Archive for September, 2011
Los Angeles Puts The LID On Stormwater Pollution
Sep 28th
The Los Angeles City Council has unanimously passed a landmark Low Impact Development Ordinance (LID).
Curb inlet and infiltration basin in Downtown LA--Hope Street and 11th Street
Developed by the Bureau of Sanitation in collaboration with community members, environmental organizations, business groups and the building industry, LID calls for development and redevelopment projects to mitigate runoff in a manner that captures rainwater at its source, while utilizing natural resources including rain barrels, permeable pavement, rainwater storage tanks, infiltration swales or curb bumpouts to contain water. Reports have shown that LID is the most effective and cost-efficient means of managing stormwater and abating water pollution. LID practices are designed to address runoff and pollution at the source. Other low impact development benefits include water conservation, groundwater recharge and greening communities.
Ninth District City Councilwoman Jan Perry reflected on the importance of the new ordinance. “This is a banner day for the City of Los Angeles. Water is a precious commodity in our city. The adoption of the Low Impact Development Ordinance brings home the message that improving water quality is a collective responsibility.”
The ordinance will require 100 percent of rainwater from a three-quarter inch rainstorm to be captured, infiltrated and, or used, onsite–at most developments and redevelopments where more than 500 square feet of hardscape is added. More >
Echo Park Lake Rehabilitation Project Update, September 27, 2011
Sep 27th
The City of Los Angeles has been working to rehabilitate Echo Park Lake in order to improve its stormwater pollution problem, meet the State’s water quality standards, and give the Echo Park community a fresh and more sustainable lake to enjoy! Below is an update on the latest information about the Echo Park Lake Rehabilitation Project. Stay tuned to our blog for the latest updates regarding the Echo Park Lake Rehabilitation Project and more!
Project team addresses issues on odors, dead fish, and a coyote
Over the last week, the Echo Park Lake Rehabilitation project team has received concerns and inquiries about the lake draining and some other project events. Steps have been taken to address the following concerns:
- Coyote in project site
- Dead fish
- Odors
- Turtle adoptions
Coyote in project site
The project team was notified by members of the community about a coyote that was spotted in the project site on Sunday, September 25th. The team sought the assistance of a wildlife specialist from the Department of Animal Services who was on site on Monday, September 26th. The specialist confirmed that a coyote was indeed on the Echo Park Lake park grounds during his inspection. The coyote was also seen coming and leaving the site several times overnight.
The More >
City Council LID Ordinance Hearing Date Confirmed for September 27, 2011
Sep 23rd
Dear Clean Water Supporter,
The proposed Low Impact Development (LID) Ordinance will be heard by the City of Los Angeles, City Council on Tuesday, September 27, 2011. The ordinance is Item 17 on the City Council Agenda. Here are the specifics regarding the meeting:
Date: Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Location: City of Los Angeles, City Hall, Council Chambers 200 North Spring Street Los Angeles, CA 90012
The proposed Low Impact Development Ordinance and related documents are available online at the City of Los Angeles Stormwater Program LID Ordinance page.
Thank you to everyone for their valuable input regarding the proposed LID Ordinance. We greatly appreciate the time and effort everyone has put into creating this important piece of legislation and look forward to seeing you at the City Council meeting on September 27.
Sincerely,
Shahram Kharaghani
L.A. Stormwater Program Manager
Save the Date! City Council LID Ordinance Hearing Date Set for Tuesday, Sep 27 (*Tentative Date)
Sep 21st
Dear Clean Water Supporter,
The proposed Low Impact Development (LID) Ordinance will be heard by the City of Los Angeles, City Council on Tuesday, September 27, 2011. Here are the specifics regarding the meeting:
Date: Tuesday, September 27, 2011 (*Tentative Date)
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Location: City of Los Angeles, City Hall, Council Chambers 200 North Spring Street Los Angeles, CA 90012
The proposed Low Impact Development Ordinance and related documents are available online at the City of Los Angeles Stormwater Program LID Ordinance page at: http://www.lastormwater.org/Siteorg/program/LID/lidintro.htm.
Thank you to everyone for their valuable input regarding the proposed LID Ordinance. We greatly appreciate the time and effort everyone has put into creating this important piece of legislation and look forward to seeing you at the City Council meeting on September 27.
Sincerely,
Shahram Kharaghani
L.A. Stormwater Program Manager
8 Pollution Prevention Tips
Sep 20th
Since 1993, the National Pollution Prevention Roundtable (NPPR) and the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) have observed the third week of each September as Pollution Prevention Week, also known as P2 Week. Unlike most environmental awareness programs, P2 Week focuses not on the usual activities such as clean-ups and renewal programs, but instead asks us to think of ways we can prevent waste and pollution before they happen.
With the 18th P2 Week upon us, other local organizations are already up to an early start. Many groups such as Friends of the LA River, Santa Monica Baykeeper, and Friends of Ballona Wetlands, participated in Coastal Cleanup Day, this last Saturday, at multiple sites along Los Angeles’ beaches and estuaries. Taking Pollution Prevention a step further, Heal the Bay, also worked to reduce their own cleanup-generated waste by sponsoring a “Bring Your Own” program where volunteers supplied their own reusable buckets, bags, gloves and other reusable items for the day’s zero-waste activities.
DTSC itself, along with the Western Sustainability and Pollution Prevention Network (WSPPN), have sponsored a video contest centered on the theme: “It Starts With Me.” Users were asked to submit short videos that show how making small changes in our daily lives can More >
Learn How To Install Your Rain Barrel at Home- Watch Our Do-It-Yourself Installation Video!
Sep 16th
With the success of last year’s L.A. Rainwater Harvesting Program and the public’s continued interest, we thought an instructional video about how to install a rain barrel at your home would be helpful! Watch our step-by-step guide to find out what materials to use, why choosing the right location is important, how to connect your downspout to the rain barrel, and more! Visit the L.A. Rainwater Harvesting Program’s website to see a check-list of the tools used in the video and even request a free “Do Not Drink Rainwater” sticker. Where can you buy a rain barrel you ask? The website also provides information on distributors in the LA area.
If you’re still contemplating whether or not to install a rain barrel, here are some benefits to harvesting rain.
Benefit 1: By capturing rainwater, you help reduce the runoff reaching our local waterways. A typical home in Los Angeles directs 9,600 gallons of water through its downspouts. This water has the potential to collect many pollutants on its journey through our local creeks and rivers to the ocean.
Benefit 2: Saving energy is saving money! The State of California Energy Commission reported that water-related energy consumption in California accounts for nearly 20% of the State’s electricity. One More >
Echo Park Lake Rehabilitation Project Update, September 14, 2011
Sep 14th
The City of Los Angeles has been working to rehabilitate Echo Park Lake in order to improve its stormwater pollution problem, meet the State’s water quality standards, and give the Echo Park community a fresh and more sustainable lake to enjoy! Below is an update on the latest information about the Echo Park Lake Rehabilitation Project. Stay tuned to our blog for the latest updates regarding the Echo Park Lake Rehabilitation Project and more!
LAKE DRAINING
The lake draining started last week and will continue over the next couple of weeks. As planned, the lake water is being pumped into the sewer system. The project biologist team is removing the fish from the lake and transferring them to MacArthur Park Lake. Members of the Echo Park Lake neighborhood have volunteered to be part of the Echo Park Lake Rehabilitation odor monitoring committee. If you catch unusual odors from the lake draining, please call (213) 978-0317 immediately.
STORMWATER DIVERSION INSTALLATION AT THE INTERSECTION OF ECHO PARK AVENUE AND PARK AVENUE
This coming week, crews will begin phase 1 of the installation of underground stormwater diversion structures and screening devices at the intersection of Echo Park Avenue and Park Avenue. This diversion will direct stormwater through underground screening More >
Take Part in California’s Biggest (Clean Water) Volunteer Event!
Sep 7th
California’s largest volunteer event only happens once a year, so mark your calendars for Saturday, September 17, 2011.
Which event are we talking about? That would be the wonderful Coastal Cleanup Day taking place across the Golden State. California Coastal Cleanup Day is part of the International Coastal Cleanup that is organized by the Ocean Conservancy.
The beautiful California coastline has long collected debris that the Pacific Ocean washes up on shore. The longer this litter remains in the sand, be it plastic parts or shards of glass, it can harm wildlife and people that recreate in the area.
California Coastal Cleanup Day is a great way to restore our marine environment, build community and give back to the state we love to live in. Plus is just the right thing to do.
So how do you get involved, you ask? Heal the Bay runs over 60 cleanup sites in the LA area, so visit their site and sign up for a cleanup near you. If you aren’t available to participate in California Coastal Cleanup Day, please check out LA Stormwater’s monthly events calendar, as there are plenty of great eco-events to choose from!
Are you planning on participating in an event? We’d love to hear how it More >
