Item 13 - Watershed Conservation Authority

Item 13
In 2005, Amigos de los Ríos, a California non-profit organization, in conjunction with
various cities and stakeholders, developed a Vision Plan for the Emerald Necklace.
The Emerald Necklace Vision Plan contains 29 projects of which 16 are within or
include the area under Los Angeles County Flood Control District (LACFCD) or Los
Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation (LACDPR) jurisdiction.
Interconnecting these projects in the Vision Plan are opportunities for the development
of trails and linear greenway projects along the Rio Hondo and the San Gabriel River.
In 2006 a coordination committee was formed to facilitate projects and project
development along the Emerald Necklace, this committee consists of a member from
each of the following agencies and organizations: Amigos de los Rios, LACFCD,
LACDPR, Los Angeles County Supervisorial District 1 staff, and the Rivers and
Mountains Conservancy. In order to identify issues and create solutions to
implementing the Vision Plan, this committee recognized the need to analyze the
technical feasibility of projects that are proposed for property or facilities under
LACFCD or LACDPR, and prioritize those projects based on public safety, community
support and benefit, connectivity, as well as implementation and operation &
maintenance costs. The extent of above listed planning activities were combined,
resulting in the development of the scope of work for the Emerald Necklace Feasibility
Study and Implementation Plan.
To finance this planning project, the coordination committee raised funds from
Southern California Edison as well as the LACFCD. A total of $500,000 was raised for
the planning project with LACFCD providing $200,000 and Southern California Edison
providing $300,000. The WCA was hire to manage the project and coordinate the work
with the committee members. Subsequently, WCA contracted with a consultant team
to provide technical services for the project. The purpose of the MOU agreement with
LACFCD is to work closely with the staff as well as to fund a portion of the Emerald
Necklace Feasibility Study and Implementation Plan. The MOU between LACFCD &
WCA is attached as Exhibit A.
Since the initiation of the Emerald Necklace Feasibility Study and Implementation
Plan project in early 2011, the feasibility study portion identified 44 project that will
enhance the Emerald Necklace, and improve multi-use trails and Class I bikeways.
With input from the coordination committee, a sub-set of 16 projects have been
prioritized, and represent an initial phase that is being further analysis within the
ongoing development of the Implementation Plan, as well as a draft Program EIR.
These 16 projects were further prioritized, with seven projects identified as high
priority with input from community members and stakeholders. These high priority
projects will lead to the development of the 'Clasp' and reduce traffic conflicts,
primarily within the Whittier Narrows. High priority project are receiving further
analysis within the Implementation Plan and Program EIR.
Parallel to the development of the Implementation Plan, the County of Los Angeles
Department of Public Works (DPW) also prepared and submitted a grant proposal to
the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Program
administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation. This grant proposal included
one project not previously identified within the feasibility study, as well as the
modification of two projects identified as high priority. Illustration of the proposed
projects are included as Exhibit B.
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