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U.S. Army Corps of Engineers confirms non-navigable status for most of L.A. River; The ruling sparks sharp warnings that it will weaken federal Clean Water Act rules protecting the river’s sprawling 834-acre watershed

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on June 5, 2008 at 7:51 am

This is a picture of the headwaters of the Los Angeles River (picture by the River Project). What is so non-navigable about that? From the Los Angeles Times:

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials announced today that they are standing by their decision that most of the Los Angeles River is not navigable.

The ruling sparked sharp criticism from some other regulators and conservationists who warned that it will weaken federal Clean Water Act rules protecting the river’s sprawling 834-acre watershed.

They believe the ripple effect of the decision will make is easier to develop large areas of the Santa Susana, Santa Monica and San Gabriel mountains because landowners will not be required to obtain certain federal permits. Some federal and state officials fear that the decision also may undermine rules against discharging wastewater and storm water into the river’s tributaries.

Corps officials said that they will continue enforcing the Clean Water Act as usual along the river. “This decision does not in any way lessen the protections on the L.A. River itself,” said Col. Thomas H. Magness IV, who oversees the Southwest regional office.