[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 88 (Wednesday, June 19, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H3765]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


               THE SAN GABRIEL WATERSHED RESTORATION ACT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Chu) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. CHU. I rise today to introduce the San Gabriel Watershed 
Restoration Act of 2013. This bill could revitalize a California urban 
river by directing the Army Corps of Engineers to prepare a study 
analyzing the current state of the San Gabriel River Watershed and how 
it can be transformed into a destination for Los Angeles County.
  We have such incredible resources right in our backyard in the San 
Gabriel Valley, and at the heart is the San Gabriel River. That is why 
we must do all that we can to revitalize and protect this space.
  My communities are desperate for more open space to run, play, and 
explore. The L.A. area is one of the most park poor in the country. The 
San Gabriel River, only steps from our homes, used to be a green, lush 
paradise. The local Gabrielino tribespeople used to canoe down its 
waters out to the sea, but today, in its current state, it feels more 
like an abandoned waterway than the majestic river it once was. There 
are so few places for families to sit and enjoy or to swim in its cool 
waters on unbearably hot summer days in the urban valley cities.
  The San Gabriel River also performs essential flood protection, 
drinking water recharge, and storm water conservation functions. But it 
is inaccessible to local residents for recreation and lacks many 
natural and riparian ecosystems. Additional provisions for flood 
control and water quality control are also sorely needed.
  Increasingly, residents have expressed the desire to rediscover the 
river and offer more of its benefits to all the communities along its 
route. That's why I introduced this bill in the 111th Congress to study 
how we can improve the river and expand its use, and that is why I'm 
introducing this bill again.
  The study created in this bill would look at the best ways to 
revitalize the watershed, focusing on ecosystem restoration, outdoor 
recreation enhancements, and ways to conserve rainwater and keep our 
water clean. This vital project is a first step--that is long overdue--
toward creating more outdoor space within the highly urbanized 
watershed communities so that people can enjoy this beautiful resource 
in a safe and sustainable way.
  A similar study and demonstration project were critical steps in the 
effort to revitalize the Los Angeles River, and it was so successful 
that now there are regular kayaking trips on the L.A. River, a place 
many thought of as only a concrete wasteland. People can actually enjoy 
this little bit of nature again. This is a powerful testament to the 
potential and growing success of river revitalization efforts.

                              {time}  1040

  My communities have a vision: to create an Emerald Necklace, a 17-
mile loop of multi-benefit parks connecting 10 cities along the Rio 
Hondo and San Gabriel Rivers. This bill is a critical part of realizing 
this dream, and I call on my colleagues in Congress to support this 
bill and help make their vision a reality for generations to come.

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