The Army Corps of Engineers is now reviewing the comments they have received on the Environmental Impact Report/Statement (EIR/EIS) released in February. This report reviewed the Valencia Company’s plans to hard-bank the Santa Clara River from Bouquet Canyon Rd/Magic Mountain Parkway to Interstate 5. (Copies of the EIR/EIS are available for study at SCV public libraries.)

The proposed project would retain the Santa Clara as a soft-bottom river with vegetation in the riverbed. It would, however, build many concrete walls and permit eleven bridges across the River.. It would also permit rip-rap and/or concrete walls set back from the banks elsewhere. There may be ‘drop structures’ (large concrete ‘steps’) on the river bottoms. It would also alter the width and meander of the river. All of these would represent significant urban changes to a natural river.

SCOPE has issues with the urban/river wildlife habitat boundaries proposed, endangered species protection, ensuring that bridge lengths are adequate to not cause constrictions in the River, and the issue of vegetation clearing and maintenance viz. the El-Níno "crisis".

Many thanks to all of you who sent a letter to the Army Corps, stating your concerns about this project. Your commitment to the Santa Clara River is apparent!