LA River
Washington,
Mar 17, 2009 -
Los Angeles City Councilman Ed Reyes updates Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard on efforts underway to convert the LA River from a concrete channel into a safe, clean and green river.
Plans for the 31 miles of the river include the development of parks, green space, pedestrian walkways, bridges, housing, and various economic development projects that will create jobs while maintaining the river’s vital function of flood control for the community.
Congresswoman Roybal-Allard led efforts in the U.S. House of Representatives and worked with U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer to secure a $25 million authorization in 2007 for Los Angeles River projects. The authorization ensures the long-term federal commitment to revitalize the blighted areas along the LA River and enables Congress to consider annual federal funding for new construction projects for river restoration and maintenance.
From Congresswoman Roybal-Allard’s seat on the Appropriations Committee, she has successfully secured federal funds annually for LA River revitalization improvements, totaling more than $6.2 million in recent years. For the current year, for example, the congresswoman secured $1.37 million in federal funds for initiatives that compose the comprehensive Los Angeles River Ecosystem Restoration project.
Councilman Reyes was the first to propose grand-scale revitalization of the LA River and chairs the City Council's LA River Ad Hoc Committee.
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