Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved the East Los Angeles Sustainable Median Stormwater Capture Project, which will help improve stormwater quality in the Upper LA River Watershed by diverting water from storm drains. Select medians and roadways in unincorporated East Los Angeles will be enhanced with catch basins, infiltration wells, drought-tolerant landscaping, and more.
“I am excited that we are bringing much-needed investments in water quality, water conservation, and quality of life to East Los Angeles,” said Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, who represents the areas that directly benefit from this project. “We are delivering more comprehensive, community-serving, and livable projects that address the multi-faceted needs of all of our communities. By approving this project, we are directing County resources where they can make the greatest impact on improving overall health and wellness.”
In addition to above-ground improvements, such as granite walkways, jogging paths, exercise stations, picnic tables, benches, and interpretive signs, this project will bring multiple benefits to East LA including water quality and conservation improvements, recreational and aesthetic enhancements, educational opportunities to community members on sustainable development, and habitat preservation. The project will also reduce the amount of bacteria and toxic and metal pollutants being discharged into the Los Angeles River.
Today’s action approves $31 million in funding towards this first phase of the project. This project is partially funded by the LA County as an Unincorporated Area Stormwater Quality Improvement project, the Prop 1 Storm Water Grant Program, the California Natural Resources Agency Urban Greening Program, the City of Monterey Park, and the City of Montebello.
After a series of community meetings (April 2016, March 2017, and January 2019), this project was designed to minimize impacts on traffic and street parking; construction activities will be phased to minimize these impacts. Construction is scheduled to begin in Fall 2019 and all phases of the project are anticipated to be completed by Winter 2020.