PROJECT ADDRESS
San Rafael Site:Lower Arroyo Seco southwest of the San Rafael Avenue overpass of the Arroyo Seco Channel at the southern border of the City of Pasadena; and
San Pascual Site:
Lower Arroyo Seco southeast of the San Pascual Avenue overpass of the Arroyo Seco Channel between the channel and Stoney Drive in the Cities of South Pasadena and Los Angeles.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The applicant, City of Pasadena Department of Public Works as Lead Agency, is proposing to construct a stormwater capture project. The proposed Project consists of two regional stormwater capture and treatment facilities, also referred to as Best Management Practices (BMPs), located within existing underutilized open space areas near the Arroyo Seco Channel. The Project would provide water quality benefits for multiple jurisdictions within the 5,005-acre drainage area of the two BMP sites.
The Project sites are located within the Upper Los Angeles River (ULAR) Watershed. Runoff from this watershed drains to over 50 linear miles of the Los Angeles River and then to the Pacific Ocean. The Arroyo Seco Channel is a major tributary to the Los Angeles River. On July 9, 2010, the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) adopted resolution No. R10-007 incorporating a total maximum daily load (TMDL) for indicator bacteria in the Los Angeles River watershed. A TMDL is the calculation of the maximum amount of a pollutant allowed to enter a waterbody so that the waterbody will meet and continue to meet water quality standards.
Outfalls along the Arroyo Seco Channel were modeled for indicator bacteria and the San Rafael Creek outfall was identified as a priority outfall having bacteria levels which consistently exceed allowed limits. A Load Reduction Strategy (LRS) was developed for the watershed and the proposed LRS for the two locations in the Arroyo Seco Channel is to remove 100% of the dry weather flows for treatment. Runoff in San Rafael Creek would be diverted into the San Rafael project site, treated, and a portion infiltrated for groundwater recharge. Treated runoff would then be discharged into the Arroyo Seco Channel and diverted into the San Pascual project site. The runoff would go through additional treatment and a portion would be stored and reused for irrigation of South Pasadena’s Arroyo Seco Golf Course located approximately 1,000 feet south of the San Pascual site.
In addition to fulfilling regulatory obligations to provide cleaner water in the Arroyo Seco and Los Angeles River channels, other Project benefits include increased habitat and re-establishment of native plant communities, improved trails and public access to open space areas, and educational opportunities utilizing interpretive materials focused on hydrology and native habitat.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Consistent with CEQA Guidelines Section 15060(d), Pasadena conducted a preliminary review of the Project to focus the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) on the potentially significant effects of the project. Pasadena anticipates the following topical areas have the potential to result in significant impacts: Aesthetics, Air Quality, Biological Resources, Cultural Resources (including Paleontological Resources), Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Hydrology and Water Quality, Land Use and Planning, Noise, Public Services and Recreation, Tribal Cultural Resources and Wildfire. The following topical areas are expected to result in no impacts or less than significant impacts: Agriculture and Forestry Resources, Energy, Geology and Soils (except Paleontological Resources), Hazards and Hazardous Resources, Mineral Resources, Population and Housing, Public Services (law enforcement, fire protection, schools, and other public services), Transportation, Utilities and Service Systems.
DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW
Appendix A-2 - Public Comments on NOP
Appendix B-1 - Construction Mass Daily Emissions
Appendix B-2 - i-Tree Output
Appendix C - Biological Resources Assessment Report
Appendix D - Cultural and Paleontological Resources Records Searches
Appendix E-1 - Hydrology and Hydraulics Report
Appendix E-2 - Stormwater Capture Study Technical Memorandum
Appendix F-1 - San Rafael Geotechnical Evaluation
Appendix F-2 - San Pascual Geotechnical Evaluation
Appendix G - Noise Supporting Documentation
Appendix H - Traffic Evaluation
Appendix I - TCR Supporting Documentation
MEETINGS AND HEARINGS
SUBMITTING COMMENTS
A copy of the EIR may be viewed online at https://www.cityofpasadena.net/planning/arroyo-seco-water-reuse-project/ and the project webpage at https://www.cityofpasadena.net/public-works/engineering-and-construction/construction/arroyo-seco-water-reuse-project/ and will be available for viewing during regular business hours at the City of Pasadena Permit Center (175 North Garfield Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101); the San Rafael Library (1240 Nithsdale Road, Pasadena, CA 91105); the South Pasadena Public Library (1100 Oxley Street, South Pasadena, CA 91030); and the Arroyo Seco Regional Branch Library (6145 North Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90042).
The City will consider all written comments to the EIR regarding the potential environmental effects of the Project. Written comments, including e-mails, must be submitted in writing by 11:59 p.m. on August 1, 2026. Due to the time limits mandated by State law, your comments must be received by Pasadena no later than 90-days from date of posting. Please direct your written comments via e-mail and/or U.S. mail to:
Christina Monde, P.E.
City of Pasadena Department of Public
100 North Garfield Avenue, Suite N306
Pasadena, California 91101
Email: cmonde@cityofpasadena.net
CONTACT INFORMATION
CASE MANAGER: Christina Monde, P.E.EMAIL: cmonde@cityofpasadena.net