L.A. River Legislation Awaits Senate Passage

Legislation to establish the Los Angeles River Conservancy to revitalize the 50-mile channel from the San Fernando Valley to Long Beach is awaiting final passage today in the state Senate.

The Assembly approved the legislation late Saturday and sent it to the Senate on a 50-17 vote.

The measure would set up the conservancy to develop a plan to bring parks, businesses and homes along the concrete channel. The feasibility of building an elevated transit system from Griffith Park to Long Beach would also be determined by the agency.

During the Assembly debate, supporters argued that the conservancy would create thousands of new jobs, especially in riot-ravaged areas near South Los Angeles. But opponents maintained that the proposed conservancy would take over too much planning authority in downstream cities.

Among San Fernando Valley lawmakers, Republicans Paula Boland of Granada Hills and Cathie Wright of Simi Valley and Democrats Terry B. Friedman and Burt Margolin of Los Angeles favored the legislation. Democrats Tom Bane of Tarzana and Richard Katz of Sylmar abstained from voting on the issue.