CLCA Helps Rock the Boat

The California Landscape Contractors Association (CLCA) is pleased to announce it has become a sponsor and co-producer for the documentary Rock the Boat, the controversial tale of a group's 51- mile boating expedition down the cemented canals known as the Los Angeles River in 2008. On July 7, the EPA finally declared the Los Angeles River a navigable river, making it eligible for federal protection and funding under the Clean Water Act.

The cement lined walls of the L.A. River were originally built by the Army Corps of Engineers to move water away from Los Angeles to prevent flooding. Defying the local authorities and the Army Corps of Engineers, an pedition went down the river despite opposition, hoping to have the EPA declare it as a navigable river so that it could gain protection under the Clean Water Act.

According to the Los Angeles Times article, U.S. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson is quoted as saying, "This is a watershed as important as any other. So we are going to build a federal partnership to empower communities like yours. We want the L.A. River to demonstrate how urban waterways across the country can serve as assets in building stronger neighborhoods, attracting new businesses and creating new jobs."

The expedition's hopes came true. "When we met with the Director Thea Mercouffer earlier this year, we were very excited about the possibilities of what the Los Angeles River could become, not only from a recreational and flood prevention perspective, but also as a significant water source for the area. With California's water crisis, rather than see all the water pushed out to sea, there are lots of ways to harness some of that water for Los Angeles to use" said Chuck Carr, Director of Communications of the California Landscape Contractors Association. "Los Angeles has a current River Revitalization Plan, but most of us didn't even know they had one until we considered becoming a sponsor. We were pleased to see that they included a lot of positive, sustainable ideas in the master plan including natural filtration of stormwater to help clean water run off before it before it enters the river.

River restoration is a great step to help Green LA and a positive step in helping to solve California's water crisis. We think this movie brings attention to what the river is now and what it could be in the future. This river has so much potential! It is very exciting, not only from a water source and conservation perspective, but imagine what it could do for the citizens of Los Angeles. Trees and other plants positively alter the environment, reduce carbon emissions, improve the air quality, protect the land, create oxygen and sustain life. Restoring the Los Angeles River will enhance the lives of all who live in California."

The shortage of water is not only a big problem in California but also worldwide. According to the United Nations, nearly two thirds of the world's population is expected to have limited access to water by 2025. As our population continues to increase and our resources shrink, water is becoming one of the most difficult challenges to date and its availability impacts us all.

For more information about Rock the Boat or to consider becoming a sponsor check out their website at https://www.RockTheBoatFilm.com/.