Politics & Government

How Would You Restore the L.A. River?

Councilmember José Huizar urges you to back the best of four alternatives the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is studying.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is studying four different methods of restoring habitat along 11 miles of the Los Angeles River from Griffith Park to downtown L.A.—and the office of Councilmember José Huizar wants members of the public to back the method they think is the best for the river and the city.

Of the four methods, the Los Angeles City Council considers the so-called “Alternative 20” to be the most expansive and visionary because it connects more areas of the city to the river than the other three plans.

It also offers “the best opportunity to fully realize our goals of completely transforming the Los Angeles River,” Huizar’s office said in its latest weekly newsletter Friday. 

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“The Army Corps needs to hear from you, to ensure that we don't squander this unprecedented opportunity to green the City,” the newsletter said, adding that the U.S. army’s engineering corps has tentatively selected an option (Alternative 13) that creates less habitat and connects fewer areas to the L.A. River. 

Alternative 13 reportedly costs about $453 million and is designed to restore some 588 acres of wildlife and aquatic habitat that excludes the river’s restoration at the "Cornfields" Historic State Park as well as the Arroyo Seco and Verdugo Wash confluences.

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By contrast, Alternative 20, which is estimated to cost about $1.08 billion, would cover six key sites, including the three left out under the Alternative 13 plan. Click here to read more about Alternative 20.

A public comment period regarding the Army Corps of Engineers’ so-called Draft Integrated Feasibility Report on the L.A. River began Sept. 20 and is scheduled to end Nov. 18.

“Now it's time for everyone who cares about the river to get involved and be heard,” Huizar’s CD 14 newsletter said, adding: “Let the USACE know that you support restoration efforts on the L.A. River. Mention that you want the Army Corps to pursue the most expansive alternative, one that creates the most habitats and connects the most areas to the River. If you wish, you can mention support for Alternative 20.”

Comments can be e-mailed to comments.lariverstudy@usace.army.mil.

Written comments may be sent to Josephine R. Axt, Chief, Planning Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District, P.O. Box 532711.

Click here for more information about the restoration of the L.A. River on the City of Los Angeles website.


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