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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Riparian Restoration and Invasive Weed Removal

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

Project Area

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

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

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

Multiple Property Owners

Arundo Control Area(s) LADWP Property

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

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

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

Southern California Program Manager National Forest Foundation Thank you! Edward Belden Southern California Program Manager National Forest Foundation ebelden@nationalforests.org