| Frequently-Asked
Questions (updated 10/07)
What is a
Special Resource Study?
In a special resource study, the National Park Service (NPS) evaluates
the natural and cultural resources of an area, and identifies
opportunities for public enjoyment and recreation. Upon completion
of the study, NPS provides a report to Congress and the local
community with recommendations for the protection and public enjoyment
of significant natural and cultural resources.
What are some
possible outcomes of this study?
The study will explore a range of options or alternatives that:
- address current
and future recreation and open space needs;
- protect or restore
significant natural resources and important habitats;
- preserve historic
and cultural resources;
- maintain or improve
water quality, water conservation and flood protection.
These outcomes would
be achieved through cooperation and collaboration among communities,
organizations and local, state and federal agencies.
What role
would the NPS play?
The NPS could provide assistance to or collaborate with agencies
and local communities that desire such assistance and offer ideas
on how the region can work together to provide additional opportunities
for recreation, public enjoyment and the protection of significant
resources. Some resources may be eligible for NPS designations,
grants or assistance.
What will
the NPS consider in this study?
The study’s recommendations will be based on:
- A comprehensive
analysis of recreation and conservation needs in the San Gabriel
watershed and mountains;
- Resource analysis
and determination of whether there are nationally significant
resources in the area that might be appropriate for further
NPS involvement;
- Community participation
and input from local jurisdictions and agencies, resource specialists,
landowners, residents, and other stakeholders.
How will this
study affect local land use, property rights, or water rights?
The NPS will only consider management alternatives in this study
which respect existing land uses, decision-making authorities,
property rights, and water rights. The NPS will only consider
land acquisition or land management from willing sellers/landowners.
Throughout the process we will seek to work collaboratively with
local stakeholders.
What is the
study schedule?
The study process includes the following steps:
1. Public start-up of the study process
2. Resource analysis: significance and suitability
3. Development of alternatives
4. Feasibility analysis
5. Draft report
6. Final report / transmittal to Congress
Will there
be opportunities for the public to participate in the study process?
Yes. This study depends on input from you. There will be opportunities
throughout the study process to provide comments and information.
Your ideas will be combined with resource analysis and NPS criteria
to develop the study’s findings and recommendations. We
will send out newsletters to report back to you on what we learn
throughout the study process. You may contact us at any time throughout
the study.
What does it
mean to be in a study area?
The area that Congress directed the NPS to study (study area)
is not a proposal for a national park. It is simply an area in
which the NPS is asked to evaluate resources. As the NPS evaluates
resources in the study area, often the focus of the study is narrowed.
For example, the study may find that there are several small areas
of special conservation concern such as a section of a river or
an historic building. Once significant resources are identified,
the NPS will identify a range of options or alternatives to protect
these and provide for public enjoyment. For example, the study
may evaluate an alternative that focuses only on specific historic
sites, tributaries or trail/open space corridors that exception
resource value.
Why is the
NPS conducting this study?
Congress directs the NPS to conduct special resource studies through
passing a law. In this study, the San Gabriel River Watershed
Study Act (Public Law 108-042 - July 2003) directed the NPS to
conduct a Special Resource Study of (1) the San Gabriel River
and its tributaries north of and including the city of Santa Fe
Springs, and (2) the San Gabriel Mountains within the territory
of the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains
Conservancy (RMC).
The Act also directs
the NPS to consult with the RMC and other appropriate federal,
state and local government entities, and to consider regional
flood control and drainage needs and publicly owned infrastructure
such as wastewater treatment facilities.
Are there
national parks in urban areas?
When people think of national parks what comes to mind are the
large and mostly natural “traditional” parks like
Yosemite and Yellowstone National Parks. However, the national
park system includes many types of sites including national historic
sites, national monuments, national preserves, and wild and scenic
rivers. Many are smaller “nontraditional” parks located
in urban areas, which rely on partnerships and may have little,
if any, federal landownership or management. The NPS also offers
grant and technical assistance programs that help local communities
achieve their goals for conservation and recreation.
What
do you mean by . . . ?
A glossary of terms used in this study
Alternatives/Management
Alternatives: A collection of potential actions assembled
to provide a range of reasonable options to address certain goals
or objectives.
Open Space:
Open space could be any land that is not developed for urban use.
This may include natural areas set aside to protect plants or
wildlife; land used for agriculture, resource extraction, recreational
areas or areas unsuitable for development either due to a potential
hazard (such as slide areas or floodplains) or due to other conservation
purposes. In this study, “open space” implies areas
that are in a reasonably natural state and that can serve as wildlife
habitat in addition to public access for passive forms of recreation.
Recreation:
Recreational use may be designated active, passive or both. Passive
use refers to activities that are generally low impact such as
hiking, fishing, picnicking, bird watching, or non-motorized boating.
Areas for active recreational use may include facilities designed
for sports such as soccer or baseball, lakes for motorboats and
jet skis, bicycle trails or equestrian trails.
Recreational needs: In many urban communities there is a need
for more access to parks, open space and other recreational opportunities.
National Significance:
Statements of why, within a national, regional, and system wide
context, an area’s resources and values are important enough
for national park designation.
Suitability: The NPS considers a resource to be suitable for inclusion
in the national park system if it 1) is not already adequately
represented in the national park system or 2) is not comparably
represented and protected for public enjoyment by other entities.
Feasibility:
National Park Service management can only be included
in the alternatives if the NPS considers it to be feasible. NPS
management will be considered feasible only if the area has adequate
size and configuration to allow for resource protection, visitor
enjoyment, and can be administered at a reasonable cost. Other
considerations include land ownership, access, threats to the
resource, staff and development requirements and public support.
Tributary:
A body of water flowing into a larger body of water. For example,
San Jose Creek is a tributary of the San Gabriel River (see diagram
below for an example).
Watershed:
A watershed is the area of land that catches rain and snow which
drains or seeps into a given marsh, stream, river, lake, or groundwater
basin. The figure below shows the watershed and tributaries of
the San Gabriel River.
We all live in a watershed
and our individual actions can directly affect it. Homes, farms,
ranches, forests, small towns, big cities and more can make up
watersheds. Some cross county, state, and even international borders.
Watersheds come in
all shapes and sizes. Some are millions of square miles; others
are just a few acres. Just as creeks drain into rivers, watersheds
are nearly always part of a larger watershed.
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