May 23, 2002
Contact: John Buse, Environmental Defense Center, 805 677-2570

GROUPS DEMAND AGENCY ACTION TO PROTECT SANTA CLARA RIVER VALLEY
Extensive Violations by Newhall Land and Farming/Valencia Spark Concerns

VENTURA, CA - A coalition of statewide environmental groups sent a letter to the California Department of Fish and Game on Monday requesting that the agency take action to protect the resources of the Santa Clara River valley that are being threatened by the actions of Newhall Land and Farming Company. The groups submitted a detailed list of concerns that Newhall's actions are resulting in ongoing degradation of the Santa Clara River valley and threatening the important ecological values of this rich and diverse area.

The groups claim that regulatory agencies have failed to respond to Newhall's numerous violations and environmental abuses in this area. Specifically, the groups ask that Fish and Game revoke the streambed alteration agreement for Newhall's Valencia Natural River Management Plan, which is based on inadequate biological data and fails to consider important concerns. The groups also request that the agency withhold approval on any permits or agreements for the proposed Newhall Ranch project until an unbiased, scientific review, guided by California and federal environmental laws, can adequately address and recommend necessary protection and mitigation measures for endangered and threatened species in the area.

"We are asking the State to act to protect the longest free-flowing river in southern California and the threatened species that depend on it," said John Buse, Attorney with the Environmental Defense Center. "Newhall must be held accountable for ensuring that its actions do not destroy the natural resources and diversity of the Santa Clara River valley."

The Environmental Defense Center (EDC) represents Sierra Club, Friends of the Santa Clara River, and the Santa Clarita Organization for Planning and the Environment (SCOPE) in the legal challenge to Los Angeles County's approval of the Newhall Ranch project, which, as proposed, would consist of 21,400 residential units on nearly 12,000 acres on the Santa Clara River in Los Angeles County between I-5 and the Ventura County line. The Newhall Ranch project, which includes a 15-acre man-made lake and a 6.9 million gallons-per-day water reclamation plant, would require extensive modification of the Santa Clara River channel, and would eliminate some of the most sensitive river habitat for species such as the endangered least Bell's vireo, southwestern willow flycatcher, and unarmored threespine stickleback. Significant unresolved issues include the project's impacts on the resources of the Santa Clara River, the adequacy and quality of the water supply, and inconsistencies with the L.A. County General Plan.
Groups that signed the letter include Audubon Society (San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles Chapters), California Native Plant Society (Channel Islands, Los Angeles and Santa Monica Chapters), Center for Biological Diversity, Environmental Defense Center, Friends of the Santa Clara River, SCOPE (Santa Clarita Organization for Planning the Environment), and Sierra Club (Angeles and Santa Clarita Valley Chapters).