Department of Water Resources
A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment
May 10, 2007
5. Agencies, Programs, People
PLUMAS LAKE LEVEES
Levee work in Yuba OK; Corps of Engineers designates stretch by Plumas Lake safe from 100-year flood - Sacramento
11 miles of levees OK’d - Marysville Appeal Democrat
BAY AREA FLOOD CONTROL ISSUES:
Zone 7 plan gets backing in voter poll; TRI-VALLEY: Many surveyed were unfamiliar with stream management project, but most support $50 annual fee for plan - Contra Costa Times
Panel debates water agency - Reno Gazette Journal
PLUMAS LAKE LEVEES
Levee work in Yuba OK; Corps of Engineers designates stretch by Plumas Lake
Sacramento
By Matt Weiser, staff writer
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has certified that three major levee sections in the rapidly developing
County and state officials had allowed housing construction to continue in the area even though its levees were known to be suspect. They said money from developer fees would speed up repairs.
On Wednesday, officials with the Three Rivers Levee Improvement Authority, a joint powers agency overseeing the levee work, said the Army Corps' certification Tuesday shows their plan worked.
"For us it represents a culmination and a validation of all the hard work and aggressive work that we've done," said Paul Brunner, the authority's executive director.
The authority has spent about $130 million on levee repairs over the past two years, most of it raised from a $29,000 fee imposed on every new home built at
The most significant project was a 2-mile-long setback levee on the Bear River, at its confluence with the
Most of the repairs were built to a 200-year standard, Brunner said. But the corps does not certify any levees beyond a 100-year rating, which indicates the ability to withstand a flood with a 1 percent chance of happening in any given year.
The region's flood insurance rating will not be affected, because the levees already officially meet a 100-year standard. But the Federal Emergency Management Agency is remapping the Three Rivers basin, which still could cause the area to lose its 100-year rating. The new certification by the corps is expected to help the area hold onto that rating.
The area is not out of the woods yet, however, because major work remains along the
It hopes to make up the difference with funds from the two flood-control bond acts approved by voters in November, propositions 1E and 84. It has applied to the state Department of Water Resources for this funding.
Tom Foley, president of Concerned Citizens for Responsible Growth, called this a dicey proposal.
"They cannot make commitments on the (bond) money because the Legislature appropriates that money," Foley said. "We feel the whole thing is being mismanaged because we don't have enough money to get the work done."
The state Reclamation Board last year agreed to lift a housing construction cap in the area so developer fees could be used for the levee repairs. But this was conditioned on the Three Rivers authority meeting funding targets and construction schedules.
Jay Punia, the board's general manager, said those targets are still being met, but the full board has yet to rule on whether the hoped-for bond funds will satisfy the original deal.
"They're assuming the board will approve the project for a setback levee and DWR will fund it under propositions 84 and 1E," Punia said. "If that's not the case, then they have to go back to the drawing board and come up with a different cash flow to complete the project."
The Three Rivers authority expects a decision from DWR on the bond funding by June, Brunner said. The Reclamation Board is expected to review the proposed setback levee in July.
If all goes according to plan, construction will start in September and finish in November 2008.
"We're on a very aggressive schedule to accomplish everything by 2008," Brunner said. "The benefits of the setback levee are worth the extra effort to try to make it happen." #
http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/174120.html
11 miles of levees OK’d
Marysville Appeal Democrat – 5/9/07
By Daniel Witter, staff writer
After four years, countless decisions and $130 million in repairs, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has certified 11 miles of levees in south
“For us, it’s a fantastic event,” said Paul Brunner, executive director of the Three Rivers Levee Improvement Authority. “It validates where we’ve been and what we’ve done.”
Six miles of levees along the
The levees are now certified for the 100-year flood protection level for the next 10 years.
The Corps of Engineers will re-examine the levees at that point to be sure they meet the latest standards, according to Thomas Trainer, chief of the Engineering Division for the Corps’
Trainer announced the certification in a letter to
Three Rivers oversees repairs on the levees that protect Linda, Olivehurst, Arboga and
The levee work still must be examined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency for final accreditation, but the 100-year certification comes from the Corps of Engineers, Brunner said.
County officials are trying to build the levees to the 200-year flood protection level.
To date, Three Rivers has authorized $130 million in repairs for a four-phase project. The certification covers all of the work completed to date, Brunner said.
When completed by the end of November 2008, repairs will cost about $354 million, according to county estimates.
“We have been through ups and downs, but this has made it worth it,” said Supervisor Dan Logue, who serves on the Three Rivers board.
“That’s going to have a big impact on flood insurance,” said Logue, referring to the certification. “This is really a red-letter day. This will change the economic face south of the
In January, FEMA released preliminary flood maps that placed most of south
County officials are confident the certifications will cause FEMA to re-evaluate the maps.
“They’re very willing to look and see what we have,” Brunner said.
Supervisor Mary Jane Griego, also a Three Rivers board member, was equally jubilant. Her parents’ home was flooded in 1997, and the 1986 flood forced the temporary closure of one of the family’s
“This became a very personal issue for me,” she said.
The levee work is not complete. The largest part of the levee repair project – 13 miles along the
“We are looked at being a pioneer as to what a local jurisdiction can do,” she said. “We are not the weakest link in the system anymore. Your investment is a lot more sound today.” #
http://www.appeal-democrat.com/onset?id=48178&template=article.html
BAY AREA FLOOD CONTROL ISSUES:
Zone 7 plan gets backing in voter poll; TRI-VALLEY: Many surveyed were unfamiliar with stream management project, but most support $50 annual fee for plan
Contra Costa Times – 5/10/07
By Chris Metinko, staff writer
Although a relatively dry winter and warm spring may not have many people thinking about floods, a recent poll shows voters would back a fee increase for a major flood control and water preservation plan in the Tri-Valley.
A March poll of 401 voters in
The poll, to be reviewed by Zone 7's board next week, showed 87 percent of those contacted said they had never heard about the stream management plan.
However, after being given a description of the plan, 67 percent said they would support the plan "strongly" or "somewhat." Also, 52 percent said they would support paying $50 annually for the plan.
Zone 7 spokeswoman Bonita Brewer said the main objective of the poll, which was commissioned by the water agency, wasn't only to gauge voters' willingness to pay increased taxes or fees for the plan. It also will help Zone 7 assess the public's attitude toward certain areas of concern.
"We need to understand what's important to the people we serve," Brewer said. Public funding may be just one element of any possible funding, which also may include state and federal grants, developer fees and public-private partnerships, she added.
Although $479 million for the plan is specifically tied to flood protection, that was one of the last things on the minds of most people surveyed -- only 28 percent think it is a serious concern. On the other hand, 72 percent said the pollution of rivers, lakes and streams is more worrisome.
Brewer said although a number of the plan's 45 projects are linked to flood control, many would create more environmentally friendly ways of preventing damage from floods and also preserve water quality and habitat.
The Zone 7 water board adopted the stream plan last summer after eight years of planning with the caveat that proper funding and community support must be in place before any part of the plan is implemented.
A key component of the plan will be the formation of the "chain of lakes." These lakes would form a crescent from northeast
The stored water would be released downstream only after storms pass through the area, allowing arroyos to maintain a more natural state. Also as part of the management plan, 10 projects would remove or modify fish-passage barriers in Arroyo Mocho, Arroyo del Valle and Arroyo de la Laguna waterways. Other projects would restore natural stream flows, replace invasive plants with native types, stabilize stream banks, create wetlands and other habitat for sensitive species and install trails and educational kiosks near Valley arroyos.
Meanwhile, sediment coming down from the hills during storms, which can often plug up the arroyos, would be routinely removed to maintain creek flow and improve water quality.
Brewer said the board hopes to come up with a list of priorities for the plan sometime in late fall. After the priorities are established the agency will look at specifics, including how to fund such projects. #
http://www.contracostatimes.com/search/ci_5862051
Panel debates water agency
Jeff DeLong, staff writer
Truckee Meadows government officials supported creating an umbrella agency to oversee the search for new water, but some members of an Assembly committee had reservations Wednesday.
Critics said the proposal is an unnecessary and developer-driven effort to subsidize growth on the backs of area residents.
Senate Bill 487 would create the Northern Nevada Water Authority to oversee the four major water purveyors serving the greater Reno-Sparks area and be governed by representatives from each.
The bill's sponsor, state Sen. Mark Amodei, R-Carson City, said the proposal is a logical means to manage a precious natural resource in Nevada's second-largest urban area and disputed any suggestion the bill was crafted to give developers a free ride.
"This is the right thing to do for the region," Amodei told the Assembly Government Affairs Committee. "Nothing in this bill says developers ought to get water for free. It says you should have a coordinated approach to getting that water."
While a regional approach to managing water in
Bobizen said the bill fails to identify a specific funding source but some kind of wholesale charge across the region would likely be necessary to finance the new authority's activities.
"That's what we need to look at before we move forward with a decision," Bobizen said.
Assemblyman Jerry Clayborn, D-Las Vegas, repeatedly said creation of a regional water authority should be put to a vote.
"You ought to put it to the voters and see if they want it," Clayborn said. "They're the ones that are going to pay for it."
Testifying in support of the bill Wednesday were the mayors of
"This bill will bring water leadership to Northern Nevada and
"We need to work together," agreed Reno Mayor Bob Cashell. "We think it's something that needs to happen."
Others attacked a proposal that they insist would cater to developers by subsidizing costly water importation projects at potentially high costs to existing residents and water customers.
Some critics said the existing setup of
"This is another level of government. It's a new bureaucracy," said Steve Bradhurst, a former
Charlie Regusa of Voices for Truckee Meadows said the bill has "disastrous implications for Northern Nevada" while
"What do I get out of buying water for growth?" Nappe asked, urging the committee to kill the bill.
Bills die unless passed in both chambers by May 25. #
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