Upper Los Angeles River Watershed Arundo donax Eradication

Upper Los Angeles River Watershed Arundo donax Eradication Program Council for Watershed Health Jason Casanova cas@watershedhealth. org 213 -229 -9945

Upper Los Angeles River Watershed Arundo donax Eradication Program

Project Description ~W 0 rk towards the eradication of 62 new acres of Arundo donax, a highly invasive riparian plant in the Upper Los Angeles River Watershed. • Complete CEQA for new areas not covered under existing work • Obtain Right of Entry Agreements for remaining private properties • 10 -yr treatment program (this will fund the initial 3 years of treatment); top-down watershed approach • Passive restoration approach (unless private property landowners specifically request re-vegetation)

Project Outreach • Implementation Strategy outlines outreach plan: social media, mailers, pamphlets, etc. • 30 -day advanced notification, education and outreach to those residents in areas targeted for removal • Long-term tracking through interactive GISbased web mapping tool.

Funding Details Funding: • Total Project Cost: $2, 409, 500 (3 -yr project) • Matching Funds (Amount and %): $1, 413, 000 • Grant Request: $996, 500 • Matching Funds Sources: US Army Corps, LA Dept of Water and Power, National Forest Foundation Partners: US Army Corps, LA Dept of Water and Power, National Forest Foundation, Stillwater Sciences, Dendra Inc. , California Invasive Plant Council, Santa Monica Mountains RCD

Program Preferences • Eradication of 62 acres equates to a net water gain of ~1240 AFY available for groundwater replenishment and ecosystem benefit. • Reduces fuel loads and fire ladders as wildfires become more frequent and intense. • Targets the following Statewide Priorities: a) watershed protection, restoration, and management projects, including projects that reduce the risk of wildfire or improve water supply reliability; and b) projects that provide multiple benefits such as water quality, water supply, flood control, or open space. • Expected Useful life is consistent with Govt. Code Section 16767 • CEQA will be completed for those areas not covered within 12 months of final award)

Benefits • Targeting these Arundo populations strategically eliminates opportunities for its expansion downstream and will result in a net water savings of 1240 acre-feet of water per year (AFY). (Source: Cal-IPC, Distribution and Impacts Report 2011) • Decreases fuel loads and removes “fire ladders” within riparian areas that act as natural barriers in wildfires. • Removes dense monocultures of a dominant plant species that provide no biological value. • Enhances water quality and improves the environment, water resources, and ecological/hydrological functioning of the River. • Reduces our reliance on imported water.

Estimated Budget Table 1 – Project Budget Category Cost Share: Non. State Fund Source Requested Grant Amount Other Cost Share (including other State Sources Total Cost Project Administration $69, 000 Planning/Design /Engineering /Environmental Documentation $22, 500 Treatment/Monitoring $1, 413, 000 $905, 000 $2, 318, 000 Grand Total 1, 413, 000 $996, 500 $2, 409, 500

Project Schedule Task Start Date End Date Direct Project Administration Summer 2019 Summer 2023 Planning/Design/ Engineering/ Environmental Documentation Summer 2019 Summer 2020 Treatment Fall 2019 Spring 2023 Monitoring Spring 2020 Summer 2023

Other Considerations Treatment approach (biomass removal, foliar spraying, cut and dab, etc. ) will vary by area (in consultation with the permitting agencies and dictated by the environmental analysis to mitigate any potential impacts). A licensed herbicide applicator/contractor will conduct the treatments with support from the LA Conservation Corps. The goal is to reduce as many acres of stands within the watershed each year starting at the top and working downstream. The Council will be able to provide a support statement from the governing board acknowledging the IRWM list of expectations (fees, reimbursement timetable, plan adoption, financial records).