Army Corps Recommends $1 Billion Overhaul of the Los Angeles River

"The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said it has decided to recommend approval of an ambitious, $1-billion proposal to restore habitat, widen the river, create wetlands and provide access points and bike trails along an 11-mile stretch north of downtown through Elysian Park," reports Louis Sahagun. By recommending the plan, which goes by the prosaic moniker of Alternative 20, the Army Corps moved beyond its September recommendation for the less ambitions $453-million Alternative 13.

The Corps' recommendation is a major policy victory for river advocates and Mayor Eric Garcetti, but questions about Congressional approval and funding still remain. "The bulk of the federal money would come from the Army Corps, with the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 'looking to aggressively bring money to the table as well,' Garcetti said. 'The rest of the money will come from local and state sources,'" reports Sahagun.

A separate article from October provides additional information about the details of the proposed river revitalization as well the Congressional approval for construction and funding that will be required for the project.