The train tracks that run along the Los Angeles River, through Cypress Park and Elysian Valley, were historically used for switching trains. In 1992, without authority from the city of Los Angeles, Metrolink expanded this area into what is now its Central Maintenance Facility (CMF), with no CEQA or equivalent assessment of impact. Metrolink defends the CMF, presenting this location as though it has “always been a maintenance facility”, which is false. Over 20 years ago, the City took a position that Metrolink had not been entitled to build a maintenance facility here, but despite multiple Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs), Metrolink has continued to expand the CMF without any oversight or review.
In 2011, neighbors began coordinating their efforts to deal with CMF’s air and noise pollution. Upon the recommendation of Congressman Adam Schiff, a community working group was formed in 2012, under the name NELA Residents for Clean Air. Building on that work, Los Angeles River Communities for Environmental Equity was formed to establish a growing volunteer network to promote continued, sustained activism and seek policy change.
Over the years, we have enjoyed surges in community activism and support from elected officials including Congressman Adam Schiff, Gloria Molina, Kevin de Léon, Hilda Solis, then-councilmember Eric Garcetti, current CD13 Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell, Gil Cedillo as both a member of the State Assembly and Councilmember of CD1, as well as organizations such as LAUSD and the AQMD. Our community successfully pressured Metrolink into conducting a Health Risk Assessment (HRA).
As they were not required to do so by Federal regulations, Metrolink is credited with “voluntarily” doing the HRA. However, rather than test the day-to-day air pollution stressors to the community, their survey focused only on long term cancer risks and a theoretical schedule of operation. The working group informed Metrolink that it was not satisfied with the pollution inventories nor happy that the HRA only covered cancer risk over 40 years within a one-mile radius, failing to address short term health effects on the respiratory system, which had been requested repeatedly. Metrolink was well aware of our dissatisfaction, but its lawyers had advised Metrolink not to go this far with the assessments. Thus, no air sampling was ever conducted.
Today, we are grateful that neighborhoods adjacent to the CMF can do their own sampling thanks to the Coalition for Clean Air’s monitoring network.
Elysian Valley & Cypress Park Residents
Are you tired of all the Metrolink train NOISE and AIR POLLUTION that’s impacting our neighborhood?Over the years, Metrolink has increased train service operations despite promises to mitigate their effect on our communities. In 1992 they maintained 17 trains a day. Now in 2017 over 25 trains –- amounting to 16 hours of operation daily –- are negatively impacting the quality of life for us all. Metrolink could cut back hours of operation, and implement further noise and air pollution reduction measures. It’s time to speak up and say enough is enough!
By calling this number you can make a difference.
Metrolink: Central Maintenance Facility Community Complaint # 213- 452-0400
Call once, twice, or call as many times you want.
Smell harmful DIESEL FUMES? 1-800-CUT-SMOG
Or report to the AQMD directly, and they will send a representative to inspect the CMF site.
The more they hear from the community the more likely real changes will be made.
Los Angeles River Communities for Environmental Equity (LARCEE) in Elysian Valley for the past 6 years has been working with reducing noise and the harmful diesel fumes coming from this facility. Want to know more? email LARiverCEE@gmail.com of further updates and check out www.lametrolinkpollution.com.
Other complaints should be made at these numbers.
Congressman Adam Schiff, 28th District: 818-450-2900
Council Member Mitch O’Farrell, 13th District: 213-207-3015
Council Member Gil Cedillo 1st. District: 213-473-7001