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DWP bulldozing of wetlands gets it a $5 million penalty
(Bryan Frank via Flickr Creative Commons)
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DWP bulldozing of wetlands gets it a $5 million penalty
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power got cited by the EPA a couple of years ago for bulldozing eight acres of wetlands the utility owns in Granada Hills. This week, DWP agreed to pay penalties of more than $5 million.
The wetlands were within the Van Norman Complex, on what was a DWP reservoir before the 1971 Sylmar earthquake. DWP bulldozers graded the area to unblock a drain. But it’s a violation of the federal Clean Water Act to disturb wetlands whose waters drain into local creeks or the Los Angeles River.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
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