KEN MALLOY HARBOR REGIONAL PARK IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM A RESCUE PLAN FOR THE MOST PRECIOUS TREASURE OF THE SOUTH BAY

摘要

Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park (KMHRP or Park) is a 231-acre Los Angeles City Park servingrnWilmington and Harbor City areas as well as the South Bay region. The Park contains 40-acrernMachado Lake, one of the last wetlands in Los Angeles, which also serves as a flood controlrnretention basin during storm events. The Lake receives stormwater runoff from a network of stormrndrains covering the 25 square mile watershed area. Boating and fishing were originally allowed inrnthe Lake, and until recently fish were stocked in the Lake.rnAs water quality deteriorated and toxic sediment accumulated, boating was stopped and signs havernbeen posted with warnings about the risk of eating fish from the Lake. The Los Angeles RegionalrnWater Quality Control Board (RWQCB) has identified Machado Lake as an impaired body ofrnwater. Mosquitoes have been a chronic problem that has been exacerbated by flourishing tulerngrowth in the accumulated sediments along the east shore. In the last 15 years, various waterrnquality improvement projects have been implemented including, dredging, installation of aerationrnpipes, and frequent removal of aquatic plants. None of these have proven successful in eliminatingrnthe problems.rnIn addition to the water quality problems, much of the habitat within the Park has been degradedrnalmost to the point of being unrecoverable. Lack of funding and human resources from the City ofrnLos Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks (RAP) has driven the Park Advisory Board (PAB)rnand the Palos Verdes/South Bay Audubon Society (Audubon) to take initiatives to rescue the park.rnIn 2000, the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation awarded a grant fund throughrnthe City of Los Angeles RAP for use towards park improvement. The initial phase of the projectrnincludes studies and development of: 1) a Habitat Restoration and Water Quality ImprovementrnDesign Development Report (DDR); 2) a Machado Lake Watershed Management Plan (WMP); andrn3) a KMHRP Master Plan Update. A comprehensive 18-month study commenced in Decemberrn2000.rnThis project is the first attempt to rescue the Park using a watershed management approach. Basedrnon the results of very comprehensive studies, key immediate, intermediate, and long-term actionsrnhave been outlined. It has been concurred by agencies and interested parties that the plan, if fullyrnimplemented, will bring a most precious treasure of the City of Los Angeles back to the people inrnthe nearby communities as well as native plants and animals of the area, the value of which cannotrnbe quantified.