• Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park is temporarily closed due to a May 5 high-voltage transformer failure. Check back for repair updates and consider visiting our other parks and lakes.

DEVIL’S PUNCHBOWL NATURE CENTER REPLACEMENT PLANNING PROJECT – NOTICE OF PREPARATION AND SCOPING MEETING

DEVIL’S PUNCHBOWL NATURE CENTER REPLACEMENT PLANNING PROJECT – NOTICE OF PREPARATION AND SCOPING MEETING

DEVIL’S PUNCHBOWL NATURE CENTER REPLACEMENT PLANNING PROJECT – NOTICE OF PREPARATION AND SCOPING MEETING 150 150 Parks & Recreation

DEVIL’S PUNCHBOWL NATURE CENTER REPLACEMENT PLANNING PROJECT – NOTICE OF PREPARATION AND SCOPING MEETING 

The County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is the lead agency for consideration of the Devil’s Punchbowl Nature Center Replacement Planning Project (Proposed Project). Based on the findings of an Initial Study for the Proposed Project, DPR has determined that it will prepare a focused Environmental Impact Report (EIR). Pursuant to Section 15082 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, DPR is soliciting comments from all interested persons, responsible and trustee agencies and organizations concerned with the project as to the scope and content of the EIR and the environmental information to be analyzed in connection with the Proposed Project. The project description, location, environmental review requirements, and probable environmental issues to be addressed in the EIR are included in this Notice of Preparation (NOP).

 PROJECT LOCATION                         

 28000 Devil’s Punchbowl Road, Pearblossom, CA 93553

PROJECT DESCRIPTION                    

 DPR is proposing to develop new park amenities at the Devil’s Punchbowl Natural Area. The Proposed Project entails planning for the replacement of the Nature Center that was destroyed by the Bobcat Fire in 2020 with a new building while also making improvements to the surrounding support site elements including trail heads, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) access to buildings and trails, picnic areas, and shade structures. Specifically, the Proposed Project includes: 

• 3,245-square-foot Nature Center, administrative offices, and gift shop

• Green roof

• Reinforced masonry structure

• Sand colored and fire rated board-form concrete panel exterior

• Protection of all remaining healthy trees onsite

• Natural ventilation

• Natural lighting and skylights

• Native landscaping and revegetation

• Storm water collection and reuse

• Solar canopy over parking lot

• Native seed collection and germination (incl. local manzanita seeds for future use)

• Shade structures

• Planting additional native trees to provide shade in the future

• Inclusion of local materials in the architectural design, such as rocks on façade

• Demolition of the existing Ranger’s Residence

 

POTENTIAL PROJECT IMPACTS

 Based on the findings of an Initial Study for the Proposed Project, DPR has determined that it will prepare a focused EIR. A preliminary assessment of potential environmental impacts that may occur as a result of the project determined that potentially significant environmental impacts related to Cultural Resources will need to be addressed as part of the EIR to assess the proposed demolition of the Ranger’s Residence building. Additional resources would not be subject to potentially significant environmental effects, as described in the Initial Study.

 

NOTICE OF PREPARATION REVIEW AND COMMENTS

The Notice of Preparation is being distributed to solicit written comments regarding the scope and content of the environmental analysis to be included in the EIR. DPR has prepared this NOP in accordance with the State CEQA Guidelines. The review period for this NOP is from August 16, 2023 to September 14, 2023. Due to the time limits mandated by State law, your response must be sent at the earliest possible date, but not later than September 14, 2023. Please direct all written comments to the following address:

Jui Ing Chien, Park Planner
County of Los Angeles
Department of Parks and Recreation
1000 S. Fremont Ave., Unit #40
A-9 West, 3rd Floor
Alhambra, California 91083
Telephone: (626) 588-5317
Email: jchien@parks.lacounty.gov 

SCOPING MEETING

A Scoping Meeting will be held to present the Proposed Project and to solicit early comments from the public regarding the Proposed Project and issues to be addressed in the Draft EIR. The date, time, and location to the on-site meeting is as follows:
Saturday, September 9, 2023, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Devil’s Punchbowl Natural Area and Nature Center, 28000 Devil’s Punchbowl Road, Pearblossom, CA 93553.

REVIEW MATERIALS