The Canyon Hills luxury housing project, situated in the Verdugo Mountains, has become a focal point for environmental concerns following the announcement that the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) will conduct a supplemental environmental impact report (SEIR) focusing on the region’s endangered species.
The project, proposed by Whitebird Inc., aims to construct 221 luxury homes in the area above the 210 Freeway in Sunland-Tujunga.
With heightened awareness around the ecosystem and its protected inhabitants, the CDFW is seeking public input on the supplemental report until September 2.
The local environmental group, No Canyon Hills, has been pivotal in advocating for a comprehensive evaluation of the project’s environmental implications.
Emma Kemp, co-founder of No Canyon Hills, expressed gratitude to the CDFW for taking steps towards responsible environmental stewardship.
“I feel really grateful for CDFW for doing the right thing because it’s not easy to do the right thing,” Kemp stated.
The necessity of this new report is underscored by evidence submitted to the CDFW indicating the presence of Crotch’s bumblebee (Bombus Crotchii) and other protected species, such as mountain lions, within the project site.
On August 1, the CDFW officially notified No Canyon Hills of the initiation of a draft SEIR, a precursor to potentially issuing an Incidental Take Permit (ITP) to Whitebird Inc.
California’s Environmental Quality Act mandates this permit for developers intending to disturb a species listed under the California Endangered Species Act during their projects.
However, the focus of the SEIR will solely be on the potential impacts of the Canyon Hills project on the Crotch’s bumblebee, which is currently a candidate for state listing as endangered or threatened.
Tiffany Yap, a senior scientist with the Center for Biological Diversity, articulated the importance of protecting this bumblebee, noting that it plays a critical role in pollinating fire-resistant plants in wildfire-prone areas, including sage and wild buckwheat.
Moreover, these bumblebees are essential for pollinating milkweed, crucial for the survival of monarch butterflies.
Aside from bumblebee conservation, Kemp highlighted concerns regarding the presence of at least two mountain lions documented in the project area.
Evidence of a male and female mountain lion traversing the area has been submitted to both the city of Los Angeles and the CDFW.
“Their presence needs to be addressed by CDFW,” Kemp emphasized.
Southern California mountain lions are also candidates for protection under the CESA, with habitat loss, human encroachment, and highways contributing to their declining population.
The project location is situated in a region characterized by high fire severity, further compounding the environmental concerns.
In response to the developments, Jack Ruben, an attorney representing Whitebird Inc., affirmed the company’s awareness of the SEIR process and expressed eagerness for the CDFW to issue the necessary permit once the review is concluded.
The potential impact of the SEIR’s findings could vary, according to Doug Carstens, an attorney allied with No Canyon Hills.
He noted that even if negative effects on the bumblebee are identified, the CDFW could still grant the ITP under a statement of overriding considerations.
Carstens explained that these considerations require specific findings, including the adoption of all feasible mitigation measures to minimize impacts and confirmation that no alternatives exist that are environmentally superior.
He raised concerns that justifying the benefits of luxury development on wildfire-prone hillsides against the destruction of vital habitats for endangered species will be a significant challenge.
Kemp echoed this sentiment, arguing it will be tough to demonstrate the project’s benefits over its environmental costs.
The timeline for completing the SEIR process remains uncertain, potentially extending over several months or even a year, which coincides with the expiration of Whitebird Inc.’s existing contract with the city in October 2026.
L.A. City Councilmember Monica Rodriguez, representing the Verdugo Mountains district, emphasized that the project holds entitlement status through an agreement requiring construction commencement before 2026.
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