It will also continue to serve the community as a town hall, with expanded meeting space. It will also continue to serve the community as a town hall, with expanded meeting space. In the past two years, the large meeting room at the site has been filled beyond capacity for events such as public forums with County department heads. The field office of Second District Supervisor will continue to serve constituents at the location. An additional enhancement will be the co-location of a 26th District State Senate field office on the site.  Once the service center is completed, residents and business people can come to the center for information and assistance for key programs including:

Energy Upgrade California: Los Angeles County has partnered with Southern California Edison and the Southern California Gas Company to save homeowners money. The energy upgrade program encourages homeowners to lower their utility bills by implementing energy-saving upgrades to their houses. Home improvements that qualify for up to $4,500 in rebates and incentives include the installation of sealing, HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning), VAC upgrades, energy efficient windows and tank-less water heaters. The program emphasizes a “whole house” approach, rather than installing individual improvements, as the most efficient and effective way to save money on energy bills.

Green Building Program: Developers can come to the center to learn how to efficiently comply with the County’s Green Building standards. Residents can find ways to save thousands of dollars through programs such as energy-saving home improvement subsidies from utility companies.

Public Transit:  In partnership with MTA, the center will serve as a location to purchase TAP cards, find vanpool information and get other transit-related assistance.

Drought Tolerant Landscaping and Low-Impact Development: The center will provide educational programs and information on financial incentives for homeowners, businesses and developers on state-of-the-art water conservation techniques.

Adjacent to the California Science Center, the Science Center Elementary School, the County Natural History Museum and the California African American Museum, the Environmental Service Center is optimally positioned for cooperative educational events.

Please click here to review the important questions that were posed, along with answers from the respective agencies (Los Angeles County, South Coast Air Quality Management  District and the Department of Conservation).

In addition, I am pleased to report that after two day-long  “all hands” settlement discussions, substantial progress has been made related to the ongoing litigation over the  Baldwin Hills Community Standards District. Parties have agreed to many additional mitigations and benefits for the surrounding community. There is one last issue to resolve,  and I hope to have a final agreement to share with the  public in the very near future.

As promised, I will host a follow-up meeting on the oil field at  the Junior Blind of America facility, located at 5300 Angeles Vista Boulevard, on April 25, 2011 at 7 PM. Hope to see you there.

For more information about the CSD, please contact:  

Department of Regional Planning
Contact: Leon Freeman
Email: lfreeman@planning.lacounty.gov
Phone: 213-974-6453
Website: Department of Regional Planning

To report a complaint, please contact:

Plains Exploration and Production (PXP)
Ombudsperson: Lisa Paillet
Email: LPaillet@pxp.com
Phone: 800-766-4108 (24 hours a day/seven days a week)
Website: www.inglewoodoilfield.com

In addition, please also contact SCAQMD if the complaint specifically relates to smoke, dust and odors:
South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD)
Phone: 800-288-7664

Important Links:

• BH CSD Chronology

On August 4th, Supervisor Ridley-Thomas initiated a review of the Baldwin Hills Community Standards District (CSD), the zoning ordinance which regulates oil drilling and operations in Baldwin Hills. With the goal of identifying additional enhancements to the CSD, Supervisor Ridley-Thomas hosted a Town Hall meeting to gain community feedback on October 15th at West Los Angeles College. Read about the Town Hall meeting.

Town Hall Meeting Slideshow

Important Documents:

• Executive Summary of Baldwin Hills Community Standards District
• Description of Community Health Assessment
• Town Hall Flyer
• Activities of the Office of Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas (Chronology)
• Supervisor Ridley-Thomas Urges Board to Consider Amendments to the Baldwin Hills
• Community Standards District Zoning Ordinance
• The Baldwin Hills Community Standards District
• Town Hall Presentation

Links:

• More information on CSD and EIR from the Department of Regional Planning

Alongside Ms. Jackson, the Supervisor explained how public ownership of the key parcel of land will allow prompt restoration, improved pedestrian and bike access, and the creation of a much-needed recreational amenity within the community.

 “We are here today to celebrate the renaissance and revitalization of Compton Creek and its important virtues related to the natural environment, recreational opportunities, and flood protection,” Supervisor Ridley-Thomas said about the creek, which many  remember as the Compton Canal.

“It was a place where youth went to recreate, to explore, and even to fish,” the Supervisor said.  “However, over the years, the impact of urbanization has had a profound toll on the creek, its native habitat, and its ability to promote public safety.”

To ensure the vitality and sustainability of the creek, the Supervisor pointed out that the County must revive a federal partnership and ensure the prompt study and thorough analysis of the Compton Creek levee system.

After extensive study, the Los Angeles County Flood Control District, in coordination with FEMA, has determined that the levee system protecting the lower reaches of Compton Creek no longer has the capacity to contain a 100-year storm event.

“The Army Corps of Engineers must work with the County on an Ecosystem Restoration Study to address increasing flood protection concerns within the Compton Creek Watershed.  Alternatives must be identified that address the public safety, natural habitat, recreational opportunities, and economic vitality of the creek and the overall watershed,” the Supervisor said.

He acknowledged the combined efforts of a collaboration of committed partners, which  included the EPA, the County of Los Angeles, Heal the Bay, the Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority, City of Compton, Flood Control District, and the Los Angeles and San Gabriel River Watershed Councils.

He also thanked the many stakeholder organizations which have recognized that public ownership of this key parcel will allow for prompt restoration, improved pedestrian and bike access, and the creation of a much-needed recreational amenity within the community.

“As we celebrate short time victories, we must remain focused on the long term objectives that will make this creek a true hub of environmental and community sustainability,” the Supervisor said.  

“It’s a good day to be in Compton, and it is a good day to be at the Compton Creek.”

Video

North Campus Press Release - April 22, 2010

Yet new challenges have emerged and old ones remain. In the Second District, the land use policies of the past can no longer manage our growing population. A dearth of outdoor recreation space has helped elevate obesity and diabetes to crisis levels. Despite a generation of progress, improvements to air quality are necessary.

Our residents’ homes also face greater danger from flooding. Our network of storm drains and channels is stretched to its limit after years of paving over vegetation to accommodate growth.

In light of these daunting challenges, we in the Second District strive to incorporate the principles of sustainability and environmental protection into our every day work.

In honor of Earth Day 2010, the Earth Day Network is enlisting people worldwide to achieve one billion acts of green. The following provides a synopsis of a few of the initiatives in the Second District to make our communities greener…one project at a time.

• Lennox Energy Makeover. In March 2010, I joined a novel collaboration of environmental experts and public utilities to launch a week-long series of programs in the Lennox area that will help businesses and residents reduce energy use. See video.
  
  
• Planning for the Park to Playa Trail Underway. Last week, the Baldwin Hills Regional Conservation Authority initiated planning efforts for the long awaited “Park to Playa” trail that will create non-vehicle access from the Pacific Ocean all the way into the Baldwin Hills by way of Ballona Creek. As the first urban trail in Los Angeles County, it promises to be a 13+ mile sustainable recreational and transit route.
  
  
• South LA Earth Fest. I co-sponsored the California Greenworks Earth Fest in South LA on April 17th. The event provided hands on tools to show participants what they could do to slow global warming, reduce the tons of trash going into LA landfills, and to help clean the air. Click here to take a tour of the fest. I also participated in a panel at the event that provided a “Community Update on the Baldwin Hills Oilfield”. Click here for more info on Community Council’s Greater Baldwin Hills Alliance.
  
  
• Park Mural. All communities deserve good, clean and green art. We kicked off the development of a new mural for the Lennox Park at the Vision Lennox Meeting on April 19th. Over the next two months, students from the Lennox community will work with Create Now to design and create a 900 sq ft mural at the Lennox Park that showcases their visions for Lennox.
  
  
• Crime Prevention through Environmental Design Training for SD2 Planners. Community safety must be promoted through thoughtful environmental design. For this reason, I will be hosting a day-long interactive workshop to help the planners that work in Second District Communities better understand the relationship between crime prevention and environmental planning and guide them in the use of certain crime prevention strategies. Click here for more details.
  
  
• LA County Granted $30 Million for Large Scale “Retrofit California” Program. LA County will be partnering with utilities, cities and counties across California to rapidly accelerate whole neighborhood building energy retrofits and demonstrate innovative retrofit models that are widely replicable. “Retrofit California” will provide new financing options including revolving loans, and utility allowances aimed at lowering the cost of residential and commercial retrofits.
  
  
• SD2’s Environmental Charter High School Competes for Presidential Commencement Challenge. The Environmental Charter High School in is one of 6 public high schools competing as finalists for a commencement address by President Obama. Click here to support this exciting opportunity.
  
  
• Future Opportunities. There are many opportunities ahead. Please remember to visit our green pages for tips, updates and notices of future events.

installed energy and water conservation resources, including new lighting, refrigeration and heating, low-flush toilets and kitchen resources, in more than 90 businesses. The goal of the initiative was to demonstrate how small businesses can easily achieve about 15 to 20 percent in energy savings with retrofits and taking advantage of available resources. In addition to the business retrofits, a series of education forums coordinated took place to ensure that everyone in Lennox – from students to residents to seniors – learned how they can become more energy efficient. The Lennox Park also received upgrades to ensure that the entire facility meets the highest standard of energy efficiency. “Our energy makeover demonstrates that small communities can improve their carbon footprint and benefit their bottom line through minor improvements in their homes and businesses,” Supervisor Ridley-Thomas said during the kickoff event at a shopping center in Lennox, “This is an effort to drive good, green and local jobs – jobs you can’t outsource.”

that the channels must convey.  The Los Angeles County Flood Control District recently found that the Compton Creek and Dominguez Channel levees will not be certified to Federal Emergency Management Agency standards because they do not have adequate capacity to contain a 100-year flood.

We must urge our Elected Officials to seek a Federal funding appropriation within the Fiscal Year 2011 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Budget for funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to begin to develop and recommend alternatives to address the capacity deficiencies for these levees. 

Please take action now!

• Sample Letter
• Elected Official Contact Information

new jobs in the green economy; more efficient products that save money; safer neighborhoods and programs for youth; better health; and investments to rebuild our cities and neighborhoods. 

Supervisor Ridley-Thomas brings new leadership to the Second District and the County, leadership that prioritizes environmental quality and seeks to seize the opportunity presented by today’s environmental crises: to protect public health, empower residents, improve living conditions, and better compete for limited resources.

This vision demands results. As Chair of the Environmental Quality element of his Transition Team, I know that the Supervisor wants priorities that are both visionary and pragmatic. Sustainability must be more than conceptual; it must be change on the ground. It must be felt in the neighborhood.

Through political leadership and committed staff members who reflect his prioritization of the environment, Ridley-Thomas is already making waves and making progress. Here are highlights of 2009, which illustrate the unprecedented changes underway thanks to strong leadership in the Second District.

Baldwin Hills

• To better protect neighbors of Baldwin Hills and to better steward this natural open space, Ridley-Thomas has initiated a review of the Baldwin Hills Community Standards District to ensure that the highest qualify standards regulate oil drilling in the Baldwin Hills.

Compton Creek

• To begin the greening of this neglected waterway and to increase its value for the community, Ridley-Thomas successfully lobbied the US Army Corps of Engineers for an Eco-System Restoration Plan for the Compton Creek Watershed. This approach allows the Corps to work with the County to comprehensively address flood protection, ecosystem restoration, water quality, water conservation, and recreational as well as open space opportunities, including trails, green belts and parks leading to and along Compton Creek.

Ballona Creek

• Ridley-Thomas immediately provided funding for beautification and access improvements at the McConnell Ave, Inglewood Ave and Sepulveda Ave entrances that were completed in the Fall of 2009. There are also plans for a pocket park on Milton St, and improved connectivity into the Baldwin Hills parkland.
  
  
• Ridley-Thomas is also funding and coordinating a half-mile greenway in Mar Vista. This partnership with the Mountains and Rivers Conservation Authority will allow for the implementation of the Santa Monica Bay Commission’s “Greenway Plan” and involve residents and community members from the Mar Vista Family Center and Mar Vista Gardens in the planting along with the assistance of community organizations such as Ballona Creek Renaissance and Friends of Ballona.

Building a “Park to Playa” Trail

• Thanks to a collaborative effort initiated by Ridley-Thomas, stakeholders including the Baldwin Hills Conservancy, City of Culver City and Los Angeles, LA County Department of Parks and Recreation, the Mountains and Rivers Conservation Authority, and CA State Parks have begun mapping and design of a trail that will connect the Santa Monica Beach to the Baldwin Hills. Key improvements are anticipated in 2010.

Clean Energy

• Ridley-Thomas is making it easier for residences and businesses all over the County to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Convenient financing through property tax assessments will come online in 2010 thanks to a motion by the Supervisor, which has allocated resources through a Federal Energy Block Grant. All cities are urged to collaborate with the County on this important financing resource.
  
  
• Initiated by a motion by Supervisor Ridley-Thomas, the County will utilize Federal Energy Block Grant funds to develop community based service centers that will serve as “one-stop shops” to inform residents and businesses about environmentally sustainable programs, incentives and other resources. Residents and business owners will access Environmental Service Centers to learn about the County’s Renewable Energy Financing Program, Energy Audits, the County’s Green Building and Low Impact Design Ordinances, Recycling and Water Conservation Opportunities, Public Transit Promotion, Job Training Opportunities, Green Business Certification, among other resources.

Parks and Community Beautification

• Ridley-Thomas funded upgrades and enhancements to parks in the County’s Second District. Major projects include:
  • Alondra Park – New Swim Pool, Water and Skate Park Complex. This project will incorporate energy and water conservation devices, sustainable design features, green building components and will be certified with the USGBC under the LEED program. 
  • Ted Watkins – New baseball and basketball fields, among other improvements
  • Campanella Park – new walking path around the baseball fields
  • Heller Keller – New Community Center
  • Del Aire – New Community Center, fields and landscaping, among other improvements
  • Athens – Community Building Refurbishment
• Major landscaping improvements have begun in all corners of the district. Greening projects are nearing completion in Baldwin Hills and Florence-Firestone, and just beginning in Del-Aire!  
• Working with Congresswoman Linda Sanchez and the Los Angeles Conservation Corps, Ridley-Thomas provided funding to plant 200 trees in the park- and tree- poor community of Florence-Firestone.

 Community Plans

• Ridley-Thomas is updating community plans in Lennox, Willowbrook and Florence-Firestone to promote transit-oriented development and improved quality of life for residents and businesses. Ridley-Thomas has fought for resources to ensure collaborative, community based planning to ensure the plans are meaningful and implementable.

Climate Change

• Supervisor Ridley-Thomas is positioning the County as a regional leader in addressing climate change. The County has joined the Los Angeles Climate Change Collaborative to develop a Regional Climate Plan. In 2010, this Plan will establish a community-wide baseline of emissions and begin adaptation planning as well as action plan to reduce emissions to 1990 levels by 2020.
• Ridley-Thomas supported a redraft of the County’s General Plan Update to ensure that climate change a foremost consideration in the County’s planning process.
• Led by Ridley-Thomas, the County is aggressively supporting Federal action to address the climate crisis, and pursuing resources for local action to reduce and prepare for climate change.

Transit/Long Range Transportation Plan

• Supervisor Ridley-Thomas authored an amendment to the LRTP that was unanimously approved giving the Crenshaw/LAX Transit Corridor and Gold LineFoothill Extension “first priority” to new federal funding (non-new starts) the agency will pursue.The corridor project, championed by Supervisor Ridley-Thomas, will now beeligible for $485 million in potential new funding in addition to $1.76 billionpreviously budgeted for the line to address community concerns regarding public safety and economic impacts. The amendment led to a unanimous vote of the LRTP. This significant public works investment will benefit the Second Supervisorial District in three major areas: Congestion Relief, Economic Development and Improved Air Quality.

Greening County Operations

• Supervisor Ridley-Thomas is helping establish an Office of Sustainability in the County, so that countywide programs and policies related to environmental issues are better coordinated and more effective. 

Our feature guest columnist is Martin Schlageter, Interim Director of the Coalition for Clean Air and head of the Environmental Quality Transition Team for Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas.

The Supervisor, Congresswoman Sanchez, and Supervisor Gloria Molina partnered with the Los Angeles Conservation Corps to conduct the tree planting project in Florence-Firestone, and expect to plant 400 trees by December 31, 2009.

This project was made possible after Congresswoman Sanchez secured federal funding for the Los Angeles Conservation Crops to hire Florence-Firestone youth, ages 16-24, to work on public works projects identified by community leaders. Supervisors Ridley-Thomas and Molina ensured that funding was available to purchase the California-native trees that will be planted.

Joining the Supervisor Ridley-Thomas and Congresswoman Sanchez were representatives of the Los Angeles Conservation Corps and faculty and students at the Green Dot Amino Pat Brown Charter School.

Onsite to plant the first tree, Supervisor Ridley-Thomas noted, “Trees help to define and foster a sense of community and showcase environmental stewardship. However, this project involves more than just greening. It provides giving youth an opportunity to work, and with that, a sense of responsibility and investment in their community.”

Outward Bound provided all the necessary equipment and delivered a program dedicated to teaching first-time campers proper use of camping equipment, environmental awareness and family teambuilding. The program was sponsored by the Baldwin Hills Conservancy and the Baldwin Hills Regional Conservation Authority. 

The weekend festivities included a tour of the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overloook State Park and a visit to the Ballona Creek Wetlands before the families established their base at the Olympic Forrest at Kenneth Hahn Park. Over the course of the weekend, the families participated in several team building exercises, hiked the trails and pitched their own tents.  The families all made a commitment to plan their own camping trips in the future.

During  his visit , Supervisor Ridley-Thomas was able to see the fun firsthand. "It is though opportunities like this that families are inspired and strengthened".

Stay tuned for additional camping opportunities in the Second District!