Los Angeles River

* In response to “River Rescue” (April 20), and the letter (May 11) from Friends of the L.A. River (FoLAR) on May 11: I believe the 11 flood-impacted cities of Southeast Los Angeles County are being unfairly treated for supporting the proposed Los Angeles County Drainage Area (LACDA) project. The cities are certainly not opposed to enhancing water conservation or recreational opportunities for our 675,000 residents living in the 82-square-mile flood plain area, but we are opposed to risking residents’ lives and the region’s economic future on FoLAR’s dream to “restore” the Los Angeles River.

What FoLAR refuses to recognize are the economic realities, which were demonstrated in a $50,000 USC study commissioned by the Southeast Los Angeles County cities. That study estimated our region will lose $32 billion in economic activity and 177,000 jobs over a 10-year period without the LACDA project relieving the national flood insurance program requirements.

Each year the project is delayed, it exposes our residents to loss of life and economic damages totaling $2.25 billion from the effects of a 100-year flood. Starting next year, residents will have to pay $131 million yearly for mandatory flood insurance premiums.

FoLAR’s idea of restoring the L.A. River to its “natural” or “restored” state doesn’t make sense. The L.A. River, after all, used to empty into Marina del Rey until it changed course in the mid-1800s. To take out the concrete retaining walls and widen the river to its “natural” state would mean removing 40,000-plus structures just for the distance from South Gate to Long Beach.

GERALD M. CATON

City Manager, Downey