The National Park Service is conducting a "special resource study" of the area known as the "Rim of the Valley Corridor." This is the area that generally includes the mountains encircling the San Fernando, La Crescenta, Santa Clarita, Simi and Conejo Valleys of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties in southern California. The purpose of this special resource study is to determine whether any portion of the Rim of the Valley Corridor study area is eligible to be designated as a unit of the national park system or added to an existing national park. The study will also explore other ways that private or governmental entities can protect resources and provide more outdoor recreation opportunities.

Preliminary Findings and Alternative Concepts Update

In October 2012, the NPS study team presented preliminary findings and alternative concepts for public review in Newsletter #3. Each of the preliminary alternative concepts presented for the study area offers a different collaborative, partnership-based approach to resource protection and public use and enjoyment, while respecting existing land management and ownership. You may download Newsletter #3 from this web site or you may request a printed copy from our office.

We hosted seven public meetings in cities throughout the study area, and two virtual or online public forums, in November and December 2012 to seek input on the ideas presented in Newsletter #3. The comment period extended from October 22, 2012 to January 7, 2013.

The study team would like to thank everyone who submitted comments and participated in our public forums. We received many thoughtful comments on the preliminary alternative concepts presented in the newsletter. A summary of comments received will be posted on the study website in Spring 2013. We have also updated our "frequently asked questions" page to answer commonly asked questions that we heard at the public forums.

We received several requests to extend the comment period. This comment period extended for over 70 days, and provided an informal opportunity to provide input at the conceptual stage, which is not required under the National Environmental Policy Act. The draft study report, which will include environmental analysis for the proposed alternatives, will provide another opportunity for comments. Therefore the study team will not be extending the comment period on the preliminary findings and alternative concepts.

The next steps in the process include analyzing the comments, refining the alternatives, and preparing the draft study report. The draft study report will include a more detailed analysis of the area’s resources and will present alternatives in more depth. We hope to complete the draft study report in early 2014, at which time we will distribute it for another round of public review. The public comments received on the draft study report will be considered in the preparation of the final study report which will be transmitted to Congress with the NPS Director’s recommendation for the most efficient and effective alternative.

If you would like to receive updates and newsletters about this study, you are welcome to join our mailing list at any time.

Quick links:

Study process
Frequently-asked questions
How to get involved
Newsletters