At the March 10,   Meeting members and guests heard a presentation from  Daniel Sharp, Senior Civil Engineer, Watershed Management, County of Los Angeles, Department of Public Works.  Mr. Sharp started his presentation by explaining that the Department of Public Works provides the typical public works services provided by all cities, for the unincorporated portion of Los Angeles County.  In addition, the Department is responsible for Watershed Management for the entire county.  This responsibility includes the provision of ensuring that water flows from the mountains and the general terrain is captured for replenishment of underground water storage.  One part of watershed management is the infrastructure and maintenance of the Los Angeles River.  To prevent disastrous flooding, the 51 mile river from the San Fernando Valley to the ocean in Long Beach was converted from a natural stream bed to the present concrete river bed by the US Corp. of Engineers starting in the 1920's.  In addition to dams in the mountains, the channelization of the river was started in 1938 and completed by 1960.  In the last 35 years, gradually in segments of the river in the northern half of the river route, there have been changes to bring back natural elements of the river, a greening of the river.  The City of Los Angeles, through which the river flows for the northern portion of the river, has acted to accomplish this greening of the river, in segments.  Reference was made to the 1996 LA River Master Plan.  Now Watershed Management of the County Public Works Department Is engaged in the planning and implementation of the greening of segments of the river in the southern portion of the river.  Assembly Member Anthony Rendon, through his legislation, AB 530, with the needed support of the cities and residents adjacent to the river, is intended to result in changes to the river bed for naturalization and recreational purposes.

Mr. Sharp's presentation included photos of habitat restoration and passive recreational activities.  The photos showed beautiful naturalized  places.  Specifically there was a photo of the Dominguez Gap Wetlands, that functions as water quality enhancement and habitat restoration; also, Tujunga Wash right-of-way parallel to the river with a natural stream; also a pocket park in the Elysian Valley area of the river, just north of DTLA.

Adjacent to Lynwood, two areas have been identified along the river for possible conversion to a combination of greening and passive recreational use;  one area is the intersection of the 105 Freeway and the 710 Freeway, and the other area is the intersection of the 710 Freeway and Imperial Hwy.

Questions and comments from the audience included Club Treasurer, Larry Esparza, who noted that he has an interest in the proposed changes because as a bike rider he has used the existing river trail from Firestone  Blvd. to the Pacific Coast Hwy. in Long Beach.  Ramon Rodriguez asked about the proposals for providing for extra lanes on the 710 Freeway for cargo trucks from the LA / LB Harbor.  Mr. Sharp replied that provision for additional lanes for trucks is still under consideration by LA Metro, but there is no longer consideration for lanes in the river ROW.  Daniel stated that he hoped the City of Lynwood will be involved and consulted about the LA River plans since the river passes adjacent to the city's eastern boundary and thus the city will be directly served and impacted by any proposed changes to the river and its adjacent areas parallel to the river.  Mr. Sharp replied that there will be coordination and meetings with all stakeholders.

 Before the presentation, Club President Martina Rodriguez, mentioned that the club needs to complete the required paper work for again using the fireworks company, Phantom Fireworks.  Along with other non profit community service organizations, the Lynwood Rotary Club will again operate a fireworks sales stand in the parking lot of the supermarket in Plaza Mexico, adjacent to Long Beach Blvd.  As usual, it will be important to obtain volunteer workers, including youth volunteers, for the fireworks sales from July 1 through July 4.  Incoming Club President, Ramon Rodriguez, indicated that he would help coordinate the required paperwork both with Phantom Fireworks and with the Office of the City Clerk of the City of Lynwood.

Martina also mentioned two Rotary District 5280 coming events:  a District 5280 Breakfast meeting at the Westin Hotel near LAX on Apr 5, and also the District Conference on the weekend of Apr 17 in San Diego.

Daniel mentioned that Rowland Becerra who is the Chair for the history and art community organization, Lynwood United, held an artwalk at the new Ricardo Lara Linear Park at Fernwood & Gertrude Ave. on Sat, Mar 5, and reported that this cultural event was attended by around 500 people!  Rowland thanked the Lynwood Rotary for contributing up to $100 in expenses relating to the artwalk, with the items obtained from Ramon Rodriguez's hardware store and the costs were reimbursed through the $100 grant from the Lynwood Rotary Club.

       Also coming to the Lynwood Library on Tue, Mar 29, 5:30- 8:00 pm is an art exhibition by professional artist, Felix Quintana, a graduate  of LUSD schools, and of several universities, who has had art exhibitions at several art galleries 

Daniel Miller /  Omar Franco 

 Public Relations and Community Outreach for the Lynwood Rotary Club