Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34) applauded today’s (August 1, 2007) final passage in the U.S. House of Representatives of the historic $25 million authorization for restoration and revitalization projects along the Los Angeles River. This authorization, included in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) conference report, passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 381 to 40. 

The WRDA conference report (HR 1495) is the final negotiated agreement between the House and Senate.  Following passage in the Senate, the measure will head to the President for his consideration.  The President, however, has threatened to veto the measure.

“Enactment of this $25 million authorization into law ensures the long-term federal commitment to revitalize the blighted areas along the LA River and enables Congress to consider annual federal funding for new construction projects,” Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard said.

Plans for the 31 miles of the river include the development of parks, green space, pedestrian walkways, bridges, housing, and various economic development projects that will create jobs while maintaining the river’s vital function of flood control for the community.

“It is important to recognize the hard work of the many elected officials and stakeholders who helped to make this authorization for the LA River a reality, including Senator Barbara Boxer, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Councilman Ed Reyes, Supervisor Gloria Molina, Friends of the Los Angeles River, and other interested organizations,” Congresswoman Roybal-Allard said.

Los Angeles City Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said about the final House passage of the authorization, “We have the opportunity to revive the literal lifeblood of Los Angeles. Thanks to Congresswoman Roybal-Allard's vision and leadership, we will have the resources to revitalize the river and help make L.A. the cleanest and greenest big city in America.”

Los Angeles City Councilmember Ed P. Reyes, who was the first to propose grand-scale revitalization of the concrete channeled LA River, added, "The Los Angeles River, the birthplace of the City of Los Angeles, is a valuable resource to our City. Yet most people cannot see it, let alone enjoy the opportunities the River presents," said Councilmember Ed P. Reyes, who spearheaded the City's L.A. River Revitalization Master Plan. "This much-needed federal funding will help revitalize the River with improved water quality, natural habitat, neighborhood revitalization and more open green space that all people, not just Angelenos, can benefit from."

In addition to the passage of the WRDA authorization bill, the House approved $1.65 million on July 17 for river revitalization efforts as part of the Fiscal Year 2008 appropriations process.  That appropriation included $250,000 for the river’s “Cornfields” site, which will be used to complete a study to promote ecosystem restoration and assist the City of Los Angeles in converting the industrial area into parks or other community uses.  The congresswoman previously secured an additional $3 million in federal appropriations for the river revitalization effort in recent years.
 

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