The Army Corps of Engineers which lined the arroyo with a concrete flood channel more than 60 years ago is now doing a study to see if it can help in the arroyo's restoration.
A second study would be needed to pinpoint what its contributions would be, officials said.
"We're very happy to have the Army Corps involved," said Eileen Takata of the environmental group North East Trees. "A lot of people look at me open-mouthed when I say that, but our Army Corps is the new Army Corps. They realize the importance of ecosystems."
North East Trees, based in Los Angeles, and Pasadena's Arroyo Seco Foundation sponsored the recent Arroyo Seco Watershed Restoration Feasibility Study.
The study recommended the watershed be environmentally restored, including partially removing the cement canal lining much of watershed to the Los Angeles River. The arroyo extends west of Pasadena from the San Gabriel Mountains to the Los Angeles River.
The feasibility study's results will be presented and its completion celebrated at a community meeting at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 21 in Ramo Auditorium at Caltech, 1200 E. California Blvd., Pasadena.
The Army Corps of Engineers' study will examine existing information and recommendations, including the feasibility study's conclusions and the city's Arroyo Seco Master Plan.
The corps will then decide if it will pursue projects in the area, said Dan Sharp, civil engineering assistant with the L.A. County Department of Public Works. The county will take the lead on the federal study for cities bordering the arroyo.
The corps' study is a first step at the federal level.
"As a result, it could bring federal interest and therefore federal money toward projects in the Arroyo Seco Watershed," Sharp said.
Federal funding would pay for 50 percent of the improvements to the watershed, said Rosa Laveaga, Arroyo Seco park supervisor. The other 50 percent would come from the county and cities along the watershed, she said.
Restoration projects could cost millions of dollars and would need federal money, Takata said.
"They come in with their deep pockets and really help out meeting the local city or county needs," Takata said.
The federal study could be funded by a $100,000 appropriation requested from the federal government. A House Appropriations Subcommittee has approved the funding, U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff, DPasadena, announced Tuesday, although it still must pass several reviews.
The Army Corp of Engineers' report recommendations should be similar to those of the environmental groups, Takata said.
"They said everything they need to know is in our report," Takata said. "They're interested in essentially moving forward with our recommendations."
-- Marshall Allen can be reached at (626) 578-6300 Ext. 4461, or by e-mail at marshall.allensgvn.com.
