House Approves Valley Projects
Washington, D.C. - The House on Wednesday voted for proposals by Congressman Brad Sherman to restore the Bull Creek channel in the Sepulveda Basin and to fund youth programs in Northridge and Van Nuys.
Sherman won $2 million for the Bull Creek project located in a section of the Sepulveda Basins Anthony C. Beilenson Park. œThis project will restore wildlife and native habitat in the channel and add new trails and a pedestrian bridge, Sherman said.
The Sepulveda Basin is a federally-owned flood control area. Operated by the City of Los Angeles, the basin includes athletic fields, parklands, golf courses, a wildlife reserve and other recreational facilities.
The Senate also is poised to approve the $2 million project in the Army Corps of Engineers budget and send the funding measure to the White House. The new round of funding is in addition to more than $1.9 million Sherman secured in prior years for the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area.
Completing action on a separate spending bill, the House earmarked $100,000 for the Devonshire PALS (Police Activity League Supporters) youth center in Northridge.
Devonshire PALS will run the program in coordination with the Devonshire Division of the Los Angeles Police Department and community volunteers. The center will provide after-school and weekend services for more than 800 San Fernando Valley youths. It will provide educational programs, tutoring, field trips, computer training, cultural activities and sports. Business and community leaders in the Valley also have launched a campaign to raise other funds to build the new PALS youth center.
Another $100,000 was set aside for the Van Nuys-based New Directions for Youth to assist in its mission to help at-risk youths throughout the San FernandoValley become productive adults. The appropriation will fund the development of a Community Technology Center to provide computer access and job training services.
The earmarks for the San Fernando Valley youth service programs were included in a bill to fund the Justice Department and other federal agencies.