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current news & events 6.29.2008 The Committee to Save Silver Lake’s Reservoirs has supported the Silver Lake Neighborhood Council since its inception in 2003. Many CSSLR board members and officers spent many years working to form and certify the SLNC. Since 2004, CSSLR has been designated and has acted as the SLNC official advisory board on matters concerning the Silver Lake reservoirs property. CSSLR supports the community accountability that was written into the SLNC By-laws in 2003. Earlier this year - after holding annual elections since 2003 - the current SLNC board voted to cancel all board elections until 2010. This action added either one or two years to the current terms of all sitting board members, in violation of the SLNC By-laws and the trust of those who voted in the last two elections. While SLNC elections will be administered by the L.A. City Clerk beginning in 2010, there is no reason to cancel 2008 elections. CSSLR joins other longstanding Silver Lake community organizations, including the Silver Lake Improvement Association, the Silver Lake Residents Association and Community Residents for Parks in urging all Silver Lake stakeholders to attend the SLNC governing board meeting on Wednesday, July 2 at 7:00 to participate in an informal community vote on whether 2008 elections should be restored. You deserve a say in who represents you between now and 2010. The meeting will be held at the Micheltorena School at 1511 Micheltorena St. (corner of Sunset). The vote should be held within the first few minutes of the meeting, and there is no need to stay for the remainder of the meeting (unless you want to). Thank you for taking a little time to come and support democracy in Silver Lake! Your vote will mean a lot! For more information about this important community issue, please click here for a printable flyer.  6.25.2008 - Bird Balls on Ivanhoe Reservoir are Non-Toxic The following message is sent to those I know of who have expressed or heard concerns about DWP’s actions at Ivanhoe Reservoir. Hopefully this will answer some of the concerns and clear up some facts: A number of questions and concerns have been raised about the safety and need for the "bird balls" that are in the process of being placed on Ivanhoe reservoir. As has been stated in community meetings, via e-mail, and in the news, the reason for the bird balls is simple - the water in Ivanhoe and Elysian Reservoirs must be shaded in order to prevent a chemical reaction triggered by sunlight that forms Bromate, a carcinogenic compound discovered in Ivanhoe, Silver Lake , and Elysian Reservoirs last fall. I recall reading an allegation that someone must be benefiting from this project. Certainly someone is benefiting - the 340,000 downstream customers whose water would otherwise not meet state and federal drinking water standards if bromate is allowed to continue forming in Ivanhoe Reservoir. This is a group that does not see Ivanhoe and Silver Lake , but drinks the water from them everyday - a group who has largely had no voice in the discussions about what takes place at the reservoirs that supply their drinking water. Those who look at Ivanhoe and Silver Lake do not drink that water - their water comes from a protected, covered reservoir in Eagle Rock that will never be subject to high bromate concerns. The people who drink the water from Silver Lake and Ivanhoe Reservoirs are entitled to the same quality of supply and standard of protection. Many of you recall correctly that DWP agreed years ago not to cover Ivanhoe Reservoir. Has that changed and are the bird balls permanent? Absolutely not. As has been reiterated over the past few months, the bird balls do not and cannot meet the new federal regulations that are causing DWP to construct a new reservoir at Headworks and take Silver Lake and Ivanhoe out of service. None of those permanent plans have changed - Silver Lake and Ivanhoe are still slated to remain full and uncovered. However, the unexpected discovery of bromate has caused DWP to take this interim step to protect the water quality for those served by the reservoirs. Some have asked "Why is Silver Lake okay to leave uncovered?" Practically speaking, it is impossible to cover Silver Lake Reservoir. So, in order to operate the system and protect customer water quality, Silver Lake is no longer the major supplier of water to its service area - Ivanhoe is taking over that role, with Silver Lake on "standby", providing supplemental supply during hot periods and peak hour flows. Understand that this is not a return to "business as usual" before the discovery of bromate... it is a complete switch from normal, historic operations. The uncovered Silver Lake can be managed and is okay to use for these peak demands. Perhaps the greatest misinformation I have recently seen is the notion that the bird balls heat up and release toxic chemicals into the water. This is just simply not true. Granted, there are many different types of plastics and recent news has focused on certain plastics leaching chemicals. The reason DWP is using the bird balls is because they are the ONLY National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) drinking-water-approved product of its kind on the market. When we discuss NSF approval, it means that this product has been tested precisely to ensure that it does not create the kinds of problems that some are insisting they create. The balls are made of High Density Polyethylene - a long-time water industry product also used for pipelines, and a black version of the same clear product you buy your one gallon container of milk in (look on the bottom for the HDPE label). You will not find any legitimate news findings claiming that HDPE leaches chemicals into drinking water. As a matter of fact, other water agencies have contacted DWP out of recognition that this solution could have application for them as well. The balls are made to survive in a hot, sunlight environment without breaking down, and they are warranted for 10 years - twice the lifetime we are looking for. As to the issue of heating the water, there are two important points. First, there is only a very, very small percentage of reservoir water actually in contact with the surface of the balls. Secondly, the balls are filled with air, which also acts as an insulating layer, much the way double pane windows and attics help keep the heat out of our homes. There is no doubt that Silver Lake and Ivanhoe Reservoirs offer tremendous aesthetic value and identity to the community. However, they are first and foremost drinking water reservoirs. I empathize with those whose views of Ivanhoe are diminished by the bird balls. I also understand the frustration at having to suddenly take this interim “covering” step after years of successful negotiation with CSSLR arrived at a project that ultimately will leave the Silver Lake Complex untouched. These future plans for the reservoirs remains unchanged. However, between now and then, we must be vigilant in our protection of the water in these reservoirs to ensure that all DWP customers are treated equitably. Marty Adams 6.23.2008 - New Traffic Signal to Be Installed at Silver Lake Blvd & Earl Street - Spring 2009 "I am happy to report that the City's Department of Transportation has approved a full traffic signal for the intersection of Silver Lake Blvd. and Earl St. The traffic signal will operate only when a pedestrian or car is present and will have a left tum restriction during peak hours to prevent cut-through traffic." 5.12.2008 - Silver Lake Reservoir Re-Fill Has Begun! On May 7, 2008 at a little past 8 am the DWP opened the valves to begin re-filling Silver Lake Reservoir. The rush of water was preceded by statements from Councilmember Tom La Bonge, Council President Eric Garcetti, and DWP General Manager David Nahai. The reservoir was drained earlier this year because of bromate in the water. The bromate formed from naturally-occurring bromide combining with chlorine in the presence of bright sunlight. To mitigate future bromate problems at Silver Lake Reservoir, the DWP is re-filling the reservoir with water from the Los Angeles Aqueduct, a water source that is naturally low in bromide, and will introduce the chlorine disinfectant once the water is in the closed system away from exposure to sunlight. It will take 15-20 days to completely re-fill the 795 million gallon Silver Lake Reservoir. In addition to re-filling Silver Lake Reservoir, the DWP plans to cover Ivanhoe Reservoir with four-inch, black plastic "bird balls," so called because they are used to keep birds away from bodies of water. You may have noticed large, white plastic bags accumulating on the southeast corner of Ivanhoe Reservoir - those are the bird balls. The DWP plans to begin deploying them in May. By covering, or shading the water, the DWP hopes to limit its exposure to intense sunlight, a factor needed for bromate formation. Silver Lake Reservoir is too large to cover temporarily, so the DWP plans to introduce the chlorine disinfectant once the water is in the closed delivery system. Over three million bird balls will be needed to completely cover Ivanhoe Reservoir. Despite working around the clock, the company that produces the bird balls will not be able to deliver all three million until October 2008. Therefore, the DWP will to resort to a plastic tarp to shade the part of Ivanhoe Reservoir not covered by bird balls. The tarp will be removed as more bird balls arrive and are introduced into the reservoir. DWP staff has been scrambling to meet the lower winter water demand by using Ivanhoe Reservoir to serve the water needs of downtown and south Los Angeles, the areas that use the water from Silver Lake Reservoir. Come summer, the DWP will need Silver Lake Reservoir back in service to meet the higher demand for water. ABC 7 Coverage: Water flowing into
Silver Lake Reservoir
Photos from Maryann! Photos by Anton Riehl 5.12.2008 - SL Blvd Walking Path and Meadow Opening Postponed Silver Lakers will have to wait at least four more months to enjoy the improvements now underway on the east side of the reservoir complex. Completion of the newly reconfigured walking path along Silver Lake Blvd. has been pushed back until late September at the earliest, according to Heather Repenning, Director for Community Development in Councilmember Eric Garcetti's district. The path was originally slated for a summer opening. Ms. Repenning cites the winter rains and slower than expected engineering work on the lower section of the path, just above the dog park, as reasons for the delay. Meanwhile, the opening of the "meadow" space, near Silver Lake Boulevard and Armstrong Avenue, may take even longer. After an extended community dialogue, Councilmembers Garcetti and Tom LaBonge announced plans in January to open just over half of the grassy, six acre expanse for "passive" recreational use, such as walking or sunbathing. It was initially anticipated that the space would open to the public at the same time as the walking path. Ms. Repenning now pegs the odds of that happening at about 50-50. City officials are planning to use funds from a state parks bond to pay for the improvements to the property, which include drought-tolerant landscaping, a decorative fence along the outer border of the meadow, updates to the irrigation system, and several benches. If those funds are not available before the September opening of the walking path, a temporary fence will be erected, which would not allow community access to the meadow. Under that scenario, all the planned improvements to the park would be approved and installed before opening. That is not likely to happen until Spring, 2009. 5.12.2008 - Many Working Together to Improve Pedestrian Safely on Silver Lake Blvd After a well-attended community meeting at Micheltorena school on January 26, 2008 where City Councilmembers Garcetti and LaBonge showed a plan for making a park out of part of the Silver Lake Reservoir 'Meadow' one question was left unanswered: will the City build a traffic light and cross walk to bring people across Silver Lake Blvd safely? The answer appears to be yes. Following that meeting, Silver Lake residents wrote to the City Department of Transportation General Manager Rita Robinson asking for a safe crossing of Silver Lake Blvd so they can enjoy the pathway and meadow park under construction on Silver Lake Boulevard on the Reservoir's eastern edge. "I can't tell you more than this, but I can say that we are currently working to establish a controlled crossing at or near Earl St. It is in process and we are working towards that. When things come together I'll be glad to talk to you again," said Robert Camou of the LA Department of Transportation. Work on this effort began way back in May 2004 with the Planning Commission's action to change Silver Lake Blvd's designation near the Reservoir to a "Modified Secondary Highway" which is closer to its 50 foot right-of-way and more pedestrian-friendly than its previous designation. Traffic consultants Meyer Mohaddes & Associates wrote in the Silver Lake Master Plan, "Each weekday more than 18,250 cars travel Silver Lake Blvd" in morning and evening rush-hours. 5.12.2008 - Path Pals Promulgate Pristine Pathways On your next walk around the reservoir, please take note at how clean and weed-free our path is.
Our walkway truly is ready for its close up thanks to the efforts of our Path Pals, a loosely knit group of more than four dozen Silver Lake residents who have spend one or more Sunday morning weeding along the path over the last five months. The Path Pal program was formed by CSSLR last year to preserve and enhance the appearance, safety and usability of the walkway surrounding Silver Lake and Ivanhoe reservoirs.
If you know one or more of these "happy weeders," as we like to call ourselves, please thank them for all their hard work. Their effort has made our community better. Please keep an eye out for announcements of our next "weeding party" in the coming months. We will be sending out email notices and putting up signs along the path. Join us!!
5.4.2008 - CSSLR Path Pals Greeting & Weeding The Path Pals of the Committee to Save Silver Lake's Reservoirs (CSSLR) are having another WEEDING PARTY from 8 to 10 a.m. Sunday May 4 to tackle the weeds that have sprung up along West Silver Lake Drive. Path Pals is sponsored by CSSLR to preserve and enhance the appearance and safety of the walking paths around Silver Lake and Ivanhoe Reservoirs. So far this year we have completely weeded the "up and over" stretch of the path along Armstrong Avenue just west of Silver Lake Boulevard. Please check out our work on your next walk around the reservoir. On Sunday May 4 we will meet at the corner of West Silver Lake Drive and Balmer Avenue and will clear the weeds that have accumulated under the new trees and along the curb's edge of the path. There is much to accomplish. We will provide trowels, gloves, trash bags, bottled water and snacks. We hope you can bring a long-handled hoe, or rake. If you have any questions, please call 323-667-1082. All friends and family are welcome. This is our opportunity as Silver Lake residents and users of our wonderful path to help keep it clean and beautiful. Join us!!
3.2.2008 - path pals weeding party Please join members of the Committee to Save Silver Lake's Reservoirs (CSSLR) at a WEEDING PARTY from 9 to 11 a.m. Sunday Mar. 2. We will meet at the corner of Silver Lake Boulevard and Armstrong Avenue and clear the "up and over" stretch of the path of the weeds brought by this winter's rains. Tools, trash bags, bottled water and snacks will be provided. The event is part of CSSLR's "Path Pal" program aimed at preserving and enhancing the appearance, safety and usability of the walkway surrounding Silver Lake and Ivanhoe reservoirs. This is our path. Let's all give it the care it deserves!
1.26.2008 - community meeting to present the "compromise" plan
THE NEW PARK Amid visible progress on the popular Silver Lake Boulevard walking path project, the 13th District office of L.A. City Council President Eric Garcetti has announced a plan to open part of the "meadow" area of the reservoir property as a public park.
Councilmember Garcetti has announced this compromise plan, which was refined after a great amount of community input, as well as consultation with adjacent CD 4 Councilmember Tom LaBonge. They hope that this project will proceed in the early part of 2008 - dovetailing with the current path project on the east side of the reservoir (scheduled for completion by mid-year).
CD 13 is working hard to obtain approval for a signalized pedestrian-initiated crosswalk across Silver Lake Blvd., which will enhance safe access to the park. Additional details concerning the design, use and operation of the park will be addressed by an advisory board named by CD13, which met this month for the first time month. At this meeting, community members can view the new plans and ask city personnel questions about this new community amenity. Please come with your questions and show your support for this exciting new project. Plans for the park can be viewed on the CD13 web site (www.lacity.org/council/cd13) as well as here on the CSSLR web site (The Meadow Plan).
DRAINING SILVER LAKE RESERVOIR & COVERING IVANHOE RESERVOIR LADWP recently detected elevated levels of bromate in Silver Lake Reservoir. The Reservoir was taken offline and will be drained over the next 30-60 days. While DWP expects to re-fill the reservoir by this summer, it plans to make some changes to both Ivanhoe and Silver Lake Reservoirs. These will affect the appearance of both bodies of water for the next five years or more. The current plan for Ivanhoe Reservoir is to cover it until both reservoirs go offline in 2013. DWP representatives will outline these plans and take questions at this meeting.
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Gone are the weeds that choked the wells beneath the trees, lined the curb and retaining wall along West Silver Lake Drive; gone are the wads of leaves and pine needles that had accumulated along that same stretch of path; and gone are the clumps of weeds-many of them chest-high-that were invading the "up and over" section of path along Armstrong Avenue.
Let's name our wonderful volunteers: Kim Davis Wagner, Levi Wagner, Sue Iri, Leni Fleming, Nichole Mellison, Hillel Shamam, Yvonne Saalman, Bruce Reifel, Maryann Kuk, Laura Dwan, Lori Oddino, Carla Lazzareschi, Dave Keitel, Shelley Marks, Jennifer Del Barrio, Glen Dake, Harry Otto, Charles Lee, Mary Becker, Paul Genis, Marilyn Friedman, Leslie Edmonds, Kirk Nozaki, Tom Dinger, Cynthia Jackson, Selzi Sasa, Peter Kirby, Gilbert Luna, Ray Everett, Hiro Kamei, Renee Nahum, Paul Neuman, Kurt Rademaekers, Marie Gamboa, Noelle Armand, Joan Janacek, Jed Lind, Maureen Burnett, Toni Vian, Michael McCutcheon, Ryan Garton, Helen Lessick, Sandra Gold, Ian Jipp, Hye Yu, Anne Lintott, Jonathan Strait, Christina Strait, Alan Gordon, Andrew Sears, Marilyn Alex, Scott Speedman and Noel Leon.
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