From Crossing, Page 7
Newport Beach philanthropists Frank and Joann Randall gave $5 million for educational overlooks on both sides of the freeway with interpretive panels and benches. So, from a short walk away, people can get two distinct views of the crossing and the wildlife using it, Pratt said.
accomplished with a great deal of collaboration to reach a common goal. “It was like putting a puzzle together on top of a bridge,” Pratt said. “Some wildlife that will cross need open space, some need shelter, and some wildlife will live on it. How do you stitch an ecosystem back
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together? This was an exquisitely planned project, because we recognize that this is restoring, reconnecting, restitching the habitat for 100 years or more. It had to be done right for the future of the Santa Monica Mountains and the wildlife that lives there.” The Human Component This is the first wildlife crossing to be built in an urban area so heavily trafficked by people and cars. Every day, about 300,000 cars use the 101 Freeway at this site. To build the crossing, the freeway was closed in one direction overnight for five nights a week in April and May of 2024. Temporary closures alongside the freeway will continue during the construction of Phase 2. Comeaux said he’s been overwhelmed by the public support for the project and the absence of complaints during construction. “The request from the community was to let them know in advance about closures and that’s what we did and what Caltrans will continue to do,” Comeaux said. “I was totally blown away by the incredible public support beginning at the early environmental meetings for this project.” A total of 8,859 comments were received in response to the draft environmental document, with only 15 opposed. At those early meetings, most community members also said they did not support a hiking trail on the crossing. “It was proposed to put a trail for people across, but the overwhelming public sentiment that they wanted it just for wildlife,” Pratt said. When the crossing initially opens, she said they will probably have security and volunteers to keep people off and educate them. After that, they will determine if other measures are needed. “I think for the most part people will do the right thing.”
Rock said he too has been amazed by how much people care about this project. From his 11-year-old son who wants to sell his uncle’s toy cars to raise money (he calls it “Cars for Cougars”) to university students, Rock said, the curiosity is inspiring. “What makes me most proud is that this project is influencing the next generation,” Rock said. “It is creating a substantive and palpable level of change for kids in elementary school right now, who are going to understand the need for connected habitat for species because we’re all a part of this unique habitat we call planet Earth.” Along with many other Angelenos, Comeaux said he is eager for the opening and looks forward to using the nearby trails. “For this to be happening in L.A., makes this an extraordinarily special place,” he said. “If we can do anything to keep our home healthy and diverse, it makes it better for all of us.” Pratt said the project is a great example of the power of public- private partnerships and hopes the model can extend to more crossings in California. “We humans messed with the ecosystem. We didn’t know back when the 101 Freeway was built what we were doing, but we now know from research that islands of habitat don’t work. Biologically, we need to do this. We are designing this for everything from mountain lions to monarch butterflies, because this impenetrable wall of the 101 impacts them all,” she said. “Even if you don’t care about wildlife, I think we all care about our own survival. We are nature. We are part of these ecosystems. I think we fool ourselves into thinking we can mess with it and it will all be OK for us.”
A great blue heron at Rio Hondo Spreading Grounds, which uses recycled water to replenish groundwater.
Properly disposing of your household hazardous and electronic waste at one of our free local roundups (www.lacsd.org/hhw). Keeping trash off of streets by placing in trash cans. Putting paper, cans, bottles and other recyclables in the bin for recyclables. You can help by: We all have a role in protecting our planet. The Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts help protect the environment by converting sewage into clean water and waste into recycled commodities and green energy.
P-22, the only mountain lion known to have successfully crossed the maze of freeways. photo by Steve Winter
For more ways to be green, visit www.lacsd.org/begreen.
SanDistricts SanitationDistrictsLACounty (562) 908-4288 ext. 2300
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