Lower L.A. River Restoration Proposal Sent to Governor's Desk

The State Legislature today approved Assembly Bill 530, Assemblyman Anthony Rendon’s (D-Lakewood) proposal to create a comprehensive restoration plan for the Lower Los Angeles River. It now awaits the Governor’s signature.

“The L.A. River should provide residents opportunities for recreation, not just be a filming location for television shows and movies,” Rendon said. “State involvement is critical to create a unified voice on the collaborative management of the River.”

AB 530 establishes a local working group tasked with updating the L.A. River Master Plan to develop a revitalization plan for the Lower River, which has long been neglected while the City of Los Angeles has done substantial work restoring the Upper River within the city’s boundaries.

“The Los Angeles River has sustained human life for centuries,” Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said in his letter of support for AB 530. “Traveling 51 miles through 14 different cities, a thriving Los Angeles River will reconnect neighborhoods, revitalize communities, and reemerge as a cherished natural and cultural resource.”

AB 530 moved through both the Assembly and Senate with unanimous support.

“Our rivers, creeks, and lands do not recognize political jurisdictional boundaries,” wrote a coalition of 20 park advocacy, environmental justice, and water quality organizations supporting AB 530. “We believe that AB 530 starts a conversation about how the entire river watershed can be managed collaboratively which is positive step for the entire L.A. River.”

Gov. Brown has until October 11 to consider AB 530.