Slippery Slopes: Residents Powwow with Krekorian

As the rains begin to pour yet again, Tujunga residents fear for their homes. In an effort to stave off damage, homeowners recently met with Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Krekorian, who represents foothill communities, to discuss the threat of floods to their properties.

Jon von Gunten; his wife, Karen; and neighbors Ed and Jenik Badalian live just north of Summitrose Street, right at the base of Zachau Canyon's natural drainage basin, which overlooks La Crescenta and forms the edge of the highly elevated Angeles National Forest.

"Twenty-nine Tujunga homes whose backyards comprise canyon walls are newly in danger of hillside slippage when future flash floods further scour and erode the canyon walls," said Jon von Gunten. "Homeowner and flood insurance do not cover hillside slippage, and potentially, losses in property damage, property tax revenue, and years of ensuing lawsuits could reach tens of millions of dollars."

One specific location that needs immediate assistance, according to von Gunten, is an upstream rock-concrete retaining wall, or small dam, that's visibly damaged.

"It should moderate water-flow from upper Zachau Canyon’s 220-acre drainage area into its channel," said von Gunten. "As it deteriorates, property damage below is more likely."

Ed Badalian said the meeting "was very friendly and more informal than what [he] was expecting. The councilman and his officers appeared to be very interested and willing to be an active instrument in helping and finding a proper solution to the issue."

Karen von Gunten was also encouraged by her local council office's attention to the matter.

"Our meeting with Councilman Krekorian and his staff was extremely positive, and their willingness to help was very much welcome in light of this challenging problem," she said. "We continue to have faith in the city, the county and agencies of the federal government to help guide and assist us before any tragedy strikes."

While Krekorian and the city have no jurisdiction over the properties in question because they are not in a "Special Flood Hazard Area," the councilman said he would connect residents with officials from the Los Angeles Stormwater Program regarding questions they might have about FEMA, flood insurance and other matters, as well as the city's Department of Building and Safety toward shoring up the hillside where erosion has taken place.

"I was pleased to meet with Mr. von Gunten and his neighbors for what was an honest and productive conversation about their community's issues," Krekorian said. "Though our office, as a city entity, is unable to solve every issue they brought to the table, my staff and I will continue to seek creative solutions to ensure that they have the resources needed and their community remains as safe as possible."

Badalian said he was at first a bit overwhelmed by the amount of bureaucracy involved in dealing with this issue, but also felt encouraged by Krekorian's attention to the matter.

"As complicated as the issue may be, the councilman and his officers with their positive approach look hopeful in finding a solution, even if their office does not  possesses the required authority," he said.

The area in question was stripped of its natural, flood-preventing vegetation as a result of the devastating 2009 Station Fire.

"Every winter brings the likelihood of heavy, extended cloudbursts to the foothills," said von Gunten. "When these occur, the now-denuded floor of upper Zachau Canyon will rapidly shed tens of thousands of tons of water, causing more flash floods. Moderate rains do not cause these flash floods, only cloudbursts."

Two flash floods have occurred since the Station Fire after "heavy, extended cloudbursts during winter 2009 and 2010," said von Gunten.

In addition to the damaged retaining wall, he also observed "ripped-out large, live trees that once anchored hillside soil and canyon walls; undercut remaining hillside trees, leaving root systems exposed and nonviable; cut gashes about 8 feet deep into the canyon floor; horizontally undercut canyon-wall hillsides leaving 4-foot overhangs; and a widened canyon floor, in some places by a factor of four from a previous 8 feet, now up to 30 feet wide."

The von Guntens first met the councilman at a .

"It's entirely a matter of chance that no heavy cloudbursts have hit Zachau Canyon in the Angeles Forest—so far—this winter," said von Gunten. "Benevolent weather patterns won't endure forever. That's the certainty we are preparing to manage with everyone's help."

Residents last met with Krekorian on Jan. 27. The next step will be meeting with officials from the Building and Safety Department, which council staff is in the process of arranging, said Krekorian spokesman Jeremy Oberstein.

"Our next steps are to continue to explore every strand and branch of this information-gathering web we're extending in all governmental directions," von Gunten said. "We don't have resolution yet, but no one has tried to discourage or stop us.

"So we're still collecting allies and information," he continued. "So far, everyone we've contacted has given us either direct cooperation or a referral to another possible source of information."