Perhaps the continued restrictions on growth as well as the ongoing search for more water and power will encourage local government to sign on to solving many of these issues with the construction of the Auburn Dam.
Feds to limit capital growth
FEMA says North Natomas development will be curbed because of the flood risk.
By Mary Lynne Vellinga - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PDT Friday, October 12, 2007
The federal government has warned the city of Sacramento that it plans to slap growth restrictions on North Natomas because of its flood risk.
In a letter dated Sept. 27 -- but which city officials say they didn't receive until Monday -- the Federal Emergency Management Agency informed Sacramento that it was denying the city's request to continue allowing unrestricted growth in North Natomas while the levees are improved.
Sutter and Sacramento counties received similar letters.
FEMA's determination means no new development will be allowed for now on farmland in Sacramento or Sutter counties. The restriction could remain in place until the levees are recertified to provide 100-year flood protection, which local flood control officials hope to achieve by 2010.
Building in the city's portion of North Natomas could be allowed to continue -- but only if houses are elevated 3 feet and commercial buildings are flood-proofed. Developers say these requirements are prohibitively expensive, and would result in a de facto growth moratorium.
