>> Thinking Bigger on Lower LA River Revitalization
>>  Stop Special Interests from Destroying Our Oceans!
>> Hannah's Journey into Stormwater Capture
>> Ballona Wetlands Restoration Comments DueLowerLARiver
Revitalization Plan for Lower LA River Misses Opportunity for Watershed-Level Changes
LA Waterkeeper Highlights Draft Proposal's Room for Improvement

In December, the Lower LA River Working Group released its Draft Revitalization Plan for the section of the river from Vernon to Long Beach. Despite the best efforts of the Working Group, LAW finds that the document falls considerably short of its original intention to develop a "revitalization plan for the Lower Los Angeles River watershed," as it instead proposes essentially a beautified channel.

The Plan is the result of Assembly Bill 530, authored by Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount), which was adopted in October 2015 to activate the Working Group and develop a revitalization strategy.

"We applaud Speaker Rendon and the Working Group's efforts to shine a spotlight on a chronically-overlooked section of the river, engage community in a dialogue about their priorities, and increase equitable access to the river," said LAW's Executive Director, Bruce Reznik. "However, the plan released last week represents a missed opportunity to tackle Lower LA River revitalization holistically."

Read More  OffshoreDrilling
Protect our Oceans from Drilling! 
In early January, the White House released a draft proposal to dramatically expand offshore drilling. We think that's an awful idea.

Do you agree? Add your name to nearly 100,000 who have signed on to protect our coast from the dangers of offshore oil and gas drilling! Thanks to our friends at Heal the Bay, California Coastkeeper Alliance, and Surfrider Foundation for organizing this petition.

My Journey into Stormwater Capture

I'm Hannah, and I recently began my position as a
Climate Corps AmeriCorps Fellow with LAW. Though I focused on historical and interview-based research in college, I enjoy a challenge and pushed myself to enroll in a science-based study abroad program researching marine and rainforest systems. It's only fitting that I would be thrown into a new position where I had to learn everything there is to know about stormwater capture...

Read More Groundwater
Cleaning the San Fernando Groundwater Basin 

Part of the City of LA's efforts to enhance local water supplies, the North Hollywood West Remediation Project broke ground last week. The project is the first of several remediation efforts that aim to enable use of the full San Fernando Groundwater Basin by 2021.

LA relies heavily on groundwater as a major source of drinking water. However, due in large part to groundwater contamination, there are only about 30 wells currently in reliable operation - a 50% reduction from historical groundwater supply.


Cleaning the San Fernando Groundwater Basin is a critical part of achieving Mayor Garcetti's goal of obtaining 50% of water locally by 2035. As the Mayor reminded attendees at the groundbreaking celebration, these remediation efforts remind us that we don't need to spend tens of billions of taxpayers dollars to build two massive tunnels and take water from the Sacramento River, move it around the San Joaquin-San Francisco Bay Delta, and deliver it to Central and Southern California. Why waste all those resources when we have potentially potable water beneath our feet?

An inspiring collaboration between the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, State Water Resources Control Board, and community groups, the NoHo West Remediation Project is expected to treat 3.86 billion gallons of water per year, equivalent to the volume of water used by 35,600 single family homes in LA. BallonaWetlands
Ballona Wetlands Restoration Comments Due

Comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Report and Statement (EIR/EIS) are due to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife by Monday, February 5 th at 5pm. The Plan presents four alternatives that offer different approaches to restoration and access.

Along with our partners in the  Wetlands Restoration Principles Coalition, we want to see a robust, science-based project that restores Ballona to a fully-functioning habitat and increases equitable access to the wetlands. Want to endorse a comprehensive restoration plan? Sign on to our endorsement principles below!


L AW thinks that Alternative 1 presents the best path forward. We are writing a comment letter to support a restoration plan that: enhances a diversity of wetlands habitats, improves tidal circulation, removes concrete levees to reconnect Ballona Creek with its historic floodplain, supports diverse, rare, and sensitive plant and animal species, maximizes self-sustainability, accounts for sea level rise, and creates equitable public access opportunities that are compatible with ecological goals.