11 Jun Prop 68 Passed – Now What? Learn how this measure will support parks & water in L.A.
Prop 68 passed last week – here’s what it means for our River and our communities.
Last week voters in California passed Proposition 68, a water and parks general obligation bond that allocates $4 billion to projects that ensure safe drinking water, create accessible parks, protect our natural resources, and prepare our state to remain resilient in the face of increasingly severe natural disasters ahead.
Pushing for a passage of Prop68 is one of the main objectives of FoLAR’s CRACK THE CONCRETE campaign – and with approval of this bond measure, funding allocations will better enable the parks and River restorations we are looking for. Stay tuned for more action items with Crack the Concrete as we continue to advocate for a better Los Angeles River.
Specifically, the Los Angeles River and LA County residents can expect great improvements and financial commitments to projects that will deliver healthier communities and greater resilience. With that in mind, we’re inviting you to take a further look at some of the specific funding items from Prop 68, with a specific focus on our River and Los Angeles.
OVERALL BENEFITS OF PROP 68
- $725 million for parks in park-poor neighborhoods
- $30 million for nonmotorized infrastructure and improved access, including up to 25% to provide outdoor experiences for disadvantaged youth
- $60 million to restore natural, cultural, ethnic, and community resources, and convert fossil fuel plants to green space, with $20 million of this amount for multi-benefit “green infrastructure” benefiting disadvantaged communities
- $40 million to state and local conservation corps for underserved young people and communities
- $218 million for state parks, including projects that provide recreational opportunities for lowincome park visitors
- $80 million to prevent or reduce groundwater pollution
- At least 15-20% of bond funds allocated to severely disadvantaged communities and up to 5% for community access projects including multilingual translations, education, physical activity programs, and workforce development
- Direction to prioritize when practicable grant funding for projects that advance solutions to prevent displacement if a potential unintended consequence associated with park creation pursuant to the project is an increase in the cost of housing
- Direction that funded projects provide when practicable workforce education and training, contractor, and job opportunities for disadvantaged communities
Under PROPOSITION 68, the Los Angeles area would receive over $140 million
Across the Los Angeles area, many lack parks and safe places for kids to play and grow, with one-half of LA residents not residing within 10 minutes of a park. Prop 68 ensures that every Californian has access to safe & accessible parks by creating in parks in communities with the greatest need. Prop 68 also invests in clean drinking water by protecting the rivers, lakes, and streams that are the sources of our water.
- $37.5 million for the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy; including $15 million to protect and improve the Los Angeles River watershed
- $67.5 million for the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles River and Mountains Conservancy
- $20 million for a parkway along the Los Angeles River
In addition to direct funding, the Los Angeles Area is eligible for $2 billion through competitive grant programs in areas ranging from park construction and state park restoration, to drought preparedness and climate resiliency:
- $655 million for the creation and expansion of safe neighborhood parks, regional parks, and trails in communities with the greatest need
- $215 million to create and improve local parks, especially in communities that lack access to the outdoors; including $15 million to create and improve local parks in small towns in urban counties
- $16.5 million for urban forestry projects
- $30 million for regional parks and open space, including trails, athletic fields, visitor centers, and parks serving youth and communities of color
- $40 million in matching funds to improve local and regional park infrastructure
- $5 million for local agencies directed for state park facility restoration, preservation, & protection
PROPOSITION 68 includes the following funding allocations for CALIFORNIA RIVERS
At a time when California faces more frequent and severe droughts, damaging wildlifres, floods and the impacts of climate change, Prop 68 makes smart investments in local water projects, groundwater clean-up, and water recycling that will improve water quality and supplies, prepare us for drought, and prevent natural disasters. A Yes vote on Prop 68 also invests in our states valuable and scenic rivers, creeks, lakes, and urban streams.
- $174 million to various conservancies for river parkways projects including projects that protect and enhance urban creeks.
- $20 million for the City of Glendale river parkway projects along the Los Angeles River.
- $10 million for the River Parkways Program.
- $10 million for urban stream restoration.
- $25 million for projects to restore rivers and streams in support of fisheries and wildlife.
- $30 million to improve conditions for fish and wildlife in streams, rivers, wildlife refuges, wetland habitat areas, and estuaries.
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Friends of the Los Angeles River is a 501c3 nonprofit whose mission since 1986 has been to ensure a publicly accessible and ecologically sustainable Los Angeles River by inspiring River stewardship through community engagement, education, advocacy, and thought leadership. FOLAR is a leading powerful force guiding policy and connecting communities to the River, nationally respected as a leader in urban river revitalization with a membership of 35,000.