By Gabrielle Harradine
Special to the Daily Press

VENICE CANALS Another attempt is being made to restore the historic canal system that flows here between Washington Boulevard and Ballona Lagoon.

Los Angeles officials on Wednesday put forth their latest proposal to clean the waterway that dates back to Venice’s formative years, with the goal of restoring the natural habitat of the canal’s water and lands, and improving public access.

Two plans have been put forth, the first of which was recommended by PSOMAS, the consulting engineering firm that created the design, at the District 11 Westchester Field Office on Wednesday.

The differences between the two plans in dollars is about $1.5 million. Both would build a bridge at Driftwood Street, thereby connecting to Gateway Park and allowing easier access to both sides of the canal. Other shared aspects include defined walking paths with fencing to protect the habitat, interpretive signs to point out native species and adding a runoff-water treatment system.

The more expensive of the two plans includes an entire park — Hurricane Park — devoted to cleaning up the runoff water. The park would contain a constructed wetland area — with trails, seating and signs — that could also work to capture and treat the stormwater via a low flow bioswale.

Residents who attended the meeting voiced support for the restoration plans, however many seemed worried about the proposed idea to eliminate parking on Strongs Drive. Additionally, a peninsula resident wasn’t too happy about the plan to make it a one-way street. In actuality, the plan actually creates more parking spaces than it eliminates, although the new spots on Via Dolce may be little consolation for those who want to park closer to the beach.

Another concern voiced was the effect the proposed project might have on the other canals.

“I’m concerned that (the report) is not looking at how it’s affecting the canals north of Washington,” said Darryl DuFay, a resident of the canals. DuFay would like to see the project improve the water quality of all of the canals, not just the Grand Canal.

The major factor of the water quality problem in the Venice canals has to do with the tidal gates and how they work. Currently, the tidal gates are being opened and closed by two different groups, which makes it difficult to coordinate tidal flushing. Without enough water movement — old water out and new water in — the marine biosystem becomes a safe haven for bacteria. A solution of computerizing the gates was mentioned, but only time will tell if all the parties involved will agree to this.

The project has yet to obtain any permits and has no city funding, although a similar plan for the Grand Canal was funded in 2002. That project fell to the wayside when an environmental group showed up just as the water bypass lines were laid and sued the California Coastal Commission for issuing the permit illegally.

This time around, restorers worked hard to avoid environmental issues that might lead to the same disaster, said Susan Shu, the consultant team’s project manager.

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