Wetlands to be Developed in Long Beach

Supervisor Don Knabe announced recently that the Board of Supervisors approved plans for the construction of treatment wetlands and public use open space that will greatly benefit the community. The project is located in the Dominguez Gap Spreading Grounds east and west basins in the City of Long Beach.

The Dominguez Gap was identified in the 1996 Los Angeles River Master Plan as one of five sites that would provide flood management, water quality, environmental enhancements, and recreational and educational improvements. In 2001, a feasibility study for the project was completed by the Los Angeles County Flood Control District.

During the process, the District worked to gather input and support from a large and diverse group of stakeholders. The supporters of this project include: the City of Long Beach, the California Coastal Conservancy, the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy, along with residents in the area.

Construction will consist of developing extensive treatment wetlands in the east basin, enhancing the quality of water recharged in the west basin, providing public use open space along both basins with passive recreational features including trails, shade structures, and interpretive signage, and installing trash removal devices at major storm drain outlets. Work on the project is scheduled to begin August 2006 and should be finished in March 2007. Construction is not expected to disrupt traffic and local access in the area.

This project is an integral part of the Los Angeles River Master Plan, said Supervisor Knabe. This will not only create a wetland habitat in the Dominguez Gap, but it will also be a significant point of interest along the Los Angles River greenway.