Foundation to sue L.A. Public Works over sediment removal plan

Representatives of the Arroyo Seco Foundation and the Pasadena Audubon Society announced Dec. 10 they will file a lawsuit challenging a Los Angeles County Department of Public Works proposal to haul 2.4 million cubic yards of sediment from Devil’s Gate Dam.

The project, approved by the county Board of Supervisors on Nov. 12, is expected to last for five years, and could involve up to 400 daily truck trips as vehicles remove sediment close to areas conservationists have identified as home to numerous wildlife and plant species.

Working collectively in a campaign called Save Hahamongna, the activists say the lawsuit will challenge the environmental impacts of the proposal that will degrade more than 50 acres of local stream zone habitat, according to the website savehahamongna.org.

DPW officials worked with members of the Pasadena group to make several alterations to its initial plan for the work, including reducing the scope of the total project and making alterations to the timing and pathway of haulers.

But the main sticking point was the group’s recommendation to remove less sediment — closer to 1.5 million cubic yards — over a longer time period, which county officials say would have nearly doubled the cost of the $65 million plan.