Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, July 05, 2022
Consent
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDER AN UPDATE ON THE DOMINGUEZ CHANNEL (CITY COUNCIL)
Body
I. SUMMARY
This item transmits and informational update to the City Council and the Carson community on the status of the Dominguez Channel odor incident.
Since January, staff has been working with the Army Corps of Engineers, LA Office, as well as Los Angeles County Public Works on evaluating grant funding opportunities regarding the Dominguez Channel improvements in the City of Carson. In partnership with LA County Department of Public Works ("LACDPW"), the City worked on language and scope for a Water Resources Development Act ("WRDA") grant with the Army Corps of Engineers that can fund up to $30M. On March 31, 2022, LACDPW submitted a Letter of Intent to the LA Office of the Army Corps of Engineers requesting funds from the Corps' Section 1135 which funds aquatic ecosystem restoration projects. This letter was reviewed by Carson and approved prior to being submitted. Funding from this program is up to $10M and is a local (Los Angeles Corps District) decision that does not have to go through committees in Washington, D.C.
The City of Carson and LACDPW continue to work together on technical issues and grant funding. Currently, a core group meets to consider the gaps in knowledge and studies that would assist in developing a feasibility study for the Dominguez Channel. This study would help to inform the alternatives and potential decision for the future. If received, the Army Corps funds should assist in various studies for the Channel.
A strategy for community engagement and outreach was presented by City and LACDPW staff to the City Council on June 21, 2022 and the presentation is attached as Exhibit 1. The goal is to encourage input from Carson residents, businesses, and leaders. At the meeting, the City Council requested that a Resolution and policy that advocates for maximizing the benefits to the residents ...
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