SACRAMENTO – Assembly Bill 353 by Assemblyman Tom Lackey (R-Palmdale) passed the State Senate on Wednesday. The legislation will provide the environmental exemption needed for the Los Angeles County Public Works Department to begin its restoration project on Bouquet Creek.
Environmental damage to Bouquet Creek has created water access problems for nearby properties and flooding problems on the adjacent roadway.
“This is only the second time in California’s history that this type of environmental exemption has been granted,” stated Assemblyman Scott Wilk who also represents the Santa Clarita Valley. “It’s almost unheard of for first-term legislators to get these types of wins for their district. Securing this exemption for Bouquet Creek is a testament to Assemblyman Lackey’s ability to be effective in Sacramento.”
The Bouquet Creek has been badly damaged since 2004 when flooding caused large amounts of sediment to build up in the creek bed. This excess sediment has blocked portions of the creek and is the likely cause of nearby properties seeing their wells dry up due an inability for water to reach them and recharge them. It also causes flooding to occur on Bouquet Canyon Road during heavy rains.
State environmental laws had blocked the project because a fish native to Bouquet Creek is classified as a fully protected species. Fully protected species cannot be disturbed for any reason under current law, and AB 353 is only the second time an exemption has been granted.
“Restoring Bouquet Creek is a project 10 years in the making and today it took an important step forward,” stated Assemblyman Lackey of the proposed project by LA County. “The leadership of Mayor Antonovich is the only reason that Bouquet Creek habitat restoration project is possible.”
AB 353 will now head to the Governor for final approval in the next few days.
[Information via news release from the office of Assemblyman Tom Lackey.]
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Waste says
Oh how nice, another huge waste of cash to pay off a nonsense project.
olderthandirt says
You are talking about “The Falls” that was a biker hang out back to the 60s. Back then they were real bikers that came for beer and burgers at the cafe there. As kids we use to fish there under the falls because there was always trout (1950s) People would fish up and down the creek. It was real nice until the L.A.trash started coming up. They ruined the campgrounds, sprayed anything that stood still, threw dirty diapers into the creek and smashed bottles on the rocks. You couldn’t wade in the water anymore.
Now the whole valley has been trashed by these people. Hate Me please, the truth sucks. Building the Prison put the last nail in the coffin.
Ryan Hunt says
I love riding my motorcycle through that Canyon. There is a spot I like to go where there are some waterfalls and I bring my Trader Joe’s salads and yogurt to eat. This spot has a lot of trash and graffiti lately, I usually go around and pick the trash up but the graffiti is getting out of hand. A natural place like this is supposed to be a tranquil, grounding experience. They should put a sign on the tree just before you enter this area that reads “Smile, Your On Camera” and actually put a couple of remote cameras up. One hidden in the trees looking into this creek gorge and another in one of the trees in front of the property that is just before the turnout where the cars park to access the creek. That camera could get a good view of the license plates. This setup would pay for itself within a week. Just some suggestions.
Kermit Franklin says
I agree. Great suggestion. I visit that location as well.