Final Integrated Feasibility Report and Final EIS/EIR
Los Angeles River Ecosystem Restoration
A Final Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) has been prepared for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles River Ecosystem Restoration Feasibility Study. The EIS is being filed with the Environmental Protection Agency and is being made available to interested parties for review and comment pursuant to regulations of the President's Council on Environmental Quality for implementing NEPA (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508). The EIR has been prepared jointly with the EIS and notice is hereby given, in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) [Public Resources Code §21000, et seq.] and the 2012 State CEQA Guidelines [California Code of Regulations §15000, et seq.]. The USACE is the Lead Agency for the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the City of Los Angeles is the Lead Agencies for the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
FINAL EIS/EIR PUBLIC REVIEW PERIOD:
The official closing date for the receipt of comments is 30 days from the date on which the notice of availability of the FEIS appears in the Federal Register.
October 2, 2015 through November 2, 2015
Please address your comments to:
Headquarters, U. S. Army Corps of Engineers
ATTN: CECW-P (IP)
7701 Telegraph Road
Alexandria, VA 22315-3860
PROJECT SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) in conjunction with the City of Los Angeles (City) announces the availability of a Final Integrated Feasibility Report (IFR), which includes a Final Feasibility Study (FS) and Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) for the Los Angeles River Ecosystem Restoration Study, Los Angeles County, CA, for public review and comment. The study evaluates alternatives for the purpose of restoring 11 miles of the Los Angeles River from approximately Griffith Park to downtown Los Angeles while maintaining existing levels of flood risk management. Restoration measures include creation and re-establishment of historic riparian and freshwater marsh habitat to support increased populations of wildlife and enhance habitat connectivity within the study area, as well as to provide opportunities for regional connectivity to ecological zones such as the Santa Monica Mountains, Verdugo Hills, Elysian Hills, and San Gabriel Mountains. Restoration also includes the re-introduction of ecological and fluvial processes through a more natural hydrologic regime, which reconnects the river to historic floodplains and tributaries, reduces flow velocities, increases infiltration, and improves natural sediment processes. The study also evaluates opportunities for passive recreation that is compatible with the restored environment. The study evaluated the No Action Alternative and five action alternatives, named Alternative 10, 13, 13v, 16, and 20. The recommended plan for restoration in the study area is Alternative 20, the locally preferred plan (LPP), which includes compatible recreation features. The recommended plan includes restoration of habitat within 719 acres of the study area through the following measures and features: riparian habitat corridor restoration throughout the 11 miles; restoration of the Arroyo Seco confluence; restoration of the Verdugo Wash confluence; restoration of riparian habitat, a historic wash and its braided channels in the Los Angeles Trailer and Container (LATC) intermodal facility site; removal of channel concrete and riverbed restoration for 0.75 miles; restoration of freshwater marsh in the Los Angeles State Historic Park; restoration of riparian habitat and reconnection to the historic floodplain in Taylor Yard; river widening in 2 reaches; restoration of 13 minor tributaries through stream daylighting; establishment of side channels; and removal of invasive vegetation throughout the project area. A Notice of Intent for the EIS/EIR was published on November 28, 2008 (73 FR 72455). A Notice of Availability for the Draft IFR was published on October 4, 2013 (78 FR 57624). The public review period for the Draft IFR occurred from September 20, 2013 to November 18, 2013.
The Final Integrated Feasibility Report/EIS/EIR is divided into 4 volumes:
Volume I: Main Integrated Feasibility Report and Final EIS/EIR
Volume II: Appendices A through D
Appendix A: Design
Appendix B: Economics
Appendix C: Cost
Appendix D: Geotechnical
Volume III: Appendices E through Q (not L)
Appendix E: Hydrology and Hydraulics
Appendix F: Air Quality
Appendix G: Habitat Evaluation- Combined Habitat Assessment Protocol (CHAP)
Appendix H: Supplemental Environmental Information: (Part 1) Supplemental Information; (Part 2) Monitoring and Adaptive Management Plan; (Part 3) Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
Appendix I: Value Engineering Study
Appendix J: Real Estate Plan
Appendix K: Hazardous, Toxic and /or Radioactive Waste (HTRW) Survey Report
Appendix M: Clean Water Act Report 404(b)(1) Evaluation
Appendix N: US Fish & Wildlife Service Coordination Act Report (CAR) and Corps responses
Appendix O: Cultural Resources Programmatic Agreement
Appendix P: Letters and Guidance Memoranda
Appendix Q: Mailing List
Volume IV: Appendix L
Appendix L: Public Comments on the Draft Integrated Feasibility Report: (Part 1) Public Comments; (Part 2) Responses to Public Comments
The Documents are available on this website as well as at the following locations:
A paper copy of the Final IFR is available for review at the following local libraries:
• Arroyo Seco Branch Library, 6145 N Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90042
• Los Angeles Central Library, at 630 W 5th St., Los Angeles, CA 90071
• Atwater Village Branch Library, at 3379 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90039
In addition, a paper copy of the main volume of the Final IFR and CDs of the complete report with appendices are also available for review at the following local libraries:
• Cypress Park Branch Library, at 1150 Cypress Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90065
• Lincoln Heights Branch Library, at 2530 Workman St., Los Angeles, CA 90031
• Chinatown Branch Library, at 639 N Hill St., Los Angeles, CA 90012
• Little Tokyo Branch Library, at 203 S Los Angeles St., Los Angeles, CA 90012
• Benjamin Franklin Branch Library at 2200 E 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90033
Points of Contact:
USACE Lead Planner
Eileen Takata
Phone: (213) 300-5712
E-Mail: Eileen.K.Takata@usace.army.mil
USACE Project Biologist
Erin Jones
Phone: (213) 300-9723
E-Mail: Erin.L.Jones@usace.army.mil
City of Los Angeles, Environmental Supervisor
Dr. Jan Green Rebstock
Phone: (213) 485-5761
E-Mail: jan.green.rebstock@lacity.org