Posts tagged City of Los Angeles
Secretary Salazar And Mayor Villaraigosa Announce Big News For The LA River!
Jan 11th
The City of Los Angeles Water Protection Division is joining Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Mayor of Los Angeles Antonio R. Villaraigosa for an announcement of the Los Angeles River being selected as an America’s Great Outdoors (AGO) project and an Urban Waters Federal Partnership pilot site. The event is taking place Thursday, January 12 from 12pm to 1pm at North Atwater Park in Los Angeles.
As one of two AGO projects in the State of California, the Interior Department, other federal agencies, and the City will enhance the 9-mile Glendale Narrows reach of the Los Angeles River as a recreational corridor.
The Los Angeles River Watershed was also selected as a pilot site through the Urban Waters Federal Partnership – an effort by 11 federal agencies to stimulate regional and local economies, create jobs, improve quality of life, and protect Americans’ health by revitalizing urban waterways in underserved communities across the country. The Los Angeles River is an excellent example of citizens developing a vision for a great urban park and trail system that will reconnect communities to the outdoors and improve local economies.
Stay tuned to our Facebook page for photos of the event.
Check out this video as John Kemmerer (Associate Water Division Director More >
City To Break Ground On Water Quality Project At Temescal Canyon Park In The Pacific Palisades
Dec 21st
The City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works will begin construction of the Temescal Canyon Park Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMP) project in January 2012 and will continue through fall 2013. The nearly two-year, $8-million stormwater infrastructure enhancement will help the City of Los Angeles meet state and federal water quality guidelines by keeping urban runoff from flowing directly to Santa Monica Bay.
The Temescal Canyon Park Stormwater BMP project will take wet weather flow from the existing storm drain beneath Temescal Canyon Road and divert it through a hydrodynamic separator and into a 1.25 million gallon detention tank before discharging it into the sewer system. The project will capture a rain event’s first stormwater flush and its contaminants to help keep Santa Monica Bay clean and healthy.
City Engineer Gary Lee Moore said “The Bureau of Engineering is excited to break ground on this project that will help to improve water quality in the Santa Monica Bay. We will begin by fencing a portion of Temescal Canyon Park where the detention tank will be built. Other related work will occur later along Temescal Canyon Road and along Pacific Coast Highway to construct a stormwater diversion structure, utility enhancements, and a More >
Lotus Flowers Return To Echo Park For The Holidays
Dec 7th
By: Joyce Amaro
As the Echo Park Community Parade winds its way through Echo Park this Saturday, parade goers will once again enjoy Lotus flowers on the streets surrounding their community. Thanks to a community beautification grant from Los Angeles City Council District 13 the bilingual Love Echo Park Lake – Don’t Litter, street light banners are up once again to remind residents to keep Echo Park clean and litter free.
Yes, Echo Park Lake is empty right now because of the City of Los Angeles Proposition O-funded Echo Park Lake Rehabilitation Project, which began last summer and will ultimately provide the city with an improved and more sustainable lake to enjoy. But trash abatement is an ongoing endeavor, and the banners are up once again to remind people that a clean community is a team effort, requiring the ongoing commitment of everyone.
And, doing its part along with the City of Los Angeles is the community group Echo Park Trash Abatement Project (or TAP) who conducts ongoing community clean-up events. Last Saturday alone, TAP and Los Angeles’ Conservation Corps’ Clean and Green collected more than 60 bags of trash along Sunset Blvd.
So, enjoy this season of giving and remember to give to Mother Nature as well by More >
Solar Trash Compactor Hits The Streets of LA
Oct 18th
It may sound like an eco-giant with a huge appetite. In fact, maybe it is. The BigBelly Solar trashcan is hungry for trash and powered by, you guessed it, the sun!
Developed by entrepreneur James Poss, the BigBelly Solar trash compactor can hold four times as much trash as a normal trashcan. Recently, two BigBelly trash compactors were purchased with funds allocated to the Echo Park’s Trash Abatement Project (TAP) by the City Office of Community Beautification and Keep Los Angeles Beautiful.
The LA Stormwater Program donated the time and produced the graphics that appear on the BigBelly trash devices. We are proud to be a part of this little piece of LA eco-history! On September 14th, a ribbon-cutting ceremony took place in Echo Park to unveil the first functioning BigBelly Solar trash compactor in Los Angeles. City Councilman Eric Garcetti and other City employees were in attendance for the “green” carpet event.
“These units will not only reduce the amount of trash drifting on pavements and streets, but will also address the long term health of Echo Park Lake and improving water quality in the LA River and ocean as well,” Ida Talalla of TAP wrote in a blog post for LA Stormwater last May. “A More >
Plant Trees In The South LA Wetlands Park!
Oct 14th
On Saturday, October 15, 2011 the Water Environment Federation (WEF) in conjunction with the City of Los Angeles, will be planting 40 trees near the South LA Wetlands Park and volunteers are needed!
This project is part of the Million Trees LA program and compliments the nearly completed South LA Wetlands Park, which aids in reducing the area’s stormwater pollution.
Where: 5314 South Avalon Avenue, Los AngelesWhen: Saturday, October 15, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. - 9:00 a.m. Service project begins - 2:00 p.m. Culmination program begins - 3:00 p.m. Event concludes
Following the event, Los Angeles City Council President Pro Tempore Jan Perry and WEF President Jeanette Brown will be sharing their vision for local environmental protection and community service with those in attendance.
Coastal Interceptor Relief Sewer Project Update, October 12, 2011
Oct 12th
The City of Los Angeles has been working on the Central Interceptor Relief Sewer (CIRS) to provide additional capacity to handle the increased flows of stormwater from the eight completed Low Flow Diversion (LFDs) structures. The completed CIRS will assist the City in complying with the Santa Monica Bay Beaches Dry Weather Bacteria TMDL requirement, making our beaches and bay waters safer and healthier while meeting Environmental Protection Agency and federal Clean Water Act regulations. Below is an update on the latest information about the CIRS. Stay tuned to our blog for the latest updates regarding the CIRS and more!
Between Chautauqua and Temescal Canyon: Work within the Will Rogers Beach Parking Lots 1 and 2 continues through May 2012. The K-Rail along PCH has been removed, except for a small portion necessary for the installation of a new maintenance hole. This work will continue through the end of October, and the K-Rail will be removed thereafter.
Between the Annenberg Beach House and Chautauqua: Night work from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. will continue on both of sides of PCH, requiring lane closures. However, at least one lane in each direction will be open at all times. All lanes will be open during the day from More >
Paula Daniels Leaves Board of Public Works to Rally New Sustainable Food System For Los Angeles
Oct 7th
By Tonya E. Durrell
When I sat down with Paula Daniels, Senior Advisor to Mayor Villaraigosa, to talk about her new role in jumpstarting a sustainable regional food system in the City, it was clear that she would approach the challenge with the same savvy and vigor she brought to the Board of Public Works for six years.
Daniels was instrumental in directing the City onto greener paths with an innovative infrastructure initiative to clean up stormwater pollution. As a Board of Public Works commissioner, she championed the first standard plans for Green Streets in the United States, drought tolerant planting guidelines, and a green street retrofit pilot project on Riverdale Avenue in Los Angeles. She also led the strategic planning and early development of the million tree campaign of Mayor Villaraigosa, now known as Million Trees LA.
This past September, she saw her work on the City’s landmark Low Impact Development Ordinance come to fruition–as the City Council unanimously adopted the measure that calls for development and redevelopment projects to mitigate runoff by capturing rainwater at its source utilizing natural resources.
Daniels has been affiliated with Heal the Bay since 1989, and currently serves as an honorary member on the Board of Governors More >
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 >
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
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 >
