House okays mountain park study

The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation last week that will approve and fund a Rim of the Valley corridor study to determine the impact of expanding the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.

The Rim of the Valley is an area that includes the mountains encircling the San Fernando, Santa Clarita, Simi, and Conejo valleys as well as areas within the Santa Susana Mountains, just north of Granada Hills.

"With input from federal, state and local agencies and the community, the passage of this bill will allow the National Park Service to analyze the ecological significance of this contiguous region," said U.S. Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks).

Sherman represents the 27th District, which includes the west San Fernando Valley and Simi Valley. He worked on the bill along with U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Pasadena).

"This legislation addresses the needs and interests of both private landowners and communities within the boundaries of the Rim of the Valley corridor, including the unincorporated areas within Los Angeles and Ventura Counties in the Simi Hills and Santa Susana Mountains," Sherman said.

It's estimated that the park area receives over 35 million annual visits. The corridor contains a multitude of accessible recreation trails and other park amenities for use in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, including the 150-mile Backbone Trail.

The study would look at the full implication of expanding the Santa Monica Mountains national park.

The study received support from several local cities, agencies and environmental groups, including the city of Los Angeles, the city of Santa Clarita, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and the Sierra Club Angeles Chapter.

- Acorn staff report