Media Corner

Pasadena Star-News, CA
June 9, 2009

$30 million nature museum in Whittier Narrows moves forward

By Rebecca Kimitch, Staff Writer

A stuffed coyote overlooks the current nature center museum June 9, 2009. The county has plans to replace the current Whittier Narrows Nature Center Museum with a new $30 million center with a new museum, classrooms and conference space. (SGVN/Staff photo by Leo Jarzomb/SVCITY)

SOUTH EL MONTE - A new $30 million nature museum planned for Whittier Narrows cleared a major hurdle last week upon completion of the project's environmental impact report.

But opponents of the project, who say it would destroy the nature it is meant to celebrate, are mounting an effort to place more hurdles in its way.

The project would bring a 18,200-square-foot museum and auditorium, two outdoor classrooms, and a 150-space parking lot to a site where a simple, cabin-like, 2,000-square-foot structure now sits, at 1000 N. Durfee Ave.

Supporters boast the project will attract people from throughout the region to learn about the natural woodlands and water resources in the area.

Opponents say it is an oversized facility that will destroy natural habitat and harm the migratory birds who call the area home during the winter. They say it should be built elsewhere.

"The project has now grown into this enormous museum for the entire watershed, and the actual nature center part of it is completely gone. The entire building is a showplace for the water districts. Why should that be put in a bird sanctuary?" said Grace Allen, lead docent at the nature center and member of Friends of the Whittier Narrows Natural Area - the group formed to oppose the project.

In addition to providing meeting space for students, the facility's auditorium will be used for meetings by the four organizations backing the project - Central Basin Municipal Water District, Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District, Los Angeles County, and the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy.

Project manager Valorie Shatynski would not comment on the EIR or the project, saying now is the time for the public to be making comments. Friday opened a 60-day public comment period on the EIR.

"This is the time for the public to review what has been presented in the EIR, rather than for staff to be putting additional information out there," she said.

The EIR concludes that the project would have a significant impact on plants, animals and water quality in the area. However, these impacts could be reduced through various measures, according to the report.

For example, to temper the potential removal of nearly 30 native and non-native trees, the report proposes planting new trees.

To reduce the impact on migratory bird species, the EIR proposes that a biologist take weekly bird surveys of trees around the construction area and if birds are found, construction should be postponed.

And to reduce the potential for harmful water quality, non-chemical pesticides are to be used when possible.

Construction on the project was to begin in December 2008. However, opposition and requests for further studies delayed the release of the EIR until last week.

Construction will likely begin in October 2011 and finish in April 2013.

Two public meetings on the project will be held, from 7 to 9 p.m. June 24 and from 2 to 4 p.m. July 18 at South El Monte High School, 1001 N. Durfee Ave.