Newhall Ranch project's negative impact in the SCV

Katherine writes: "It is vital that our community understand the serious negative impact that the proposed 12,000 acre Newhall Ranch Project will have on Santa Clarita and its neighbors. This proposed development will bring 357,000 additional car trips a day onto our freeways and surface streets and increase air pollution which is already some of the worst in the nation. As a local teacher, it is not uncommon to have asthmatic students who suffer from the effects of poor air quality.

There are the numerous environmental concerns as well. The proposed development is in an area prone to extreme tectonic activity (on the same rate as that which created the Himalaya Mountains). The site is bordered on the south by layers of rock that are actually upside down due to the intense pressure and movement in that area. The site is prone to landslides. Consider the horrifying aftermath of a major earthquake on the people that could potentially reside in the proposed 21,000 units. Consider also the Tatavium Indians whose artifacts have been found on the site. In the Environmental Impact Report it was stated by Newhall Land that the Tatavium are extinct. The tribe is alive and well. If “errors” such as this can occur in the EIR I have to wonder what other “mistakes” were made in drafting this document. It is obvious that more research on the area needs to be done. Unfortunately, research by independent experts (in many fields of study) has been hampered by Newhall Land’s long-tradition of limiting any research that might jeopardize their development plans. The proposed project would encroach on the floodplain of the last major wild river in Southern California and would permanently transform the habitat of numerous endangered species. A notable example is the California condor (the United States most famous endangered bird species). This development is proposed for an area noted for its biodiversity and tectonic activity. None of these concerns have been well addressed in the Environmental Impact Report. Although the general perception is that this project is finalized this is definitely not the case. The citizens of Santa Clarita and all the other communities both in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties which border the proposed development still have an opportunity to act. Written comments must be submitted to Los Angeles County before February 20, 2007. The public hearing is now scheduled for Feb. 28, 2007 in downtown at 9:00 AM. There will be additional hearings and opportunities for public participation when the Army Corps of Engineers and the California Department of Fish and Game release their Draft EIS/EIR in the next few months.