Feds Weigh In on L.A. River Restoration After Seven Years of Study

While the alternative outlined in a long-awaited U.S. Army Corps of Engineers feasibility study envisions a major reshaping of an 11-mile stretch of the L.A. River, the recommendation falls far short of what local leaders and activists had preferred.

September 16, 2013, 9am PDT | Jonathan Nettler | @nettsj

Friday's release of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers much-delayed "moment of truth" for the Los Angeles River may have advocates for a bold restoration plan in need of a moment of silence to mourn their dashed dreams.

"After seven years of study, federal officials have recommended a $453-million plan that would restore an 11-mile stretch of the Los Angeles River but leave much of its banks steep and hard to reach, disappointing advocates who hoped for a more ambitious alternative that would allow more public access," reports Tony Barboza.

Though the Army Corps' favored alternative includes hundreds of acres of habitat restoration, miles of trails, and the removal of some of the river's notorious concrete, "[a]dvocacy groups say the plan falls short and will push the Army Corps to choose a broader, more costly alternative when it makes its final recommendation in the spring."

"We don't want to make all these investments in the river and still have incredible barriers to accessing it," said Omar Brownson, executive director of the L.A. River Revitalization Corp., a nonprofit created by the city of Los Angeles.

Full Story:

Federal officials recommend $453-million L.A. River restoration plan

Published on Saturday, September 14, 2013 in Los Angeles Times