Planning for the flood risk reduction projects and system proposals in the LA River Master Plan Update is critical for ensuring the physical feasibility and future success of projects along the river. The USACE and the LACFCD have a combined responsibility in performing operations and maintenance of flood facilities to manage flood risk along the LA River and its tributaries. Clear delineation, tracking, and enforcement of operations and maintenance responsibilities by other agencies for adjacent and overlapping facilities, such as recreational amenities, are critical for ensuring that crucial operations and maintenance is performed at all pertinent locations. Increased coordination between the operations and maintenance entities along the river could enhance efficiencies in comprehensively maintaining the physical functionality of the flood management systems, especially as projects are proposed along the reimagined river.

Flood facility operations and maintenance includes inspections and repairs to elements such as:

This process first establishes refuge habitats based on the range of key wildlife species identified by qualified professionals, such as ecologists. Removal of non-native invasive species would occur with specially trained crews in areas outside of the refuge habitat, installing additional native species. Once these species are established the remaining non-native invasive species may be removed. Vegetation along levees that is not properly installed or maintained can be a hindrance to visual inspections, maintenance access, and emergency flood fighting (if needed). All vegetation planted along levees should be in accordance with prevailing USACE guidelines as outlined in the LA River Design Guidelines (Appendix Volume I).