The City of Claremont protected one of Southern California’s few remaining alluvial fans, the San Antonio Wash, by denying an attempt to open it up to sand mining. But the mining company is not giving up.



Washes or “fans” at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains were once widespread, supporting alluvial fan sage scrub habitat adapted to frequent flooding. Now, decades of massive development has so depleted this system that the San Bernardino kangaroo rat is critically endangered.

As part of our ongoing effort to save these fans, EHL assisted local activists and testified at a public hearing in February, when a mining company sought to change open space regulations so that the San Antonio Wash could be mined. This devasting impact was staunchly opposed by the neighboring community. Commendably citing habitat among other concerns, the City firmly upheld the open space.

However, despite the fact that there is no shortage mining sites in the area, the company, Vulcan Materials, has appealed to the State Mining and Geology Board. EHL will continue to defend the wash.