Speak up for a Resilient Future for Our Communities: Safe Clean Water LA

People gather outside LA County Board of Supervisors building to support Measure W.

In October 2020, the LA County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved over $95 million in new investments for the first round of Safe Clean Water Program projects, including many recommended by OurWaterLA and community leaders. In our latest blog post, read more on the Supervisors’ vote and OurWaterLA’s plans to advocate for nature-based projects, community-led project design, good union jobs, and much more.

#OurWaterOurVoice #OurWaterLA #SafeWaterForAll

Check out these OurWaterLA resources for more information and recommendations to LA County and each local Watershed Area Steering Committee (WASC):

Ongoing OurWater LA Priorities

  • Prioritize Nature Based Solutions: Invest in projects that provide multiple benefits for communities. Projects should consider climate adaptation and mitigation in their design and implementation. Community education will be necessary to foster community stewardship of local projects.
  • Community Led Project Design: Lack of community engagement in WASC meetings and project design/proposals and community seats. The program should have a detailed plan of how community engagement will be sustained throughout project development, implementation, operation, and maintenance.
  • Metrics for DACs, Community Investments: The Program ultimately needs more metrics and better processes to achieve SCWP goals and community benefits.
  • Jobs: The SCWP needs to promote green jobs and career pathways with an emphasis on local hire and good paying jobs. SCWP should push for local hiring for the equitable distribution of funds and to help foster a sense of community pride and stewardship for local projects. Workforce development pipelines and programs should be established to connect communities to job opportunities.

STAY IN THE KNOW
The stormwater project funding decisions must be made with consideration given to community input. Here’s how you can get involved:

  • BE AN ADVOCATE
    First, search your address to find out which Watershed Area Steering Committee (WASC) represents your neighborhood. Then, contact your WASC representatives to let them know what kinds of projects you would like to see in your area. 
  • ATTEND CITY COUNCIL and WASC MEETINGS
    Use the Public Comment period to ask your City Council and local Watershed Area Steering Committee to use municipal funds for nature-based and multi-benefit projects.
  • STAY IN THE KNOW
    Sign up to get updates from the county at the bottom of their website.

If you would like additional resources or have questions, please email Ourwaterla@gmail.com.

Contact Your Supervisor and Make Your Voice Heard

Reach out to your supervisor over email or phone. If you send an email, cc ourwaterla@gmail.com on your message and we’ll help spread the word.

  • Supervisor Hilda Solis: (213) 974-4111 or firstdistrict@bos.lacounty.gov
  • Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas: (213) 974-2222 or markridley-thomas@bos.lacounty.gov
  • Supervisor Sheila Kuehl: (213) 974-3333 or sheila@bos.lacounty.gov
  • Supervisor Janice Hahn: (213) 974-4444 or fourthdistrict@bos.lacounty.gov
  • Supervisor Kathryn Barger: (213) 974-5555 or kathryn@bos.lacounty.gov
What is a Watershed Area Steering Committee?
LA’s Safe Clean Water Program relies on 9 Watershed Area Steering Committees (WASC) to decide how and where the funds get spent. Each Committee is made up of 17 people: 5 community representatives, 7 local elected leaders, and public employees from flood, water, and sanitation, and parks agencies.