Panel OKs Study of L.A. River : Legislature: An Assembly committee approves a bill that would set aside $500,000 to draft a master plan for creating a recreation area.

SACRAMENTO —  An Assembly committee on Tuesday approved a bill to earmark $500,000 to create a master plan for turning the concrete-lined Los Angeles River into a lush recreational area from the San Fernando Valley to Long Beach.

After a 90-minute hearing, the Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee voted 9 to 0 to send the proposal by Sen. Art Torres (D-Los Angeles) to the Ways and Means Committee. It previously was approved by the Senate.

Torres described Tuesday’s action as “a very significant step” toward turning the 58-mile-long channel into a recreational oasis that would include jogging and bike trails and picnic areas. The river begins in the southwest Valley, where Bell and Calabasas creeks come together.

Under the Torres proposal, the state Coastal Conservancy, which was set up to preserve coastal and inland waterways, would be given two years to prepare a master plan for turning the river into a park and recreational area. The open space eventually would be developed by local governments.

At the urging of Assemblyman Richard Katz (D-Sylmar), Torres accepted several amendments to ensure that the park plan would help reduce air pollution and include compatible uses for the river.

For the past year, Katz has been pressing his own Los Angeles River proposal to establish a riverbed roadway, flanked by greenbelts, schools, shops and homes. On Tuesday, Katz, who sits on the Water Committee but failed to vote on the Torres bill, maintained his vision for the river is compatible with the senator’s. “We can solve transportation . . . and provide recreational space at the same time,” Katz said.

However, Torres maintained that Katz’s expressway proposal and his plan are not compatible. Torres said that a monorail line--similar to one supported in June by San Fernando Valley voters--could fit into the recreation area he envisions.

Mayor Tom Bradley is staying neutral in the fight between Torres and Katz. Bill Chandler, Bradley’s press secretary, said the mayor has not taken a position on the Torres bill. He added that Bradley “has proposed turning the Los Angeles River corridor into a green and open space for area residents” and has established a local task force to determine the best use of the river.