SCH Number 2006081154

Project Info

Title

San Gabriel River Discovery Center

Description

The San Gabriel River Discovery Center Authority (Authority) is approving an award fro a contract for Soils and Geology Consulting Services for the San Gabriel River Discovery Center at Whittier Narrows project ("Discovery Center"). In considering the approval of this contract award, the Authority has determined that some changes or additions are necessary to the previously certified Final Environmental Impact Report (Final EIR) to describe changes to the Discovery Center. The Final EIR for the Discovery Center was certified on January 20, 2010 (SCH 2006081154). The project as evaluated in the Final EIR and approved by the Authority included a lease and sublease of the approximately 11.21 acre project site from the County of Los Angeles to the Authority as part of the project. As described in the Final EIR, primary project features, including a 14,000sf interpretive center, parking lot, maintenance building, open air classroom, constructed riparian/wetland area, covered outdoor classroom, and connecting pathways, would be constructed riparian/wetland area, covered outdoor classroom, and connecting pathways, would be constructed on approximately 5 acres of the project site (construction impact area) within the 11.21 acre lease boundary. The balance of the site would be set aside for habitat preservation and restoration. This reconfiguration of the project site moves the maintenance building from its current location within Significant Ecological Area No. 42 and the Natural Area section of Whittier Narrows Recreation Area. The maintenance area will be relocated adjacent to and integrated with the main building at its eastern edge. The proposed relocation site is currently developed as the existing driveway for the Whittier Narrows Nature Center. The relocated maintenance building would be reduced in size and structurally integrated with the 14,000sf main building on the County-owned parcel on Durfee Avenue.

6 documents in project