Water is life, and due to climate change we now experiences both longer droughts and more intense storms. Supervisor Horvath championed and led approval of the LA County Water Plan, the visionary strategy to unite LA’s more than 200 water agencies towards a shared goal of reaching 80% local water supply by 2045 and more than doubling the amount of stormwater captured for beneficial reuse. The plan invests in our dams and waterways, protecting life and property from intense flooding and maximizing the amount of water that can be beneficially captured. She led reforms to adaptively manage the Safe Clean Water Program (Measure W), LA County’s $280 million annual grant program, ensuring the program achieves maximum impact and is accessible to communities throughout the County. She has supported efforts up and down the coast to clean up beaches and waterways and is working to eliminate dangerous pollutants and single use waste streams before they enter our natural environment to begin with.

Exposure to extreme heat claims more lives than any other climate risk and Supervisor Horvath is leading the charge to protect Angelenos from it. She is leading the development of tenant protections from extreme heat which would require landlords to provide safe indoor temperatures, including for existing buildings. The County’s Heat Action Plan and Climate Ready Communities initiatives are together ensuring that the County’s infrastructure, from bus shelters, to street trees, to emergency cooling shelters are planned to protect Angelenos from a warming climate.

The Third District was still recovering from the Woolsey Fire before the Franklin and Palisades Fires broke out. These have changed our city forever. Residents, especially in our Santa Monica Mountains communities, are vigilant of the risks posed by wildfires. Climate-induced wildfires have become too common and Supervisor Horvath has prioritized fire safety by investing in our County Fire resources throughout the District and hosting more than a dozen community safety fairs throughout her first year in office.

Supervisor Horvath proudly serves as the Vice Chair of the Clean Power Alliance, America’s leading clean power provider, serving millions in LA and Ventura counties. She has led the charge to accelerate renewable energy and battery storage development in LA County to provide reliable energy and good, local jobs to more Angelenos. She fully supports the phase out of neighborhood oil drilling and working with communities to support a just transition for impacted energy sector workers.

At Supervisor Horvath’s direction, LA County now has a Zero Emissions Vehicle Master Plan. LA County already operates the largest number of EV chargers in our region, and is working to expand charging infrastructure to reduce barriers to owning an electric vehicle. The masterplan will eventually transition the entire County-owned fleet to zero-emissions vehicles. Under her leadership, the County is working to expand both active and public transportation options, all contributing to cleaner air for our region.

Buildings represent the largest source of greenhouse gas reductions after transportation and Supervisor Horvath supports policies to reduce that climate pollution and improve the air quality of our homes and workplaces. The County must lead by example with its own buildings and directed the creation of a Municipal Climate Action Plan that will accelerate energy efficiency and clean energy projects at LA County’s 4,500 facilities.

From Malibu to Venice Beach, the Third District is home to some of the world’s most iconic coastline.  But sea level rise and intense winter storms have impacted our shoreline and particularly threaten our beautiful beaches.  Together with our Department of Beaches and Harbors and several community, non-profit, and government partners, Supervisor Horvath launched a Coastal Resiliency Initiative, which will protect these vital community spaces.  Starting with pilot projects at Zuma and Point Dume beaches, the County will develop “living shorelines,” which enhance coastal biodiversity and has been a successful tool at combatting coastal erosion.  Our beaches are a vital resource to escape summer heat, provide access to nature, and recreation, and we must safeguard them for all LA County residents. 

The Third District hosts many of LA County’s most beautiful natural areas and public spaces, which Supervisor Horvath is working to expand.  Once completed, the Rory Shaw Wetlands Park will provide new recreational opportunities, access to nature, address flood control in Sun Valley, and help LA County achieve water resiliency by capturing stormwater.  The LA River Masterplan is a blueprint to provide new access to recreation, bike trails, and enhance communities throughout the San Fernando Valley.  The Headwaters Pavilion Park is the first major park being built under this plan and will be a beautiful addition to the Canoga Park neighborhood and the West San Fernando Valley.  The Supervisor has also worked to expand access and programing at the County’s El Cariso Park in Sylmar.  The Supervisor supports the conservation of natural areas and is particularly interested in promoting the biodiversity of the Santa Monica Mountains. 

The health of our urban canopy and our native forests are critical to enhance our scenic beauty, protect biodiversity, clean our air, keep us safe from wildfires and floods, and to combat urban heat.  The recently adopted Community Forest Master Plan is a roadmap to protect and expand our neighborhood trees and ensure every neighborhood has access to the benefits they provide.  The Supervisor is also focused on invasive pests that especially threaten our native oak trees.  She directed County departments to prioritize the risks from the gold-spotted oak borer (GSOB) and as a result, LA County Fire department’s new Invasive Pest Management Unit to work together with communities to protect our trees.  The Supervisor took a stand against unnecessary use of rodenticides and other toxic chemicals that have been linked to sickening some of our threatened native species such as mountain lions.