About Us
The San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy (RMC) was created by the California legislature in 1999. We’re one of ten conservancies within the California Resources Agency. Our mission is to preserve open space and habitat in order to provide for low-impact recreation and educational uses, wildlife habitat restoration and protection, and watershed improvements within our jurisdictions. This work supports the public’s enjoyment and enhancement of recreational and educational experiences on public lands in a manner consistent with the protection of lands and resources in those watersheds.
Territory
RMC’s jurisdiction includes eastern Los Angeles County and western Orange County, comprised of the San Gabriel River Watershed and its tributaries, the Lower Los Angeles River Watershed and its tributaries, Upper Santa Clara River and its tributaries, the Dominguez Channel watershed, northern slope of the Angeles National Forest, the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, Puente Hills and the San Jose Hills.
Partners
The RMC’s territory contains a large number of governmental and non-governmental organizations. The RMC has both formal and informal partnerships with many of these organizations and these partnerships cover a range from very close to casual. Because these partnerships are so complex, we’ve attempted to bring some clarity to them here.
Policies
The overall policy guidelines for the RMC are found in two primary references: the statute which created the RMC, Public Resources Code Section 32600, and Common Ground, from the Mountains to the Sea, the watershed and open space plan for the Los Angeles and San Gabriel River watersheds which was adopted by the RMC and further identifies the polices of the agency. The sources of capital funds for the RMC are a series of propositions approved by the voters.
Founding Legislation
Legislation was introduced by then-state Senator Hilda Solis in January 1999 to create a San Gabriel River Conservancy with no powers of condemnation or authority over city zoning laws. The legislation went through a series of rewrites that resulted in an expansion from its original concept as a river conservancy to include the watershed of the San Gabriel River plus the Lower Los Angeles River and certain named cities. Solis’ bill and a companion bill by then-Assemblywoman Sally Havice creating the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy passed the Legislature nine months later and were signed by the Governor. This legislation was incorporated into the California Public Resources Code.
Environmental Justice Policy
WCA’s Watershed Rangers Program, East Fork San Gabriel River, 2014-15
RMC has adopted (RMC Resolution 2014-19) an Environmental Justice Policy with three key environmental justice principles:
- Community driven empowerment/ organizing campaigns,
- Identification of incompatible land uses, and
- Recognize opportunities to create green infrastructure such as community open space and alternative transportation modes including bicycling and walking
Tribal Consultation Policy
RMC has approved (RMC Resolution 2017-14) a Tribal Consultation Policy consistent with the approved policy adopted by the California Natural Resources Agency.
Joint Powers Authority
The Rivers and Mountains Conservancy is a member of three joint powers authorities. Click on the following links for information about those authorities and their meetings.
-Watershed Conservation Authority (WCA)
-Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority (LCWA)
-Azusa-RMC Joint Powers Authority
RMC Staff
RMC Board Members
The composition of the board of the RMC is specified by California Public Resources Code, Section 32605. The Board consists of fifteen (15) voting members and nine (9) ex-officio, nonvoting members. See full list of RMC’s current Board Members.