The Los Angeles River
The Los Angeles River has always graced California City for ages now. For what can look like an analysis of the past, the river has not altered the good ambience that it contributes to in California. This was the case up until the year 2013, when the army corps of engineers raised an opinion on changing the river to other purposes.in the eyes and intellectual capacities of the army corps of engineers, the river was perceived to be the most suited point to alter for the purpose of restoration of the ecosystem. Currently, the river is running in a concrete stretch. Aesthetically, the Los Angeles River does not depict a good scenery as the course of the river is not in its natural orientation. However, if it could be changed into a more appealing manner, quite appealing and blends well with the natural vicinity, ecosystem of the city would have changed amazingly (Epstein, 2018).
The Plan for Restoration
For the actualization of this particular plan, a team of engineers were sought first to make a computerized model of how the river would flow after the concrete riverbank walls have been ripped off. The city set aside a budget of five hundred and ninety three million dollars, an amount that was supposed to buy the parcel of land that encompasses the Los Angeles River. In the periphery is the Taylor Yard that is pacific union owned. This location best fitted wetlands, a park space for the public among other amenities that are necessary for development of ecosystem. Since Taylor Yard was perceived as the crown jewel for the entire ecosystem revitalization project, the city and the federal government had to pull resources and get the amount required for the transformation exercise (Epstein, 2018).
Positive Influence on Ecosystem
Categorically, the move is in order and it is worth welcoming across multiple ecology interested parties. The move to use eminent domain in the conversion of the river into an ecosystem friendly one will have a long future positive influence in the ecosystem. Reasons being, the river will regain its ecosystem and get to support life. In the process, the river will realize its full life ecosystem. This is a very important opinion especially in the bid to save ecosystem form disappearing as in the case of the river. Moreover, the move will eventually change the ambience to a more natural one, one that blends effectively with nature to realize the full magic of a restored ecosystem (Merriam & Ross, 2006).
Importance of Eminent Domain
Essentially, the eminent domain could be of great importance to the city. Supporting this, is the evidence that the ecosystem of Los Angeles was pre-determined to change in its ecosystem. There was no much harm caused by the eminent domain to any property as the river was not adjacent to any major development. On matters compensation, there was enough amount of money that was set aside to compensate the owners whose land could be converted to enable restoration of ecosystem in Los Angeles, California. Given that there was harmonization of the contributions that were made from both the city and the federal government, there was a lot of hope instilled in the end results of revitalization and eventual restoration of the ecosystem. Further to that, Taylor yard was the best point that was located and it could serve the purpose fully due to its characteristic physical location in Los Angeles, California. This is a best case scenario in which eminent domain was put into use. Through this, Los Angeles River could get a natural touch that depicts the true meaning of nature and the passion to develop the surrounding environment into a more comfortable habitat.
References
http://eminentdomainlaw.net/city-gives-go-ahead-to-the-army-corps-of-engineers-to-begin-restoration/
Merriam, D., & Ross, M. (2006). PDF Private Property And Public Power Eminent Domain In Philadelphia Download Full – Dallp PDF Site. Retrieved from http://dallp.net/download/private-property-and-public-power-eminent-domain-in-philadelphia/
Epstein, R. (2018). Takings: Private Property and the Power of Eminent Domain.
