|
News / Extended Photo Coverage Dominguez Gap Wetlands Opens; People & Wildlife Show Up
(May 8, 2008) -- Local officials, neighborhood advocates and native wildlife all showed up for Thursday morning's (May 8) opening of the Dominguez Gap Wetlands, a project that includes major renovation of two old Flood Control District spreading grounds along both sides of the L:A. River between Del Amo Blvd. and the 405 Freeway.
Photo source: L.A. County Public Works
Photo credit: Diana Lejins
Part of the L.A. River Master plan, the project (the first of its kind in the L.A. County region) "maintains the integrity of flood protection along the urban lower reaches of the river, while introducing new water quality elements, groundwater recharge, restoration of native habitat, pedestrian and equestrian trails, environmental education, and river bike trail enhancements" says an L.A. Public Works release.
Photo credit: Diana Lejins
Among officialdom attending was LB Mayor Bob Foster who said, "By restoring the natural beauty of these wetlands, local residents will be able to enjoy this environment through the improved bike trail, and the new pedestrian and horseback trails. The restoration also creates a natural filtration system that will help improve our watershed." 
Photo source: L.A. County Public Works
Other quotes of note from those in photo above:
L.A. County Supervisor Don Knabe (photo right): "This is a great day for Los Angeles County and for its water quality partners. The project's open space, water quality improvements, and groundwater recharge make it a cost-effective solution for addressing some of the County's toughest regional issues."
Diego Cadena, Deputy Dir. L.A. County Dept. of Public Works: "We're extremely pleased to see the hard work of our watershed advisory groups bearing fruit within the County's Flood Control District. The Dominguez Gap Wetlands project will have a measurable impact on water quality and return enough water to the groundwater system to meet the supply demands for 900 families of four for one year."
Joining in the ribbon cutting: LB Councilwoman Tonia Reyes Uranga, Mayor Foster, Supervisor Knabe, Water Replenishment District Director Lillian Kawasaki and LACDPW Dep. Dir. Cadena. 
Photo source: L.A. County Public Works
Wrigley neighborhood advocate/Friends of the L.A. River rep. Joan Greenwood admires the flora with project ecologist James Gorham.
Photo credit: Diana Lejins
We're ready for your close-up
Photo credit: Diana Lejins
Birds and bees were also visible:
Photo credit: Diana Lejins
Photo credit: Diana Lejins
The 37-acre East Basin now includes a mile of constructed, treatment wetlands, pedestrian and horseback trails, two bird observation decks, woodland and riparian habitat, and a bike trail rest station.
Photo credit: Diana Lejins
L.A. County Public Works release: "The wetlands will naturally treat from 2-3 cubic feet per second (1.3 to 3.2 million gallons a day) of stormwater and urban runoff -- enough water to fill five Olympic-size swimming pools. The result will be a significant reduction in the amount of fecal coliform, nutrients, heavy metals, organic carbons, and oil and greases within the runoff that is treated within the system. Trash booms will collect floatable trash, allowing it to be removed before it can foul the wetlands. Once treated, the runoff will be conveyed underneath the Los Angeles River to the project's West Basin for groundwater recharge."
Photo credit: Diana Lejins
L.A. County Public Works says: The 15 acre West Basin remains a functional spreading grounds that, with new project improvements, will let as much as 450 acre feet a year of water sink into the underground aquifer of the West Coast Groundwater Basin. (An acre foot of water is roughly a football field volume filled one foot deep...enough water for two families of four for one year).
Plant shrubs, trees, brush and wildflowers native to the lower L.A. River were selected for the project by the County's project consultant, CH2M Hill.
Public money in all this came via the L.A. County Flood Control District ($4 million), State Water Resources Control Board ($2.3 million), CA Coastal Conservancy ($400,000), and Rivers and Mountains Conservancy ($200,000).
Return To Front Page
Contact us: mail@LBReport.com
|
Straight Talk w/ Art Levine
View Here On-Demand
 Mike & Kathi Kowal know Los Cerritos, Bixby Knolls, Cal Hts. and beyond. Click to learn more
For Your 2008 Wedding & Special Events, Bill Lovelace Entertainment (Wedding Entertainment Planning A Specialty). Info, Click Here
Carter Wood Floors, a LB company, will restore your wood floor or install a new one. Enhance your home. Click pic.
Preserve Your Family's Most Precious Photos and Videos on DVD. Click For Info
|
