Protecting LA’s Natural Beauty for Generations to Come

Part of the magic of Los Angeles is that we live in an urban and suburban environment, yet are surrounded by mountains, forests, and magnificent wildlife like mountain lions, bears and birds of prey. In February, the House of Representatives took a major step toward preserving our wilderness treasures by passing legislation I have been working on for years: the Rim of the Valley Corridor Preservation Act.

Protecting and embracing our natural spaces is important to my constituents and to me personally. My wife, Eve, and I love to go on hiking trips with our friends, or, when we can steal away during the summer, evening hikes through Griffith Park. From time to time, I like to run alone in the Verdugos, with a little extra pace at certain points knowing that one of P-22’s friends might be watching from the tall grass.

For nearly two decades, I have made worked to protect the Rim of the Valley Corridor, a vast and beautiful area that makes a ring around the San Fernando Valley. From the Santa Monica Mountains, up to the Simi Hills and Santa Susana Mountains, over to the San Gabriel Mountains, the Angeles National Forest and the Verdugo Mountains, then back around to Griffith Park and the Hollywood Hills, this area provides much needed green space to one of the park-poorest regions in the country.

The goal of the Rim of the Valley Corridor Preservation Act is to enable local landowners, local governments and interested stakeholders to better utilize federal resources to preserve this beautiful ecosystem for generations to come, as well as improve access to nature for recreational and educational purposes. I was pleased it enjoyed bipartisan support in the House, and last year a Senate Committee approved companion legislation sponsored by Senator Dianne Feinstein on a strong bipartisan vote as well. Now, the bill must pass in the Senate before it can be signed into law by the President – something I will work very hard on over the next few months.

By expanding the National Recreation Area, the National Park Service will have the authority to implement capital improvements, like repairing hiking trails and maintaining facilities for public enjoyment; study wildlife and its habitats; and participate in cooperative conservation with local landowners. The expansion will respect private property rights and existing local land use authorities. It is important to note, however, that the bill will not require landowners to participate in any conservation or recreation activities, and it will not put any additional restrictions on property owners or businesses. Nor does the legislation allow for land acquisition through eminent domain. But it will provide an important vehicle for willing sellers to offer their lands for public acquisition.

With so much of Los Angeles County considered to be park-poor – over 50% of residents live more than half a mile from the nearest park – we must take steps to increase access. Preservation of the open space in our communities is not only good for our environment and ecosystems, but it is beneficial for the health and wellbeing of residents of all ages.

Whenever life in Los Angeles becomes overwhelming, there is one antidote that I have found that works for me, and that is nature: the mountains, parks, and trails that surround and run through our home in Los Angeles. The Rim of the Valley corridor is an area of striking natural beauty, and I feel strongly we must do whatever we can to preserve that beauty for the benefit of LA residents, the millions each year who visit, and for future generations.

  ADAM SCHIFF