California Water News Daily Your Source For Water News in California
On Friday, the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) filed a lawsuit against the Army Corps of Engineers, saying the federal Clean Water Act was violated on two separation occasions. Both instances took place between 2011 and 2012.
During a two-week period in late 2011, the Army Corps dredged 6.5 acres in the Verdugo Wash, part of the Los Angeles River. The Army Corps failed to get a certification for the work, which is required under Congressional mandates.
In December 2012, the Army Corps removed riparian vegetation along a tributary to the L.A. River, known as Haskell Creek.
During both violations, the Army Corps utilized heavy equipment to remove vegetation. According to the SWRCB, little was done to mitigate the discharges of oil, grease and other pollutants into the water.
“These two activities are also alleged to have discharged sediments to the L.A. River that could affect water quality and aquatic life and wildlife habitat,” the SWRCB said in a release. “Excessive discharges of sediment can limit sunlight from entering the water and in turn inhibit the growth of aquatic plants and destroy spawning habitats from bottom-dwelling organisms and larval fish.”
Because the Army Corps failed to obtain any certification to undergo these projects, the SWRCB was unable to impose restrictions to protect waterways.
