San Gabriel River Corridor Master Plan

For many decades, the San Gabriel River effectively served the region by performing essential flood protection, groundwater recharge and storm water conservation functions. In recent years, there has been a growing desire to rediscover the river and offer more of its benefits to all the communities along its route, as well as to visitors from throughout the region. Communities want to establish and enhance habitat, recreational and open space resources along the river – in ways compatible with its core flood and water management functions.

In 1999, the County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors directed the Department of Public Works to prepare a plan for the San Gabriel River corridor. To develop a shared vision of the river, a Steering Committee representing cities, other public agencies, water groups, and community and environmental groups was formed.

The consensus-based Master Plan that emerged from this stakeholder-driven process integrates many objectives: flood protection, water supply, habitat, recreation, open space, and economic development. A multi-objective and multi-user perspective to planning the long-term future of the San Gabriel River is the foundation and purpose for this Master Plan.

The Master Plan identifies priorities, provides guidance, and coordinates multiple goals of the many jurisdictions and other stakeholders that share the river – reflecting the consensus of all these stakeholders. It integrates over 130 independently sponsored enhancement projects that were identified by the 19 cities along the river, the County of Los Angeles and the public agencies and community organizations that participated in developing the Master Plan. It summarizes projects and programs already underway or proposed, enabling the entire river community to see what’s being done and what remains to be done in the future.

This framework is meant to guide the efforts of all cities along the river, encouraging them to join with the County of Los Angeles, other public agencies, non-profit groups, business interests, community organizations and other stakeholders in designing and planning projects that will make their shared vision of the river a reality.

All river stakeholders are invited to participate in the Master Plan's preparation. Represented agencies are shown in the following link:

• Steering Committee Membership

Purpose

The Master Plan will be a consensus-based document that will recognize and address River corridor issues and concerns of the stakeholders. It will include areas within existing rights of way from Morris Dam in the San Gabriel Mountains to the River's outlet in Seal Beach.