In this story from today’s Bee, the flood bill limiting development in flood prone areas until a plan protecting those areas from flooding is in place, wends its way through the shoals and reefs of the legislative process.
Though still being watered down, it does appear to have some chance of making it through to the governor’s desk, where its fate remains uncertain.
Here is an excerpt.
Bill ties flood risks, growth
Assembly approves a measure outlining a process to assess new development.
By Carrie Peyton Dahlberg and Deb Kollars -- Bee Staff Writers Published 12:01 am PDT Tuesday, June 6, 2006
Nine months after flooding in New Orleans starkly outlined the perils of living behind levees, California has taken a tentative step toward linking flood risks with decisions about how the state should grow.
The link -- softened by amendments -- comes in AB 1899, which squeaked out of the Assembly last week with barely a vote to spare.
It's drawn praise from environmentalists and indignation from builders. Yet it could be five or 10 years before the measure leaves a significant mark on Central Valley development, if it survives as currently written. And alterations could easily emerge, because the author, Assemblywoman Lois Wolk, D-Davis, said she wants to reach out to cities, builders and the governor to craft legislation that can be signed into law.
