PROJECT TITLE: Whittier Narrows Recreation Area Special Events Permit
PROJECT LOCATION:
Whittier Narrows Recreation Area
750 S Santa Anita Ave, South El Monte, CA 91733
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The Los Angeles District, U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is preparing an Environmental Assessment (EA) on behalf of the County of Los Angeles, Department of Parks and Recreation (Proponent). The Proponent has requested the Corps’ approval to issue special event permits to concessionaires for two large annual re-occuring events, the Spring and Fall Fairs, and, in addition, a second group consisting of several smaller events, at leased Areas A, B, and D of the Whittier Narrows Recreation Area in unincorporated Los Angeles County, California, for a 5-year period from 2022 to 2026. The Proponent is the primary recreational facility operator and lessee, administering the recreation outgrant at Whittier Narrows Recreation Area to provide recreation opportunities to the general public. Based on historic use (2017-2019), the Spring Fair has averaged approximately 20,000 attendees over a 15-day period. Over the same period, the Fall Fair has averaged approximately 10,000 attendees over an 8-day period. Activities have included carnival rides and games, specialty rides, live entertainment, food and beverage booths, and souvenir booths. Other proposed events would be for one-day duration with an estimate of 5,000-10,000 attendees. All public events would be required to follow the latest guidance from County of Los Angeles, Department of Public Health to ensure the safety of workers, customers, and communities, and to lower the risk of COVID-19 transmission. The Corps is requesting comments pertaining to the proposed project from Federal, state, local agencies, and the public in general that would lead to the determination by decision makers on the preparation of a Finding of No Significant Impact or whether an Environmental Impact Statement would be required.
PROJECT PROPONENT: County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation
PUBLIC REVIEW PERIOD: January 14, 2022 to February 12, 2022
LEAD AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District
CONTACT PERSON:
Lieutenant Colonel Malia R. Pearson
Program Manager, Los Angeles County Drainage Area
Operations Division
USACE-SPL-OPT
645 Durfee Avenue
South El Monte, California 91733
(213) 219-1619
malia.r.pearson@usace.army.mil
METHOD OF SUBMITTING COMMENTS: A draft EA can be made available upon request, and the Corps shall consider any comments received during the public comment period (January 14 – February 12, 2022). Written comments must be submitted to Lieutenant Colonel Malia R. Pearson (postmarked or e-mailed) at the address or email listed above before 5:00 pm on February 12, 2022.