| Large carnivorous mammals such as mountain lions are particularly at risk of extinction form habitat fragmentation, because they require large home ranges. As the top predators disappear, it causes what is known as a “cascade effect” that allows predators such as foxes (due to the sudden lack of competition and direct predation by lions) to increase and lead to more pressure on animals such as birds, which then began to die out also (Noss, Beier and Shaw, 2002, 5). These and many unknown consequences happen as habitat areas shrink below levels that can support species populations. As I once heard from an instructor, how many parts can you remove from a radio before it no longer works? How many species can be removed before an ecosystem collapses? It is precisely this idea of taking action while there was still enough land that led to the collective effort of the state, neighboring cities, and local citizens to develop a system of linked preserves in the hills that would maintain the species that have always lived there, both for their sake and for the people that appreciate their presence.
The Puente /Chino Hills are also on the list of global hotspots of biodiversity, being a part of the California Floristic Province. Our province contains many plant and animal species that are found nowhere else in the world. In fact, 61% of our plant species are endemic to California (Biodiversity Hotspots, xp/Hotspots/california_floristic/ biodiversity.xml). All of the Mediterranean climate habitats worldwide are on this hotspot list, and it is said that only 24.7% of our province’s vegetation remains in pristine condition (Biodiversity Hotspots, xp/Hotspots/california_floristic/). To make this hotspot list, a region has to have lost 70% of its original natural habitat (Conservation International, xp/news/press_releases/2005/020205.xml). Not only is this the only hotspot in the continental Untied States, but it is also the region of the country that has the highest number of species and ecosystems threatened with extinction (Beier Lab of Conservation Biology and Wildlife Ecology, research/pb1/service/coal_canyon_address .htm). Preserving the Corridor and its many native species goes a long way towards maintaining a portion of our California natural heritage. This combined with the fact that the Corridor is located just a few miles from millions of people adds further incentive to preserve it, since it provides an excellent recreational and educational opportunity so close to home for those who need such a place the most, the fast-paced residents of Southern California. Besides the ecological reasons for preserving this area, from a human standpoint the Corridor offers a place to exchange gridlock and deadlines for solitude and relaxation. The U.S. Government estimates that stress-related illnesses cost $26 billion in medical bills and disability, and another $95 billion in lost work time every year (Mellanie True Hills Company, 2004), so having relaxing places like the Corridor can save both money and sanity and play a part in achieving a healthier and more balanced society. Brief History of Corridor Preservation and the Associated Agencies The effort to preserve the Puente/Chino Hills Corridor began to take shape in the 1970’s, and through a series of land acquisitions between 1981 and 2001 the present day 13,000 acre Chino Hills State Park was created by California State Parks and other stakeholders, at a total cost of over $115 million (Hills For Everyone, PDF_Files/acqusition_order_chsp.pdf). Studies during and after that initial land purchase revealed that preserving just one section of the Corridor would not be sufficient to ensure that the species found there today would continue to be found there in the future. Almost everything outside of the Santa Ana Mountains and the new State Park was at risk for development, so the focus shifted to one of creating a series of core habitats and, where necessary, a system of corridors to connect them. The vision was of an unbroken reserve from the Whittier Hills to the Cleveland National Forest, and thus the wildlife Corridor idea was born. A plethora of existing public agencies (City of Whittier, Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, etc.) all contributed to the cause with land purchases (Hills for Everyone, state_investment_table.htm), and two new agencies were assembled for the expressed purpose of protecting the Corridor. The Puente Hills Landfill Native Habitat Preservation Authority (PHLNHPA) was formed in 1994 and consisted of Whittier, Los Angeles County, Hacienda Heights Improvement Association, and the Sanitation District. They used a very clever funding source to accomplish their goals. A $1.00 per ton tipping fee, to be used for land acquisitions in the Corridor, was initiated on all refuge brought to the landfill. This collected over $34 million dollars through 2003 (PHLNHPA, fsource.shtml) and led to the purchase of over 1,800 acres (whoweare.shtml). Their jurisdiction is the Western Puente Hills east to Harbor Blvd. (pdf/HabAuthV2.jpg). They also focus upon wilderness education for the public, restoration of damaged lands, and trail construction (Hills for Everyone, interested_govt_agencies.htm#habitatauthority). Another agency formed out of the desire to consolidate the Corridor lands was the Wildlife Corridor Conservation Authority, or WCCA. It was created in 1996 and consists of the cities of Whittier, Brea, La Habra Heights, Diamond Bar, as well as Los Angeles County and three state agencies. It functions as a planning agency to identify habitat priorities and form a strategy for the preservation of the key corridor linkages (Hills for Everyone, interested_govt_agencies.htm#wcca). They are also able to apply for bond money and purchase land, as they tried to do in the case of Tonner Canyon. Their jurisdiction basically consists of the entire Corridor to the 91 Freeway (SMMC, WCCA.html). |
| Tonner Canyon and its Significance to the Puente/Chino Hills Wildlife Corridor |