RESTORATION PROPOSAL

And partial mitigation for: the 48 acres impacted by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) 2012 Vegetative Management Plan

Presented by: Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Areas Steering Committee (SBWASC) and San Fernando Valley Audubon Society (SFVAS)

February 6, 2013

RESTORATION GOALS 1. Removal of all non-native perennial and/or invasive plants. 2. Restoration and expansion of dual purpose recreational trails/service roads. 3. Restoration of the Wildlife Pond. 4. Establishment of self sustaining natural ecosystems in the impacted area. a. Expansion of Bells Vireo habitat (with appropriate plantings) adjacent to and northwest of Haskell Creek. b. Introduction of a seasonal marsh and/or California grassland habitat south of Haskell Creek and immediately east of the Los Angeles River, as well as other areas as appropriate. c. Retention and expansion of riparian habitat along Haskell Creek. d. Planting of appropriate native plant communities throughout the remaining area (using native Oaks, Toyon, Elderberry, Golden Currant and other plants of high wildlife value). e. Retention of native vegetation on berm and embankments along Burbank Blvd. 5. Development of a small (6 space) parking lot at the extension of Woodley Avenue south of Burbank Boulevard to facilitate security patrol access.

IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS 1. Debris removal: SBWASC designated volunteers shall monitor removal of all logs and debris that the USACE feels may pose a hazard to dam operations in a flood. All logs and debris from the Wildlife Pond are also to be removed. All removed logs and debris is to be either removed from the site, or mulched on site and spread over exposed dirt areas. 2. Non-native tree removal: All non-native trees shall be identified and flagged by SBWASC volunteers and removed by USACE personnel using hand held chain saws. Exposed stumps of those trees shall then be treated with herbicide. Downed trees shall be dragged away from the creek for removal. 3. Haskell Creek: No vegetation other than non-native trees shall be removed from the banks of the creek. Other non-native plants may be sprayed with herbicide using a hand applicator. All plant material (including fallen logs) within the creek shall remain. All

trees removed from the banks of the creek shall be replaced (on a 3 to 1 basis) with appropriate native riparian trees such as California Sycamore, Alder, Box Elder, and/or appropriate willows. Exposed banks are to be planted with cattail, bulrush, nettle, and other appropriate riparian vegetation to deter human disturbance. 4. Herbicide usage: Herbicides shall only be applied by a licensed applicator who is familiar with the native and non-native plants of the area. If anything other than a hand held sprayer is used, a SBWASC volunteer shall be on site to monitor the application. Additionally, the USACE shall fund the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Consortium to ensure a continuing weed eradication program. 5. Planting: The USACE shall pay for and/or provide appropriate native plants as directed by the SBWASC, as well as essential materials to ensure success of the plantings (protective enclosures, temporary irrigation, etc.). They shall also encourage and sponsor community planting projects (through the SBWASC) by Tree People, Sierra Club, SFVAudubon, CNPS, FOLAR, and other interested organizations to re-vegetate the affected area as described above. 6. Timing: No plant removal shall take place during the breeding season. All planting shall take place between November 15 and February 15. Hand held application of herbicides can continue all year at the discretion of the applicator.

LONG TERM GOALS & MAINTENANCE 1. Invasive non-native plants shall continue to be eliminated from the entire Sepulveda Basin as part of an on-going eradication program funded by the USACE (see IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS #4). 2. Trails/roads shall be monitored annually in the fall (by USACE), for any necessary maintenance requirements. 3. Trash cans shall be installed at key points along the trails/roads and emptied weekly, or as needed, by USACE personnel. 4. A security presence for the area shall be provided, or arranged for, by the USACE to ensure that the reasons given for the 2012 Vegetative Management Plan do not recur.

OTHER POSSIBLE MITIGATION MEASURES 1. North Reserve entrance at Woodley Avenue and Burbank Boulevard. 2. Los Angeles River non-native tree removal within the Sepulveda Basin. 3. Bull Creek arundo donax removal at the Los Angeles River confluence.