The Arroyo Seco, a 25-mile winding stream that flows through Pasadena, South Pasadena, and Los Angeles, is at the heart of a contentious debate. The Arroyo Seco Water Reuse Project aimed at cleaning contaminated water from the channelized stream, has sparked controversy due to its potential impact on sacred lands, mature trees, and the use of treated water for a public golf course.
The project, proposed by Pasadena and South Pasadena, involves removing nearly 140 mature trees, more than half of which are invasive and highly flammable, to build the necessary infrastructure. However, the plan to use a portion of the treated water to irrigate a public golf course has drawn significant opposition from residents on the Los Angeles side of the Arroyo.
The Historical and Cultural Significance of the Arroyo Seco
The Arroyo Seco, or “dry stream” in Spanish, has a rich history that dates back to the late 1930s and ’40s. After devastating floods, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lined much of the channel with concrete to prevent future flooding. However, this channelization has led to increased pollution, with the river repeatedly receiving an “F” grade for bacteria contamination in report cards by nonprofit Heal the Bay.
The area is also of great cultural significance to the Gabrieleño Band of Mission Indians-Kizh (Quiichi) Nation. Tribal chairman Andrew Salas has expressed strong opposition to the project, stating that the area is sacred and home to burial sites. “Long before the channeling of the Arroyo Seco, the natural springs, the sacred springs that were there, it was a traditional gathering place,” he said.
The Project’s Proposed Solutions and Controversies
The cities’ engineers have identified two sites for the project: the San Rafael site about 1.4 acres in Pasadena where the San Rafael creek empties into the Arroyo Seco, and the San Pascual site a sliver of densely wooded open space in South Pasadena. The plans involve building wetlands with native trees and plants, walking paths, and underground infrastructure to treat the water for zinc and E. coli and filter out trash.
However, the project has faced significant opposition. About half an acre of the San Pascual site is within the city of Los Angeles, and the use of treated water to irrigate the nearby public golf course has been a major point of contention. Opponents argue that the project prioritizes the golf course over the natural environment and the concerns of local residents.
The Environmental Impact and Community Concerns
The draft environmental impact report states that the amount of water supplied to the golf course for irrigation will remain the same pre- and post-construction. However, opponents like Clara Solis a Los Angeles resident who has lived nearby for more than 20 years, argue that the project will have a significant impact on the local environment and community.
“There’s one huge oak, we call it the mother because it’s so big, and she’s going to get cut down, and it’s just heartbreaking to us,” Solis said. She and other volunteers launched the group Save San Pascual Park to oppose the project, accusing Pasadena and South Pasadena of using the project to steal water and land from Los Angeles.
The Path Forward: Balancing Cleanup and Conservation
The debate over the Arroyo Seco Water Reuse Project highlights the complex challenges of balancing environmental cleanup with conservation efforts. While most agree that the Arroyo Seco’s water needs to be cleaned and that nature around it should be restored, the question of how to do that remains contentious.
Pasadena and South Pasadena have secured nearly $15 million for the project, and construction is expected to take less than two years. However, the backlash has been so intense that the city of Pasadena recently hired a local nonprofit, Active San Gabriel Valley to help with public outreach. The deadline for public comment is now August 1, and the outcome of this debate will have significant implications for the future of the Arroyo Seco and the communities that surround it.