News Release 08-02
US Army Corps Of Engineers
February 22, 2008 Immediate

Greg Fuderer
Telephone: (213) 452-3923
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Effort to restore Bull Creek highlights of Engineers Week

LOS ANGELES— On a day more appropriate for ducks than the birds the project was designed to benefit, planners and engineers turned the first symbolic shovels of dirt at the Bull Creek Ecosystem Restoration Project. When finished, the project will provide nearly 28 acres of aquatic, riparian and native upland habitat along Bull Creek for wildlife indigenous to the region.
 
The project “offers a splendid example of the efforts the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the nation are taking to protect our valuable environmental resources,” said Col. Thomas Magness, commander of the Corps’ Los Angeles District. “This project moves toward the vision that we all share for diverse habitat, right here in an urban environment.”

The $6.6 million project will excavate an oxbow or “C”-shaped side channel to create an island around which Bull Creek will flow. It will construct bridges to provide pedestrian and maintenance access and connect to pedestrian trails on both sides of the creek. The bridges, along with other interpretive nodes, will serve as overlooks into habitat areas and offer educational opportunities.

Speaking to the people whose efforts led to the project, Los Angeles city councilman Tony Cardenas said, “Here’s a place where I can bring my children and show them another wonderful project that you all brought together.”

While a steady drizzle fell throughout the ground breaking ceremony, speakers told of the upcoming transformation to a viable, productive habitat.

Michael Tou, spokesman for U.S. Rep. Brad Sherman, who has been an ardent supporter of this and other Corps projects, said, “What you’ll see is a complete restoration of the Bull Creek area, an amazing destination for thousands of families and their children to learn, to play and to enjoy the great outdoors.”

Magness took the opportunity to highlight National Engineers Week during his comments, specifically to encourage young people to pursue it as a career.

“Nowadays, young people are opting out of being engineers at a young age,” he said. He said many children stop taking math at an early age, and without it, they will never be qualified to be an engineer.

“Encourage them to stay in the mathematics programs, the science programs,” he said, “and show them what engineers can do to be a part of the solution to make our communities better.”

The efforts of those who planned, designed and will construct the environmental improvements at Bull Creek will result in better communities for both humans and wildlife who will visit it in the future.

For background information or general information about the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, please contact the Los Angeles District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Public Affairs Office at 213-452-3923 or 213-479-8698 or visit our web site at www.spl.usace.army.mil.

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