Devil's Gate Update
Dear Parents,
We would like to update you all on the Devil’s Gate Reservoir Restoration Project. As you may be aware, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works (LACDPW) plans to remove 1.7 million cubic yards of sediment from the nearby dam over the next 4 years during the months of April through November. It has become critical to remove the sediment to protect the area from flooding. There has been some concern over the impact the work will have on air quality in the surrounding area.
The heavy trucking is scheduled to start on May 7th.
The critical area of concern is within 500 meters of the work. Crestview is just outside of this zone, but we intend to monitor the air quality ourselves and respond accordingly.
County Supervisor Kathryn Barger has continually taken the community’s concerns about the environmental impact of the Devil’s Gate project very seriously. On April 2nd, the County passed a motion by Supervisor Barger to provide air quality monitoring for the Devil’s Gate Project. This motion requires LACDPW to work with CARB (California Air Resources Board) and AQMD (South Coast Air Quality Management District) to place air quality monitoring devices at the project site and interpret the data. Those results will be made public and used to evaluate any potential next steps, should the air quality become compromised. LACDPW stated that this information will be posted on their website devilsgateproject.org. Supervisor Barger has also formed a Community Advisory Committee comprised of residents who can translate the data gathered and disseminate the information to the community through the County.
Meanwhile, La Canada Unified School District engaged an independent environmental consultant (Ninyo & Moore) and is in the process of reviewing the recommendations from that Environmental Impact Report (EIR). The district will review and discuss a monitoring plan at the April 16th general meeting, which I plan to attend to gather information and ask the District if and when they plan to provide better air filters for the schools in the district, including Crestview. The District posts regular updates about the project on their website.
Crestview will share updates and information about the project on the Parent Portal. It is important to have baseline air quality information, so rather than wait on the district and/or county to provide air quality monitors, Crestview has and is installing it’s own monitor. Crestview plans to respond to the data by adjusting the schedule on days where the air quality might be unsafe, especially in regard to use of the back field. While we will regularly check information posted by LACDPW and the County, we would like the ability to independently interpret the data from our own monitor. If anyone in our Crestview community is able to interpret the data from a Purple Air monitor and communicate the results to us so that Crestview can respond accordingly and include this information in our updates, please contact Baudelia Taylor, Cindy Rigney or Kim Barros. Additionally, if the district does not provide better quality air filters before the work starts, Crestview will move ahead to purchase and install the filters.
Our plan of action is continuing to evolve. It looks like the County and District are both very responsive to the community’s concerns. County Supervisor meetings and District meetings are open to the public. Should it become necessary, we've gathered the following information:
LACDPW Hotline:
626-458-2507
Brittany Barker. Onsite Civil Engineer for LACDPW
626-476-4875
Terrence Mann, AQMD Compliance Agent assigned to Devil’s Gate
909-396-3023
We will continue to monitor the situation closely. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Kim Barros at kimberly.barros@gmail.com.
Warmly,
The Crestview Parent Association