Sepulveda Dam's Master Plan Reviewed at Community Workshop

There were airplane and boating hobbyists, wildlife and environmental enthusiasts and special events representatives, each making sure their particular needs were not overlooked or changed, as revisions to a master plan for the Sepulveda Dam Basin are in the final stretch.

The last public discussion over recreational uses at the popular gathering spot near the San Diego (405) and Ventura (101) freeways drew about 75 people on Saturday at the Sepulveda Garden Center on Magnolia Boulevard in Encino.

The upshot of the revisions to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan, which hasn’t been updated in 32 years, is that there are no significant changes to the document, but some of the terminology
has changed.

“We are struggling to maintain and balance the needs of a large constituency,” said Corps spokeswoman Terri Kaplan. “There are no
really, really significant changes.”

The primary purpose of the Dam is flood control with a secondary purpose of recreation and a third purpose of water conservation, according to the Corps website.

Kaplan said recreational usage cannot impede the flood control feature.

It is necessary to update the master plan to keep up with changing needs and conditions of the property. The plan also provides guidance for the orderly and coordinated use, future development and management of all resources at the Sepulveda Dam Project area, according to the Corps website.

The final master plan prepared by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District, cost $280,000 to update, which was funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

It is expected to be released at the end of next month. The public comment period ends Sept. 12.

The 2,150-acre Sepulveda Dam basin, which includes Woodley Park, a lake, a wildlife management area, Sepulveda and Woodley golf courses, bicycle trails, a model airplane center and sports field, draws
more than 1,000 people a day.

Since the original master plan was developed in 1981, the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Area has expanded, the Anthony C. Beilenson Park was built and Bull Creek has been restored. New developments not previously identified in the 1981 Master Plan include the Sepulveda Basin Off-leash Dog Park, Pedlow Field Skate Park and the playground.

Master plan presenters were criticized on a number of issues including inadequate public notification about the master plan update process.

Gerald Silver, a member of the Encino Neighborhood Council and a representative of Homeowners of Encino, said because the general public is unaware of what’s happening with the master plan, comments do not represent broader viewpoints.

Silver said his homeowners’ group believes flood control is a No. 1 priority.

He also said they want recreation uses to be minimal. Silver does not favor large events that attract thousands of people, which he said has negative effects on the quality of life for neighbors.

Stanley Kitzes, a Chatsworth resident, was also concerned that the millions of people who frequent the area will not have their voices heard.

“I’m happy to hear that no major changes are being made,” Kitzes said.

Jeff Sandler wanted assurances from the team that those who fly planes at the Dam would be able to continue to do so.

Kaplan did just that.

“The master plan is not a long-range development plan. It guides us as we look to see if projects are consistent with the master plan,” Kaplan added.

Kris Ohlenkamp, past president of the San Fernando Valley Audubon Society, said while the wildlife area isn’t being increased in the proposed master plan, it isn’t being decreased either.

“I’m happy with the emphasis on wildlife’s value,” Ohlenkamp said.

Those representing some of the large special events held at Woodley Park were assured by Dam officials that they weren’t any plans to prohibit them.

Kaplan said administrative fees, however, will be based on individual events and the amount of time the team spends on reviewing an
application.

She said they know what the hourly rate will be, but not the numbers of hours it will take process an application.

Fees would be higher on an incomplete application versus one that is filled out correctly.

“There’s increase pressure of costs to review proposals and will be event-specific,” Kaplan said.

Jerome Gutman, executive director of Israel’s Independence Day Festival, said he was in favor of special events at the park despite a comment that some events have outgrown this venue.

“Big events help the area stay cleaner and popular,” Gutman said. “I think this area should have events. I believe in the events.”

Concerns were expressed that oftentimes special events block day-users from the ability to also enjoy the property.

Steve Hartman, a Sherman Oaks resident, complaint that the maps were difficult to read and some of the color coding technique to specific recreational use areas were incorrect.

Corps spokeswoman Debbie Lamb said the team was aware of errors in the document and she welcomes more eyes to help the team proof
read it.

Hartman also was concerned about preserving the wildlife areas of the park and keeping out unauthorized users.

For more information about the Corps master plan, visit spl.usace.army.mil.