Protecting Our Urban Environment

By Eric M. Garcetti

ERIC GARCETTI'S PLAN FOR A LIVABLE AND CLEAN CITY Eric is a longtime environmental activist, both in Los Angeles and internationally. As City Councilmember, Eric will continue to be an advocate for parks space, clean air, and a more livable city.

MORE PARK SPACE · Expansion of park space through the development of the 41+ brownfields and empty lots in the district · Promotion of a network of "pocket parks" in the district · Siting of new park space with community-based schools · Building of more sports fields

HEALTHY AIR · Set the goal of 25% of all city fleet vehicles as alternative fuel vehicles · Work to eliminate diesel vehicles in the city, including the use of diesel school buses, and transitional use of diesel hybrids · Push the SCAQMD to stringently monitor and regulate toxic emissions from gas stations, refineries, and other sources. · Lobby the SCAQMD to enforce more stringently Regulation 15 and the state to directly use gasoline tax for public transportation infrastructure improvements

SAFE DRINKING WATER · Strengthen water conservation efforts in the city · Promote more strategic decisions for industrial developments for industries that are less water-dependent · Reduce urban runoff and preserve the urban watershed through greening projects and greater use of grey water · Better of the public's right-to-know about the conditions and sources of their drinking water

TRANSPORTATION POLICY · Development of "smart growth" policies that encourage development along transportation infrastructure · Expansion of light rail in Los Angeles, including in East L.A., the Exposition Corridor, to airports, and the Valley · Completion of the Los Angeles River Bikeway into downtown · Greater pedestrian safety programs and signage

RECYCLING · Establish as a goal the recycling of all eligible consumer and commercial waste in the City of Los Angeles · Better residential recycling education, including information about missorted wasted · Expansion of the purchase and use of recycled materials in governmental operations · Establishment of programs like the Los Angeles Hazardous Waste Reduction Assistance Program to bring industry professionals together with local businesses to increase commercial recycling

THE LOS ANGELES RIVER · Creation of community parks at Chinatown Yards and Taylor Yard · Expansion of pocket parks along the river · Reconfiguration of flood abatement to encourage re-banking of the river · Completion of LA River Bikeway

AN OPEN PROCESS · Opening up land-use decisions to a more transparent process, including independent environmental impact reports · A strong early notification system through neighborhood councils, including potential environmental impacts · Active outreach to community and environmental groups for open space and land use decisions · Fighting to be sure that pro-labor appointments are made to city commissions and task forces

DISTRICT 13 ISSUES · Greening and cleanup of the Los Angeles River, including the establishment of a community park at Taylor Yard · Promotion of more park space in Atwater, preferably at Glendale and Glenhurst · Full implementation and funding of the Silver Lake Master Plan, including the preservation of passive recreation space · Development of a network of "pocket parks" in the Temple and East Hollywood areas · Preservation of Mt. Washington's residential topography · No bike path in Elysian Park, the expansion of Elysian Park acreage from the Police Academy and along Riverside Drive