Los Angeles water officials are restoring year-round flow to 62 miles of the Lower Owens River, with hope that the waterway will once again support plant and wildlife and become an eco-tourist attraction for ailing Inyo County.
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power will redirect water to the Lower Owens River in Inyo County, the first appreciable water flow since 1912. County officials hope that the 62-mile long river, with its constant water flow, will spark tourism to the region. "Sports enthusiasts and environmentalists are already drafting guide maps for miles of hiking trails, bird-watching hot spots, bass-fishing tournaments and a kayaking experience they are calling the 'the long glide' because the river's carefully controlled flows will be free of rapids and waterfalls."
DWP stream ecologist Brian Tillemans explains: "The water released on Dec. 6 will take roughly 19 days to reach dention ponds in the northern end Owens Lake." There, four 600-horsepower pumps will lift it and send it into the aqueduct and on its way to Southern California. ["Restoring a River" video included with article.]
FULL STORY: A long, dry wait is nearly over for the Owens River
Coming Soon to Ohio: The Largest Agrivoltaic Farm in the US
The ambitious 6,000-acre project will combine an 800-watt solar farm with crop and livestock production.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause
A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.
Dallas Surburb Bans New Airbnbs
Plano’s city council banned all new permits for short-term rentals as concerns about their impacts on housing costs grow.
Divvy Introduces E-Bike Charging Docks
New, circular docks let e-bikes charge at stations, eliminating the need for frequent battery swaps.
How Freeway Projects Impact Climate Resilience
In addition to displacement and public health impacts, highway expansions can also make communities less resilient to flooding and other climate-related disasters.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
