The agreement will improve water quality and provide funding for key restoration activities and studies to support long-term water resilience in the region
Today Friends of the Santa Clara River, Los Angeles Waterkeeper, Wishtoyo Foundation. and the Ventura Coastkeeper announced an agreement with Six Flags Entertainment Corporation and Magic Mountain to virtually eliminate polluted runoff from the theme park. The agreement will also restore and enhance habitat on the Santa Clara River. The Santa Clara River is one of Southern California’s largest remaining natural river systems, flowing 100 miles from the San Gabriel Mountains in Los Angeles County to the Pacific Ocean near Ventura. The river is home to endangered southern California steelhead and unarmored threespine stickleback. Restoring flows and water quality in this river system is crucial to the recovery of steelhead regionally.
“We’re excited to see a commitment by Six Flags Magic Mountain to get this work done,” said Bruce Reznik, executive director of Los Angeles Waterkeeper. “Magic Mountain shares our goal of improving water quality in the Santa Clara River, and the settlement provides substantial benefit to wildlife like endangered southern steelhead trout.”
As outlined in the agreement, Magic Mountain will implement pollution control projects to treat the vast majority of stormwater runoff from the amusement park property. Magic Mountain has also committed $2 million to projects to improve habitat in the Santa Clara River.
Measures supported in the agreement include the Sisar Creek Bridge Construction Project, which is a priority effort to support the recovery of endangered steelhead.
The project will provide unimpeded passage for southern California steelhead on Sisar Creek to 6.8 miles of high-quality habitat that is currently blocked by the existing Arizona crossing. The project includes installing a 90-foot bridge along with habitat improvements in the creek. Sisar Creek is one of the most productive steelhead streams in all the 1600 square mile watershed. The agreement also opens the way for public and private funds to support important recovery work, with $730,000 from the settlement matching $2.1 million from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
“Magic Mountain’s commitment to improved stormwater runoff management will ameliorate impacts to sensitive cultural resources and groundwater dependent ecosystems of Utom,” said Mati Waiya, Executive Director of the Wishtoyo Foundation and Ventura Coastkeeper. “We are optimistic that The Sisar Creek Bridge Project will remove a major barrier to some of the highest quality spawning and rearing habitat for steelhead. The restoration of habitat connectivity for steelhead in Sisar Creek is an important step in recovering a cultural keystone species, known as “Isha’kowoch” to the Chumash, near the historic village site of Sisa.”
“Magic Mountain is dedicated to protecting natural resources in the Santa Clara River watershed,” said Brian Oerding, Six Flags Magic Mountain park president. “We look forward to engaging in these projects that will further the protection of natural and cultural resources in this diverse landscape.”
Today’s agreement will also provide funds which will allow Magic Mountain to partner in a study to inform the development of an integrated water resilience strategy for the Santa Clara River. This study will identify multi-benefit water conservation, quality, and recycling opportunities and natural resource projects in the Santa Clara River watershed.
“All of these improvements will, together, make a difference for steelhead recovery, water resiliency and affordability in the region,” said Candice Meneghin, board member with Friends of the Santa Clara River. “With so few of these iconic, native fish remaining, these types of improvements are essential to support recovery of this species, now on the verge of extinction.”
About Friends of the Santa Clara River
Friends of the Santa Clara River is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit, public interest organization formed in 1993. The mission of Friends of the Santa Clara River is to protect and preserve the cultural and biological resources of the Santa Clara River Watershed. We are committed to working for the health and conservation of the river and the Santa Clara River Watershed, by protecting the river from human impacts such as pollution and native riparian biodiversity loss. Through advocacy, education, and conservation we team with communities and researchers to maintain the work for a healthy future for the entire river in both Ventura and Los Angeles Counties.
About Los Angeles Waterkeeper
Los Angeles Waterkeeper is a 501(c)(3) non-profit public benefit corporation organized under the laws of the state of California, with its main office in Los Angeles, California. LAW is dedicated to the preservation, protection, and defense of the rivers, creeks, and coastal waters of Los Angeles County from all sources of pollution and degradation. LAW’s mission is to fight for the health of the region’s waterways, and for sustainable, equitable and climate-friendly water supplies.
About Wishtoyo Foundation
Wishtoyo Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit public benefit grassroots corporation organized under the laws of the State of California. The Wishtoyo Foundation’s mission is to preserve, protect, and restore Chumash culture, the culture and history of coastal communities, cultural resources, and the environment.
Ventura Coastkeeper is a program of the Wishtoyo Foundation. Ventura Coastkeeper’s mission is to protect, preserve, and restore the ecological integrity and water quality of Ventura County’s inland water bodies, coastal waters and watersheds.
About Six Flags Magic Mountain
Six Flags Magic Mountain, known as the Thrill Capital of the World, is home to world-class roller coasters including icons such as Twisted Colossus, Tatsu, Goliath, Full Throttle and X2. Thrill seekers of all ages can enjoy various events and entertainment plus over 100 games and attractions. For more information, visit sixflags.com/magicmountain or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, X, YouTube and LinkedIn.
