In the News

In a rare show of bipartisanship, a proposal to add 191,000 acres of wild lands and Los Angeles historical sites to the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is being pushed by members of Congress from both sides of the aisle.

Although not an original sponsor, Rep. Steve Knight, R-Santa Clarita, signed on earlier this year as a co-sponsor of the Rim of the Valley addition, breaking ranks with fellow Republicans. Knight has joined an unlikely alliance with the bill’s author, Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Burbank, and seven other congressional Democrats in Southern California. Knight is the only House Republican to come out in support of the land preservation measure.

“It is an idea that has always had bipartisan support,” said Schiff during a phone interview Monday. “Years ago, when I first introduced the study bill, we had support of all the Republican members from the affected areas.”

Ten years in the making, the bill would more than double the size of the biggest recreation area in Los Angeles and enjoys support of hikers, numerous environmental groups, wildlife nonprofits, social justice advocates and nearly every Democratic lawmaker in Southern California. Supporters view it as a way to introduce more Angelenos to nature and also improve trails and picnic areas in vast stretches of mountainous and riverside regions in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

The other co-sponsors are: Rep. Julia Brownley, D-Thousand Oaks; Rep. Tony Cardenas, D-Panorama City; Rep. Judy Chu, D-Pasadena; Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Los Angeles; Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Manhattan Beach; Rep. Grace Napolitano, D-El Monte and Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Sherman Oaks. Supporters also include the mayors of Burbank, Calabasas, Glendale, Pasadena, La Cañada Flintridge, Santa Clarita, Thousand Oaks, West Hollywood, as well as Los Angeles City Council members David Ryu and Monica Rodriguez.

Full Article