CONSERVANCY READY TO DISCUSS RESERVOIR; MEETING ON CHATSWORTH SITE PLANNED FOR MONDAY.

Byline: Deborah Sullivan Daily News Staff Writer

Years after the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy first proposed managing the Chatsworth Reservoir as a nature preserve, conservancy director Joe Edmiston finally will meet with DWP commission President Rick Caruso on Monday.

``Obviously, what we are still hoping for is the original objective that has been expressed for the last few years by Councilman (Hal) Bernson and this agency - that the Chatsworth Reservoir be managed by this agency as an extraordinarily significant open-space resource and habitat for the long term,'' said Rorie Skei, the conservancy's deputy director for resources and planning.

Last spring, the City Council directed the DWP to lease the land to the conservancy.

But in September, frustrated that the commission had not even discussed the proposal with the conservancy, the council raised the stakes. It gave Caruso a new term on the DWP commission, provided that he return to the council with a progress report on the reservoir.

Last week the council took it a step further, requesting Caruso to return to the council by Dec. 15, ``giving us a full and final report on what happened during the 90 days when he was supposed to do a real estate appraisal and meet with interested properties such as the mountains conservancy, homeowner groups, environmental groups,'' said Francine Oschin, assistant chief deputy to Bernson, whose council district includes the reservoir.

Caruso did not return calls seeking comment.

While the conservancy finally has scheduled a meeting with Caruso, other local groups said they haven't heard from any DWP officials.

``I think that they made up their minds what they're going to do with it, and I don't believe, quite frankly, that the city will override it,'' said Chuck Gremer, a board member of the West Hills Property Owners Association.

The reservoir is home to numerous species including owls, hawks, Canada geese, bobcats and other animals. It has been the subject of intense debate.

Nearby residents and environmentalists want to see the site preserved as a habitat for wildlife, while sports enthusiasts and some DWP officials, including Caruso, would like to consider mixed uses for the land.

The American Youth Soccer Organization proposed using it for sports fields. Caruso has said he would consider various uses including a nature preserve, athletic fields, housing and commercial development.

If the site is developed, Gremer said, ``I don't see this as anything but bad - for the city, for the neighborhood and for the schoolchildren.''