CONGRESSWOMAN LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD ANNOUNCES COMMITTEE APPROVAL OF $8.35 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR ENERGY AND WATER PROJECTS IN THE LOS ANGELES AREA, INCLUDING $1.65 MILLION FOR LOS ANGELES RIVER REVITALIZATION
Washington,
Jul 12, 2007 -
Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34) applauded today (July 12) the Appropriations Committee approval of funding for major energy and water projects in the Los Angeles area, including efforts to revitalize the Los Angeles River and the dredging of the main channel at the Port of Los Angeles.
"I am proud to have secured $8.35 million for important water initiatives, including $1.65 million for revitalization efforts along the Los Angeles River," said Congresswoman Roybal-Allard, who is a member of the House Appropriations Committee. "Federal funds obtained this year for the Los Angeles River will enable the Corps of Engineers to continue working with the City of Los Angeles and local groups to maintain the river channel’s critical function of flood control while enhancing park space, recreation, and community improvement projects along its banks."
The river revitalization funding includes $250,000 for the river’s "Cornfields" site. This funding will be used to complete a study to promote ecosystem restoration to help the City of Los Angeles convert the industrial area into parks or other community uses.
"This funding builds on my work with City Councilman Ed Reyes and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on the LA River Revitalization plan. The continued partnership between the city, county and Army Corps of Engineers and other local stakeholders is vital as we explore ways to convert the land adjacent to the Los Angeles River into parks, housing and economic development for our local communities," Congresswoman Roybal-Allard said. "The Cornfields site is one of the most promising opportunities for these types of initiatives, and I am pleased that we can continue to study ways to restore this section of the river."
The FY 2008 funding will supplement the more than $3 million in federal funds the congresswoman secured previously for LA River improvements. Complementing her efforts in the Appropriations Committee, the congresswoman also worked to authorize $20 million for restoration and revitalization projects along the Los Angeles River as part of the Water Resources Development Act. Once signed into law, the authorization will enable the Army Corps of Engineers to develop a plan to improve water quality, restore historic habitats, and enhance flood protection.
Today’s committee-passed appropriations measure also includes the following funding for local projects:
- $800,000 for the Harbor/South Bay Water Recycling Project which is a cooperative effort between the Corps of Engineers and West Basin Municipal Water District. The project will develop up to 48,000 acre-feet of recycled water for municipal, industrial, and environmental uses in the Los Angeles area.
- $2.5 million to continue the dredging of the main channel of Los Angeles Harbor that will enable the harbor to accommodate new and larger container vessels which, in turn, will enhance manufacturing and business opportunities and spur job creation in the Los Angeles area.
- $3 million for the San Gabriel Basin Restoration Fund, which will be used to contain and treat the spreading of groundwater contamination in the San Gabriel and Central Groundwater Basins. The demonstration project will be used to construct a 12-mile pipeline of recycled water that will serve the cities of Vernon and Commerce, East Los Angeles and other neighboring areas.
- $400,000 for the Water Replenishment District Regional Groundwater Monitoring Program to construct two groundwater monitoring wells to monitor and protect the quality of the groundwater throughout south Los Angeles County.
The Energy and Water Appropriations bill (H.R. 2641) now heads to a vote in the full U.S. House of Representatives. The overall measure includes $3.4 billion to research global warming and to incentivize the creation of renewable energy technologies. The measure also includes a 50 percent increase over the President’s request to support energy efficiency and renewable energy programs.
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