In this story from today’s Bee the bill limiting building in flood prone areas passes, and one good outcome of it is that it will help encourage the state legislature, unless they want to discourage growth in the valleys, to work for long term flood protection, of which dams have to play the major role.
Here is an excerpt.
Assembly OKs cable franchises from state
Also passed is a bill limiting Valley homes in floodplains.
By Jim Sanders --Bee Capitol BureauPublished 12:01 am PDT Thursday, June 1, 2006
Legislation hailed as a way to give Californians lower prices and more choice in cable television services was approved overwhelmingly Wednesday night by the state Assembly...
While the cable bill received bipartisan support, the flood-control measure received the bare-minimum 41 votes needed to pass the 80-member Assembly.
The measure, Assembly Bill 1899, is a linchpin in efforts to reduce flood risks in the Sacramento and San Joaquin River watersheds.
Assemblywoman Lois Wolk, D-Davis, said it makes no sense to continue allowing unlimited development on flood-prone lands.
AB 1899 would not impose a moratorium on Central Valley development, but it would create a new hurdle for builders.
Under Wolk's bill, new subdivisions would be permitted only if the state Reclamation Board determines that they have at least 100-year flood protection and a "reasonable plan" to secure 200-year flood protection within 10 years.
The two standards refer to the Central Valley levee system's ability to withstand massive flooding that has a one-in-100 or one-in-200 chance of occurring in any given year.
AB 1899 would apply to developments of 25 housing units or more that are not "infill" of vacant lots inside existing tracts. Retail and office development would not be affected.
Nearly a half-million Central Valley residents, 2 million acres of cultivated acreage, and 200,000 structures with a value of $47 billion are at risk of flooding, according to the state Department of Water Resources.
