Schiff takes up the Rim Valley Corridor legislation in the Senate after leading efforts in the House since 2016.
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and U.S. Representative Laura Friedman (D-Calif.-30) introduced the bicameral reintroduction of the Rim of the Valley Corridor Preservation Act, landmark legislation that would protect some of the last wild and open spaces in the Los Angeles area and allow the National Park Service (NPS) to work with local communities to better protect natural resources and improve access to nature. This bill would add over 118,000 acres to the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA) and is based on an NPS study that was reported to Congress in 2016.
The Rim of the Valley stretches from the Simi Hills and Santa Susanas to the Verdugos and the San Gabriel Mountains, making a “green belt” that encircles the San Fernando, La Crescenta, Santa Clarita, Simi, and Conejo Valleys.
“The Rim of the Valley contains some of the last wild and open spaces in Los Angeles and connects our urban city centers and suburbs with the beautiful outdoors. This legislation will preserve the land and wildlife that millions of Angelenos enjoy. We must protect these natural treasures for future generations, so they too can experience the beautiful hiking, abundant wildlife, diverse ecosystem, and significant historic sites found in the Santa Monica Mountains Recreation Area,” said Senator Schiff.
“The Rim of the Valley is one of Southern California’s most important natural treasures. We must protect these lands so that every Californian and American can enjoy them for generations to come,” said Congresswoman Laura Friedman (D-Calif.-30).” That’s why I’m proud to help lead the Rim of the Valley Corridor Preservation Act alongside Senator Schiff. Not only will this legislation provide local communities with better access to our beautiful public lands, but it will ensure that we protect the natural resources and wildlife that call the Rim of the Valley home.”
The bill has been endorsed by Active San Gabriel Valley, Amigos de los Rios, Audubon Center at Debs Park, Chinese Historical Society of Southern California, Citizens for Los Angeles Wildlife, Community Hiking Club, City of Santa Clarita, Friends of Griffith Park, Los Angeles Equine Advisory Committee, National Parks Conservation Association, Nature For All, Outward Bound Adventures, Poison Free Malibu, Santa Susana Mountain Park Association, St. Francis Dam Memorial Foundation, Bolsa Chica Land Trust, Central Valley Partnership, Endangered Habitats League, Environmental Center of San Diego, Environmental Protection Information Center (EPIC), Friends of Whittier Hills, Los Padres ForestWatch, Mendocino Producers Guild, Outdoor Alliance, Resource Renewal Institute, The River Project, Friends of the Inyo, Klamath Forest Alliance, and California Native Plant Society.
Background:
In 2008, Schiff successfully led the passage of the Rim of the Valley Corridor Study Act, which directed the National Park Service to conduct a special resource study of the Rim of the Valley Corridor. The study sought to determine the suitability and feasibility of designating all or a portion of the Rim of the Valley Corridor as a unit of the existing area and how these areas could be better managed and preserved. The National Park Service conducted the study from 2010 until February 2016 when the final report was shared with Congress. The report concluded that an expansion would increase opportunities for public enjoyment and protect significant natural resources.
Schiff with the late Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) first introduced the Rim of the Valley Corridor Preservation Act in 2017 with strong bipartisan support from local communities and non-profit leaders in Los Angeles. Schiff successfully passed the bipartisan legislation in two different Congresses and in 2023 the legislation was approved on a bipartisan basis by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
The expansion of the SMMNRA boundary respects private property rights and existing local land use authorities, and it will not put additional restrictions on property owners or allow for land acquisition through eminent domain. The remaining designated land encompasses undeveloped land that is already protected at the local level.
Full text of the bill is available here.
###