Washington—Senators Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris and Congressman Adam Schiff (all D-Calif.) today introduced the Rim of the Valley Corridor Preservation Act (S.774), a bill to add more than 191,000 acres of the Rim of the Valley Corridor to the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.

“Protecting natural places like the Rim of the Valley Corridor from urban expansion is essential for improving the quality of life in the Los Angeles basin,” said Senator Feinstein. “Our legislation would connect more Southern California residents to the trails and vast open spaces in the foothills of the surrounding mountains. It would also protect sensitive habitat for California wildlife including mountain lions, bobcats and golden eagles. The foothills surrounding the Los Angeles basin are a truly special place worthy of stronger protections.”

“The Rim of the Valley is the critical bridge between our urban city centers, suburbs in the Los Angeles basin and the spectacular wilderness that surrounds us – our bill would help protect these lands for generations to come,” said Congressman Schiff. “As more of this area is developed and open space diminishes, the wildlife it supports is increasingly at risk. Congress must preserve the Rim of the Valley for the next generations, but we must act quickly on a bipartisan basis or this once in a century opportunity will be gone forever.”

The expansion would allow the National Park Service and the local community to work together to better protect natural resources and habitat in the corridor and improve access for recreational and educational purposes.

The legislation gives the park service the authority to: 

• Implement capital improvements, including new trails, roads and public facilities.
• Monitor and study wildlife and ecosystems.
• Participate in cooperative conservation and recreation planning.
• Provide technical assistance for resource protection and recreation planning.
• Contribute financially to projects that protect important natural resources.
• Acquire land through donation, exchange or purchase.

The proposed expansion respects existing private property rights and local land-use authorities. It would not require a landowner to participate in any conservation or recreation activities or place additional restrictions on property owners. The legislation does not allow for land acquisition through eminent domain.

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