Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34) receives a congratulatory visit from Los Angeles Councilman Ed Reyes (pictured on right) on March 14 as they celebrate the historic congressional authorization for revitalization efforts along the Los Angeles River, which was included in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA –HR 1495) approved by the full Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on March 15. The WRDA provision for the LA River marks the first time that the River has received federal authorization for revitalization projects. Specifically, the bill authorizes the Army Corps of Engineers to complete a master plan feasibility study for ecosystem restoration projects and also authorizes $20 million for pilot projects along the River. Congresswoman Roybal-Allard championed this legislation in the last Congress and worked over the years to secure more than $3 million for the River.

Councilman Reyes, who was the first to propose grand-scale revitalization of the concrete channeled LA River, was in town at a National League of Cities conference, which coincided with action on the WRDA bill within the Congressional Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. The Water Resources Development Act is the main vehicle for authorizing water projects to be studied, planned and developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. WRDA may be passed by the full House of Representatives by the end of this month. From her seat on the House Appropriations Committee, Congresswoman Roybal-Allard will continue to lead the charge in Congress to fund River revitalization efforts.
 

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