City of los angeles general plan

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CITY OF LOS ANGELES CONSERVATION ELEMENT

Adopted September 2001

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basins. Today Angeles Forest comprises one-fourth of the land area of

Los Angeles County, provides 35% of the Los Angeles basin's total

ground water supply and continues to play a significant role in

reducing flood hazards in the region, controlling erosion and providing

large habitats for propagation and protection of native plants and

wildlife.

Angeles Forest is comprised of two large sections that are separated by

Soledad Canyon. It extends from the Tehachapi Mountains (near Kern

County) to the San Bernardino National Forest (San Bernardino County).

It is bounded by the Mojave Desert (north) and by Los Angeles, Pasadena

and other cities and unincorporated areas (south). Its land area rises

from the desert to one of the highest peaks in southern California,

10,064-foot high Mount Baldy. It contains over 690,000 acres of land,

including most of the San Gabriel Mountains. Over 650,000 acres are

managed by the U.S. Forest Service. Some 40,000 acres are privately

owned parcels which the forest service is attempting to acquire. The

city for decades has cooperated with the forest service in zoning

private lands within and adjacent to the forest in very low density

zoning, protecting equine and hiking trail linkages to the forest

system and by supporting the forest service's efforts to acquire

private lands within the forest boundaries and periphery of the forest.

While watershed protection is the primary purpose of the reserve, from

before its inception it has been a major recreation resource for the

region. Hikers and equestrians blazed trails through the forest

beginning in the 1880s. The introduction of roads in the 1920s opened

it to greater public access, leading to construction of camping

facilities and private resorts. After World War II it became an

increasingly important recreation area for Los Angeles.

It is one of the few national forests that is located close to the

cities it serves. It provides recreational opportunities for over 12

million people in the region and ranks second to beaches in outdoor

recreation popularity within the region. In addition to hiking, equine

and off-road vehicle trails, within the forest boundaries are

wilderness areas, fishing and other water recreation, the Mount Wilson

observatory complex, campsites, youth camps, skiing facilities,

experimental forestry sites, dams and other flood control facilities,

reservoirs, protected historical and archaeological sites, fire service

facilities, and other recreational, research, maintenance and

educational sites and facilities. More than 16 threatened and

endangered species are protected by habitats of the Angeles Forest.

Conclusion. The city does not have jurisdiction over the national

forest. However it works cooperatively with the forest service in

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CITY OF LOS ANGELES CONSERVATION ELEMENT

Adopted September 2001

II-28

integrating land use and trail systems, providing fire fighting

assistance and other cooperative relationships. 

Continuing issues:

N

 Acquisition of private lands within and adjacent to Angeles Forest

for watershed, habitat protection, recreation and other forest

compatible purposes. 

N

 Coordination of public and private sectors to develop trail and

habitat linkages that connect with the Angeles Forest systems.

Forest objective, policy and programs:

Objective: retain the forests as primary watershed, open space and

recreational resources for the region.

Policy: continue to support the preservation and protection of Angeles

Forest and Santa Clarita Woodlands.

Program 1: community plans, zoning and other land use policies and

controls designed to prevent inappropriate development and uses

adjacent to Angeles Forest.

Responsibility: *Department of City Planning.

Program 2: development of park lands adjoining, in proximity to

or which link with the Angeles Forest and Santa Clarita woodlands

with uses that are compatible with forest habitat protection,

trail and corridor systems and forest facilities.

Responsibility: *Department of Recreation and Parks.

For related information see:

N

 "Infrastructure Systems Element" (groundwater, watershed), Los

Angeles City General Plan (under preparation);

N

 "Open Space Element" (urban forest), Los Angeles City General Plan

(under preparation); and

N

 "Safety Element" (fire protection agreements), Los Angeles City

General Plan, Los Angeles Department of City Planning, 1996.

SECTION 11: GEOLOGIC HAZARD 

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CITY OF LOS ANGELES CONSERVATION ELEMENT

Adopted September 2001

II-29

The general plan Safety Element addresses seismic, geologic, flood,

fire and other natural hazards, including identified risk areas within

fault zones, potential liquefaction and landslide areas and flood

plains. The general plan Infrastructure Systems Element will address

associated facilities and systems.

SECTION 12: HABITATS

Los Angeles has a rich biodiversity, principally within mountain and

coastal habitats. Many of the natural areas are threatened by

urbanization which encroaches upon, reduces and fragments them and

severs connecting habitat corridors that are essential for the survival

of some species.

Definitions:

Habitat. Areas that support the survival of wild animals and

native plants. These include native plant environments, (e.g.,

coastal sage scrub, oak woodlands, dunes and stream fed woodlands)

and trees throughout the city that serve as stopovers and nesting

places for migratory birds. 

Biodiversity. The variety of living things, both plant and animal,

in the environment. 

Ecology. The relationship between living things and their

environment. A balanced environment enables maintenance of healthy

habitats which perpetuate biodiversity.

Habitat types within Los Angeles. 

Inland habitats. Inland habitats are natural or artificially created

refuges or water bodies. They provide habitats for resident species or

stopovers for migratory birds. These include undeveloped areas,

especially in the mountains, flood plains and other protected,

restricted or private undeveloped lands; created lakes, reservoirs and

dam sites and associated park and open space lands; and parks, golf

courses, cemeteries and other lands with extensive natural or

introduced vegetation.

Until the 1970s, acquisition generally was for development purposes,

such as for expansion of the infrastructure (reservoirs, power

transmission-rights-of-way, schools), for recreational or aesthetic

purposes (parks and scenic parkways) or for protection of watersheds

(national forests). In the 1970s local open space acquisition began to

emphasize protection of biodiversity. 

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