LOS ANGELES COUNTY CAMPAIGNS

The Montebello Hills, located in the northeast section of Montebello in the western San Gabriel Valley, are the last large area of open space remaining between the Los Angeles River and the Rio Hondo. The approximately 480 acres of undeveloped land, currently used for oil production, represent less than a third of the original hills. The western portion of the hills have been developed, and are now covered with densely-packed housing tracts and a dump.

These remaining Hills are a unique natural area, which support numerous native plants and animals including the now rare coastal sage scrub habitat, the endangered California gnatcatcher and cactus wren, and red tailed hawks, which can sometimes be seen soaring over the nearby Pomona (60) Freeway and the shopping centers which border it.

The Montebello Hills act as watershed for the Rio Hondo and are a potential major gem in the Emerald Necklace, an urban park network of trails, parks and greenways along the San Gabriel River and the Rio Hondo. Now that the city of Montebello has joined the Emerald Necklace Alliance, already existing Montebello parks and trails along the Rio Hondo can be improved, thereby enhancing the opportuity to connect residents of Montebello with numerous nearby cities and developed county areas. The hills, preserved as a natural park will help make the amount of open space in Montebello more in line with recommended acres per thousand people. Access to the hills for people with all levels of abilities will provide increased opportunities for healthful recreation, relaxation, and ecotourism. The natural hill park's features will draw visitors from outside the area, attracted by its hiking, biking, horseback riding, nature study and picknicking opportunities. It will stand as a refuge from urbanization for people of all ages, will protect habitat and will maintain an important wildlife corridor. The Montebello Hills have recently been designated as a Significant Ecological Area by the Los Angeles County Technical Advisory Committee.

The original site of the Mission San Gabriel Archangel is marked at the eastern edge of the Montebello Hills, near the Rio Hondo. The Mission compound included land in the hills and along the river. For about four years the Mission served the residents of the Pueblo de Los Angeles, now Olvero Street, about seven or eight miles directly to the west. The Mission was moved to its present site in the City of San Gabriel after flooding made it impractical to keep it here. However, Mission bells still mark the route of El Camino Real through the City of Montebello.

The Montebello Hills are currently owned by the Plains Exploration and Production Company which is proposing plans to put a massive 1200 unit housing tract in the middle of the Hills which would destroy habitat and completely block forever the majority of ordinary Montebello residents' access to the recovering natural habitat and the highest point of their city's namesake hills and add to traffic, noise, pollution and costs to the city..

Save Montebello Hills Task Force has organized to advocate our vision for protection and preservation of this unique area as a park, a natural crown jewel for the City of Montebello.