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Quick release of levee funds vowed
Governor promises $211 billion for four flood-control plans, including Natomas.
By Deb Kollars - dkollars@sacbee.com
Published 12:00 am PST Thursday, February 7, 2008.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Wednesday promised quick cash to several communities in the region, including Sacramento's Natomas area, where levees are weak and flooding is a serious threat.
Standing on a levee next to the Natomas Cross Canal, the governor said the state will release $211 million in bond funds to push forward four big flood-control projects, months before the money normally would roll out.
Of the total, $49 million will go toward strengthening and raising the Natomas Cross Canal, a five-mile channel that runs along the northern edge of the Natomas basin.
Sacramento City Councilman Ray Tretheway, who represents Natomas and joined the governor and other officials on the levee top, said the money can help bring greater flood safety more quickly to the 70,000 people living in the community.
"They want their homes to be safe. They want their community to be out of danger," Tretheway said. "Our goal is to do it sooner than later."
Mayor Heather Fargo said city leaders appreciated the jump-start and are researching ways to shave months or even a full year off the current end date – now predicted for 2010 or 2011 – for upgrading Natomas levees.
"We're looking at ways we can reduce the timeline and possibly get it done in 2009," Fargo said.
Last month, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that the levees in Natomas are less stable than previously believed. As a result, the area will be placed in a flood hazard zone at the end of this year, a designation that comes with new building elevation requirements tough enough to effectively shut down construction in the area.
