Wildlife Haven : Panel Pushes Plan for Lake

The Los Angeles Recreation and Park Commission recommended Friday that the city approve an application for a $495,000 state grant to create a lake in the Sepulveda Flood Control Basin. It would be one of the state’s first bird sanctuaries in a populated area.

The proposed 11-acre Sepulveda Basin Wetlands would be situated on marshland just west of the San Diego Freeway and north of Burbank Boulevard. It was originally proposed in a 1981 development plan for the basin prepared by the city Recreation and Parks Department.

No fishing or swimming is proposed for the lake, which would be created with water provided from the nearby Donald Tillman Water Reclamation Plant. Public access, through the extension of a bike path, would be allowed into the area.

If the application is approved by Mayor Tom Bradley and the City Council, it will go to the state Wildlife Conservation Board for final action.

“I’m excited about it,” said Joel Breitbart, assistant general manager of the city Recreation and Parks Department.

“We’re trying to build a wildlife area in the middle of the city,” he said.” That’s unique.”

John Wentzel, field agent for the Wildlife Conservation Board, confirmed that most of the projects funded by the board have been for expansion of large natural habitats far from urban areas. “I would say this is unusual,” he said of the city’s proposal.

The funds that the city is seeking come from an $85-million bond issue approved by voters last June for the acquisition and development of fast-disappearing habitats for fish and wildlife.

City officials believe they have a good chance of obtaining funds because the project has the support of state Sen. Gary Hart (D-Woodland Hills), who sponsored the legislation that put the bond issue on the ballot.

Wentzel would not speculate on the city’s chances of receiving the funding, other than to say of Hart’s support, “I’m sure that won’t do any harm.” The wildlife board is made up of the state finance director, the state director of fish and game and the president of the state Fish and Game Commission.

Wentzel said the board’s staff will investigate the project and make a recommendation to the board. Breitbart said he expects the board to make a decision this spring. If approved, he said, the lake could be completed by spring of 1986.

“The basin is considered an important area for wildlife, particularly for migrating birds,” notes the city’s grant application.

“Nearly 200 species of birds have been sighted within the basin, including golden eagles, prairie falcons, black shouldered kites and the peregrine falcon. The basin also serves as a stopover for thousands of migrating Canadian geese.”

The project has the support of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which owns the basin and leases it to the city Recreation and Parks Department.