Hopes for a Revitalized L.A. River Depend on Many

Re “River Plan Rolls Along,” Nov. 4: At the Lower L.A. River Shorebird Habitat Workshop on Oct. 15, we learned that we can work together to protect and enhance a little-known wonder in the concrete-lined channel between Rosecrans (South Gate) and Willow Street (Long Beach): the thousands of migrant, breeding and wintering shorebirds, waterfowl and predators -- even peregrine falcons and, this week, a bald eagle -- whose food chain starts with the invertebrates in the algae growing on the concrete overflow channel. Who knew?

Irony abounds along with wildlife here, and I urge planners and the public to visit. Hopefully this area, and perhaps much of the river, will be preserved and managed as a National Urban Wildlife Refuge, which might include parks, soccer fields, wildlife observation areas and everything else our open space- deprived population so desperately needs.

Martin Byhower

Co-president, Palos Verdes/

South Bay Audubon

Lomita

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L.A.’s decision to revitalize its river is good news. However, the report’s emphasis on river advocates’ “disparate dreams” and clashing plans is misleading. In fact, plans for Taylor Yard are the result of a coalition of more than 35 diverse local-interest groups. For communities around Taylor Yard, the result is a plan that combines athletic fields, playgrounds and habitat restoration with cutting-edge water conservation and flood control. The Coalition for a State Park at Taylor Yard is a model for others along the river to follow. Melanie Winter, director of the River Project, deserves credit for her role in creating and sustaining this coalition.

Andrew Roth

Claremont