Levee Repairs, Part Two

October 17, 2006 Notice from DWR.

News for Immediate Release
October 17, 2006
Contacts:
M. Elizabeth Scott, PIO, Public Affairs, (916) 835-5344

DWR on Schedule to Repair Critical Erosion Sites:Completion of Work Ahead of Flood Season Will Safeguard People and Property

Sacramento -- the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) today announced completion of structural repairs to 12 critical levee sites in the Central Valley flood control system. Repairs to the remaining 17 original erosion sites are on schedule to be finished by November 1, ahead of this year’s flood season.

“We have been moving at full speed since Governor Schwarzenegger signed a State of Emergency for California’s levee system in February,” said DWR Director Lester Snow. “It’s unacceptable to not do everything possible to complete these repairs when so many people and property are at high risk.”

Repairs to four erosion sites that were added to the project in August will also be completed by November 30.

Meanwhile, new tools have also been given to the Department of Water Resources to prevent a Katrina-like flood disaster in California.

“Governor Schwarzenegger’s October 3 Executive Order (S-18-06) allows us to help cash-strapped agencies repair their critically eroded levees and other infrastructure without incurring undue long-term cost to the state,” said Snow.

The executive order authorizes the Department of Water Resources to utilize funds from Assembly Bill 142 (Nunez/Perata). The bill appropriates $500 million from the General Fund for flood control system evaluation, repair and improvement. The Army Corps of Engineers has 71 previously identified levee sites that it considers critical as we enter flood season.

Although these repairs are the federal government’s responsibility, federal funding currently is not available. The Governor’s executive order allows state funds from AB 142 to be advanced to the federal government for these repairs.

DWR has contracted with the Corps to fund work on some levee sites, and additional contracts are in the pipeline. As it has on other projects, the state will work closely with the federal government to expedite the issuance of federal permits from the Fish and Wildlife Service, NOAA Fisheries, and the Corps of Engineers to comply with federal environmental laws. Earlier this year, DWR and the U.S. Corps obtained more than 50 permits and approvals from state and federal agencies to repair critical erosion sites.

Up to $50 million will be available for grants to local agencies throughout the state. With 50-50 cost-sharing, approximately $100 million could be spent on flood infrastructure evaluations and repairs. DWR is developing guidelines and criteria for the award of grants to local agencies. Information on emergency levee repairs can be found online at http://www.levees.water.ca.gov/.

A copy of the October 3, 2006 executive order can be found online at http://gov.ca.gov/index.php?/press-release/4263/.