MacArthur Lake Stormwater Capture Project

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Pursuant to the State of California Public Resources Code Article 7 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), as amended, the City of Los Angeles, Department of Public Works, Los Angeles Sanitation and Environment (LASAN) has prepared a Notice of Preparation (NOP) and an Initial Study (IS) for the project described below. LASAN is the Lead Agency under CEQA and will prepare an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the proposed project.

PROJECT LOCATION: The proposed project would occur within the southeastern area of MacArthur Park and in the public right-of-way on adjacent streets southwest of the park and in the alley that parallels 7th Street. MacArthur Park is a public park located at 2230 W. 6th Street in the Westlake neighborhood of central Los Angeles, approximately 1 mile northwest of downtown

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The proposed project, led by LASAN in partnership with the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks (RAP), would implement a regional multi-benefit stormwater project in MacArthur Park as part of the region’s efforts under Los Angeles County’s Safe Clean Water Program (SCWP) to meet water quality total maximum daily load (TMDL) limits for the Ballona Creek watershed and the current National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. The proposed project would divert and treat stormwater flows from the existing underground storm drain system and discharge it into MacArthur Lake for storage or return it to the storm drain system. Some of the water stored in the lake would subsequently be discharged to the sanitary sewer.

Aboveground features of the project would consist of a new lined treatment wetland near the southwest corner of the park and some equipment within and/or adjacent to an existing pump house located south of the lake. The underground diversion, capture, and pretreatment structures would be located in Lake Street south of the park and in an adjacent alley. An additional underground stormwater treatment unit would be located along the southern edge of the park. Underground pipelines would be located in the park and in Lake Street, Grand View Street, 7th Street, and in a small portion of the alley that parallels 7th Street.

The proposed project would divert and treat portions of wet weather stormwater flows as well as dry weather flows from the existing underground storm drain system and discharge it into MacArthur Lake for storage or return it to the storm drain system. In-lake storage would decrease the use of potable water to maintain the lake water level. Some of the water that is stored in the lake would subsequently be discharged to the sanitary sewer system. The project would reduce the amount of stormwater and dry weather flows, and their associated pollutant loads, that enter Ballona Creek and, ultimately, Santa Monica Bay. Additionally, the proposed project would enhance the park by creating treatment wetlands and providing educational opportunities, such as signage and information boards about stormwater management and park wetlands.

PUBLIC REVIEW PERIOD: The Notice of Preparation/Initial Study (NOP/IS) will be circulated for a 30-day review period beginning on April 7, 2022, and ending on May 9, 2022. The document is available for review at the following locations:

  • ONLINE at www.lacitysan.org/macarthurceqa
     
  • MacArthur Park Community Center
    • 2230 W. 6th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90057
       
  • Felipe De Neve Branch Library
    • 2820 W. 6th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90057
       
  • LASAN-Receptionist Desk
    • 1149 S. Broadway, 9th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90015
For your comments to be considered in the EIR process, please send your written comments on the NOP/IS to LASAN by one of the following delivery methods. In your comments, please include your name, email address, telephone number, address, and the subject line “RE: MacArthur Lake Stormwater Capture Project NOP/IS Comments.”

Email: San.Safecleanwater@lacity.org

Mail: LA Sanitation & Environment
         Safe Clean Water Implementation Division
         Attention: Alfredo Magallanes
         1149 S. Broadway, 10th Floor MS:1149/756
         Los Angeles, CA 90015

LASAN requests that written comments be provided at the earliest possible date, but no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, May 9, 2022.

PUBLIC MEETING: Two virtual scoping meetings will be held. The meeting dates and time are as follows:
More information regarding the meetings is provided on LASAN’s website at http://www.lacitysan.org/macarthurceqa

The purpose of the meetings is to provide information and answer questions on the proposed project and the environmental analysis to be included in the EIR. Questions raised in the meetings will not be considered to be official scoping comments. Official comments must be submitted in writing as described above.

DOCUMENTS FOR PUBLIC REVIEW:
Report (Click on italicized text to view report) Review Status Public Review Period
Notice of Preparation (English) Closed 04/07/2022 to 05/09/2022
Notice of Preparation (Spanish) Closed 04/07/2022 to 05/09/2022
Initial Study Closed 04/07/2022 to 05/09/2022
Community Notice (English and Spanish) N/A N/A
Scoping Meeting Presentation (English) N/A N/A
Scoping Meeting Presentation (Spanish) N/A N/A