Natural Rivers save Money as well as Natural Resources - Santa Monica Bay & Los Angeles River Project

The L.A. County Public Works Department study released August 6, 2006 analyzes three scenarios for cleaning up the County's polluted runoff that now fouls Santa Monica Bay, and beaches.

The results show great advantages of natural river restoration. This scenario is the least expensive and
has the most benefits.

Scenario three is strictly river restoration with treatment wetlands and parks along the rivers.

Scenario one is similar to the plan L.A. City has been pushing as part of their TMDL and integrated resources plan with numerous mechanized runoff treatment plants and cisterns throughout the city and minimal land purchases.

Scenario two is a hybrid of #1 and river restoration concepts with large basins and treatment wetlands scattered throughout the county, but not along the major waterways, and would require a lot of land acquisition.

Scenario 1 costs $47 billion and has $7.5 billion in benefits; scenario 2 costs $53 billion and has $8.1 billion in benefits.

Scenario 3, river restoration costs $27 billion and has $12.5 billion in benefits. River restoration and natural treatment of urban runoff is not only the best plan, it's also least expensive.

SOURCE: Restore Ballona blog