2022 Total Maximum Daily Load Survey Summary
In April, May, June, July, September, and November, our volunteers conducted a Rapid Trash Assessment at four different sites on the San Gabriel River in Angeles National Forest, known as The Total Maximum Daily Load Survey. The assessment aims to help identify the types and amount of trash present at the four areas shown on the map above with categories including plastic, biohazard, construction debris, miscellaneous, metal, large, toxic, biodegradable, glass, fabric, and cloth.
Our volunteers followed the SWAMP protocol procedures, the number of trash pieces collected is used as a metric to measure the amount and type of trash present during each survey.
The results of our assessment showed that a significant amount of trash is present in these areas, with a total of 16,460 individual pieces documented and removed by volunteers. This is a concerning issue, as it not only harms the aquatic life and ecosystem, but it also affects public safety and the overall beauty and health of the waterways.
The data reported from the Rapid Trash Assessment has helped to start a conversation between the Water Board and Angeles National Forest. The waterboard has directed the Forest Service to apply for grant funding to help with resources to reduce the amount of trash along the river. If you should have any suggestions or thoughts on solving the trash issue please share them, as we will continue to submit suggestions to the forest service.
We are proud of the hard work and dedication of our volunteers, and we look forward to continuing to work towards a cleaner and healthier environment for all. With FRVC’s continued support of this three-year project, we can hope to possibly see some changes in the future. If you are interested in joining our efforts or finding other ways to get involved use the links below to learn more and get involved.
Fisheries Resource Volunteer Corps are committed to promoting Leave No Trace principles, which encourage responsible outdoor behavior by promoting conservation and preserving natural environments. We believe that everyone has a role to play in protecting our waterways, and we encourage everyone to get involved by taking simple steps such as properly disposing of trash, and being mindful of their impact on the environment while enjoying the waterways.