header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
April 18
1945 - Actors Harry & Olive Carey sell Saugus ranch after 29 years; now Tesoro del Valle [story]
Carey Ranch


As part of the State of California’s 2023-24 budget process, Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo has secured $1 million in funding to SCV Water for Arundo management and removal projects in the Santa Clara River watershed. Schiavo represents the 40th State Assembly District, which includes the Santa Clarita and Northwest San Fernando valleys.

“We’re happy to partner with SCV Water by delivering needed funds to take proactive steps towards responsible stewardship, protecting our environment, and providing a reliable water supply for generations to come,” Schiavo said. “This substantial funding was made possible through a collaborative effort, stemming from our meeting with SCV Water and our subsequent tour of the invasive Arundo alongside California State Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas. With this investment, we will be able to tackle the crucial task of Arundo removal and management head-on, safeguarding our community’s water resources and preserving the beauty of our natural surroundings.”

Arundo is a bamboo-like Eurasian grass that can reach 30 feet in height and forms dense strands that displace the native riparian (wetlands) habitats of nearly two dozen threatened and endangered species in the Santa Clara River watershed. It also depletes groundwater supply, using approximately three to four times more water annually compared to native riparian plants.

“SCV Water is thankful for Assemblywoman Schiavo’s commitment to preserving the health of the Santa Clara River watershed,” said Matt Stone, SCV Water general manager. “Arundo remains a major threat to the ecological integrity of our watershed, and this funding enables the Agency to mitigate the impact of this invasive species.”

On July 10, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a slate of bills aimed at accelerating infrastructure projects, including those aimed at protecting the environment and ensuring safe drinking water throughout the state. He also signed legislation related to the 2023-24 budget deal reached with lawmakers, which includes AB 102 – an amendment to the Budget Act of 2023.

During the process to amend the Budget Act of 2023, advocates in Sacramento worked with Assemblywoman Schiavo on behalf of SCV Water to include $1 million in funding for Arundo removal and management. In the budget, the funds are distributed to the state Department of Water Resources, which will then allocate the amount to SCV Water.

“SCV Water looks forward to continuing our collaboration with the Watershed-Wide Arundo Management team, advancing its mission to restore the Santa Clara River watershed through eradication of Arundo and other invasive species,” added Stone. “This funding secured by Assemblywoman Schiavo will allow for advancement of this important work.”

To learn more about removing invasive species in the Santa Clara River watershed and the Watershed-Wide Arundo Management (WWAM) team, please visit RestoreTheSCR.com.

###

About SCV Water:

The Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency (SCV Water) is a full-service regional water agency located in the Santa Clarita Valley. SCV Water provides water service to approximately 75,000 business and residential customers. It was formed on January 1, 2018, when local water suppliers combined into one integrated, regional water provider. For more information, contact Kevin Strauss, SCV Water communications manager at kstrauss@scvwa.org.

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

1 Comment

  1. Judy Reinsma says:

    I hope that the arundo removal will also include the San Francisquito Canyon creek area. It is full of the darn plants.

Leave a Comment


Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1945 - Actors Harry & Olive Carey sell Saugus ranch after 29 years; now Tesoro del Valle [story]
Carey Ranch
Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital will recognize and celebrate its dedicated volunteers during National Volunteer Week, April 20-26.
Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Celebrates National Volunteer Week
The William S. Hart Union High School District has announced Nicholas Patey, Golden Valley High School math teacher, has been selected as the 2025/26 Hart District Teacher of the Year.
Nicholas Patey Selected as 2025/26 Hart District Teacher of the Year
In the early morning hours of Thursday, April 17, the Juveniles and Gangs (JAG) team at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station led a coordinated, multi-location operation aimed at disrupting criminal street gang activity and safeguarding the Santa Clarita Valley.
JAG Team Leads Successful Operation, Arrests Eight Newhall 13 Gang Members
The Friends of Santa Clarita Public Library are having a Spring Bag Sale Saturday, April 26 - Sunday, May 4.
April 26-May 4: Friends of Santa Clarita Public Library Spring Bag Sale Begins
For the fifth consecutive year, the California Institute of the Arts animation programs (Character Animation and Experimental Animation) have collectively earned the top spot in all eligible categories in Animation Career Review’s 2025 Animation School Rankings.
CalArts Retains No. 1 Spot in Animation Career Review’s 2025 Rankings
The Santa Clarita Artists Association will host "Things with Wings," art show reception Saturday, April 26 at the SCAA 6th Street Gallery, 22508 6th St., Newhall, CA 91321.
April 26: SCAA ‘Things With Wings’ Art Reception
This week, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion introduced by Supervisor Kathryn Barger and co-authored by Supervisor Hilda L. Solis to invest in supporting art-centered fire recovery initiatives in Altadena.
Supervisors Back Art-Centered Fire Recovery in Altadena
The Santa Clarita Artists Association will be hosting a Plein Air Outdoor Artmaking and public meet up Friday, April 25, 9 a.m.- noon at Castaic Lake.
April 25: Castaic Lake SCAA Plein Air Artmaking
The California Department of Transportation will hold a public, informational meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 24 for the Interstate 405 (I-405) Pavement Rehabilitation Project.
April 24: Caltrans Hosts Meeting on I-405 Pavement Rehabilitation Project
Mark your calendars and start making plans to join California State Parks and partners in celebrating the fourth annual California State Parks Week from June 11-15.
June 11-15: Fourth Annual California State Parks Week
Valencia Library will host "Altogether, Now!", a garden gnome painting event, 10-11 a.m. Monday, April 21.
April 21: Valencia Library to Host ‘Altogether, Now!’ Event
1930 - Telephone switchboard operator Louise Gipe, heroine of the 1928 St. Francis Dam disaster, tries & fails to kill herself over an unrequited love [story]
Louise Gipe
In partnership with the LA County Department of Arts and Culture, LA County Library invites all County residents to explore public art in their communities through its Civic Art Passport.
Explore Art Across L.A. County with Civic Art Passport
Unleash the dragon at Castaic Lake, home to the upcoming 6th Annual Dragon Boating festival on May 31, 2025.
May 31: Castaic Lake Hosts 6th Annual Dragon Boat Festival
Effective April 16, 2025, DACC is discontinuing the requirement to set an appointment  to surrender a pet at DACC’s seven animal care centers.
DACC Discontinues Appointment Requirement for Pet Surrenders
The California State Board of Equalization released its Fiscal Year 2023-24 Annual Report earlier this week. 
Board of Equalization Fiscal Report Assessed Property Value Statewide Total $8.7 Trillion
The city of Santa Clarita is launching a pilot program to offer residents free mulch and compost created from processed yard waste and food waste that has been recycled.
Free Mulch, Compost Available for Santa Clarita Residents
Southern California has seen a lot of natural phenomena recently — from enormous wildfires and high-speed winds to massive rainfall and landslides — and most recently, a series of small to moderate earthquakes.
CSUN Professor Assures Recent Earthquakes Aren’t Related to Other Natural Phenomenon
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has launched an interactive online dashboard that provides the public with access to environmental and health monitoring data collected in response to the January 2025 wildfires.
Interactive Dashboard Tracks Environmental, Health Monitoring Following January Wildfires
The Painted Turtle is serving up a fun afternoon to support their operations with a pickleball tournament. 
May 4: Support the Painted Turtle with Pickleball Tournament at the Griffin Club
The city of Santa Clarita has closed MP Fields #1 and #2 at Central Park, 27150 Bouquet Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91350, for maintenance work being done on the grass.
City Closes Two Fields at Central Park Until Summer
1962 - Walt Disney donates bison herd to Hart Park [story]
Bison
Have you ever looked at the sky and wondered if humans are alone? Have you ever watched a sci-fi show or film and wondered if there really are habitable exoplanets out there like the much beloved Vulcan, Tatooine, or Arrakis?
April 25: Spring Star Party at COC Canyon Country Campus
SCVNews.com