acres approximately ¼ of the forest
It was the largest fire in Los Angeles County’s recorded history and cost over 95 million dollars on firefighting
It affected 35 local communities.

7. Backyard to 17 Million People
Treasured Landscape Project Goals
Riparian Restoration
Reforestation
Invasive Weed Removal
Climate Change Adaptation
Ecological Sustainable Recreation
Linking Science and Action with the Community
17 million people live within an hour’s drive of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument.
1/3 of LA County’s Water Supply
San Gabriel Mountains National Monument includes half of the Angeles National Forest.
The Angeles National Forest is the most urban National Forest in the U.S.
Over 4 million people visit the San Gabriel’s annually.
Protecting America’s Backyard 7

8. Riparian Restoration and Invasive Weed Removal

9. Riparian Restoration and Invasive Weed Removal
Multi year eradication of Arundo from the Big Tujunga Watershed
Start by removing the stands with access and higher in the watershed
Big Tujunga Arundo Removal Benefits
Water Quantity
Terrestrial Habitat- Riparian Restoration
Aquatic Habitat-Stream flows
Wildfire- Reduction in threats
Flood Damage
Beach Debris

11. Project Area

12. Arundo Removal Water Benefits
Removal of 1 Acre of Arundo Yields 20 acre-feet of water

13. Local Source of Water
17 million people live within an hour’s drive of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument.
1/3 of LA County’s Water Supply
San Gabriel Mountains National Monument includes half of the Angeles National Forest.
The Angeles National Forest is the most urban National Forest in the U.S.
Over 4 million people visit the San Gabriel’s annually.
Protecting America’s Backyard 13

14. Arundo Removal of 50 Acres
$8.63 Million Water Quantity Benefits (50 acres, 20 Years at $500/ac-ft)
Cost Estimate $2.4- Million over 5 years
Multiple Funders
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
DWR LA County IRWMP Grant
Corporations:
the Walt Disney Company,
the Coca-Cola Company,
MillerCoors,
Anheuser-Busch,
Edison International

15. Multiple Property Owners

16. Arundo Control Area(s)
LADWP Property

17. Arundo Removal Project Steps
Permits and Environmental Analysis
Funding
Contracting
Property Outreach
Implementation
Grant Reporting
Documentation

18. Arundo Removal Approach
1) Cut and Chip
2) Treat and Leave
Considerations: Sensitive Areas, Fuel Loads
AQMD Seedling

19. Arundo Removal Arundo area before (left), and after (right) removal.
AQMD Seedling

20. Southern California Program Manager National Forest Foundation
Thank you!
Edward Belden
Southern California Program Manager
National Forest Foundation