Council Seeks 60% Cut in Trash Reaching River

Despite demands to take stronger action, the City Council agreed Wednesday to set a goal of reducing the amount of trash going into the Los Angeles River by 60% in five years.

Some environmentalists have urged the Regional Water Quality Control Board to require steps to eventually keep all trash out of the river, but city officials say that is unrealistic and prohibitively expensive.

The regional board is considering a plan to require a 10% reduction in trash each year, with a goal of eventually eliminating 95% of the trash.

The council recommended an alternative that it believes increases the short-term standard by reducing trash by 60% in the first five years instead of 50%. After five years, the city alternative proposes, the regional board would conduct a study to determine if additional reductions are necessary and feasible.