Morning greens: The battle against noise pollution has begun in Los Angeles

Helicopters, not traffic, proved the scourge of Carmageddon, the San Gabriel River watershed gets rated, and California considers banning the act of stocking fish in lakes. Here’s your Tuesday morning greens.

Rep. Howard Berman (D-Valley Village) has proposed a relief act to combat noise pollution. Most Angelenos are well aware of the loud thumping noises that make you feel like your home is about to be invaded by aliens via helicopter. As KPCC’s Patt Morrison reports, Rep. Berman has introduced the Los Angeles Residential Helicopter Noise Relief Act, which would require the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to establish rules on flight paths and minimum altitudes for helicopter operations in Los Angeles County residential areas. This is partially in response to the extreme media coverage of Carmageddon, where helicopters hovered over the empty 405 Freeway.

How healthy is the San Gabriel River watershed? The Sierra Madre Patch reports on a five-year study of the region by the non-profit Council for Watershed Health. As the Patch reports, “The study posed questions directly related to the water provided by or collected in the San Gabriel River. Scientific testing of streams for toxicity, biological communities, and chemical levels showed more disturbances to native streams in urbanized areas versus “healthiest” upper watershed locations.” The study also looked at the safety of eating certain fish caught in the region. 

California is considering a ban on stocking fish in public and private lakes. ABC 7 reports that the California Department of Fish and Game may ban stocking fish, which “creates several problems for California's natural environment: non-native, stocked fish prey on and compete with native species.” Private lake owners claim the initiatives will force them to pay for expensive environmental reviews and that they will cost jobs and money. The measures will be discussed at the California Fish and Game Commission meeting next month. 

Did you know there was a plan to cover the 101 Freeway in downtown and put a park on top of it? KCET reports on another plan is in the works for the 101 in Hollywood. Unfortunately, it may remain a pipe dream as the plan includes a price tag of $1.15 billion, though there is talk of using Measure R funds towards the project. Ultimately, the current economic climate makes the project unlikely. 

ABC 7 reports that rare blue whales have been spotted near San Pedro. A pod of the endangered whales was recently spotted swimming off the coast of California near San Pedro. The news agency offers an awesome photo gallery of the whales.

Finally, ready to take a ramble down the Los Angeles River this Thursday, August 4th? KCET reports on the L.A. River Ramble, “as the Los Angeles Urban Rangers in conjunction with MOCA’s Engagement Party present a night of exploration along America's most famous forgotten river: the L.A. River Ramble. Hikers will meet at the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA in Little Tokyo, where rangers will be stationed to help you guide through the trails.” The event is free and participants are encouraged to show up in sturdy shoes. 

Image: skunks/Flickr