Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger is breathing new life into plans to revitalize the Arroyo Seco, pushing forward with a study that seeks to restore the ecosystem and improve flood protections for nearby residents. This comes years after a series of setbacks threatened to derail the project, including a suspended partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers due to federal funding shortfalls.
The effort, which began in 2005 as a collaborative endeavor between the local Flood Control District and the Army Corps, aims to evaluate the nine-mile stretch from Devil’s Gate Dam to where the Arroyo Seco meets the L.A. River. However, the study faced a halting stop when the Corps backed out, citing a lack of federal funding and expressing reluctance to resume the stalled initiative.
In a recent announcement, Supervisors cited the study's critical role in ensuring a safer future for both the natural habitat and the communities along the tributary. "This study is crucial to the future of the Arroyo Seco and its neighboring communities," Supervisor Barger said. "Once completed, the study’s results will be a blueprint that guides our County’s efforts to both restore the tributary’s ecosystem while enhancing flood protection to the Los Angeles County residents who rely on it," as reported by the County of Los Angeles.
The restoration and feasibility study will delve into various improvements for the channel and its banks, exploring habitat restoration alternatives and steps to bolster biological diversity. The goal is to mitigate flood risk and simultaneously increase local water resources and protect water quality – an endeavor that could transform Los Angeles' approach to managing its vital waterways. Opportunities abound, especially considering the expanse of public land abutting the Arroyo Seco, which could pave the way for ambitious projects, such as water capture and purification initiatives funded by Measure W.
Barger's motion seeks to terminate the county's agreement with the Army Corps, thus enabling the Los Angeles County Flood Control District to expedite the study without federal involvement. A consortium of cities within the Arroyo Seco Watershed, alongside the Raymond Basin Management Board, is set to back the studied efforts. The Board of Supervisors is slated to vote on this motion during their March 6 meeting, and if approved, it could be the start of a new chapter for one of LA's most crucial ecological corridors, as per the County of Los Angeles.
