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SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT INSTITUTE
Introducing the Sustainable Environment Institute West LA College Offers Nation's First AA Degree in Climate and Environmental Studies Valley EcoAdvocates Working through the Summer The Revitalization of the LA River LA Harbor Opportunity for LACCD Students News Briefs |
The Revitalization of the LA River
You have all probably heard something about the ambitious plan to revitalize the LA River. From the large-scale rebuilding of the downtown section being designed by Frank Gehry and associates, to the more modest park designs and greening projects in the San Fernando Valley and southern Los Angeles neighborhoods, the revitalization process promises to change our perception of the river and its role in the urban milieu. The easiest way to learn more is to go to the mayor's online clearing house for all things LA River, which includes links to all major stakeholders and agencies. One key stakeholder, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, has formed the Upper Los Angeles River & Tributaries Working Group, a multi-agency organization overseeing state expenditures in selected areas of the San Fernando Valley for green spaces and outdoor recreation. The State Legislature stipulated that a revitalization plan must be developed before funds are expended, given the complex ecological and political history of the Upper LA River area and the unique obstacles revitalization faces there. In particular, there is a severe lack of parks and opens space in the region, but the large tracts of commercial/industrial development make creating such spaces difficult. The group intends to “place a prioritization on planning efforts that represent disadvantaged communities...developing a revitalization plan that addresses the unique and diverse needs of these waterways and the communities through which they pass.” As a result, extensive community engagement and outreach to disadvantaged communities is anticipated. Four areas in the Valley are in focus: those near the Aliso Canyon/LA River confluence, the Tujunga Wash, the Pacoima Wash, and the Verdugo Wash (other areas may be added at a later date). Since three of these waterways are adjacent to district campuses, and the Gold Creek Reserve is within the Tujunga Wash area, there should be a good opportunity here for faculty and students to participate in the planning and surveys. In fact, EcoAdvocates, the student activist group at Valley (see related article), worked on initial community outreach during the Spring semester. We will continue to report on the Master Plan for the LA River in upcoming issues. Funding aside, there are some serious obstacles ahead: recent studies by the US Army Corps of Engineers have warned that areas along the river from southern Burbank to downtown may be in a dangerous flood area, making river revitalization much more problematic. Also, there is a question as to the compatibility of rainfall diversion and river revitalization. These concerns might well force planners to redraw their maps. |
