Cleaning Our Oceans and Beaches: One Tree at a Time
August 31, 2009
Rep. Linda Sánchez Dedicates Environmental Project to Reduce Pollution
Lakewood, CA - Today, Rep. Linda Sánchez dedicated an innovative environmental project in Lakewood with $950,000 she secured in federal funding.
“I first learned about tree wells a few years ago but there were none in operation in California,” said Rep. Sánchez. “Lakewood today becomes the first small city in Los Angeles County to use this natural technology. I am proud that I was able to bring federal funding for local projects like this that make a positive impact on our environment.”
Sánchez dedicated two state-of-the-art bio-retention tree wells that will clean storm water runoff from Paramount Boulevard and surrounding streets. Bio-retention tree wells take in storm water from street gutters and capture the harmful pollution that would normally flow untreated into drainage systems that empty onto local beaches and in the ocean. The tree wells capture and remove trash, oil and grease, bacteria, metals, and nutrients such as fertilizer.
“This one little tree - and others like it - can play a powerful role in cleaning the pollution that comes from our roadways, heads down our storm drains, and then goes straight to our ocean and beaches,” said Rep. Sánchez. “These tree wells will capture pollutants that harm our families and help keep our water safe.”
Bio-retention tree wells are considered a cutting-edge “low impact development” technology. The Lakewood project is the first in Los Angeles County to be installed by a small city.
As part of Rep. Sánchez’ ongoing efforts to “green” local communities, a portion of the $950,000 in federal investments she secured for this project was allotted to repave two miles of Paramount Blvd. and to install six new bus stops with solar-lighting.
Lakewood, CA - Today, Rep. Linda Sánchez dedicated an innovative environmental project in Lakewood with $950,000 she secured in federal funding.
“I first learned about tree wells a few years ago but there were none in operation in California,” said Rep. Sánchez. “Lakewood today becomes the first small city in Los Angeles County to use this natural technology. I am proud that I was able to bring federal funding for local projects like this that make a positive impact on our environment.”
Sánchez dedicated two state-of-the-art bio-retention tree wells that will clean storm water runoff from Paramount Boulevard and surrounding streets. Bio-retention tree wells take in storm water from street gutters and capture the harmful pollution that would normally flow untreated into drainage systems that empty onto local beaches and in the ocean. The tree wells capture and remove trash, oil and grease, bacteria, metals, and nutrients such as fertilizer.
“This one little tree - and others like it - can play a powerful role in cleaning the pollution that comes from our roadways, heads down our storm drains, and then goes straight to our ocean and beaches,” said Rep. Sánchez. “These tree wells will capture pollutants that harm our families and help keep our water safe.”
Bio-retention tree wells are considered a cutting-edge “low impact development” technology. The Lakewood project is the first in Los Angeles County to be installed by a small city.
As part of Rep. Sánchez’ ongoing efforts to “green” local communities, a portion of the $950,000 in federal investments she secured for this project was allotted to repave two miles of Paramount Blvd. and to install six new bus stops with solar-lighting.