NO Canyon Hills

NO Canyon Hills https://nocanyonhills.org NO Canyon Hills Sat, 10 Jun 2023 20:22:57 +0000 https://nocanyonhills.org en Verdugos https://nocanyonhills.org/Verdugos Thu, 23 Feb 2023 06:26:33 +0000 NO Canyon Hills https://nocanyonhills.org/Verdugos A Significant Ecological Area in the Verdugo Mountains in L.A. is threatened by luxury development. We have an opportunity to resist. Let’s crowdfund a mountain How You Can Help 1. Donate to our Urgent Legal Defense Fund. 2. Demand a Subsequent Environmental Impact Report.  3. Follow us and amplify our message on Social Media.    4. Help to acquire the land for conservation!        ︎ Info https://nocanyonhills.org/Info Thu, 23 Feb 2023 06:26:34 +0000 NO Canyon Hills https://nocanyonhills.org/Info The ‘Canyon Hills’ site is unceded territory and ancestral land of the Fernandeño Tataviam and Gabrieleno Tongva Band of Mission Indians.Under colonial legacy, the mountain range we know as “The Verdugos” has been subject to a series of financial transactions, recast as private property. It has been cut-through by a major freeway and disassembled into “parcels.” And yet, with its abundant native flora communities whose underground structures rebel against false borders, the land continues to support a vibrant ecosystem. It provides crucial habitat for L.A.’s threatened cougar population (including the newest cat in town, #LaTunaPuma), as well as other large and small mammals, insects, reptiles, amphibians, and all manner of life. Held deep in its rock, its soil, its streams, is an immeasurable history. Today, as we face unprecedented biodiversity loss, climate-related catastrophe and cultural dispossession, we must say no to a luxury project like ‘Canyon Hills’ that harms far more than it heals; that devalues life so that a handul of men may profit. Please help us say #NOCanyonHills. What’s At Stake? Project 1: Canyon Hills https://nocanyonhills.org/Project-1-Canyon-Hills Fri, 09 Jun 2023 02:47:08 +0000 NO Canyon Hills https://nocanyonhills.org/Project-1-Canyon-Hills <img width="1702" height="1323" width_o="1702" height_o="1323" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/7dad9da831f788d1fc8bd6b04df75107818f92f1c685fbc241461e3781af70e6/Canyon-Hills-Aerial.png" data-mid="181584022" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/7dad9da831f788d1fc8bd6b04df75107818f92f1c685fbc241461e3781af70e6/Canyon-Hills-Aerial.png" /> What is ‘Canyon Hills’? ‘Canyon Hills’ is a luxury, gated development proposed for 300 acres of open space in the Verdugo Mountains in Sunland-Tujunga. The easement address for the property is 7000 La Tuna Canyon Road. Project Specs at a GlanceTotal lots: 276 Maximum Residential Lot Size: 55,872 Sq.Ft. Average Residential Lot Size: 16,000 Sq.Ft. Vesting Tentative Tract Area: 306.5 Acres Grading Area within Boundary: 155 Acres Luxury Gated Community with HOA amenities. Project Status‘Canyon Hills’ was proposed by a private developer in 2003 and approved by L.A. City Council in 2005. The developer was given a 20-year Development Agreement with the City. Though the project sat dormant for 16 years, the developer recently filed for a grading permit in order to begin grading construction. At present, the grading permit is awaiting final approval with the L.A. Department of City Planning. ︎ CUT-FILL GRADING FOR ‘CANYON HILLS’ REQUIRES MOVING 3,998,100 CY of earth  Project 2: Tract Map https://nocanyonhills.org/Project-2-Tract-Map Fri, 09 Jun 2023 02:50:54 +0000 NO Canyon Hills https://nocanyonhills.org/Project-2-Tract-Map Project 3: SMMC Quote https://nocanyonhills.org/Project-3-SMMC-Quote Fri, 09 Jun 2023 03:41:49 +0000 NO Canyon Hills https://nocanyonhills.org/Project-3-SMMC-Quote “The wholesale ecological viability of the Verdugo Mountains ecosystem is at stake.” — Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, May 2023 NO CANYON HILLS is dedicated to the conservation, restoration, and longterm stewardship of open space in the Verdugos. Working with a team of dedicated field researchers, NCH has identified more than 350 species at the ‘Canyon Hills’ site, including the Southern CA Rufous-crowned Sparrow, a threatened species. Project 4: Ecology https://nocanyonhills.org/Project-4-Ecology Sat, 10 Jun 2023 05:57:45 +0000 NO Canyon Hills https://nocanyonhills.org/Project-4-Ecology NCH BIOLOGICAL REPORT 2023: ‘Canyon Hills’: A Significant Ecological Area <img width="2000" height="2000" width_o="2000" height_o="2000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/aa4ddc28313df6b66754e7a306b23ef1b46303d0082b1d32f2674575f2a2f84c/NOCANYONHILLS_RIOASCHPHOENIX-1.jpg" data-mid="181634354" border="0" data-scale="94" data-no-zoom src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/aa4ddc28313df6b66754e7a306b23ef1b46303d0082b1d32f2674575f2a2f84c/NOCANYONHILLS_RIOASCHPHOENIX-1.jpg" /> Ecological Setting The Verdugo Mountains are a small, steep range at the far northeastern corner of the San Fernando Valley at the southwestern base of the San Gabriel Mountains. The dominant vegetation within the ‘Canyon Hills’ Project area is mixed chaparral, with smaller areas of oak woodland, coastal sage scrub, and riparian (oak-sycamore) woodland. Geologically, the Verdugos are similar to the San Gabriel Mountains, and share a flora similar to both this range and the Santa Monica Mountains, but with certain unique characteristics and species present. Active streams and waterways on the Project site support a range of wildlife. Flora The Project site is populated with black sage, california lilacs, buckwheats, and other native flora. Many native trees on the site (various species, including western sycamore, manzanita, and coast live oak) are massive in size, having survived multiple fires. Southern coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia var. oxyadenia) was also recently documented. Special Status Significant ‘special status’ findings made by NCH at the site include: Davidson’s bush-mallow (Malacothamnus davidsonii), CRPR 1B.2.  San Gabriel oak (Quercus durata var. gabrielensis), CRPR 4.2 Plummer’s mariposa lily (Calochortus plummerae), CRPR 4.2 Ocellated Humboldt lily (Lilium humboldtii var. ocellatum), CRPR 4.2 ︎ <img width="2000" height="2000" width_o="2000" height_o="2000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/7f50e5a3d46cfa81efc488b5cfc8450828c30c4c26064dd51c8d61fff4c049f7/NOCANYONHILLS_RIOASCHPHOENIX-4.jpg" data-mid="181634412" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/7f50e5a3d46cfa81efc488b5cfc8450828c30c4c26064dd51c8d61fff4c049f7/NOCANYONHILLS_RIOASCHPHOENIX-4.jpg" /> <img width="2000" height="2000" width_o="2000" height_o="2000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/739723caa1f1b9ab1cb8032346d0f7be0fa7063ff500f0c65bc06342aca5f127/1.-NCH_Rio_Asch_Phoenix-copy.jpg" data-mid="181634418" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/739723caa1f1b9ab1cb8032346d0f7be0fa7063ff500f0c65bc06342aca5f127/1.-NCH_Rio_Asch_Phoenix-copy.jpg" /> <img width="2000" height="2000" width_o="2000" height_o="2000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/8b20e7d5a6d4370e4c97c1e3bc4ccfab7cfbeacda4a8b104d9dc9ccdfc229450/NCH-63.jpg" data-mid="181634449" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/8b20e7d5a6d4370e4c97c1e3bc4ccfab7cfbeacda4a8b104d9dc9ccdfc229450/NCH-63.jpg" /> <img width="2000" height="2000" width_o="2000" height_o="2000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/ae26a645e43be9055eb98df6346c72041ac015b4bec49337036dbd3869a27507/NCH-66.jpg" data-mid="181634486" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/ae26a645e43be9055eb98df6346c72041ac015b4bec49337036dbd3869a27507/NCH-66.jpg" /> <img width="2000" height="2000" width_o="2000" height_o="2000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/7d5c1c8a69ea3b884770ea593ffecc97e931ea0a1da77835a857cbdca1881dd8/NCH-61.jpg" data-mid="181634421" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/7d5c1c8a69ea3b884770ea593ffecc97e931ea0a1da77835a857cbdca1881dd8/NCH-61.jpg" /> <img width="2000" height="2000" width_o="2000" height_o="2000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/e66b6711889330716cdf4fd499e7336ad0aeee28701d1d16c2ede02e5c0134a3/NCH-50.jpg" data-mid="181634464" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/e66b6711889330716cdf4fd499e7336ad0aeee28701d1d16c2ede02e5c0134a3/NCH-50.jpg" /> <img width="2000" height="2000" width_o="2000" height_o="2000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/ddbf01b13eaca08b5514f4b8622c58e25102368e5367fc128a793ce8d950aa83/NOCANYONHILLS_RIOASCHPHOENIX-13.JPEG" data-mid="181634546" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/ddbf01b13eaca08b5514f4b8622c58e25102368e5367fc128a793ce8d950aa83/NOCANYONHILLS_RIOASCHPHOENIX-13.JPEG" /> <img width="2000" height="2000" width_o="2000" height_o="2000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/f58206e1ed67e2b7e582528e3c9759920ca6bfe44279ec0aaab99da3249bc1fd/NCH-43.jpg" data-mid="181634419" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/f58206e1ed67e2b7e582528e3c9759920ca6bfe44279ec0aaab99da3249bc1fd/NCH-43.jpg" /> Project 5: Sig Findings https://nocanyonhills.org/Project-5-Sig-Findings Sat, 10 Jun 2023 06:50:19 +0000 NO Canyon Hills https://nocanyonhills.org/Project-5-Sig-Findings Photo Humingbird https://nocanyonhills.org/Photo-Humingbird Sat, 10 Jun 2023 20:22:57 +0000 NO Canyon Hills https://nocanyonhills.org/Photo-Humingbird Given the substantial changes and new information available relevant to the Project site, both in regard to the impacts to botanical resources and the fire risk, the City Council should require that a supplemental EIR be prepared prior to allowing this project to proceed. — California Native Plant Society, April 2023 Project 6: Wildlife https://nocanyonhills.org/Project-6-Wildlife Sat, 10 Jun 2023 06:36:06 +0000 NO Canyon Hills https://nocanyonhills.org/Project-6-Wildlife Fauna The ‘Canyon Hills’ Project site supports a vibrant ecosystem. In addition to coyote and bobcat, notable mammal species active in the site include Merriam’s chipmunk, American black bear, and western gray squirrel, which have become rare at lowland elevations in Southern California. Three of our most significant findings at the Project site include mountain lion, Crotch’s bumble bee, and the presence of various migratory birds. Mountain Lions <img width="1459" height="2189" width_o="1459" height_o="2189" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/50e451b17c98d4752898bb2211ede54c8d3cf2200a23451447f17e77efd41dbc/ltp_crop.png" data-mid="181678780" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/50e451b17c98d4752898bb2211ede54c8d3cf2200a23451447f17e77efd41dbc/ltp_crop.png" />Despite contrary claims in the ‘Canyon Hills’ original EIR, mountain lions (Puma concolor), are active in the Verdugo Mountains and have been documented at the Project site. In 2019, mountain lions were proposed for listing under the California Endangered Species Act, affording them new legal protections. One juvenile male in particular has been documented at the Project site. We’ve dubbed him #La Tuna Puma — and yes, that’s him up there in the photo. Crotch’s Bumble Bee <img width="1459" height="2189" width_o="1459" height_o="2189" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/8d10298db72b330792218bcebb83f1422be2fe339ff4cd8939b64a18ac2f165e/IMG_8422.png" data-mid="181678635" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/8d10298db72b330792218bcebb83f1422be2fe339ff4cd8939b64a18ac2f165e/IMG_8422.png" /> One of the most notable faunal observations at ‘Canyon Hills’ has been that of Crotch’s bumble bee (Bombus crotchii), a species that until recently was rarely witnessed in life. Considered “Endangered” by IUCN, it has now been observed on three occasions at the site (spring 2023). Among the largest bees in North America, this California endemic is found in flower-rich scrub on south-facing slopes in the area, and its presence here adds to the growing body of information about its range and habits. Local & Migratory Birds <img width="1459" height="2189" width_o="1459" height_o="2189" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/787504485db8609557da9ac2dba8edcf0756d590865e60511a553bb286cd8bfd/IMG_8422.jpg" data-mid="181678430" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/787504485db8609557da9ac2dba8edcf0756d590865e60511a553bb286cd8bfd/IMG_8422.jpg" /> Located just 10 miles southeast of the famous Bear Divide bird migration site, ‘Canyon Hills’ bands the presumed flight path of migrant birds moving along the front range of the San Gabriel Mountains. There is a strong likelihood that the project site supports key stopover habitat for many migrants as they head northwest toward Bear Divide. The site provides low-elevation habitat for a local chaparral bird community, as well as for raptors like the Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis). Photo https://nocanyonhills.org/Photo Sat, 10 Jun 2023 18:14:30 +0000 NO Canyon Hills https://nocanyonhills.org/Photo “Mountain lion populations in the Project area are facing an extinction vortex driven by habitat fragmentation, vehicle strikes, rodenticide poisoning, disease, and other causes. The Project will further degrade [habitat] connectivity and drive these vulnerable populations closer to extinction."— Center for Biological Diversity, March 2023