In this story from today’s Bee we learn that the ability to move quickly when spurred by the tragedy that occurred in New Orleans, and knowing the inadequate state of our flood protection system, combined with the action of local congressional leadership and the governor, action can occur.
The levees are the final protection in our flood control system, and as desperately as we need to be thinking long-term about first responder protection like dams, it is vital to see that the levees are not breached, so this story is good news.
However, the key item here is that this emergency repair is only needed because the normal maintenance and ongoing repairs of a vital public resource has been neglected as the story notes:
“Snow[director, state Department of Water Resources] cautioned the repairs do not improve flood control. The state estimates billions of dollars are needed to repair and upgrade levees that have been neglected for years.”
This is the same situation on our Parkway, many years of neglect resulting in its almost closing a couple of years ago, and still limping on with ongoing reduced maintenance rather than the strengthening needed to maintain its long-term status as the crown jewel of our region; a label hardly merited at the present time due to the situation in the Lower Reach (see the report on our website www.arpps.org)
Here is an excerpt from today’s Bee story.
Levee repair accord reached
U.S. will let state cut through red tape to get 29 weak spots repaired by Nov. 1.
By Matt Weiser, Bee Staff Writer and David Whitney, Bee Washington Bureau Published 2:15 am PDT Wednesday, May 3, 2006
An agreement announced Tuesday between state and federal agencies ensures that 29 eroding levees will be fixed by Nov. 1, officials said, and it also ensures the state gets credit for its share of the costs.
The agreement is a result of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's directive to repair the erosion sites under an emergency declaration. He had hoped for a similar declaration from President Bush.
That didn't happen. But various federal agencies agreed to speed up the processing of plans and permits to ensure the work gets done.
"It gives us what we needed. It definitely works for us," said Lester Snow, director of the state Department of Water Resources. "There is no question we will be in completion of all 29 sites by November."
Snow said Tuesday that repairing the eroding levees is now estimated to cost "less than $150 million." But he said the estimate could grow if falling river levels reveal more damage.
The sites stretch from just north of Colusa on the upper Sacramento River to Cache Slough upstream of Rio Vista in the south. Six of the erosion sites are in metropolitan Sacramento.
Snow cautioned the repairs do not improve flood control. The state estimates billions of dollars are needed to repair and upgrade levees that have been neglected for years.
