Rim of the Valley Act Expands Santa Monica Mountains Recreation Area, Requires Utilities to Mitigate Environmental Impact

The “Rim of the Valley Corridor Preservation Act” is all about drawing new lines on the map to expand the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Essentially, this bill formally incorporates a large area known as the “Rim of the Valley Unit” into the existing National Recreation Area, making it official. The boundaries are now defined by two specific maps, including a new one dated April 14, 2023, and these maps must be kept on file and made public by the National Park Service (SEC. 2).

What Does More Park Land Mean for You?

If you live near or use the Santa Monica Mountains, this expansion means formal protection for the newly included land. Any property the Secretary of the Interior acquires inside this new Rim of the Valley Unit must be managed exactly the same way as the rest of the National Recreation Area (SEC. 3). Think of it this way: the rules and protections already in place for the existing park—like those governing conservation, recreation, and development—now extend to this new acreage. For hikers, bikers, and anyone who enjoys the outdoors, this is a win for preserving access and open space in a major metropolitan area.

There is a small administrative detail to watch out for: The Secretary has the power to make “small changes” to the boundaries later on, provided they notify Congress and then publish the revised map in the Federal Register (SEC. 2). While this power is meant to handle minor adjustments, it does give the Secretary some flexibility in defining the final edges of the park.

Keeping the Lights On (and the Water Running)

One of the most practical sections of the bill addresses existing infrastructure. Adding a huge chunk of land to a National Recreation Area can create headaches for public services, but this bill tries to prevent that. It explicitly states that the designation won't stop utility companies or water resource facilities from operating, maintaining, or even modifying their existing infrastructure within the new boundaries (SEC. 4).

However, there’s a catch for those utility providers. If they need to modify their facilities—say, installing a new pipeline or upgrading a power line—they must do so in a way that “reasonably avoids or lessens any negative impact” on the natural resources within the Rim of the Valley Unit (SEC. 4). This means utility companies now have a new environmental hurdle to clear for any major work in the expanded area. While this is great for conservation, it could lead to higher costs or delays for infrastructure projects, which might eventually trickle down to consumers. It’s a classic balancing act: preserving nature while maintaining essential public services.