California State Parks Enhances Endangered Fish Habitat, Public Beach Access and Water Quality in Leo Carrillo State Park
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“We are so pleased that this project benefits both the natural environment and the recreating public – two pillars of California State Park’s mission,” said Suzanne Goode, Senior Environmental Scientist, California State Parks. “Southern steelhead is an imperiled species, and to once again reconnect them to their historic habitat in one of the cleanest creeks in the Santa Monica Mountains is a reason to celebrate.”
After 15 years of planning, two older concrete roadways that cut through Arroyo Sequit Creek will be removed and replaced with free standing bridges. These roadways currently provide access to the beach and a group camp site, but are affected by seasonal flooding that degrades water quality and blocks public access. The roadways also keep Southern steelhead trout from utilizing 4.5 miles of quality habitat along Arroyo Sequit Creek.
The southern California steelhead trout, a Distinct Population Segment (DPS), are endangered and range from the Santa Maria River south to the border of California and Mexico. Historically, thousands of fish spawned each year throughout the streams in the Santa Monica Mountains as part of their unique life history that spans both freshwater and ocean habitats. Today only three streams, Arroyo Sequit, Malibu, and Topanga creeks, are known to contain steelhead trout, and their numbers are few.
Project construction is scheduled for July 13 – October 31, 2015. During this time vehicle access to the beach, all day-use parking, and the group campground will be closed. Pedestrian access to the beach and individual camp site reservations will not be affected, and the camp store will be open. Work hours will be from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday – Friday, except holidays.
For more information, please visit the following website: www.parks.ca.gov/leosteelhead.
This project was funded with the generous support of the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission, State Water Resources Control Board, The Bay Foundation, California Department of Fish and Wildlife-Fisheries Restoration Grant Program, National Park Service Land and Water Conservation Fund; California Wildlife Conservation Board; NOAA Community-based Restoration Program, American Rivers, and Los Angeles County, 3rd District, Supervisor Yaroslavsky’s Office.
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For more than two years, California has been dealing with the effects of drought. To learn about all the actions the state has taken to manage our water system and cope with the impacts of the drought, visit Drought.CA.Gov.
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California State Parks Mission
To provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high quality outdoor recreation.
Contact:
Name: Craig Sap
Angeles District Superintendent
Email leosteelhead (at) parks.ca (dot) gov
Phone: 818.880.0396
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