Santa Ana River Conservancy

Photo: Greg Gauthier

The Santa Ana River is a treasured resource.  Flowing nearly 100 miles from its northernmost reaches at the crest of the San Bernardino Mountains out to the coast near Huntington Beach, the river runs through wild lands, agriculture, parks, towns, and cities, touching the lives of millions of Californians.

The largest watershed in Southern California, it contains some of the most rapidly growing areas of the entire state as well as some of the most pristine riverine reaches remaining in Southern California. Stewardship of the Santa Ana River and its adjacent resources is critical to ensuring the continued vibrancy and resiliency of this region into the 21^st century and beyond.

In 2014, through Senate Bill 1390, the California state legislature created the Santa Ana River Conservancy Program within the Coastal Conservancy. The program addresses the resource and recreational goals of the Santa Ana River region including open space, trails, wildlife habitat, agricultural land protection, water quality protection, educational use, and public access.

The sheer number of agencies and organizations with interests in the Santa Ana River makes collaboration and cooperation an absolute necessity. Recognizing the significant stakeholder engagement already active in the region, the Santa Ana River Conservancy Program works closely with the region’s counties, cities, other federal, state and local agencies, and non-profits to promote and sustain collaboration around opportunities relating to the River.

The Coastal Conservancy has funded and managed hundreds of river and aquatic resource projects including trails planning and construction, interpretive facilities and programs, resource acquisition and restoration, and urban greening and waterfront development projects. Through the Santa Ana River Conservancy Program we will be able to bring the experience and expertise of our staff, partner agencies and consultants together to support a shared vision for the Santa Ana River.

SANTA ANA RIVER TRAIL

Completion of the Santa Ana River Trail remains the top priority for the Santa Ana River Conservancy Program.  Designated a National Recreation Trail in 1977, the Santa Ana River Trail has been under development for more than 40 years. Once completed, the Trail will extend over 100 miles from the San Bernardino Mountains westward to the coast. It will be one of the longest urban recreation and river parkways in the United States, serving pedestrians, cyclists, commuters, and equestrians.

Photo: Michael Lock

The Santa Ana River Trail offers opportunities along its full extent for local outdoor recreation while also connecting inland communities to the California Coastal Trail. The Trail spans 3 counties (Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino) and connects 17 cities, offering opportunities for local outdoor access along its entire extent. More than seven million people live in the three counties that the trail connects. To date, 68 miles of the Santa Ana River Trail have been completed or are under construction. Completion of the trail is the starting point in the restoration and revitalization of the 100-mile Santa Ana River and its more than 600 miles of tributaries.

SANTA ANA RIVER PARKWAY

The Santa Ana River Parkway highlights the broader efforts and numerous opportunities around the Santa Ana River.  The term ‘Parkway’ refers to the mosaic of river and trail opportunities adjacent to the Santa Ana River Trail, including open space, other trails, wildlife habitat, agricultural land protection, water quality protection, educational use, and public access.

Photo: Inland Empire Waterkeeper

The Coastal Conservancy approved the Santa Ana River Parkway and Open Space Plan (SARP&OSP) on May 24, 2018.  The SARP&OSP builds on the success of the Santa Ana River Trail by defining a vision for expanding the river’s reach beyond the existing trail. Through collaboration with agency and nonprofit partners, the SARP&OSP identifies opportunities for recreation, education, greening, aesthetic improvement, and wildlife habitat along the corridor of the river and in parts of the river channel that can be improved without infringing on water quality, water supply, or necessary flood control.  This planning process involved regional stakeholders and the public in developing a shared vision for the Santa Ana River Trail and Parkway.

For a copy of the plan and appendices, please email greg.gauthier (at) scc.ca.gov