• Afternoon clouds cover the distance peaks of the iconic Boney Mountain

    Santa Monica Mountains

    National Recreation Area California

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Environmental Assessment of the Santa Monica Mountains

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Date: April 2, 2009

The National Park Service, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA or SAMO) has prepared an environmental assessment (EA) for the SAMO Diamond X Ranch Student Intern Center and Keller House Stabilization and is now available to the public. The public comment period is open though April 30, 2009, and we welcome your comments on this EA.

This EA includes an analysis of the environmental effects of a plan to replace mission critical facilities which burned in Solstice Canyon on November 24, 2007 in the Corral Fire. The fire destroyed 5,651 square feet of building space, which included a learning center, student intern dormitory, and the Keller House—an employee housing unit. The proposed project includes construction of a new Student Intern Center to replace the facilities burned in Solstice Canyon as well as measures to address potential safety hazards associated with the Keller House, which also burned in the fire and has been rendered unstable.

Copies of the SAMO Diamond X Ranch Student Intern Center and Keller House Stabilization Environmental Assessment (EA) are available for review at the following locations:

National Park Service Visitor Center, 401 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks, CA, 91360-4207 (open seven days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)

Thousand Oaks Library, 1401 Janss Road, Thousand Oaks, CA

Calabasas Public Library, 200 Civic Center Way, Calabasas, CA

Malibu Library, 23519 West Civic Center Way, Malibu, CA

Agoura Hills Library, 29901 Ladyface Court, Agoura Hills, CA

HOW TO COMMENT

To save resources, the public is encouraged to view and make comments on the document via the internet through the National Park Service’s Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) website at http://parkplanning.nps.gov select Santa Monica Mountains NRA under “Choose a Park.”

If you prefer to send written comments they must be postmarked (or transmitted electronically) no later than April 30, 2009. Comments should be addressed to the Superintendent and mailed to the above address or emailed to SAMO_Superintendent@nps.gov. Please put “Attention: Replacement of Mission Critical Facilities Project” in the subject line of your e-mail or letter.

If you are unable to access the internet, there are a few printed copies available. Call Margie Steigerwald at (805) 370-2373 to request a copy or if you have any questions about this project.

Did You Know?

The adult female of this cub died in 2005.

A study that began in 2002 reveals a lion and his offspring are surviving in the Santa Monica Mountains. Radio collars track them crossing roads and navigating through open spaces. Their future is uncertain, but with conservation efforts, they may continue to make these mountains their home.