Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson announced that the city is beginning the process to implement a new trash-capture system at the mouth of the Lower Los Angeles River to reduce debris that reaches local beaches.

"Today, I'm proud to announce that Long Beach is beginning the process to implement a new trash capture system along the Lower Los Angeles River to help keep our beaches clean," Mayor Rex Richardson said at a waterfront event.

City officials said the Public Works Department completed a marine debris and trash-capture feasibility study and will start community engagement on Nov. 12 with a virtual meeting at 6 p.m. "We have a virtual meeting on November 12 and that's at 6PM," Joshua Hickman, Acting Director for Public Works, told attendees and directed people to longbeach.gov for details.

Councilmember Christina Duggan said the initiative combines technology and policy: the city is moving forward with an improved trash-capture device while preparing formal comments on the Regional Water Quality Control Board's nonpoint-source trash regulations, which are open for public comment. "Let this be the moment where we draw the line and say enough is enough," Duggan said, urging regional cooperation.

Environmental and volunteer partners at the event framed the move as necessary to address pollution carried downstream. Catherine Dresendorfer of the Surfrider Foundation noted the scale of the watershed and volunteer collection efforts: the Los Angeles River runs 51 miles, the San Gabriel River 58 miles, and volunteers collected nearly 3,000 pounds of trash at Veterans Memorial Pier this year and about 1,300 pounds in a single day at the San Gabriel River.

Officials emphasized that technology alone is insufficient. Richardson said the city will press for stronger upstream regulation, seek cost-sharing agreements with partner cities and pursue state funding opportunities, including climate-bond programs, to support permitting and implementation. He also cited ongoing local maintenance programs and specialized equipment that remove more than 2,000 tons of debris annually from Long Beach shorelines.

The city asked residents and upstream jurisdictions to share responsibility for seasonal debris management and to participate in the Nov. 12 community meeting to review the feasibility study and provide input on implementation and siting of capture devices.

No formal vote or ordinance was taken at the event; officials framed the announcement as the start of implementation planning and regional engagement.