One doesn’t know how this proposal will fare, but it would appear to have a better chance if the level of flood control being discussed was 500 years, rather than 200, (less than New Orleans had).
Tax hike sought for flood work
Landowners will vote on helping pay for levee, Folsom Dam upgrades.
By Matt Weiser - Bee Staff Writer Published 12:00 am PST Friday, November 17, 2006
Sacramento flood control officials on Thursday unveiled a plan to raise $290 million to double the area's flood protection within a decade.
The plan, proposed by the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency, hinges on a new parcel tax to be decided via a mail ballot that will be presented to area property owners in March. In total dollars, it is the largest property tax assessment the agency has ever proposed.
The money will cover the area's share of more than $2 billion in major projects that will help achieve 200-year protection. That means the area would have only a half-percent chance of flooding in any given year.
The projects include $125 million as the area's share to modify Folsom Dam and $74 million to strengthen Natomas levees.
After New Orleans, Sacramento is widely recognized as having the least flood protection of any major urban area in the United States. Large areas now have only 100-year protection, and pockets of the city have even less.
The flood control agency has estimated the potential damage from a major flood at about $20 billion.
Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo said the risk makes the new assessment look like a good investment. She said she believes many property owners will agree, even though it would mean a slightly bigger tax bill for many. If approved, the new assessment would be levied on about 138,000 parcels across the metropolitan area.
