SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS CONSERVANCY GRANT APPLICATION Project Name: Amount of Request: $100,000 San Gabriel Mountains Transit & Infrastructure Program, Planning: Phase IIa for the Mt. Wilson Express/Highway 2 Transit Route Total Project Cost: $150,000 Applicant Name: Matching Funds: $50,000 Nature for All Lat/Long:34.268956 -118.146357 ​ (Switzer Picnic Area) There are 5 sites total Applicant Address: Project Address: 4 sites in Angeles National Forest & San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, + 1 in Pasadena 201 W. Garvey Avenue, Suite 102-503, Senate Assembly County Monterey Park, CA 91754 District District Los Angeles County 25 41, 43 Phone: (626) 614-4990 Tax 83-1265253 Email: [email protected] ID: Grantee’s Authorized Representative: Belinda Faustinos, Executive Director (626) 614-4990

Name and Title Phone Overhead Allocation Notice: ✓ Any overhead costs will be identified as a separate line item in the budget and invoices. ✓ The Conservancy encourages grantees to reduce overhead costs including vehicle and phone expenses. ✓ The overhead allocation policy has been submitted prior to, or with, the grant application. Outreach and Advertising Requirement: ✓ Applicant has read the staff report and board resolution regarding contract policies. ✓ Applicant has adopted contract policies for the purpose of increasing outreach and advertising to disadvantaged businesses and individuals. All check boxes must be checked Brief Project Description: The San Gabriel Mountains Transit & Infrastructure Program (SGM-TIP)’s purpose is to provide transit access to the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument/Angeles National Forest for diverse, underserved communities - a gamechanger for environmental justice and equity across the Los Angeles basin.

In this access grant proposal, SGM-TIP Planning Phase IIa will focus on conceptual design plans for five shuttle stops on the Mt. Wilson Express/Highway 2 transit route in the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy (Conservancy) territory of the San Gabriel Mountains. Phase IIa will also include stakeholder engagement, preliminary community engagement, conceptual level: transit program development, shuttle stop design standards, and educational/interpretive content planning. These Phase IIa planning deliverables will set the stage for Phase IIb funding to reach 100% construction design plans, then implementation funding.

Tasks / Milestones: Budget: Completion Date

See attached Tasklist/Timeline and Budget

For Acquisition APN(s): N/A Projects: Acreag N/A e: I certify that the information contained in this Grant Application form, including required attachments, is accurate.

2/12/21 Signature of Authorized Representative Date STATE OF CALIFORNIA ◆ THE NATURAL RESOURCES AGENCY ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

DocuSign Envelope ID: 8587A59C-83F2-4DB2-A607-B1E1229BC537

Grantee Data Sheet Print Form

State of California The Natural Resources Agency 5750 Ramirez Canyon Road Malibu, California 90265 Phone: 310-589-3200 Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy Fax: 310-589-3207 www.smmc.ca.gov

Date: Feb. 12, 2021 New Revised

Grantee Name: Nature for All Project Name: San Gabriel Mountains TIP Planning Address: 201 West Garvey Ave, Ste 102-503, Monterey Park State/Province: CA Zip/Postal Code: 91754

Tax ID Number: 85-1265253 Primary Contact Information

Phone: 626 614-4990 Name (1): Belinda V. Faustinos Fax: N/A Address: 201 W. Garvey Ave, Suite 102-502, Monterey Park

Information State/Province: CA Zip/Postal Code: 91754 Will administrative/overhead costs be included? Yes Phone (1): 626 614-4990

If yes, is the overhead policy attached to this sheet? Yes Phone (2): Fax: N/A

Will vehicle costs be included? No Email: [email protected]

If yes, is the vehicle policy attached to this sheet? Name (2): Bryan Matsumoto

Will cell phone costs be included? No Address: 201 W. Garvey Ave, Suite 102-503, Monterey Park State/Province: CA If yes, is the phone policy attached to this sheet? Zip/Postal Code: 91754 Phone (1): 626 246-8634 I have completed and submitted the STD 204 Payee Data Record form. Phone (2): Fax: N/A I have read and accepted the policies and procedures Email: [email protected] within the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy Grant Administration Manual. Notes:

I am aware that the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy has urged a reduction of costs associated with overhead, cell phone, and vehicle charges. Signature Field *If a reduction in the above costs has been made, please document the reductions and attach to this data sheet. DocuSign Envelope ID: 42FBBC63-0BB4-49FD-A77E-C58224D5E47BPrint Form Reset Form STATE OF CALIFORNIA-DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE PAYEE DATA RECORD (Required when receiving payment from the State of California in lieu of IRS W-9 or W-7) STD 204 (Rev. 10/2019)

INSTRUCTIONS: Type or print the information. Complete all information on this form. Sign, date, and return to the state agency (department/office) address shown in Box 6. Prompt return of this fully completed form will prevent delays when 1 processing payments. Information provided in this form will be used by California state agencies to prepare Information Returns (Form1099). See next page for more information and Privacy Statement. NOTE: Governmental entities, i.e. federal, state, and local (including school districts), are not required to submit this form.

BUSINESS NAME (As shown on your income tax return) 2 Nature for All SOLE PROPRIETOR, SINGLE MEMBER LLC, INDIVIDUAL (Name as shown on SSN or ITIN) Last, First, MI E-MAIL ADDRESS [email protected]

MAILING ADDRESS BUSINESS ADDRESS 201 W. Garvey Ave, Suite 102-503 201 W. Garvey Ave, Suite 102-503

CITY STATE ZIP CODE CITY STATE ZIP CODE Monterey Park CA 91770 Monterey Park CA 91770

ENTER FEDERAL EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (FEIN): 8 5 – 1 2 6 5 2 5 3 NOTE: 3 Payment will not PARTNERSHIP CORPORATION: be processed PAYEE MEDICAL (e.g., dentistry, psychotherapy, chiropractic, etc.) without an ENTITY ESTATE OR TRUST accompanying TYPE LEGAL (e.g., attorney services) taxpayer EXEMPT (nonprofit) identification number. CHECK ALL OTHERS ONE BOX ONLY ENTER SSN OR ITIN: – – SOLE PROPRIETOR, INDIVIDUAL, OR Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification SINGLE MEMBER LLC (Disregarded Entity) Number (ITIN) are required by authority of California Revenue and Tax Code sections 18646 and 18661)

CALIFORNIA RESIDENT - Qualified to do business in California or maintains a permanent place of business in California.

4 CALIFORNIA NON RESIDENT (see next page for more information) - Payments to nonresidents for services may be subject to state income tax withholding. PAYEE RESIDENCY No services performed in California. STATUS Copy of Franchise Tax Board waiver of state withholding attached.

I hereby certify under penalty of perjury that the information provided on this document is true and correct. 5 Should my residency status change, I will promptly notify the state agency below. AUTHORIZED PAYEE REPRESENTATIVE’S NAME (Type or Print) TITLE TELEPHONE (include area code) Belinda V. Faustinos Executive Director 626 614-4990

SIGNATURE DATE E-MAIL ADDRESS 2/12/21 [email protected]

Please return completed form to: 6 DEPARTMENT/OFFICE UNIT/SECTION

MAILING ADDRESS TELEPHONE (include area code) FAX

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Requirement to Complete the Payee Data Record, STD 204 1 A completed Payee Data Record, STD 204 form, is required for all payees (non-governmental entities or individuals) entering into a transaction that may lead to a payment from the state. Each state agency requires a completed, signed, and dated STD 204 on file; therefore, it is possible for you to receive this form from multiple state agencies with which you do business. Payees who do not wish to complete the STD 204 may elect not to do business with the state. If the payee does not complete the STD 204 and the required payee data is not otherwise provided, payment may be reduced for federal and state backup withholding. Amounts reported on Information Returns (Form 1099) are in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) and the California Revenue and Taxation Code (R&TC).

Enter the payee's legal business name. The name must match the name on the payee's tax return as filed with the federal Internal Revenue Service. Sole proprietorships and single member limited liability companies (LLCs) must also include the 2 owner's full name. An individual must list his/her full name as shown on the SSN or as entered on the W-7 form for ITIN. The mailing address should be the address at which the payee chooses to receive correspondence. The business address is the address of the business' physical location.

Check only one box that corresponds to the payee business type. Corporations must check the box that identifies the type of 3 corporation. The State of California requires that all parties entering into business transactions that may lead to payment(s) from the state provide their Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN). The TIN is required by the R&TC sections 18646 and 18661 to facilitate tax compliance enforcement activities and the preparation of Form 1099 and other information returns as required by the IRC section 6109(a) and R&TC section 18662 and its regulations. Payees must provide one of the following TINs on this form: social security number (SSN), individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN), or federal employer identification number (FEIN). The TIN for sole proprietorships, single member LLC (disregarded entities), and individuals is the SSN or ITIN. Only partnerships, estates, trusts, corporations, and LLCs (taxed as partnerships or corportations) will enter their FEIN. Are you a California resident or nonresident? 4 A corporation will be defined as a "resident" if it has a permanent place of business in California or is qualified through the Secretary of State to do business in California. A partnership is considered a resident partnership if it has a permanent place of business in California. An estate is a resident if the decedent was a California resident at time of death. A trust is a resident if at least one trustee is a California resident. For individuals and sole proprietors, the term "resident" includes every individual who is in California for other than a temporary or transitory purpose and any individual domiciled in California who is absent for a temporary or transitory purpose. Generally, an individual who comes to California for a purpose that will extend over a long or indefinite period will be considered a resident. However, an individual who comes to perform a particular contract of short duration will be considered a nonresident. Payments to all nonresidents may be subject to withholding. Nonresident payees performing services in California or receiving rent, lease, or royalty payments from property (real or personal) located in California will have 7% of their total payments withheld for state income taxes. However, no withholding is required if total payments to the payee are $1,500 or less for the calendar year. For information on Nonresident Withholding, contact the Franchise Tax Board at the numbers listed below: Withholding Services and Compliance Section: 1-888-792-4900 E-mail address: [email protected] For hearing impaired with TDD, call: 1-800-822-6268 Website: www.ftb.ca.gov Provide the name, title, email address, signature, and telephone number of the individual completing this form. Provide the date 5 the form was completed. This section must be completed by the state agency requesting the STD 204. 6 Privacy Statement Section 7(b) of the Privacy Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-579) requires that any federal, state, or local governmental agency, which requests an individual to disclose their social security account number, shall inform that individual whether that disclosure is mandatory or voluntary, by which statutory or other authority such number is solicited, and what uses will be made of it.

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All questions should be referred to the requesting state agency listed on the bottom front of this form.

SMMC Prop 68 Application Project Category: Community Access, Education and Interpretation Project

San Gabriel Mountains Transit & Infrastructure Program, Planning: Phase IIa for the Mt. Wilson Express/Highway 2 Transit Route

San Gabriel Mountains Transit & Infrastructure Program, Planning: Phase IIa for the Mt. Wilson Express/Highway 2 Transit Route

Pictured above: This is a proposed stop on the blue “Mt. Wilson Express/Highway 2” transit route shown on the map which depicts proposed San Gabriel Mountains Transit & Infrastructure Program Routes and Disadvantaged Community (DAC) access. San Fernando Valley community members enjoyed their first time at the Red Box Picnic Area in the Angeles National Forest through a one-time Transit to Trails trip organized by Nature for All and provided by the County of Los Angeles, through a Kaiser healthy communities grant. The following proposal seeks to design permanent transit infrastructure in the Forest to accommodate transit operations and service to numerous disadvantaged communities with poor access to parks.

1) Grant Application Form: Attached ​ 2) Grantee Data Form: Attached ​ 3) Completed Payee Data Form (STD. 204): Attached ​

4) Scope, Tasks, Timeline, Budget.

Introduction

The San Gabriel Mountains Transit & Infrastructure Program (SGM-TIP)’s purpose is to ​ ​ establish equitable public transit routes into the Angeles National Forest/San Gabriel Mountains National Monument - a regional game changer - providing access and environmental justice for diverse, underserved communities across the Los Angeles basin.

In this $100,000 access grant proposal, SGM-TIP Planning Phase IIa will focus on conceptual design plans for five shuttle stops on the Mt. Wilson Express/Highway 2 transit route in the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy (Conservancy) territory of the San Gabriel Mountains. Phase IIa will also include stakeholder engagement, preliminary community engagement, conceptual level: transit program development, shuttle stop design standards, and educational/interpretive content planning. These Phase IIa planning deliverables will set the stage for Phase IIb funding to reach 100% construction design plans, then implementation funding.

With this project, the Conservancy will initiate public transportation infrastructure planning to benefit millions of residents, particularly disadvantaged communities across the Los Angeles basin, to gain equitable access to a stellar route of San Gabriel Mountains destinations within the Conservancy zone. The project will also integrate visitor education and interpretation on resource, habitat and watershed stewardship into the transit experience.

Background Historically, Los Angeles had transit to trails to the San Gabriel Mountains over 125 years ago, when leaders had the foresight to build the world-famous Mt. Lowe Railway. It ran 45 years from 1893-1938, transporting an estimated 3 million people from Altadena up to the mountains. Sadly, it no longer exists, and in 2021 there are zero public transit routes into the San Gabriel Mountains for the millions of people who need equitable access.

The Metro Gold Line runs adjacent to the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and holds a key opportunity to connect public transit to public lands by running a fleet of shuttles to popular San Gabriel Mountains Transit & Infrastructure Program, Planning: Phase IIa for the Mt. Wilson Express/Highway 2 Transit Route destinations in the Forest. Building the simple transit infrastructure needed at Forest destinations -- shuttle stops, shelters, seating and interpretive signage -- would enable any municipality, organization or transit provider to drop off and pick up groups in the mountains with safe access accommodations who otherwise would not have access to these public lands.

Many partners have worked for years to implement public transit to the San Gabriel Mountains, and have steadily proven viability and public demand for a shuttle program. In the past 4 years, four pilot shuttles have been run from Metro Gold Line stations - to Fish Canyon, Echo Mountain, and twice to Chantry Flat. These short-term demonstrations have built momentum for a regional San Gabriel Mountains Transit & Infrastructure Program (SGM-TIP), tasked with planning and implementing permanent public transit routes to the Forest. Seed funding from the Rivers and Mountains Conservancy and other grantors provided Nature for All with the opportunity to coordinate a Planning Phase I effort in collaboration with the US Forest Service (USFS), San Gabriel Mountains Community Collaborative, and many agency and community partners.

In Planning Phase I, Nature for All established a Core Planning Team and collected feedback from transit operators, agency stakeholders and community groups to consider options. From an initial 8 preliminary routes, through feasibility analysis and ranking, two routes have emerged as priorities for planning and infrastructure development in the near term. These two multi-stop routes will provide transit access to some of the most well-known destinations in the Forest, offering a range of recreational experiences and accessibility to diverse habitat, terrain and San Gabriel Mountains Transit & Infrastructure Program, Planning: Phase IIa for the Mt. Wilson Express/Highway 2 Transit Route spectacular locations -- which all serve to promote good funding viability. (See map for routes). They are:

● Mt. Wilson Express/Highway 2 transit route (in Conservancy territory, below) ​

● San Gabriel Canyon Express/Highway 39 transit route (Rivers & Mountains Conservancy territory). We have submitted a Prop 68 application to RMC to develop that route in concert with SMMC’s Mt. Wilson Express/Highway 2 transit route.

Who will operate the service? Nature for All has been in conversation with potential operators. This key question requires time and Nature for All’s coordination amongst the stakeholder agencies will continue through the length of this project to resolve this decision. Securing short and long-term funding for any of the potential operators to sign on is a high priority through Planning Phase II. Some of the proposed operators are: ● Metro, Foothill Transit ● Municipal operators (e.g. Pasadena Transit) ● U.S. Forest Service ● LA County Transportation Section (Board Member Accounts & Local Transit Programs, e.g. El Sol, Eastside) ● Private shuttle services (e.g. First Transit, Mt. Wilson bike shuttle operators)

The goal is to plan transit infrastructure and develop the program, and be ready to apply for implementation, program operation & maintenance funding. As we and our partners have been building regional support for the program, new funding opportunities have emerged specifically for transit to parks, with political support for more equity-focused access funding than ever.

The San Gabriel Mountains Transit and Infrastructure Program will provide a lasting legacy of access to nature for our entire region, removing barriers of income, background or vehicle ownership. The Mt. Wilson Express transit route will provide L.A. County families healthy outdoor access to world-class trails and mountain destinations, particularly as we anticipate growing demand for local eco-tourism and the 2028 Olympics. San Gabriel Mountains Transit & Infrastructure Program, Planning: Phase IIa for the Mt. Wilson Express/Highway 2 Transit Route

About the Mt. Wilson Express/Highway 2 Transit Route

The Mt. Wilson Express/Highway 2 transit route will provide access to a series of beloved ​ ​ San Gabriel Mountains destinations within the Conservancy zone. The shuttle stops are: ● Metro Gold Line-Pasadena Memorial Park station: Departure point in Old Pasadena ​ accessible from all Metro Rail lines. The shuttle will take the 210 freeway to Highway 2 (Angeles Crest Highway) and make stops at: ● Clear Creek Information Center: The Forest Service is upgrading this visitor ​ information center. Trailhead for Nature's Canteen Trail to Switzer, Josephine Peak. ● Switzer Picnic Area: Popular family trailhead to Switzer Falls, Bear Canyon, Gabrielino ​ Trail, Oakwilde Campground, Colby Canyon, picnic area, stream crossings, waterfall. ● Haramokngna American Indian Cultural Center / Red Box: Haramokngna serves the ​ public with Indigenous cultural exhibits, books and refreshments, and is a de facto visitor San Gabriel Mountains Transit & Infrastructure Program, Planning: Phase IIa for the Mt. Wilson Express/Highway 2 Transit Route

information center. The Center has renovation plans with Conservancy funding to support expanded cultural programming and events. This project will leverage the Conservancy investment in Haramokngna by providing public transportation infrastructure and access. Red Box Trailheads include: Strawberry Peak, Gabrielino Trail, Valley Forge Campground, Bill Reilly Trail, picnic area. ● Eaton Saddle*: Trailhead to Mueller Tunnel, Bear Canyon, Mt. Disappointment. ​ ● Mt. Wilson Observatory: Historic astronomy campus with Cosmic Cafe, picnic area, ​ guided tours, multiple telescopes, trailheads to Sturtevant Trail, Chantry Flat, Mt. Wilson trail, Toll road, Kenyon DeVore trail, panoramic views.

Particularly innovative for hikers, this transit route would open up possibilities for convenient one-way hikes that would no longer require car shuttling, including to Chantry Flat, Arroyo Seco, Echo Mountain and Millard Canyon.

*Only the Eaton Saddle trailhead lies out of the SMMC territory, and solely in RMC territory. Therefore, Eaton Saddle was submitted for development in the RMC grant for shuttle stop planning, contingent on securing funding from SMMC for the rest of the Mt. Wilson Express route.

Shuttle Stops:

Metro Gold Line - Pasadena Mem. Park station Clear Creek Information Center lot

Switzer - upper lot Haramokngna /Red Box lot San Gabriel Mountains Transit & Infrastructure Program, Planning: Phase IIa for the Mt. Wilson Express/Highway 2 Transit Route

Eaton Saddle lot (not in this grant) Mt. Wilson Observatory lot

Planning and Design for Shuttle Stop Infrastructure

Shuttle stop examples from Zion and Yosemite National Parks

Sample interpretive signage by Amigos de los Rios. San Gabriel Mountains Transit & Infrastructure Program, Planning: Phase IIa for the Mt. Wilson Express/Highway 2 Transit Route

Sample concept/parking lot reconfiguration for Hwy 39 West Fork Shuttle Stop. Flip operation for entry/exit to allow right-hand loading/off-loading of shuttle and return to highway. No crossing of the highway required. Site shuttle drop off zone, shelter. Complete ADA accessible path of travel to trailhead. Provided by Civil Engineer, HNTB Corporation.

Scope: Planning, Phase IIa Timeline: April 1, 2021 - March 31, 2022 Budget: $100,000

[Refer to attached Tasklist/ Timeline and Budget]

In this access grant proposal, SGM-TIP Planning Phase IIa will focus on conceptual design plans for five shuttle stops on the Mt. Wilson Express/Highway 2 transit route in the Conservancy territory of the San Gabriel Mountains. Phase IIa will also include stakeholder engagement, preliminary community engagement, conceptual level: transit program development, shuttle stop design standards, and educational/interpretive content planning. These Phase IIa planning deliverables will allow the project to be competitive for Phase IIb funding to reach 100% construction design plans, then implementation funding.

Task 1: Transit Program Development: Nature for All will develop the regional transit program ​ ​ with stakeholder and community input, and consult with the National Park Service experts who ​ manage shuttle systems including at Yosemite and Zion National Parks. These shuttle systems have resulted in more equitable access, traffic management and environmental sustainability benefits. Interviews will advise on program development, logistics, emergency protocols, radio communication & funding. ● Deliverable: Draft conceptual transit implementation plan ​ San Gabriel Mountains Transit & Infrastructure Program, Planning: Phase IIa for the Mt. Wilson Express/Highway 2 Transit Route

Task 2: Site Assessment & Feasibility Analysis: Nature for All will manage consultant planning ​ of transit infrastructure and site design (parking lot reconfiguration, shuttle stops, traffic engineering). The scope of work for engineering/design services for shuttle route and stops will include assessment of all Mt. Wilson Express/Highway 2 transit route shuttle stop sites, and scoping of shuttle vehicles & technology, road/vehicle capacity and EV charging, with USFS, right of way owners such as CalTrans and route partner review and feedback. ● Deliverable: Transit route logistics plan, site analyses and proposed infrastructure ​ improvements and traffic engineering.

Task 3: Site Design & Shuttle Stop Standards: Consultant will develop the following with USFS, ​ right of way owners and route partner review and feedback: ● Deliverables: 5 Conceptual site designs & traffic engineering (4 Forest sites and 1 ​ Pasadena City/Metro site), and conceptual shuttle stop design standards.

Task 4: Permitting & Environmental Documentation: As appropriate for conceptual level plans. ​ ● Deliverable: Preliminary Permitting and Environmental Documentation Inquiry ​ ​

Task 5: Community Engagement: will be conducted at a preliminary level to engage target DAC ​ transit riders, solicit feedback on the proposed Mt. Wilson Express transit route, anticipate community needs, and ensure success through a positive visitor experience. For this phase the goal will be to engage 3 community-based organizations and partner with academic assistance (e.g. CSUN/Cal Poly Pomona/UCLA/USC) to survey 20 transit-riding community members. Deeper community engagement is proposed in the next phase after conceptual plans are ready for public release and discussion. ● Deliverable: Document community needs and Preliminary Community Engagement Plan ​

Task 6: Educational/Interpretive Infrastructure Nature for All will research Transit to Trails interpretive & stewardship messaging (including from content experts at SMMC, Mountains Recreation Conservation Authority and Community Nature Connection) and develop a framework for engaging visitors in responsible recreation behaviors and promote habitat/watershed protection stewardship. ● Deliverable: Conceptual Educational/Interpretive Infrastructure & Content Framework ​

Task 7: Stakeholder Engagement/Agency Coordination: Nature for All will manage stakeholder ​ consultation, including critical agencies USFS, landowners CalTrans and LA County Public Works, route stakeholders Mt. Wilson Observatory and Haramokngna American Indian Cultural Center (compensated tribal representation) and coordination with transit operators.

Task 8: Project Management: All direct staff costs related to project tasks & 10% overhead ​ ● Deliverable: Grant reporting, contract management and related overhead. ​

5) Any preliminary project plans as required. See diagrams above. In addition, the proposed SGM-TIP Routes and DAC access map is ​ ​ attached for larger viewing.

San Gabriel Mountains Transit & Infrastructure Program, Planning: Phase IIa for the Mt. Wilson Express/Highway 2 Transit Route

6) Detailed description of the need and urgency for the grant. ​

When President Obama designated the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument in 2014, he pointed out the disparities of L.A. County residents’ access to their public lands and local parks: “We heard from the community that for a lot of urban families this is their only big, outdoor space. And too many children in L.A. County, especially children of color, don’t have access to parks where they can run free and breathe fresh air, experience nature, and learn about their own environment. ... this is an issue of social justice. Because it’s not enough to have this awesome natural wonder within your sight -– you have to be able to access it.”

For millions of urban LA County residents in the concrete jungle without a backyard, or car, or a park nearby, access to nature is hard to come by. 50% of County residents live in park-poor neighborhoods. The Angeles National Forest/San Gabriel Mountains National Monument are 70% of L.A. County's open space and are the most urban-serving National Forest in the country, yet there are zero public transit routes into these public lands, a clear environmental injustice ​ ​ and access inequity for transit-dependent community members who are majority low-income communities of color.

Lack of transportation is the #1 or #2 cited reason Angelenos have never stepped foot in the Forest, the backdrop to Los Angeles. Further, the pandemic has revealed how our communities' mental and physical health is tied to having outdoors access, and has widened the divide between who has access to nature and who doesn't. To correct this environmental injustice, it makes clear sense to connect our investments in public transportation -- the Metro Gold Line, bus and active transportation network -- to our public lands, the San Gabriel Mountains. Consideration of the pandemic and its impact on people’s safety in using public transit will be part of the planning and assessment process. However, it is our best judgement that by the time this planning effort is concluded there will be a renewed confidence in using public transit.

As explained further in Question #10, the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument Plan (2019), Transportation Plan states a need for “public transportation options ... to provide greater access for those who do not use personal vehicles, and for the benefit of reducing vehicle congestion, addressing parking capacity issues, and improving public safety.”

Unfortunately the US Forest Service, our main stakeholder and partner, is underresourced and cannot develop a transit & infrastructure program on its own, nor advocate politically for funding to do so. As a trusted partner, Nature for All is well positioned to leverage its extensive connections in disadvantaged communities and with elected officials, its skilled project development experience and ability to move quickly, to plan and implement this critical project, while increasing the capacity of our partners.

San Gabriel Mountains Transit & Infrastructure Program, Planning: Phase IIa for the Mt. Wilson Express/Highway 2 Transit Route

7) How project will provide multi-benefit ecosystem, water quality, water supply, and watershed protection and public benefits.

Watershed Improvement and Habitat Restoration Values Nature for All recognizes the high priority of watershed improvement and habitat values, and will work with project consultants to identify opportunities for habitat restoration and site design to improve water quality or capture. The site designs will incorporate habitat protection, fire and climate resiliency and restoration planning.

Water Quality & Sustainability through Transit Visitor Stewardship Education The San Gabriel Mountains Transit & Infrastructure Program exemplifies goals within the Los Angeles River Master Plan to preserve and enhance habitat systems through public education, and enhance water quality and supply through integration with recreation.

The SGM-TIP provides a new opportunity for substantial water quality improvements and conservation, through visitor education and behavioral change. With a strong priority on improving water quality, the project will leverage its captive transit audience to share values and shift behavioral change towards environmental stewardship. There are at least four “touch points” to share key messages with multilingual visitors waiting at stops, and riding shuttles each way, in ways that are not possible with a driving audience.

Our Nature for All Coalition partner Amigos de los Rios has been actively developing the Angeles National Forest Interpretive Signage Project with numerous custom-researched and designed panels on watershed, habitat and wildlife education across the Forest. Nature for All will leverage our collaborative relationship to further the multi-benefit ecosystem and watershed protection and education goals of this project.

Visitor trash has been a rampant problem impacting water quality in the National Forest/ National Monument. Poor stewardship behavior has led to diapers, food containers, beverage bottles and even feces in recreation sites along Highway 2 route such as the Switzer Falls Trail, which is the upper reach of the Arroyo Seco and tributary to the Los Angeles River, impairing the watershed and diminishing the visitor experience. SGM-TIP ridership campaigns will develop engaging messaging, teaching visitors to come prepared for the Forest and be respectful.

The previous Chantry Flat shuttle pilot program successfully showed onboard videos about “Leave No Trace” principles and the SGM-TIP intends to develop multilingual educational video content specific to LA County and the Forest. The SGM-TIP educational infrastructure will also employ strategies used on the Yosemite National Park shuttle system - with multilingual interior bus posters on watershed, habitat and wildlife stewardship. SGM-TIP shuttle stop design will be planned as architecture for visitor education, integrating interpretive opportunities and stewardship storytelling into the transit experience, consistent with USFS standards.

San Gabriel Mountains Transit & Infrastructure Program, Planning: Phase IIa for the Mt. Wilson Express/Highway 2 Transit Route

Shockingly few Angelenos know that at least a third of their drinking water comes from the San Gabriel Mountains, and for San Gabriel Valley residents, a majority. Interpretive messaging about water sustainability, conservation and native landscaping will be integrated into transit signage, to send the Forest’s conservation messages back home to the city.

Additional Public Benefits

The project will reduce the “green space gap,” increasing equitable access for low-income, transit-dependent communities to public lands.

The project will improve physical and mental health for park poor communities through outdoor recreation options and connection to nature.

The project can additionally provide cross-sector economic benefits by routing shuttle routes through neighboring business districts to drive foot traffic and support small businesses with loads of hungry and thirsty visitors. (For example, Old Pasadena’s restaurants, bars and shops stand to gain as the Mt. Wilson Express line becomes popular, drawing foot traffic before and after outings.)

The project could also provide missing residential transit stops along the route where feasible, linking people to the Metro Rail system who were not connected before (For example, La Cañada residents along the Mt. Wilson Express route)

8) How the project achieves one or more purposes of Prop 68.

The SGM-TIP achieves 80001(b)(4), by providing urban transportation access to outdoor recreation in the San Gabriel Mountains, and will protect and restore natural resources through public education and interpretation at multiple touchpoints, and through sensitive construction of shuttle stops in the Forest, and seeking habitat and watershed improvement opportunities in site design.

In addition, the project achieves 6 actions listed in 80001(b)(8), the “Presidential Memorandum--Promoting Diversity and Inclusion in Our National Parks, National Forests, and Other Public Lands and Waters”. Nature for All as a community-based, environmental/social justice organization holds these as core values, and will leverage its extensive connections in disadvantaged communities to achieve these through the project.

Through Task 5 - Community engagement, and Task 7 - Stakeholder engagement, the project and Nature for All will:

(A) Conduct active outreach to diverse populations, particularly minority, low-income, and disabled populations and tribal communities, to increase awareness within those communities and the public about the SGM-TIP, Mt. Wilson Express/Highway 2 transit route development and opportunities to engage in the planning process. San Gabriel Mountains Transit & Infrastructure Program, Planning: Phase IIa for the Mt. Wilson Express/Highway 2 Transit Route

(C) Create new partnerships with state, local, tribal, private, and nonprofit organizations to expand access for diverse populations.

(D) Identify and implement improvements to existing programs to increase visitation and access by diverse populations, particularly minority, low-income, and disabled populations and tribal communities.

(F) Develop or expand coordinated efforts to promote youth engagement and empowerment, including fostering new partnerships with diversity-serving and youth-serving organizations, urban areas, and programs.

The community engagement tasks include identifying advisory focus group community based organizations and participants: underserved transit riders, station & route communities, partnering with at least 3 community-based organizations, surveying at least 20 community members, documenting community needs and developing a preliminary community engagement plan for the next phase of the project.

Through Task 6 - Educational/Interpretive Infrastructure, the greater SGM-TIP project will:

(E) Expand the use of multilingual and culturally appropriate materials in public communications and educational strategies, including through social media strategies, that target diverse populations.

The overall SGM-TIP project will develop outreach materials in a future phase designed to communicate the opportunities of the transit program. Nature for All and our Coalition will use internal and external communications tools of e-newsletter and social media to publicize the planning & community engagement process and eventual transit program to our target underserved audiences. External communications tools will include the Conservancy, Metro, Board offices, other NGOs and stakeholders’ web and social media platforms.

Additionally Nature for All, with its existing Leadership Academy, Community Ambassador and Stewards programs have been diversifying the next generation of environmental leaders across the LA region for nearly a decade, to:

(B) Mentor new environmental, outdoor recreation, and conservation leaders to increase diverse representation across these areas.

Our participants are almost entirely from impacted communities of color and Nature for All will leverage our leadership programs by engaging current classes in the SGM-TIP transit planning process.

San Gabriel Mountains Transit & Infrastructure Program, Planning: Phase IIa for the Mt. Wilson Express/Highway 2 Transit Route

9) How the project helps meet the State’s greenhouse gas emissions reductions targets.

Climate Change Mitigation By provide public transportation options to the San Gabriel Mountains, the SGM-TIP shuttles exemplify climate change mitigation and act on CA state climate goals (AB 32) to transition to: a sustainable, clean energy economy by shifting visitor use from private petroleum-based vehicles to public transportation, and incentivize development of mountain-capable, clean energy shuttles. The program anticipates usage of zero-emission fleets of SGM-TIP shuttles to use clean transportation, improve energy efficiency, expand the use of renewable energy resources, and reduce waste.

SGM-TIP shuttles are strongly anticipated to promote a shift to the public transit option, because as demand at popular trailheads has continued to increase, vehicular congestion on Highway 2 has made finding parking at trailheads extremely difficult. A shift in vehicle users to convenient and reliable public transportation will reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT), reduce greenhouse gases (GHG), reduce vehicular congestion at popular sites, and improve air quality.

The Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) Transportation Director is an SGM-TIP advisor, and through talks with Proterra, LA’s leading EV bus company, we are tracking development of their new ADA-accessible electric shuttle. Proterra has committed to helping SGM-TIP analyze all route grades to determine if current EV vehicles can summit the mountain roads. Our partners, USFS and Mt. Wilson Observatory are working on plans to build EV charging stations, and SGM-TIP planning may be able to integrate into those networks.

In addition, the SGM-TIP features sustainable site planning and land use compatibility. Project sites are existing parking lots in the Forest or Metro stations in the city. There will be minimal interventions to accommodate shuttle stops. Extensive visitor watershed education & stewardship will safeguard water and water efficiency, and to the extent possible, conservation or recycling of materials and resources can be promoted through site design and construction. A quantification will need to be modeled through the project as more data is collected.

10) How the project promotes and implements other relevant regional and state plans and policies.

The project will develop public transportation options prioritized by the San Gabriel Mountains ​ National Monument Plan (2019), Transportation Plan. As noted in the attached Letter of Support ​ submitted by Angeles National Forest Supervisor Perez, the project will support the Plan’s Transportation Desired Conditions:

● The Monument is accessible through alternative transportation and public transportation options in coordination with other agencies and gateway communities to provide greater access for those who do not use personal vehicles, and for the benefit of reducing vehicle congestion, addressing parking capacity issues, and improving public safety. ● Road density within the Monument remains stable or is decreasing. The number of San Gabriel Mountains Transit & Infrastructure Program, Planning: Phase IIa for the Mt. Wilson Express/Highway 2 Transit Route

automobiles in high-use areas decreases over time as a result of alternative modes of transportation. ● Transportation connectivity to and within the Monument is improved through coordination with state, county, local, and regional government entities; municipalities; Tribal governments; other agencies; and the public.

The Forest Supervisor’s Letter notes: “In the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument there ​ are over 519 total miles of existing roads under various jurisdictions. Of these, over 276 miles are open to motor vehicle use. While there are a number of public transportation options available in municipalities surrounding the Monument, there are currently no options for ​ taking public transportation to and within the Monument.” ​

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) Transit to Parks Strategic Plan (2019) also documents the lack of transit connections to the Angeles National Forest/San Gabriel Mountains National Monument.

11) Indicate whether the project will have matching funds from private, local or federal sources, and if so, to what extent.

As the attached budget indicates in orange, the Conservancy’s $100,000 will support consultant contracts (traffic and civil engineering, landscape architect) and Nature for All project management for the core transit infrastructure planning and design tasks: ● Task 2 - Site Assessment & Feasibility Analysis (partial) ● Task 3 - Conceptual Site Designs (5 stops) & Conceptual Shuttle Stop Standards ● Task 4 - Preliminary Permitting and Environmental Documentation Inquiry ● Task 7 - Stakeholder Engagement/Agency Coordination (partial) ● Task 8 - Project Management

The project will have $50,000 in matching funds from private sources: ● Resources Legacy Fund $25,000 ● Anonymous $25,000

These matching funds will cover one-third of the total $150,000 Phase IIa cost, and support items not funded by the Conservancy’s portion: ● Task 1 - Conceptual Transit Program Development ● Task 5 - Preliminary Community Engagement Plan ● Task 6 - Conceptual Educational/Interpretive Infrastructure & Content Framework

The matching funds will also cover more than half of: ● Task 2 - Site Assessment & Feasibility Analysis

The project will additionally leverage previous funding for Planning Phase I from Rivers & Mountains Conservancy, Liberty Hill, Resources Legacy Fund, and Anonymous.

San Gabriel Mountains Transit & Infrastructure Program, Planning: Phase IIa for the Mt. Wilson Express/Highway 2 Transit Route

12) Indicate whether the project will benefit a disadvantaged community.

The substantial regional support for this project (see attached letters of support) is specifically because of the nature access benefits the San Gabriel Mountains Transit & Infrastructure Program will create for disadvantaged communities.

Click to enlarge view

San Gabriel Mountains Transit & Infrastructure Program, Planning: Phase IIa for the Mt. Wilson Express/Highway 2 Transit Route

Many Metro Blue, Red, Purple and Gold Line stations are located in transit-dependent and transit-oriented Disadvantaged Communities. As the above Proposed SGM-TIP Routes and ​ DAC Access map and demographic table show, over 764,000 residents in 486 severely ​ disadvantaged community (SDAC) “blocks” live within one mile of a Metro Rail station. Adding Disadvantaged Community residents increases the reach to 1.2 million DAC and SDAC residents.

From East LA, Central LA, South LA, Southeast LA, Northeast LA, the East San Fernando Valley and the San Gabriel Valley foothills, these 1.2 million DAC and SDAC residents and millions of people total across the region, will gain convenient transit access to the San Gabriel Mountains via the SGM-TIP’s Metro Rail shuttle connections. This dramatic increase in access to diverse, underserved communities merits full grant scoring points for Access Value, Disadvantaged Communities, and Environmental Justice, based on the data and analysis.

These same communities are identified as high-or very-high-need in the Los Angeles County Park Needs Assessment. Above, the Metro Rail lines are superimposed over the red and orange high/very high need communities. These are also identified as disadvantaged communities as defined by CalEnviroScreen 3.0.

By definition, reaching underserved communities means populations who do not have proximity to the National Forest. The SGM-TIP shuttle sites in the Forest and Metro Gold Line stations are not in SDACs. But the SGM-TIP’s target communities along Metro Rail corridors are the SDACs with high pollution burdens and high population characteristic scores, as identified on the CalEnviroScreen maps. With the SGM-TIP, low-income families in Chinatown, MacArthur Park, Koreatown, East Hollywood, Florence, Compton, Azusa, and millions more, will be able to walk to their Metro station, take the Gold Line to an SGM-TIP shuttle, and step out into fresh mountain air.

San Gabriel Mountains Transit & Infrastructure Program, Planning: Phase IIa for the Mt. Wilson Express/Highway 2 Transit Route

Additionally, the proposed shuttle stop infrastructure in the Forest can improve access for communities even if they do not live within walking distance to a Metro station. The shuttle stops will establish a safe drop-off and pick-up zone available for all organized groups, and will promote municipalities and organizations to organize shuttle trips to the mountains. Once the shuttle system is in operation, residents can also always use their existing transit network or ride-share services to reach the nearest Gold Line station to connect to the SGM-TIP shuttles.

Definitions: As defined by the State of California and mapped on the California Department of Water Resources’ DAC Mapping Tool, ​https://gis.water.ca.gov/app/dacs​:

** Severely disadvantaged community (SDAC)​ is a census tract with a population that has less than 60% of the state's annual median household income.

** Disadvantaged community (SDAC)​ is a census tract with a population that has less than 80% of the state's annual median income.

The statewide​ annual median household income (MHI)​ for the current dataset is $63,783; therefore, the calculated SDAC threshold is $38,270, and the calculated DAC threshold is $51,026.

16) How project is consistent with the Common Ground Plan.

The project directly addresses the following guiding principles of the Common Ground Plan:

Land: Grow a Greener Southern California ● Improve Access to Open Space and Recreation for All Communities ● Create, Expand, and Improve Public Open Space Throughout the Region ● Promote Stewardship of the Landscape ● Encourage Sustainable Growth to Balance Environmental, Social, and Economic ● Benefits

Planning: Plan Together to Make it Happen ● Encourage Multi-Objective Planning and Projects ● Involve the Public Through Education and Outreach Programs

17) How scope of work furthers Conservancy’s strategic objectives.

The scope of work directly addresses the Conservancy’s strategic objective:

Expand Education, Public Access, and Resource Stewardship Components in a Manner That Best Serves the Public, Protects Habitat, and Provides Recreational Opportunities.

● Expand local government, school district, and nonprofit ventures to provide increased educational and access opportunities ● Increase resource stewardship and educational/interpretative capabilities within the Zone San Gabriel Mountains Transit & Infrastructure Program, Planning: Phase IIa for the Mt. Wilson Express/Highway 2 Transit Route

The project exemplifies the Conservancy’s Project Category: Community Access, Education and Interpretation:

Expand the outreach mission of the Conservancy, and provide interpretive programs and materials to substantially enhance knowledge, appreciation and enjoyment of the natural environment, open space, parklands and rivers.

The project achieves three key objectives in that category: ○ Transportation: Shuttle service to provide access to the trails ○ Natural Science and Education programs ○ Interpretation: Provide multi-lingual and multi-ability signage at trailheads.

Nature for All looks forward to collaborating with the MRCA and CNC education/interpretive teams who have produced exemplar educational materials.

Access Value Increasing access for diverse populations is a Conservancy priority, and this project will be a gamechanger in establishing long-term transit service to the San Gabriel Mountains. That priority cannot be achieved without providing transportation connections. This project will connect to hundreds of thousands of people whose residential area is within ¼ mile or 10 minutes walking distance of a Metro station, and to millions of people, particularly disadvantaged community residents within 1 mile of a station, providing direct access to the proposed SGM-TIP shuttle system to the mountains. Big Tujunga Dam A N G S A B R I E CLEAR CREEK L INFORMATION CENTER ANGELES M Hansen O Dam HARAMOKNGNA AMERICAN INDIAN CULTURAL CENTER/ U SWITZER FALLS TRAIL N RED BOX TRAILHEADS T A & PICNIC AREA WEST FORK I N S NATIONAL SAN GABRIEL EATON SADDLE EAST FORK Cogswell RIVER TRAILHEAD TRAILHEAD La Cañada MT. WILSON Reservoir V Flintridge E R D OBSERVATORY OAKS PICNIC AREA U G FOREST O San Gabriel M O Reservoir U N T A I Morris N S Reservoir S AN Burbank RAPHAEL Pasadena HILLS SAN GABRIEL CANYON RIVER WILDERNESS PARK GATEWAY CENTER Monrovia Glendale Azusa Arcadia Duarte N S . Glendora M T I C A O N M

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Grantee: Nature for All Project Name: San Gabriel Mountains Transit & Infrastructure Program, Planning Phase IIa Contact and Address: Bryan Matsumoto, 201 W. Garvey Avenue, Suite 102-503, Monterey Park, CA 91754 SMMC Total Budget Request: $100,000 Performance Begin and End Date: April 1, 2021 - March 31, 2022

Phase IIa Cost: $150,000 Phase IIa Funding: $150,000 SGM-TIP Planning Phase IIa Overall Planning Phase Phase IIa Phase IIa SMMC Budget Matching Matching Future funding required to II for Mt. Wilson complete Overall Planning Work Plan Express route, Cost per Task Cost per Task (amount requested in Funds #1 Funds #2 Phase II (65% CDs) for Task Number & Name Cost per Task Consultants Staff grant application) Mt. Wilson Express route Task #1 - Conceptual Transit Program Development ($ 15,438.00) ($ - ) ($ 7,719.00) ($ - ) ($ - ) ($ 7,719.00) ($ 7,719.00) Task #2 - Site Assessment & Feasibility Analysis ($ 57,718.00) ($ 50,000.00) ($ 7,718.00) ($ 25,904.00) ($ 25,000.00) ($ 6,814.00) ($ - ) Task #3 - Conceptual Site Designs (5 stops) & Conceptual Shuttle Stop Standards ($ 138,778.00) ($ 45,000.00) ($ 45,000.00) ($ - ) ($ - ) ($ 93,778.00) Task #4 - Preliminary Permitting and Environmental Documentation Inquiry ($ 20,000.00) ($ 2,000.00) ($ 2,000.00) ($ - ) ($ - ) ($ 18,000.00) Task #5 - Preliminary Community Engagement Plan ($ 16,438.00) ($ - ) ($ 4,000.00) ($ - ) ($ - ) ($ 4,000.00) ($ 12,438.00) Task #6 - Conceptual Educational/Interpretive Infrastructure & Content Framework ($ 17,718.00) ($ - ) ($ 3,467.00) ($ - ) ($ - ) ($ 3,467.00) ($ 14,251.00) Task #7 - Stakeholder Engagement/ Agency Coordination ($ 7,718.00) ($ - ) ($ 6,000.00) ($ 3,000.00) ($ - ) ($ 3,000.00) ($ 1,718.00) Task #8 - Project Management - All direct staff costs related to project tasks & 10% overhead ($ 48,192.00) ($ - ) ($ 24,096.00) ($ 24,096.00) ($ - ) ($ 24,096.00)

Totals ($ 322,000.00) ($ 97,000.00) ($ 53,000.00) ($ 100,000.00) ($ 25,000.00) ($ 25,000.00) ($ 172,000.00)

Cost Allocation Policy Adopted on February 11, 2021

Costs that are allowable will be charged to the program, grant or activity as follows: A. The Organization treats each funding source as a cost center. Each cost center’s receipts and expenditures are tracked separately. Currently tracking is done by Classes in QuickBooks, but other methods are allowable that track each funding source separately B. Direct costs are those costs incurred solely for the purpose of one cost center. All allowable direct costs are to be charged directly to the funding source to which they go. C. Shared costs are those costs which can be identified to more than one funding source. Shared costs are to be prorated individually as direct costs using a base most appropriate to the particular cost being prorated. In no case, shall the allocation be based on “availability of funds.” Examples of allocation basis are percentage of space utilized, number of units or total staff utilized. D. All other allowable general and administrative costs (costs that benefit all programs and cannot be identified to a specific funding source) are to be allocated to funding sources as follows: a. General and Administrative expenses shall be grouped first according to the cost centers to which they render services or provide benefits b. The aggregate expenses of each group shall then be allocated to the benefiting cost centers based on the modified total direct costs i. Modified total direct costs consists of all salaries and wages, fringe benefits, materials, supplies, services and travel

Letters of Support

We have received numerous letters of support and organizational sign-ons to express community urgency for funding the

San Gabriel Mountains Transit & Infrastructure Program.

Some of these letters may say “Phase I”, “Phase II” or are addressed to the “Rivers & Mountains Conservancy” (for a parallel proposal in their territory). All are in support of the same effort, including this proposal to the Conservancy, for

Planning: Phase IIa for the Mt. Wilson Express/Highway 2 Transit Route ​ ​

Thank you. February 12, 2021

Letter of Support for San Gabriel Mountains Transit & Infrastructure Program, ​ ​ Planning Phase II

Dear Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy,

Our organizations are pleased to offer this letter of support to demonstrate the community need for the San Gabriel Mountains Transit & Infrastructure Program, Planning Phase II ​ proposal submitted by Nature for All.

Community need: The pandemic has revealed how our communities' mental and physical ​ health is tied to having outdoors access, and has widened the divide between who has access to nature and who doesn't. For millions of urban LA County residents in the concrete jungle without a backyard, or car, or a park nearby, access to nature is hard to come by. 50% of County residents live in park-poor neighborhoods. The Angeles National Forest/San Gabriel Mountains National Monument are 70% of LA County's open space, yet there are zero public transit routes into these public lands.

Solution: To correct this environmental injustice, one solution that makes clear sense is ​ connecting our investments in public transportation -- the Metro Gold Line, bus and active transit system -- to our public lands, the San Gabriel Mountains.

Scope: This planning grant application focuses on two priority shuttle routes from the Metro ​ Gold Line: the "Mt. Wilson Express" via Pasadena, and "San Gabriel Canyon Express" via Azusa, managing partner/stakeholder consultation, coordination and development of transit routes & infrastructure design (shuttle stops, interpretive signage, traffic engineering). Scope includes targeted community outreach and engagement, and planning to promote responsible visitorship, Leave No Trace ethics and stewardship education.

Community benefits: The San Gabriel Mountains Transit and Infrastructure Program will ​ provide a lasting legacy of access to nature for our entire region, removing barriers of income, background or vehicle ownership. Over 1 million Disadvantaged Community (DAC) residents from East LA, Central LA, South/Southeast LA, Northeast LA and the foothills will gain convenient transit access to the San Gabriel Mountains via the proposed Metro Rail shuttle connections. It will provide L.A. County families healthy outdoor access to world-class trails and mountain destinations, such as Mt. Wilson Observatory, the West Fork National Scenic Bikeway, and the wild San Gabriel River. The shuttles will reduce vehicular congestion, vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and greenhouse gases (GHG), and provide important Transit to Parks routes in LA, particularly as we anticipate growing demand for local ecotourism and the 2028 Olympics.

We support the advancement of this project.

Sincerely,

Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell Michelle Race and Tiffany Tharpe Second District Black Girls Trekkin’

Valerie Gibson Manuel Carrillo Jr. Pasadena Transit City of Baldwin Park

Margaret Clark Michael Wickstrom City of Rosemead Great Outdoors Los Angeles

Lauren Ahkiam Sissy Trinh Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy Southeast Asian Community Alliance

Michelle O’Connor Annelisa Moe County of Los Angeles Trails Heal the Bay

Charles Thomas Jr. Christy Zamani Outward Bound Adventures Day One

Claire Robinson Norma J. Quiñones Amigos de los Rios San Gabriel Valley Conservation Corps

Liliana Griego Morgan Goodwin Friends of the Los Angeles River Sierra Club, Angeles Chapter

Francisco Moreno David Diaz Council of Mexican Federations (COFEM) ActiveSGV

Dianne Hellrigel Steve Messer Community Hiking Club Concerned Off-Road Bicyclists Association

Ann Majchrzak Tori Kjer Inspiring Connections Outdoors Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust

Heng Lam Foong Yvette Lopez-Ledesma Asian Pacific Islander Forward Movement The Wilderness Society

Dennis Arguelles Jonathan Parfrey National Parks Conservation Association Climate Resolve

Scott Ammons Maite Arce REI Co-op Hispanic Access Foundation

Paul Pulido Eric Sanchez South Los Angeles Transit Empowerment Zone Pukúu Cultural Community Services

Marisa Creter Marissa Llanes San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments Community Nature Connection

Logo Department Organization Information Organization Address Information Forest Service Angeles National Forest 701 North Santa Anita Avenue San Gabriel Mountains National Arcadia, CA 91006-2725 Monument 626-574-1613

File Code: 1810; 1830 Date: January 11, 2021 Route To:

Subject: San Gabriel Mountains Transit and Infrastructure Program - Phase I Planning

To: Prospective Funder

The Angeles National Forest pledges its support for Nature For All – San Gabriel Mountains Transit and Infrastructure Program, Phase I Planning proposal.

In 2019 the Angeles National Forest finalized the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument (SGMNM) Plan which includes a chapter on transportation planning. This grant supports the following desired conditions of the SGMNM Transportation Plan.

Transportation Desired Conditions: • The Monument is accessible through alternative transportation and public transportation options in coordination with other agencies and gateway communities to provide greater access for those who do not use personal vehicles, and for the benefit of reducing vehicle congestion, addressing parking capacity issues, and improving public safety. • Road density within the Monument remains stable or is decreasing. The number of automobiles in high-use areas decreases over time as a result of alternative modes of transportation. • Transportation connectivity to and within the Monument is improved through coordination with state, county, local, and regional government entities; municipalities; Tribal governments; other agencies; and the public. In the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument there are over 519 total miles of existing roads under various jurisdictions. Of these, over 276 miles are open to motor vehicle use. While there are a number of public transportation options available in municipalities surrounding the Monument, there are currently no options for taking public transportation to and within the Monument.

The goal of this proposal - to focus on two priority shuttle routes from the Metro Gold Line: The "Mt. Wilson Express" via Pasadena, and "San Gabriel Canyon Express" via Azusa; managing stakeholder consultation, coordination and development of transit routes & infrastructure design (shuttle stops, interpretive signage, traffic engineering); including targeted community outreach engagement, and planning to promote responsible visitor practices, Leave No Trace ethics and stewardship education - will advance the Angeles National Forest goal to evaluate alternative transportation and public transportation opportunities, including identifying programs that facilitate access from underserved communities, ways to link public transportation options in gateway communities, and sites appropriate for bus access at key recreation areas.

America’s Working Forests – Caring Every Day in Every Way Printed on Recycled Paper Prospective Funder 2

In closing, I encourage you to fund Nature For All’s proposal as they have been a dedicated community partner and have an existing Memorandum of Understanding with the Angeles National Forest to address community access to the national forest and conservation education.

Sincerely,

X

JEROME E. PEREZ Forest Supervisor BOARD OF SUPERVISORS COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES 856 KENNETH HAHN HALL OF ADMINISTRATION / LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90012 Telephone (213) 974-4111 / FAX (213) 613-1739

HILDA L. SOLIS CHAIR, BOARD OF SUPERVISORS SUPERVISOR, FIRST DISTRICT

January 13, 2021

RE: Letter of Support forSan Gabriel Mountains Transit & Infrastructure Program (SGM-TIP), Planning Phase II

Dear Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy,

I am pleased to express our support for Nature for All's San Gabriel Mountains Transit & Infrastructure Program (SGM-TIP), Phase II Planning proposal. The SOM-TIP will accelerate planning, community outreach, feasibility and pilot implementation forMetro Gold Line Transit­ to-Trails shuttles, walk routes and related programs to the San Gabriel Mountains and nearby natural spaces.

The SGM-TIP addresses critical regional needs. Half of L.A. County families live in "park poor" areas. A staggering 82% of communities of color lack green space, and many suffer from correlated air pollution, asthma, childhood obesity and diabetes. One way to provide parks access, thus public health and environmental benefits, is to connect families to the vast open spaces of the forest and National Monument in our backyard.

The San Gabriel Mountains are 70% of L.A. County's open space. 17 million people -- I in 20 Americans -- live within a ninety-minute drive. But formillions of residents without a car, lack of transportation is the # 1 barrier to accessing these public lands. Even with a vehicle, limited trailhead parking is often full on weekends, further restricting public access.

The SGM-TIP is giving the opportunity to thousands of children and familiesliving in some of the most underserved communities access to the San Gabriel Mountains and other public lands. This program can make a real difference in people's daily lives to promote the overall health of our communities. This project is about leveling the playing field and ensuring that every County resident has access to L.A. County's open space.

A solution that makes clear sense is connecting our investments in public transportation -- the Metro Gold Line, bus and active transit system -- to our public lands such as the San Gabriel Mountains. This will provide L.A. County children and families healthy outdoor access to world­ class trails and mountain destinations, such as the Audubon Center at Debs Park, Mt. Wilson Observatory, Sturtevant Falls, the West Fork National Scenic Bikeway, and the wild San Gabriel River. Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy Page 2 January 13, 2021

Investing in the SGM-TIP will also generate social, environmental, and economic benefitsas well. Time recreating outdoors is well-documented to reduce stress, improve communities' physical and mental health, and environmental ethic. With 4 million annual forest visitors currently driving, a sustainable transit program will directly reduce traffic, greenhouse gases (GHG), vehicle miles traveled (VMT), and improve our air quality. In tourism and business growth, L.A.' s 50 million annual visitors will gain access to the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument with the SGM­ TIP. Shuttle riders will additionally bring spending to local business districts and grow L.A.'s ecotourism economy, particularly as we look to the 2028 Olympic Games.

Providing access to our majestic public lands ensures that healthy recreation, education, and connection to the San Gabriel Mountains and nearby natural spaces are available to all generations. Thank you for your attention, and please feel free to reach out to Aydin Pasebani, Assistant Environmental & Special Projects Deputy at [email protected] or at 213-974-4111 if there are any questions.

Sincerely,

LI'!� Supervisor, First District, Chair

January 12, 2021

Mark Stanley Executive Director Rivers and Mountains Conservancy 100 N. Old San Gabriel Canyon Road Azusa, CA 91702

Re: Letter of support from Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) for the San Gabriel Mountains Transit & Infrastructure Program project proposal submitted by Nature for All.

Dear Director Stanley:

I write to request full and fair consideration of the San Gabriel Mountains Transit & Infrastructure Program project proposal submitted by Nature for All, which is in response to the Proposition 68 Grant Program administered by the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy (RMC). This program provides funding to support the development of urban recreation projects and habitat protection or restoration projects, to provide workforce development opportunities, and expand access to diverse populations.

For more than 13 years, Nature for All has worked to ensure the conservation of natural resources, the protection of public lands and open spaces around Los Angeles, and expand equitable access to nature and public lands for all Angelenos. Nature for All has also focused on increasing stewardship of public lands and natural resources by empowering underserved community members through their Leadership Academy, Community Ambassadors Program, and Nature for All Stewards Volunteer Program. Their tireless efforts have generated countless environmental leaders, many of which reside in California’s 34th Congressional District.

According to Nature for All, the Angeles National Forest and San Gabriel Mountains National Monument hold 70% of Los Angeles County's open space, yet there are zero public transit routes into these public lands. Through this planning project, Nature for All would manage stakeholder consultation andcoordination and development of transit routes and infrastructure design for two priority shuttle routes originating from the Metro Gold Line. Nature for All believes the San Gabriel Mountains Transit & Infrastructure Program will provide access to nature for the entire Los Angeles region, removing barriers of income, background, or vehicle ownership for over 1 million disadvantaged and severely disadvantaged community residents.

I respectfully ask for your consideration of the Proposition 68 Grant Program project proposal submitted by Nature for All, which is consistent with applicable statutes and regulations. Please contact my Senior Field Deputy, Roberto Gama at [email protected] or (213) 481-1425 should you have any questions regarding this letter

Sincerely,

Jimmy Gomez MEMBER OF CONGRESS

San Gabriel Mountains Community Collaborative

January 12th, 2021

SUBJECT: Letter of Support for San Gabriel Mountains Transit & Infrastructure Program, Phase I Planning Proposal

Dear Prospective Funder,

The San Gabriel Mountains Community Collaborative (the Collaborative) is pleased to offer this letter of support for the proposal entitled San Gabriel Mountains Transit & Infrastructure Program, Phase I Planning proposal submitted by Nature for All.

The Collaborative represents the general public by integrating diverse perspectives to identify, analyze, prioritize, and advocate for values, resources, investments, management objectives, and implementation of programs and practices that sustainably benefit all communities throughout the region, the Angeles National Forest, and the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. The San Gabriel Mountains Community Collaborative (Collaborative) includes over 50 members from a variety of organizations, including government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and individuals of the public at large.

As such, SGMCC agrees with the Project’s overall goals:

Scope: This proposal focuses on two priority shuttle routes from the Metro Gold Line: the "Mt. Wilson Express" via Pasadena, and "San Gabriel Canyon Express" via Azusa, managing partner/stakeholder consultation, coordination, and development of transit routes & infrastructure design (shuttle stops, interpretive signage, traffic engineering). Scope includes targeted community outreach and engagement, and planning to promote responsible visitorship, Leave No Trace ethics, and stewardship education.

Community need: The pandemic has revealed how our communities' mental and physical health is tied to having outdoors access and has widened the divide between who has access to nature and who doesn't. For millions of LA County residents in the concrete jungle without a backyard or car, or a park nearby, access to nature is hard to come by. 50% of County residents live in park-poor neighborhoods. The Angeles National Forest/San Gabriel Mountains National Monument holds 70% of LA County's open space, yet there are zero public transit routes into these public lands.

Solution: To correct this environmental injustice, one solution that makes clear sense is connecting our investments in public transportation -- the Metro Gold Line, bus, and active transit system -- to our public lands, the San Gabriel Mountains.

Community benefits: The San Gabriel Mountains Transit and Infrastructure Program will provide a lasting legacy of access to nature for our entire region, removing barriers of income, background, or vehicle ownership. Over 1 million Disadvantaged Community (DAC) residents from East LA, Central LA, South/Southeast LA, Northeast LA, and the foothills will gain convenient transit access to the San Gabriel Mountains via the proposed Metro Rail shuttle connections. It will provide LA County families healthy outdoor access to world-class trails and mountain destinations, such as Mt. Wilson Observatory, the West Fork National Scenic Bikeway, and the wild San Gabriel River. The shuttles will reduce vehicular congestion, vehicle miles traveled (VMT), and greenhouse gases (GHG),

1 and provide important Transit to Parks routes in LA, particularly as we anticipate growing demand for local ecotourism and the 2028 Olympics.

Community partners: The regional San Gabriel Mountains Transit and Infrastructure Program is coordinated by Nature for All, developed in collaboration with the San Gabriel Mountains Community Collaborative, the U.S. Forest Service, San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments, County Supervisors First and Fifth Districts, and the Rivers and Mountains Conservancy. Substantial feedback has been collected through numerous stakeholder meetings to shape the program. Community organizations across the region have voiced support for the project, and significant community engagement will be facilitated by Nature for All throughout the project, including station- receiving and riding communities to plan in collaboration with the community. A focus on visitor education and responsible recreation will be emphasized in response to community feedback.

It is the determination of the Collaborative that this project or program is consistent with the mission and vision of the Collaborative and is therefore worthy of Collaborative support; however, this support is made on behalf of the Collaborative and does not imply endorsement by individual agencies and organizations represented on the Collaborative.

We support the advancement of this project and wish you a successful outcome from the proposal selection process.

Sincerely,

Daniel Rossman San Gabriel Mountains Community Collaborative, Steering Committee Chair CA Deputy Director, The Wilderness Society

San Gabriel Mountains Community Collaborative Steering Committee Members Liz Reilly Steve Messer Steering Committee Vice Chair Trails and Recreation Volunteer Engagement Ad Hoc Committee Chair Ad Hoc Committee Chair San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments President Council Member, City of Duarte Concerned Off-Road Bicyclists Association

Claire Robinson Belinda Faustinos Conservation Education Ad Hoc Committee Chair Transportation Access Managing Director Ad Hoc Committee Chair Amigos de los Rios Executive Director Nature for All

Margaret Clark, Rene Jimenez Member, At Large Member, At Large Mayor Pro Tem/City of Rosemead Sustainability Coordinator San Gabriel Valley Conservation Corps San Gabriel Mountains Community Collaborative Membership Organization List

• Amigos de los Rios • Angeles National Forest • Antelope Valley Unit, Backcountry Horseman of California • Arroyo Seco Foundation • Asian Pacific Policy & Planning Council (A3PCON) • Association of Rural Town Councils (Antelope Valley) and Acton Town Council • Bike San Gabriel Valley • CalFire • California Department of Transportation, District 7 • California Rifle and Pistol Association • City of Santa Clarita • City Project • Community Hiking Club • Community Partners, Trust for Public Land • Concerned Off-Road Bicyclists Association (CORBA) • Consejo de Federaciones Mexicanas en Norteamérica (COFEM) • El Monte City School District, El Monte Promise Foundation • Fisheries Resource Volunteer Corps (FRVC) • Friends of the Angeles National Forest • Gabrieleno Band of Mission Indians - Kizh Nation • Gateway Council of Governments • Gateway Water Management Authority • City of Glendora • John Minch & Associates • LA County Board of Supervisors – 1st District (Solis) • LA County Board of Supervisors – 5th District (Barger) • Los Angeles County Department of Public Works • Mount Wilson Bicycling Association • Mountain High & Stevens Pass • Mt Baldy Ski Lifts • Mt. Baldy Lodge • National Forest Foundation • National Forest Homeowners • Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County • Nature for All • Palmdale Water District • Pasadena Casting Club • REI • Rivers & Mountains Conservancy • San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors • San Gabriel Mountains Regional Conservancy • San Gabriel Valley Conservation Corps • San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments • San Gabriel Valley Legislative Coalition of Chambers • San Gabriel Valley Water Association • Southern California Association of Districts • Southern California Edison • Southwest Council of Fly Fishers International • The Sierra Club • The Wilderness Society • Watershed Conservation Authority (WCA)