Rindge Dam Removal Pathway Risk-Benefit Assessment

Project Specifications

Client: CalTrout, California Department of Parks and Recreation

Location: Los Angeles County

Services: Environmental Review & Permitting, Client Support

Under contract to California Trout and in partnership with California Department of Parks and Recreation (CDPR), Aspen prepared the Rindge Dam Removal Pathway Risk-Benefit Assessment. This report provides research, targeted information, analysis, and recommendations for CDPR to adequately evaluate options for the path forward to implement the proposed Rindge Dam Ecosystem Restoration Project in a timely manner. The Rindge Dam Removal Project would involve decommission and full removal of Rindge Dam, as well as restoration of Malibu Creek. The project was originally developed in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Planning Division. CDPR is currently considering whether to continue working with USACE to design and construct the project. To facilitate this decision, Aspen’s Risk-Benefit Assessment analyzed the current dam removal landscape, examined the advantages and disadvantages of continuing with the USACE as a federal partner versus selecting an alternate partner, and examined funding sources and prospects with and without USACE involvement.

Aspen also developed a Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) Analysis, which included a quantitative scoring system specific to the Rindge Dam Removal Project to rank the risk associated with five potential federal partners. Based on the results of the SWOT Analysis, the final report provided recommendations for next steps toward the removal of Rindge Dam which included identifying state and local partners, suggestions for a new federal partner, developing a funding plan, building staff resources, and seeking public support.