Story by Ricklyn Hukriede
Photos by Chris Millan
Tuesday afternoon, Laura Richardson toured the Port of Long Beach and Los Angeles with Chairwoman of the House of Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water and Environment, Eddie Bernice Johnson from Texas. The committee has jurisdiction over the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which built the breakwater about 60 years ago and are the ones able to approve and initiate action.
Earlier that day, Congresswomen Richardson and Johnson also viewed some facilities by helicopter, such as: The Long Beach Reclamation Plant (WRP) in Long Beach, Long Beach Seawater Desalination Project and the Alameda Corridor in the Ports of Long Beach, Los Angeles, Carson and Compton.
“Forty-five percent of all U.S. imports travel through the 37th District. So it is important for the Chairwoman to come out and see just how important the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles are, as well as the rest of our district and our nation’s economy,” said Congresswoman Richardson.
A few days ago, the lbpost.com reported that Richardson announced that she had secured $100,000 in federal funding in the House Appropriations Committee Energy and Water bill that would authorize the Army Corps of Engineers to evaluate federal interest in the Long Beach breakwater. The funds have not yet been approved by Congress, though. If they do, the Army Corps would review a soon-to-be released report conducted by engineering firm Moffatt & Nichol, rather than author a new one of their own.
“Long Beach has done a lot of research so we wouldn’t have to start from scratch, we would incorporate all of the their studies,” said Colonel Thomas Magness, District Commander and Engineer for the Army Corps, who accompanied the Congresswomen aboard the boat.
After a quick introduction from Congresswoman Richardson, we sat on the boat while business was discussed in an undertone between both Congresswomen and the Port Commissioner Mike Walter. A narrative was supposed to be given by Congresswoman Richardson followed by a Q&A, which was canceled for reasons unknown.
Richardson, Johnson and Harbor Commissioner Mike Walter on the harbor tour.
Ricklyn Hukriede is a contributing reporter and current journalism student at Long Beach City College.
Chris Millan is a contributing photographer and current Long Beach City College student.