Los Angeles River
For the record, the state Legislature has taken an active role in ensuring the restoration of urban rivers to their natural, riparian condition (July 15). Last October, the governor signed into law SB 1920, legislation I authored to transform the 58-mile Los Angeles River into a park and recreation area, complete with habitat restoration, reforestation, nature walks, bike and jogging trails.
In addition to park and recreational usage, the legislation also commissions the study of environmentally compatible transportation usage, such as monorail, alongside the river. The river study, currently under way by the State Coastal Conservancy, will be submitted to the governor and Legislature next July.
Transforming the Los Angeles River into a natural resource for all to enjoy presents a golden opportunity for a city which boasts less parkland than virtually every urban area in the state; even small, dense San Francisco has three times the park space and recreational area as Los Angeles.
We shouldn’t miss this opportunity to add a little green to the omnipresent gray of Los Angeles.
SEN. ART TORRES
D-Los Angeles
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