Rep. Schiff Hails Landmark Decision by Army Corps of Engineers to Restore LA River
Washington, DC –Today, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) released the following statement after it was announced that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Assistant Army Secretary for Civil Works Jo-Ellen Darcy had come to agreement with the city of Los Angeles to recommend approval of a $1-billion proposal to restore the habitat, widen the river, create wetlands, and provide access points that will restore the Los Angeles River:
“I’m beyond thrilled to learn that the Army Corps is getting behind the visionary and community-endorsed plan to revitalize the Los Angeles River. This plan will restore habitat, transform concrete into park-space and marshlands, develop new bike trails – in short, it will provide Angelenos an urban, recreational park for generations to come. As a steadfast supporter of the broader Alternative 20, I want to congratulate Mayor Garcetti. This would not have been possible without the leadership and determination of the Mayor, who argued that we must not miss this opportunity to restore economic, environmental, and social justice for kids and families in our great city.
“While the Army Corps’ commitment to revitalizing the River is a huge step, much work will remain to fund the project – and that work begins now in Congress. We’re going to do everything we can to make sure the project receives the federal dollars it has been promised, and to see this project to completion. I think I join with all Angelenos in looking forward to the day where we can all enjoy the new and improved LA River.”
Throughout the process, Rep. Schiff has met with and consulted with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in support of Alternative 20, helped secure $100,000 in funding to for the Los Angeles River Revitalization Study and Demonstration Project, and worked with the Mayor’s office to determine the appropriate way to lobby for this important funding.
In 2010, Schiff also worked with Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard to designate the river as part of the Department of the Interior’s “America’s Great Outdoors” program. Since designation, the Army Corps of Engineers has been conducting the Los Angeles River Restoration Feasibility Study in partnership with the City of Los Angeles, to investigate opportunities to restore the river.