Deep in the heart of the badlands there's a body of water that soon will disappear. According to the DWP, "Recent drinking water rules and regulations require covering Elysian Reservoir" on the east side of Elysian Park. Yeah. Bromate. But there still remain choices in regard to use of this public parkland. We can either watch the DWP put some kind of metal lid over the reservoir and raise a fence around it (the less expensive choice), or we can vote to have them put grass over the 14 acres in question and leave the green space open to the people. (Personal sentiment disclaimer: I want the grass.) This is the "buried tanks" option that will be one of three boxes to check in the vote the DWP is putting to the people this Saturday in Echo Park.

They don't call it a vote. DWP language: "Options for the 14-acre property...will be presented to solicit your opinions. Please attend."

Yes. Please do.

Saturday, January 26, 2008
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (formal presentation at 11 a.m.)
Logan Street Elementary cafeteria
1711 Montana St. (Entrance on Montana St.)
For more information: 213-367-4466

The Citizens Committee to Save Elysian Park is strong in its sentiments:

ELYSIAN PARK needs your help! This is the 11th hour in the fight to save a 40-acre canyon in Elysian Park from being turned into an industrial wasteland! By law, all open drinking-water reservoirs must be covered. This is your opportunity to influence how Elysian Reservoir in Elysian Park will be covered. The Citizens Committee To Save Elysian Park believes the only viable option is to bury the water tanks underground creating an additional 14 acres of usable park space in place of the existing reservoir. Come to the January 26 Workshop (between 10am - 1pm) and VOTE! Every vote counts! DWP will base its decision, in part, on community response.

BACKGROUND: For over 10 years LADWP and the Coalition To Preserve Open Reservoirs (CPOR) which consists of representatives of 10 open reservoir communities throughout Los Angeles have been in mediation to decide the fate of ALL the open drinking-water reservoirs. To date, 8 of the reservoirs have been resolved in a way that satisfies their communities. For the last 2 years, LADWP and the CPOR Elysian Subcommittee (composed of volunteers from the Citizens Committee To Save Elysian Park) have been exploring design solutions for Elysian Reservoir. After analyzing 18 different proposals, 4 remain on the table. Again, CCSEP believes the only viable option is to bury the water tanks underground creating an additional 14 acres of usable park space in place of the existing reservoir. Although other alternatives pledge additional funds for enhancements / improvements to Elysian Park, there are NO GUARANTEES for these funds.

For more info, call Sallie at 323.666.9651.