TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution authorizing City Manager to submit a grant application, through the California River Parkways Grant Program to the California Resources Agency, in the amount of $3 million for Phase I of the DeForest Wetlands Project, and to execute any necessary documents for the implementation and administration of the project at a total cost of $3 million. (Districts 8,9)
DISCUSSION
In 2002, California voters passed the Water Security, Clean Drinking Water, Coastal and Beach Protection Act of 2002 (Act), also known as Proposition 50. The Act authorized the Legislature to create the California River Parkways Grant Program within the Office of the Secretary of Resources to oversee the awarding of funding to river parkway projects. On October 3, 2005, City Council approved a first round application for $6 million for the DeForest Wetlands Project (Project). Unfortunately, while the Project was very competitive and met all statutory conditions of the grant requirements, the California Resources Agency decided to award grants only in a range up to $3 million, because of the larger than expected volume of applications. The California Resources Agency has asked the City to reapply for the Project at a lesser amount. The City is currently revising the Project by creating several phases in order to reapply for $3 million in funds in the second round of grant funding.
The DeForest Wetlands site is located along the east bank of the Los Angeles River (Attachment A). Phase I of the Project will provide for the development of wetlands habitat infrastructure and recreational facilities in the Los Angeles County Flood Control District Market Street Detention Basin, which is south of DeForest Park along the Los Angeles River to Del Amo Boulevard. Phase I would be primarily in the northern portion of the basin between DeForest Park and Long Beach Boulevard. If this Project is funded in the second cycle of funding, the Department will apply for fund...
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