Appendix C - Cultural Resources.pdf

Ten Year Operations and Maintenance Plan for the Glendale Narrows Reach of the Los Angeles River

Programmatic Environmental Assessment

Appendix C

Cultural

SHPO Coordination

State of California Natural Resources Agency Gavin Newsom, Governor

DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION

OFFICE OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION

Julianne Polanco, State Historic Preservation Officer

1725 23rd Street, Suite 100, Sacramento, CA 95816-7100 Telephone: (916) 445-7000 FAX: (916) 445-7053 calshpo.ohp@parks.ca.gov www.ohp.parks.ca.gov

Armando Quintero, Director

July 27, 2023 In reply refer to: COE_2023_0605_001

VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL

Jodi L. Clifford Chief, Planning Division U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District 915 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1109 Los Angeles, CA 90017-3409

RE: Section 106 consultation for the Los Angeles River at Glendale Narrows 10-Year

Operations and Maintenance Plan Los Angeles County.

Dear Jodi L. Clifford, The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) is initiating consultation with the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) to comply with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (54 USC § 306108) and its implementing regulation at 36 CFR Part 800. By letter received on June 2, 2023, the COE is seeking comments on its area of potential effects (APE), identification efforts, determination of eligibility and finding of effect for the above-referenced undertaking.

The COE is proposing to enact a 10-year Operations and Maintenance Plan for the Los Angeles River Glendale Narrows located in the cities of Los Angeles, Burbank and Glendale in Los Angeles County. Proposed project activities include vegetation and sediment removal in the bottom of the 7.58-miles of the Glendale Narrows to improve water conveyance and reduce risk of flooding. Ten temporary staging areas have been identified near or within the COE’s right-of-way near or adjacent to the Los Angeles River Glendale Narrows.

The COE requested a search of the Sacred Lands File from the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC) returning positive results on July 7, 2021. The COE contacted Native American entities listed by the NAHC as having cultural ties to the project area on May 26, 2023. The Gabrieleno Band of Mission Indians - Kizh Nation responded on May 30, 2023

Jodi L. Clifford OHP File No. COE_2023_0605_001 July 27, 2023 requesting to discuss the project. Consultation is continuing. The COE has not received any additional responses.

The COE submitted the following documents to support its determination of the area of potential effects (APE) for the undertaking, to provide evidence of its efforts to identify historic properties, and to support its finding of effect:

Cultural Resources Assessment of the Los Angeles River at Glendale Narrows 10-

Year Operations and Maintenance Plan, Los Angeles River Channel, Los Angeles County. Prepared by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District, Environmental Resources Branch (Taomia, 2022).

The COE describes the APE as 7.58 miles of the Glendale Narrows, a component of the National Register eligible Los Angeles River (LAR). The horizontal APE consists of the LAR channel from near the Forest Lawn Memorial Park – Hollywood Hills to near Dodger Stadium and extending to both sides of the channel and levee boundaries to the extent of the COE right-of-way. The total horizontal APE encompasses approximately 430 acres in a highly urbanized area and encompasses the LAR channel within the COE right-of-way, staging areas, and the access ramps. The vertical extent of the APE is described as within the river channel, and the APE would extend from the level of the invert to the top of the levees. Excavation of sediment would not extend below the base of the existing channel as constructed. The COE refers to Figure 1, pg. 3 in Cultural Resources Assessment to display their APE.

Pursuant to 36 CFR 800.4(a)(1), I have no comments on the APE.

Efforts to identify historic properties include a records search, pedestrian survey, and Native American outreach. Efforts to identify historic properties resulted in the identification of nine cultural resources that cross into the APE: Griffith Park (P-19-175297), Riverside Drive Bridge (P-19-187573, Bridge 53C1298), San Fernando Road (P-19-188007), Glendale-Hyperion Viaduct (P-19-180674), Arroyo Seco Parkway Historic District (P-19- 179645), and the Glendale Narrows section of the Los Angeles River Channel (P-19- 190897). Contributing elements to the Arroyo Seco Parkway Historic District include the Figueroa Street Viaduct (P-19-192480), the Los Angeles River Bridge, and the Arroyo Seco Flood Control Channel (P-19-186859). The Verdugo Wash Bridge (P-19-190312, Bridge 53C0226) was determined not eligible for listing on the NRHP by FHWA in 2000. None of the identified cultural resources will be adversely affected by the undertaking.

Pursuant to 36 CFR 800.4(b)(1), I agree the COE has made a reasonable and good-faith effort to identify historic properties in the APE for this undertaking.

For the purposes of this undertaking only, the COE is proposing to assume Griffith Park Historic District (P-19-175297), Riverside Drive Bridge (P-19-187573, Bridge 53C1298), San Fernando Road (P-19-188007), Glendale-Hyperion Viaduct (P-19-180674), Arroyo Seco Parkway Historic District (P-19-179645 including contributing elements Figueroa Street Bridge, Jodi L. Clifford OHP File No. COE_2023_0605_001 July 27, 2023

Los Angeles River Bridge, and Arroyo Seco Flood Control Channel), and the Glendale Narrows portion of the LAR channel (P-19-190897) as eligible for inclusion in the NRHP. For the purposes of this undertaking only and due to the nature of the proposed project activities, I do not object to this approach.

The COE has concluded that the undertaking would have no adverse effect on historic properties and has requested my review and comment on their finding of effect for the proposed undertaking. After reviewing your letter and supporting documentation, I do not object to a finding of no adverse effect for this undertaking pursuant to 36 CFR 800.5(c)(1).

If you require further information, please contact Aubrie Morlet at (916) 893-8270 or Aubrie.Morlet@parks.ca.gov

Sincerely, Julianne Polanco State Historic Preservation Officer

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS, LOS ANGELES DISTRICT

915 WILSHIRE BOULEVARD, SUITE 1109

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90017-3409

June 2, 2023

Ms. Julianne Polanco State Historic Preservation Officer Office of Historic Preservation 1725 23rd Street, Suite 100 Sacramento, California 95816-7100

Dear Ms. Polanco, The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles Districts (Corps) is initiating Section 106 consultation with you regarding the Los Angeles River at Glendale Narrows 10- Year Operations and Maintenance Plan (proposed project) in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California. The Corps has determined that this project constitutes an undertaking pursuant to 36 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) § 800.16(y), and the Corps is responsible for compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). The project is concurrently being reviewed under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The Corps is requesting an expedited consultation as described at 36 CFR § 800.3(g) to align with the NEPA review timeline, contracting timeframes, and project scheduling requirements that will be implemented to avoid impacts to threatened and endangered species. The project is completely within a flood control structure built in the 20th century. All the properties within the area of potential effects have been previously evaluated, and an opportunity will be afforded for interested parties to provide views on the project through the NEPA process. In addition, consultation has been initiated with representatives of Indian tribes who have indicated an interest in the project area.

The Corps proposes to implement a 10-year operations and maintenance sediment and vegetation management project along the Los Angeles River (LAR) within a section of the LAR known as the “Glendale Narrows” located in Los Angeles County in the northeast portion of the City of Los Angeles, with slight overlap into the cities of Burbank and Glendale where they border the river. Interstate 5 (I-5) and the Los Angeles River Bikeway parallel the LAR channel on its west side and the Amtrak/Metrolink rail line roughly parallels on the east side.

The Flood Control Act of 1936, as amended, included authorization for work on the LAR channel as approved by the Chief of Engineers of the U.S. Army. The LAR channel was authorized as a unit of the general comprehensive plan for flood risk management in the Los Angeles County Drainage Area (LACDA) authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1941. The primary purpose of LACDA is to provide flood risk protection for residents of Los Angeles County.

- 2 -

Glendale Narrows is an approximately 7.58 mile soft-bottom section of the LAR formed over the last 4 million years (approximately) by progressive erosion and downcutting of the LAR channel in response to broad-scale uplift and folding of the Santa Monica Mountains and the Elysian/Repetto foothills. Because erosion has been the dominant process in this area, the unconsolidated alluvial deposits in the Narrows are relatively thin and lie directly on top of a group of consolidated marine sandstone, siltstone, and shale. The Narrows effectively links the inland upper groundwater basins of the LAR watershed to the lower coastal groundwater basins. Groundwater in the Narrows primarily flows through relatively shallow unconsolidated deposits. For this reason, the upper part of the Narrows is one of only four sections of the LAR that still has an earthen (unlined) bottom. Lining was not installed here because of rising ground water and the inability to place concrete. The unlined parts of the LAR channel have historically been areas of natural groundwater discharge.

The Glendale Narrows portion of the LAR was constructed between 1938 and 1939.

The unlined channel bottom was replaced with cobblestone fill, and 15 grouted-stone stabilizers were built across the invert to serve as grade controls and crossovers for maintenance vehicles between 1954 and 1959. An extensive levee system lines the banks of the channel along both the left and right banks. Over time, sediment has accumulated through this section, significantly reducing the conveyance capacity of the channel, as well as providing a foundation upon which vegetation has established.

The reduced conveyance capacity through this portion of the LAR channel has compromised its flood control function, increasing the chances for breakouts at bridge crossings and risk of flooding adjacent areas. The accumulated sediment and vegetation growth further prohibits inspections and maintenance access of portions of engineered structures including levee toes and grade control structures and crossovers, further compromising the flood risk reduction function. The proposed project will either partially or fully restore the diminished flood conveyance capacity, reduce the potential for breakout flows at bridge locations, facilitate inspections, and restore maintenance access of engineered structures.

Area of Potential Effects

The area of potential effects (APE) for this undertaking consists of 7.58 miles of the LAR. The horizontal APE consists of the LAR channel from near the Forest Lawn Memorial Park – Hollywood Hills to near Dodger Stadium and extending to both sides of the channel and levee boundaries to the extent of the Corps right-of-way (Enclosure 1).

The project is located in an intensively urbanized setting that no longer evokes the period of construction.

The total horizontal APE encompasses approximately 430 acres in a highly urbanized area and encompasses the LAR channel within the Corps right-of-way, possible staging areas (described below), and the access ramps. Vertically, the project

- 3 -would take place within the river channel, and the APE would extend from the level of the invert to the top of the levees. Excavation of sediment would not extend below the base of the existing channel as constructed, and no new structures extending above the upper limits of the levees would be built.

The APE includes 10 areas that may be used as temporary staging areas (locations are shown as green triangles on the Enclosure 1 map). These areas have been identified as potential staging areas for the project due to their proximity to the river and accessibility. A decision on which areas are used for project purposes will be resolved upon contract award and the notice to proceed with construction is issued. All identified areas have previously been used as staging areas for other projects and are between 1-

1.5 acres in area. All are on the left bank of the river looking downstream. The potential staging areas are as follows (beginning at the upstream end of the APE):

Two areas at Bette Davis Park have previously been used as staging areas.

One is located on a sliver of land within the Corps right-of-way between the levee and Betty Davis Park west of the western edge of the project area. The other is located to the east adjacent to the project area between the levee and Bette Davis Park;

Verdugo Wash Ramp-the ramp itself would serve as the staging area;

An empty dirt lot owned by the City of Los Angeles immediately north of the

Los Feliz Golf Course and adjacent to the Rigali Avenue Ramp;

A sliver of land within the Corps right-of-way between the levee and the Los Feliz Golf Course;

An area within the Corps right-of-way adjacent to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power facility between Fletcher Street and Silver Lake Boulevard;

A sliver of land within the Corps right-of-way immediately adjacent to the levee at Fletcher Drive;

An area within the Corps right-of-way at the Bowtie Parcel;

Two possible staging areas are located just south of Rio De Los Angeles State Park near Taylor Yard within the Corps right-of-way adjacent to the levee;

A sliver of paved and unpaved ground between the San Fernando Ramp and the Arroyo Seco Channel.

- 4 -

Access to the riverbed would be on existing access ramps and access roads at seven locations (depicted as red circles on the Enclosure 1 map). Where use of an existing ramp is not feasible, temporary access ramps would be constructed, typically measuring approximately 120 feet long by 22 feet wide using 200 cubic yards of road base. Fiber rolls or sandbags would be installed at the waterline during construction and removal of the ramp, and the downstream face would be armored with grout. The temporary ramps will be removed when no longer required. These temporary ramps would be constructed on the banks of the river and therefore within the existing APE depicted on the Enclosure 1 map. Existing access ramps would be located at Betty Davis Park, Verdugo Wash, Colorado Street, Rigali Avenue, Fletcher Drive North, Fletcher Drive South, and San Fernando will be used.

Sediment and vegetation removed from the channel would be hauled away using existing roads. The haul roads are shown on the Enclosure 1 map but are not considered part of the APE, as no new roads will be constructed, and the existing roads will be used for their intended purpose. The material removed from the channel will be taken to existing landfills, which will also be used as intended and not modified for the project.

Historic Property Identification

A records search was conducted in July 2021 at the South Central Coastal Information Center for a larger project along the LAR that included the Glendale Narrows area. Forty-one previous projects overlap with the project area, and thirty-one additional projects were conducted within 1/8 miles of the APE. Ten cultural resources have been identified within the APE, and seven additional resources were found within 1/8 miles of the project area. All cultural resources within the APE are built-environment resources and include (1) Griffith Park, (2) Riverside Drive Bridge, (3) San Fernando Road, (4) Verdugo Wash Bridge, (5) Glendale-Hyperion Viaduct, (6) Arroyo Seco Parkway, (7) Figueroa Street Viaduct, (8) Los Angeles River Bridge, (9) Arroyo Seco Flood Control Channel, and (10) Glendale Narrows. The Verdugo Wash Bridge is an element of the San Fernando Road, and the Figueroa Street Viaduct, Los Angeles River Bridge, and Arroyo Seco Flood Control Channel are contributing elements to the Arroyo Seco Parkway Historic District. The bridges and viaducts are vertically above the APE for the project, which is limited to the channel itself. Although the digital files show a portion of Griffith Park Historic District overlapping with the LAR in the vicinity of Bette Davis Picnic Area, the property description and the boundary definition indicate that LAR is not part of the Griffith Park Historic District. For the purposes of this consultation Griffith Park will be considered a property that may be affected by the undertaking.

In addition to the records search, the Corps commissioned a project that included development of a historic context for flood control activities within Los Angeles County and an architectural assessment of select reaches of the LAR channel, including that portion that is the subject of the sediment and vegetation management project. The

- 5 -study recommended that the Glendale Narrows portion of the LAR is a contributing element of a larger National Register of Historic Places (National Register) eligible historic district that extends from Lankershim Boulevard to Stewart and Gray Road. In addition, in consultation with the California State Historic Preservation Office, the Corps previously determined that the entire LAR channel from the confluence of Arroyo Calabasas and Bell Creek to San Pedro Bay meets the threshold for National Register eligibility under criteria a and c (COE_2019_0801_002).

A Native American Heritage Commission Sacred Files search was requested in July 2021 for a Los Angeles Drainage Area project, which encompasses the Glendale Narrows Sediment and Vegetation Management project area. The result was positive.

Coordination with representatives of several organizations as part of the historic context and architectural assessment study indicated that the river is an important resource to Native Americans, and that other resources important to them are present in the area.

Enclosure 2 contains a sample letter initiating consultation for the current undertaking with representatives of Indian tribes that have indicated an interest in the area and the list of contacts obtained in July 2021, updated with information from more recent NAHC requests for other projects.

Enclosure 3 contains a historic property identification report that provides information about the cultural resources that overlap with the APE and provides an assessment of eligibility and effects. In summary, for the purposes of Section 106 consultation for the proposed project, Griffith Park Historic District (P-19-175297), Riverside Drive Bridge (P-19-187573, Bridge 53C1298), San Fernando Road (P-19-188007), Glendale- Hyperion Viaduct (P-19-180674), Arroyo Seco Parkway Historic District (P-19-179645 including contributing elements Figueroa Street Bridge, Los Angeles River Bridge, and Arroyo Seco Flood Control Channel), and the Glendale Narrows portion of the LAR channel (P-19-190897) will be considered eligible for the National Register. No new information has emerged, and conditions have not changed to merit a re-evaluation of Verdugo Wash Bridge (P-19-190312) and therefore the Corps will maintain FHWA’s finding that it is not eligible for the National Register.

Finding of Effect

The proposed project will at least partially restore the capacity of the Glendale Narrows portion of the LAR by removal of at least 50 and up to 100 percent of the deposited sediment that has accumulated in the channel. This project will not modify any of the features of the constructed channel but will bring it closer to its intended capacity. Existing access ramps and staging areas will be used; any temporary access ramps will be removed when no longer required and will not make a permanent change to the constructed channel. Excavations will take place in recently deposited sediment and will not extend below the constructed features of the channel. No superstructures such as bridges that cross the channel will be affected by this undertaking, except to reduce the chances of overtopping or breakouts during floods. Vegetation removal will

- 6 -emphasize removal of non-native plant species. Native trees would be avoided to the extent practicable while still ensuring the integrity of the flood control structures, conveyance capacity of the channel, and maintaining compliance with Corps national standards for levee maintenance. As a result of the undertaking the channel will return to a condition like its original constructed appearance. Therefore, the Corps has determined that this undertaking will have no adverse effect on historic properties.

In accordance with 36 CFR § 800.3, the Corps is requesting your review and comments regarding the APE for this undertaking. In accordance with 36 CFR § 800.4 the Corps is requesting your concurrence that Griffith Park Historic District, Riverside Drive Bridge, San Fernando Road, Glendale-Hyperion Viaduct, Arroyo Seco Parkway Historic District and its contributing resources, and the Glendale Narrows Section of the LAR meet the criteria for National Register eligibility and will be considered historic properties for the purposes of Section 106 for the proposed project. The Corps requests your concurrence that the Verdugo Wash Bridge does not meet the criteria for National Register eligibility and is not a historic property requiring consideration of effects for the undertaking. Finally, the Corps requests your agreement in accordance with 36 CFR § 800.5(a)(1) and 36 CFR § 800.5(b) that the undertaking will not directly or indirectly alter any of the characteristics of the historic properties within the APE that qualify those properties for inclusion in the National Register in a manner that would diminish the integrity of the property’s location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, or association. The undertaking will return the Glendale Narrows section of the LAR to a condition similar to its original design, and is therefore likely to enhance qualities of setting, feeling, and association for the properties within or adjacent to the APE.

We would appreciate your concurrence with the definition of the APE, the identification of historic properties, and the finding that there will be no adverse effect to historic properties. Please contact Dr. Christopher L. Chabot, Chief, Environmental Policy Group, at (213) 452-3861, or by email at Christopher.L.Chabot@usace.army.mil if you have any specific questions or if we can provide clarification about this request.

Sincerely, Jodi L. Clifford

Enclosure(s)

Los Angeles River at Glendale Narrows 10-Year Operations and Maintenance Plan

Enclosure 1:

Area of Potential Effect (APE) Map

Possible Staging Area

Access Ramp

Haul Route

Los Angeles River at Glendale Narrows 10-Year Operations and Maintenance Plan

Enclosure 2:

Native American Tribal Consultation

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS, LOS ANGELES DISTRICT

915 WILSHIRE BOULEVARD, SUITE 1109

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90017-3409

May 26, 2023

Chairperson Andrew Salas Gabrieleno Band of Mission Indians – Kizh Nation P.O. Box 393 Covina, CA 91723

Dear Chairperson Salas, The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles Districts (Corps) is initiating Section 106 consultation with you regarding the Los Angeles River at Glendale Narrows 10- Year Operations and Maintenance Plan (proposed project) in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California. The Corps has determined that this project constitutes an undertaking pursuant to 36 CFR Part 800.16(y), and the Corps is responsible for compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). The project is also concurrently being reviewed under the National Environmental Policy Act

(NEPA).

The Corps proposes to implement a 10-year sediment and vegetation management project along the Los Angeles River (LAR) within a section of the LAR known as the “Glendale Narrows” located in the Northeast Los Angeles region of the county in the City of Los Angeles with slight overlap into the cities of Burbank and Glendale where they border the river. Interstate 5 (I-5) and the Los Angeles River Bikeway parallel the LAR channel on its west side and the Amtrak/Metrolink rail line roughly parallels on the east side.

The Flood Control Act of 1936, as amended, included authorization for work on the LAR channel as approved by the Chief of Engineers of the U.S. Army. The LAR channel was authorized as a unit of the general comprehensive plan for flood risk management in the Los Angeles County Drainage Area (LACDA) authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1941. The primary purpose of LACDA is to provide flood risk protection for residents of Los Angeles County.

Glendale Narrows is an approximately 7.58-mile soft-bottom section of the LAR formed over the last 4 million years (approximately) by progressive erosion and downcutting of the LAR channel in response to broad-scale uplift and folding of the Santa Monica Mountains and the Elysian/Repetto foothills. Because erosion has been the dominant process in this area, the unconsolidated alluvial deposits in the Narrows are relatively thin and lie directly on top of a group of consolidated marine sandstone, siltstone, and shale. The Narrows effectively links the inland upper groundwater basins of the LAR watershed to the lower coastal groundwater basins. Groundwater in the Narrows primarily flows through relatively shallow unconsolidated deposits. For this reason, the upper part of the Narrows is one of only four sections of the LAR that still

- 2 -has an earthen (unlined) bottom. Lining was not installed here because of rising ground water and the inability to place concrete. The unlined parts of the LAR channel have historically been areas of natural groundwater discharge.

The Glendale Narrows portion of the LAR was constructed between 1938 and 1939.

The unlined channel bottom was replaced with cobblestone fill and 15 grouted-stone stabilizers were built across the invert to serve as grade controls and crossovers for maintenance vehicles between 1954 and 1959. An extensive levee system lines the banks of the channel along both the left and right banks. Over time, sediment has accumulated through this section, significantly reducing the conveyance capacity of the channel, as well as providing a foundation upon which vegetation has established.

The reduced conveyance capacity through this portion of the LAR channel has compromised its flood control function, increasing the chances for breakouts at bridge crossings and risk of flooding adjacent areas. The accumulated sediment and vegetation growth further prohibits inspections and maintenance access of portions of engineered structures including levee toes and grade control structures and crossovers, further compromising the flood risk reduction function. The proposed project will either partially or fully restore the diminished flood conveyance capacity, reduce the potential for breakout flows at bridge locations, facilitate inspections, and restore maintenance access of engineered structures.

Area of Potential Effects

The area of potential effects (APE) for this undertaking consists of 7.58 miles of the LAR. The horizontal APE consists of the LAR channel from near the Forest Lawn Memorial Park – Hollywood Hills to near Dodger Stadium and extending to both sides of the channel and levee boundaries to the extent of the Corps right-of-way (Enclosure 1).

The project is located in an intensively urbanized setting that no longer evokes the period of construction.

The total horizontal APE encompasses approximately 430 acres in a highly urbanized area and encompasses the LAR channel within the Corps right-of-way, possible staging areas (described below), and the access ramps. Vertically, the project would take place within the river channel and the APE would extend from the level of the invert to the top of the levees. Excavation of sediment would not extend below the base of the existing channel as constructed, and no new structures extending above the upper limits of the levees would be built.

The APE includes 10 areas that may be used as temporary staging areas (locations are shown as green triangles on the Enclosure 1 map). These areas have been identified as potential staging areas for the project due to their proximity to the river and accessibility. A decision on which areas are used for project purposes will be resolved upon contract award and the notice to proceed with construction is issued. All identified

- 3 -areas have previously been used as staging areas for other projects and are between 1-

1.5 acres in area. All are on the left bank of the river looking downstream. The potential staging areas are as follows (beginning at the upstream end of the APE):

Two areas at Bette Davis Park have previously been used as staging areas. One is located on a sliver of land within the Corps right-of-way between the levee and Betty Davis Park west of the western edge of the project area. The other is located to the east adjacent to the project area between the levee and Bette Davis Park;

Verdugo Wash Ramp-the ramp itself would serve as the staging area;

An empty dirt lot owned by the City of Los Angeles immediately north of the Los Feliz Golf Course and adjacent to the Rigali Avenue Ramp;

A sliver of land within the Corps right-of-way between the levee and the Los Feliz Golf Course;

An area within the Corps right-of-way adjacent to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power facility between Fletcher Street and Silver Lake Boulevard;

A sliver of land within the Corps right-of-way immediately adjacent to the levee at Fletcher Drive;

An area within the Corps right-of-way at the Bowtie Parcel;

Two possible staging areas are located just south of Rio De Los Angeles State Park near Taylor Yard within the Corps right-of-way adjacent to the levee;

A sliver of paved and unpaved ground between the San Fernando Ramp and the Arroyo Seco Channel.

Access to the riverbed will be on existing access ramps and access roads at seven locations (depicted as red circles on the Enclosure 1 map). Where use of an existing ramp is not feasible, temporary access ramps would be constructed, typically measuring approximately 120 feet long by 22 feet wide using 200 cubic yards of road base. Fiber rolls or sandbags would be installed at the waterline during construction and removal of the ramp, and the downstream face would be armored with grout. The ramps will be removed when no longer required. These temporary ramps would be constructed on the banks of the river and therefore within the existing APE depicted on the Enclosure 1 map. Existing access ramps would be located at Betty Davis Park, Verdugo Wash, Colorado Street, Rigali Avenue, Fletcher Drive North, Fletcher Drive South, and San Fernando will be used.

- 4 -

Sediment and vegetation removed from the channel would be hauled away using existing roads. The haul roads are shown on the Enclosure 1 map but are not considered part of the APE, as no new roads will be constructed, and the existing roads will be used for their intended purpose. The material removed from the channel will be taken to existing landfills, which will also be used as intended and not modified for the project.

Historic Property Identification

A records search was conducted in July 2021 at the South Central Coastal Information Center for a larger project along the LAR that included the Glendale Narrows area. Forty-one previous projects overlap with the project area, and thirty-one additional projects were conducted within 1/8 miles of the APE. Five cultural resources have been identified within the APE, and seven additional resources were found within 1/8 miles of the project area. All cultural resources within the APE are built-environment resources and include (1) Riverside Drive Bridge, (2) Glendale-Hyperion Bridge, (3) Figueroa Street Viaduct, (4) Buena Vista Viaduct, and (5) Glendale Narrows. The bridges and viaducts are vertically above the APE for the project, which is limited to the channel itself. In addition to the records search, the Corps commissioned a project that included development of a historic context for flood control activities within Los Angeles County and an architectural assessment of select reaches of the LAR channel, including that portion that is the subject of the sediment and vegetation management project. The study recommended that the Glendale Narrows portion of the LAR is a contributing element of a larger National Register of Historic Places (National Register) eligible historic district that extends from Lankershim Boulevard to Stewart and Gray Roads. In addition, in consultation with the California State Historic Preservation Office, the Corps previously determined that the entire LAR channel from the confluence of Arroyo Calabasas and Bell Creek to San Pedro Bay meets the threshold for National Register eligibility under criteria a and c (COE_2019_0801_002).

A Native American Heritage Commission Sacred Files search was requested in July 2021 for a Los Angeles Drainage Area project, which encompasses the Glendale Narrows Sediment and Vegetation Management project area. The result was positive.

Coordination with representatives of several organizations indicated that the river is an important resource to Native Americans, and that other resources important to them are present in the area.

Finding of Effect

The proposed project will at least partially restore the capacity of the Glendale Narrows portion of the LAR by removal of at least 50 and up to 100 percent of the deposited sediment that has accumulated in the channel. This project will not modify any of the features of the constructed channel but will bring it closer to its intended capacity. Existing access ramps and staging areas will be used; any temporary access

- 5 -ramps will be removed when no longer required and will not make a permanent change to the constructed channel. Excavations will take place in recently deposited sediment and will not extend below the constructed features of the channel. No superstructures such as bridges that cross the channel will be affected by this undertaking, except to reduce the chances of overtopping or breakouts during floods. Vegetation removal will emphasize removal of non-native plant species. Native trees would be avoided to the extent practicable while still ensuring the integrity of the flood control structures, conveyance capacity of the channel, and maintaining compliance with Corps national standards for levee maintenance. Therefore, the Corps has determined that this undertaking will have no adverse effect on historic properties.

In accordance with 36 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 800.3, the Corps is requesting your review and comments regarding the APE for this undertaking. We also request your assistance in accordance with 36 CFR 800.4(a)(4) with identifying any resources within the APE that may not have been previously identified, including properties of religious and cultural significance to Indian tribes that may be eligible for the National Register.

If you have any comments or concerns regarding the potential effects this project may have on historic properties of traditional religious and cultural significance in the proposed APE, please contact Dr. Christopher L. Chabot, Chief, Environmental Policy Group, at (213) 452-3861, or by email at christopher.l.chabot@usace.army.mil.

Sincerely, Jodi L. Clifford

Enclosure

Tataviam

Gabrieleno

Gabrieleno

Gabrielino

Fernandeno Tataviam Band of Mission Indians Sarah Brunzell, CRM Manager 1019 Second Street, Suite 1 San Fernando, CA, 91340 Phone:

(818) 837 - 0794 Fax: (818) 837-0796 jairo.avila@tataviam-nsn.us

Gabrieleno Band of Mission Indians - Kizh Nation Andrew Salas, Chairperson P.O. Box 393 Covina, CA, 91723 Phone: (626) 926 - 4131 admin@gabrielenoindians.org

Gabrieleno/Tongva San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians Anthony Morales, Chairperson P.O. Box 693 San Gabriel, CA, 91778 Phone: (626) 483 - 3564 Fax: (626) 286-1262 GTTribalcouncil@aol.com

Gabrielino /Tongva Nation Sandonne Goad, Chairperson 106 1/2 Judge John Aiso St., #231 Los Angeles, CA, 90012 Phone: (951) 807 - 0479 sgoad@gabrielino-tongva.com

Gabrielino Tongva Indians of California Tribal Council Christina Conley, Cultural Resources Administrator P.O. Box 941078 Simi Valley, CA, 93094 Phone: (626) 407 - 8761 christina.marsden@alumni.usc.ed u

Gabrielino

Gabrielino Tongva Indians of California Tribal Council Robert Dorame, Chairperson P.O. Box 490 Bellflower, CA, 90707 Phone: (562) 761 - 6417 Fax: (562) 761-6417 gtongva@gmail.com

Gabrielino

Gabrielino-Tongva Tribe Charles Alvarez, 23454 Vanowen Street West Hills, CA, 91307 Phone: (310) 403 - 6048 roadkingcharles@aol.com

Gabrielino

Juaneno Band of Mission Indians Acjachemen Nation - Belardes Joyce Perry, Tribal Manager 4955 Paseo Segovia Irvine, CA, 92603 Phone: (949) 293 - 8522 kaamalam@gmail.com

Juaneno

Juaneno Band of Mission Indians Acjachemen Nation - Belardes Matias Belardes, Chairperson 32161 Avenida Los Amigos San Juan Capisttrano, CA, 92675 Phone: (949) 293 - 8522 kaamalam@gmail.com

Juaneno

Santa Rosa Band of Cahuilla Indians Lovina Redner, Tribal Chair P.O. Box 391820 Anza, CA, 92539 Phone: (951) 659 - 2700 Fax: (951) 659-2228 lsaul@santarosa-nsn.gov

Cahuilla

Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians Isaiah Vivanco, Chairperson P. O. Box 487 San Jacinto, CA, 92581 Phone: (951) 654 - 5544 Fax: (951) 654-4198 ivivanco@soboba-nsn.gov

Cahuilla Luiseno

This list is current only as of the date of this document. Distribution of this list does not relieve any person of statutory responsibility as defined in Section 7050.5 of the Health and Safety Code, Section 5097.94 of the Public Resource Section 5097.98 of the Public Resources Code.

This list is only applicable for contacting local Native Americans with regard to cultural resources assessment for the proposed USACE Los Angeles District Los Angeles Drainage Area Project, Los Angeles County.

PROJ-2021-

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07/07/2021 01:16 PM

Native American Heritage Commission Native American Contact List

Los Angeles County 7/7/2021

Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians Joseph Ontiveros, Cultural Resource Department

P.O. BOX 487

San Jacinto, CA, 92581 Phone: (951) 663 - 5279 Fax: (951) 654-4198 jontiveros@soboba-nsn.gov

Cahuilla Luiseno

This list is current only as of the date of this document. Distribution of this list does not relieve any person of statutory responsibility as defined in Section 7050.5 of the Health and Safety Code, Section 5097.94 of the Public Resource Section 5097.98 of the Public Resources Code.

This list is only applicable for contacting local Native Americans with regard to cultural resources assessment for the proposed USACE Los Angeles District Los Angeles Drainage Area Project, Los Angeles County.

PROJ-2021-

003773

07/07/2021 01:16 PM

Native American Heritage Commission Native American Contact List

Los Angeles County 7/7/2021