Parks and Environment

Marina del Rey Maintenance Dredging To Begin Soon

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Los Angeles District, awarded a $1.8 million contract to CJW Construction, a small business firm from Santa Ana, to dredge material from the South Entrance Channel at Marina del Rey.

CJW Construction will remove approximately 50,000 cubic meters of material in and around the South Entrance Channel. Material will be hydraulically pumped down the beach to Parking Lot 3 on Dockweiler State Beach where the contractor will separate the clean sand from the chemically challenged fine grained material.

The process incorporates hydocyclone technology to produce high quality beach sand that can be used to nourish down coast beaches. Dredged material from this location is typically unsuitable for open water placement or beach disposal, hence the need for a cost effective treatment process. The hydrocyclone technology was produced over several years by a team of state, federal and local agencies, including Heal the Bay. The team was led by USACE and Anchor Environmental, an architect/engineer firm with headquarters in Seattle, Washington.

The application of this technology could change the dredging industry throughout the world, so we’ll be monitoring this project closely, said Jim Fields, Corps project manager.

The Marina del Rey harbor is vital to the safety and security of Los Angeles International Airport and the region with supporting elements of the United States Coast Guard, Los Angeles Sheriffs’ Harbor Department, and the Los Angeles County Lifeguards. Marina del Rey is also home to over 5,000 boaters with everything from recreational boating to commercial fishing and charter operations.

"The County of Los Angeles is excited about the opportunities this project offers in finding a long term solution for removing contaminated sediments in the Marina del Rey harbor south entrance as well as in converting much of that material into clean sand that can be placed on our beaches," said Supervisor Knabe.

Dredging is scheduled to start in late October; project completion is expected in February 2009. For information on other Corps of Engineers projects or to learn more about the Los Angeles District visit our website at www.spl.usace.army.mil

Lomita Dedicates New Walking Path For Seniors

Supervisor Don Knabe joined members of the Lomita City Council for the dedication of a renovated senior fitness trail at Lomita Park, a project that was completed with $100,000 in funding committed by Supervisor Knabe.

In 2007, Supervisor Knabe dedicated $1.7 million in Proposition A Park Funds for a grant program to the 26 cities he represents. The City of Lomita applied for $100,000 to improve a preexisting quarter-mile walking path around Lomita Park. The upgrades included resurfacing the path and installing 10 fitness stations designed for use by seniors. Lomita is now working on plans to integrate a senior fitness program into its park schedule and is working in conjunction with Torrance Memorial Hospital to develop an expanded physical activity program.

Supervisor Knabe’s grant program requires each city that was awarded a grant to put up a 15-percent match towards their projects. The City of Lomita went above the 15-percent requirement, contributing $80,000 beyond Supervisor Knabe’s $100,000 grant.

This wonderful project will benefit the many active older adults in the City of Lomita and the greater South Bay area, said Supervisor Knabe. I was happy to support a project that is unique to the South Bay in that it is the only one of its kind that is specifically designed for active older adults.

County Declares Water Conservation Alert

The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a resolution today seeking to increase water conservation efforts within the County, with the goal of achieving a significant reduction in overall water demand.

The resolution declares a Countywide Water Supply and Conservation Alert, and urges County residents, businesses, water suppliers, and cities to intensify water conservation efforts. In addition, all County departments now have the directive to immediately implement conservation measures to achieve a 15 to 20 percent reduction in water demand.

On June 10, Supervisor Knabe responded to Governor Schwarzenegger’s proclamation of a statewide drought by directing County leaders to immediately reduce water usage in hundreds of County-owned facilities. In response to the Supervisor Knabe’s motion, the Department of Public Works, in conjunction with the Departments of Internal Services, Parks and Recreation, and Regional Planning, submitted recommendations to immediately reduce water usage in the County. The first recommendation of the report was to declare a Countywide Water Supply and Conservation Alert.

This water problem is not going to go away, and if we ignore it is only going to get worse, said Supervisor Knabe. This Countywide alert not only seeks to raise public awareness of this critical issue, but it also ensures that the County is doing its part in reducing water usage.

10 Easy Tips To Reduce Water Consumption

1. Shorten your watering cycles. Up to 70 percent of residential water use goes to maintaining our yards. Taking one minute off a ten-minute cycle saves ten percent.

2. Check your sprinkler system. Do a weekly check for broken or clogged sprinkler heads and replace them right away. Make sure you are watering your yard and not the driveway or sidewalk.

3. Fix those leaks. Just a drip can waste more than 10,000 gallons per month. A leaking flapper on a toilet also increases flows at the water treatment plant.
4. Plant native species or drought-tolerant plants. Many of the lawns and plants we use are not intended for the unique climate in Southern California.

5. Use a broom instead of a hose. Sweeping up rather than hosing off leaves or grass clippings not only saves water, it reduces runoff.

6. Get an adjustable hose nozzle for outdoor use. With one of these you can adjust the spray to meet your needs. A hose running for five minutes uses the same amount of water as a 20-minute shower.

7. Eliminate runoff. Runoff could mean your lawn needs aeration. When you aerate your lawn, you give the water somewhere to go besides down the storm drain.

8. Take shorter showers. Cutting two minutes off your shower time can save 600 gallons a month for a family of four. If you change the showerhead to a water efficient model, you could save even more.

9. Turn off the water while you brush your teeth or shave.

10. Wash only full loads of laundry or dishes. Waiting until you have a full load can save you up to 20 gallons for the same amount of clean clothes.

Knabe Calls For Conservation Efforts

Supervisor Don Knabe responded to rising gas prices and the statewide drought this week by directing County leaders to begin reducing commuting times for County employees and reducing water usage in County facilities.

In his first motion, Supervisor Knabe called for creative solutions to rising gas prices by updating County polices on telecommuting, offering flexible schedule options, and offering incentives to employees to use public transportation. With tens of thousands of employees, Los Angeles County is the largest employer in Southern California.

A second motion was introduced by Knabe in response to Governor Schwarzenegger’s proclamation of a statewide drought due to a severely low water supply, below-average rainfall, and court-ordered water restrictions. The motion asks for recommendations on how to immediately reduce water usage in hundreds of County-owned facilities.

Higher gas prices and lower water levels are both serious issues facing the County and our employees, said Supervisor Knabe. We need to be sure the County is doing everything possible to address these challenges with creative solutions.

In February 2007, Supervisor Knabe responded to the need to increase the use and longevity of the local water supply by creating the County’s Office of Water Recycling, which was tasked with doubling the region’s use of non-potable recycled water by 2030 – an annual increase of 54 billion gallons.

Harbor Boulevard Improved In La Habra Heights

The County of Los Angeles has completed the construction of a roadway improvement project on Harbor Boulevard in the City of La Habra Heights, Supervisor Don Knabe announced today.

The $904,880 project focused on resurfacing and reconstructing the roadway, the reconstruction of the curbs, gutters, sidewalks and curb ramps, the modification of traffic signals, and the installation of new striping and pavement markings.

It is important that we constantly look for ways to improve the roads in our County, said Supervisor Knabe. By improving Harbor Boulevard, both the residents of La Habra Heights and the nearby unincorporated County areas that travel this route will benefit.

County Lifeguards Going Green With New Ford Hybrids

Ford Motor Company is teaming up with the Los Angeles County Lifeguards to help save lives while protecting the environment. Ford recently presented the squad with the first 10 of a fleet of 45 eco-friendly Escape Hybrids with Intelligent four-wheel-drive, specially equipped for use on rescue patrol along dozens of miles of Southern California coastline.

The 45 customized Ford Escape Hybrid beach patrol vehicles, valued at $1.5 million, were provided through a sponsorship with Ford Motor Company. The new vehicles will be an all green fleet that can go up to 500 miles on one tank of gas. The Ford Escape Hybrid dramatically reduces smog-forming emissions, as it meets California’s Partial Zero Emission Vehicle (PZEV) Certified standards. The Escape Hybrid is a full hybrid, switching between electric and gasoline power to maximize efficiency and performance similar to that of a V-6 engine. Fuel cost savings for Los Angeles County are estimated at over $200,000 annually.

We are the largest lifeguard organization in the world, and we have always blazed the trail for the profession, said Mike Frazer, chief, Lifeguard Services, Los Angeles County Fire Department. We wanted to be the first public safety agency in the country to go green.

Taste Of The Heights Festival Returns To Pathfinder Park In Rowland Heights

Supervisor Don Knabe, in conjunction with the Hacienda Heights Improvement Association, Rowland Heights Coordinating Council, local community groups, local businesses, sponsors and the County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation will host the 5th Annual Taste of The Heights Festival at Pathfinder Park.

The Taste of The Heights, which has been established as a featured annual event in Rowland Heights, is a fun evening under the stars with food, wine tasting, and the smooth sounds of jazz. The Taste of The Heights Festival will showcase fine food from local restaurants to demonstrate the cultural diversity of the Heights. Each restaurant will provide an array of their most exquisite food entrees for patrons to sample. There will also be a Children’s Fun Zone featuring games, crafts, a puppet show, and much more.

The festival will be held on Wednesday, May 21, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at Pathfinder Community Regional Park, which is located at 18150 East Pathfinder Road in Rowland Heights. For ticket sales and information contact (626) 333-1369. Children under 6 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.

Taste Of The Heights Festival Returns To Pathfinder Park

Supervisor Don Knabe, in conjunction with the Hacienda Heights Improvement Association, Rowland Heights Coordinating Council, local community groups, local businesses, sponsors and the County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation will host the 5th Annual Taste of The Heights Festival at Pathfinder Park.

The Taste of The Heights, which has been established as a featured annual event in Rowland Heights, is a fun evening under the stars with food, wine tasting, and the smooth sounds of jazz. The Taste of The Heights Festival will showcase fine food from local restaurants to demonstrate the cultural diversity of the Heights. Each restaurant will provide an array of their most exquisite food entrees for patrons to sample. There will also be a Children’s Fun Zone featuring games, crafts, a puppet show, and much more.

The festival will be held on Wednesday, May 21, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at Pathfinder Community Regional Park, which is located at 18150 East Pathfinder Road in Rowland Heights. For ticket sales and information contact (626) 333-1369. Children under 6 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.

Construction Set To Begin On Dockweiler State Beach Youth Center

Over four miles of the Marvin Braude South Bay Bike Trail will soon be refurbished or completely rebuilt after Supervisor Don Knabe agreed to fund the project with $5 million in Fourth District Capital Improvement funds. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the project today.

The portions of the bike path to be renovated are located between Culver Boulevard in Playa del Rey and Calle Miramar in Torrance. The project involves removing damaged Portland Cement Concrete (Cement) and Asphalt Concrete (Asphalt) and reconstructing those portions of the bike path with similar materials. Also, slurry and crack sealing will be used when complete restructuring is not necessary. The project will now go out to bid, and construction is scheduled to begin in summer 2009. Over 21,000 feet, over just over 4 miles of the bike path will be repaired or reconstructed.

The Marvin Braude Bike Trail stretches nearly 22 miles between Will Rogers State Beach and Torrance County Beach, with most of the path running along public beaches. This past March, the County completed the renovation of a portion of the bike path is located between 62nd Avenue and Culver Boulevard in the Playa del Rey community of the City of Los Angeles.

It is important that the bike paths running along public beaches are safe, said Supervisor Knabe. I am glad to fund improvements that will enhance the safety and increase enjoyment of the numerous residents and visitors who use the Marvin Braude Bike Trail.

Project Details

– Culver Boulevard to 38 feet north of Grand Avenue

1. Reconstruct approximately 9,000 feet of cement pavement

2. Reconstruct or slurry approximately 800 feet of asphalt pavement

– 38 feet north of Grand Avenue to 45th Street

1. Reconstruct approximately 1,000 feet of asphalt pavement

2. Slurry approximately 4,510 feet of asphalt pavement

– 45th Street to 1st Street

1. Reconstruct approximately 800 feet of asphalt pavement

– Torrance Loop to 3,960 feet south of Torrance Loop

1. Reconstruct approximately 1,000 feet of asphalt pavement

2. Slurry approximately 3,960 feet of asphalt pavement

– 3,960 feet south of Torrance Loop to Calle Miramar

1. Reconstruct approximately 100 feet of cement pavement

Historic Wetlands Project Complete Along Los Angeles River In Long Beach

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe joined other local elected officials this week for the opening of the Dominguez Gap Wetlands in Long Beach. The $7 million treatment wetlands and spreading grounds project is the latest in a series of regional, multi-benefit projects implemented by the Los Angeles County Flood Control District. At peak capacity, the new wetlands will naturally remove pollutants and other harmful chemicals from over one million gallons of storm water every day, before that water reaches the ocean or returns to the ground water supply.

The wetlands project is the first of its kind in Los Angeles County. It maintains the integrity of flood protection along the urban lower reaches of the Los Angeles River, while introducing new water quality elements, groundwater recharge, restoration of native habitat, pedestrian and equestrian trails, environmental education, and river bike trail enhancements.

The project encompassed extensive renovation of two preexisting Flood Control District spreading grounds, located along both the east and west sides of the Los Angeles River between Del Amo Blvd. and the 405 Freeway.

Enhancements to the 37-acre East Basin include one mile of constructed, treatment wetlands, pedestrian and horseback trails, two bird observation decks, woodland and riparian habitat, and a bike trail rest station. The wetlands are designed to naturally treat from 2-3 cubic feet per second (1.3 to 3.2 million gallons a day) of storm water and urban runoff, the rough equivalent of five Olympic-size swimming pools. The result will be a significant reduction in the amount of pollution, heavy metals, organic carbons, and oil and greases found in runoff within the system. Trash booms will collect floatable trash, allowing it to be removed before it can foul the wetlands. Once treated, the runoff will be moved underneath the Los Angeles River by a pump system to the project’s West Basin for groundwater recharge.

The 15-acre West Basin remains a functional spreading ground that, with new project improvements, will allow as much as 450 acre-feet a year of water to permeate into the underground aquifer of the West Coast Groundwater Basin. In simplified terms, one acre-foot of water is approximately the volume of a football field filled one foot deep with water. Both the East and West basin areas are lush with a plant palette of shrubs, trees, brush and wildflowers native to the lower Los Angeles River, selected especially for this project by the County’s project consultant, CH2M Hill.

Historically, the Los Angeles River has been impaired by pollutants from local and regional storm drains that carry storm water and urban runoff away from city streets and communities within the Los Angeles River Watershed. Polluted runoff is the result of harmful human activities like littering, illegally dumping lawn clippings and automobile fluids into catch basins, and over-watering lawns. These activities, among others, have led to stringent federal regulations (known as Total Maximum Daily Load allocations or TMDLs) that restrict the amount of trash and other pollutants that may enter designated receiving waters. By 2016, cities and County areas within the Los Angeles River Watershed must effectively have zero trash going into the Los Angeles River.

This is a great day for Los Angeles County and for its water quality partners, said Supervisor Don Knabe. The project’s open space, water quality improvements, and groundwater recharge make it a cost-effective solution for addressing some of the County’s toughest regional issues.