Department of Water Resources
A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment
October 25, 2007
5. Agencies, Programs, People
City to agree to N. Natomas building curbs - Sacramento Bee
FLOODPLAIN ISSUES:
Feds reduce flood risk; Lower insurance premiums for Olivehurst - Marysville Appeal Democrat
REMOVAL OF RAILROAD TRESTLE:
A river obstacle no more - Santa Rosa Press Democrat
FLOOD FIGHTING STRATEGIES:
Strategy on floods unveiled - Vacaville Reporter
LIME SADDLE CAMPGROUND:
New operator signs contract for Lime Saddle - Oroville Mercury Register
City to agree to
By Mary Lynne Vellinga, staff writer
The Sacramento City Council has decided to follow a federal recommendation that it apply for a flooding designation that would impose building restrictions on
At the same time, however, the council directed staff members to include language in their application to the Federal Emergency Management Agency indicating that the city will later seek an exemption from the requirement that new homes be elevated 3 feet.
In North Natomas – where flood depths could exceed 20 feet – elevating homes by 3 feet would do no good, but would be so expensive that it would bring construction to a halt, said Gregory Thatch, a lawyer representing builders.
In September, FEMA rejected the city's application for an A99 designation, which would have allowed growth to continue unabated in
The council's unanimous vote Tuesday will let its staff meet a deadline of today to get a new application in. Officials said they will have to submit it without some of the necessary documents, which will be sent along later.
City Council members expressed frustration with FEMA's decision, considering improvements that already have been made to the levees over the years.
In 1998 the
Since then, local property owners have approved new assessments totaling $326 million to help pay for levee upgrades.
"We've made such progress; we've been so responsible as a region," said City Councilman Rob Fong. "Half the state of
He and other council members asked staff members if there was a way to appeal FEMA's decision.
Dave Brent, engineering manager for the Department of Utilities, said there is no way to appeal at this point. In any event, he said, the decision went up to the highest levels of the Department of Homeland Security in
He worried aloud that if
New homes in an AE zone must be elevated 1 foot above expected flood levels, which reach 20 feet in some parts of Natomas. #
http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/452640.html
FLOODPLAIN ISSUES:
Feds reduce flood risk; Lower insurance premiums for Olivehurst
Marysville Appeal Democrat – 10/25/07
By Andrea Koskey, staff writer
After years of planning and construction, the
The Federal Emergency Management Agency notified
“Rates are based on the flood zones,” said Public Works Director Mike Lee. “This directly affects people’s pocket books.”
The new maps rezoning Olivehurst cover from
The basin, which cost about $7 million, is an internal draining area that holds water if rivers levels get too high.
The southern Olivehurst detention pond, roughly 900 feet north of the
“That backup floods the neighborhoods and streets where people live,” Griego said. “I have (constituents) paying up to $1,500 for flood insurance. This could bring them down to about $300.”
For longtime Olivehurst residents, the new mapping could potentially save at least $1,000, Griego said.
“It’s great,” Delsie Griffin, 57, of
But in order to get the lower premiums, Griego said it is up to homeowners to notify insurance and mortgage companies. A task,
“No one knows what’s going on,” she said. “I’m anxious to see the new premiums in June. But no one seems to be able to help me.”
The Griffins said their flood insurance cost them $1,700, which is up from $700 two years ago. With a limited income, Delsie Griffin said, it was hard for them to come up with the money.
“We’ve got it bad,” Paul Griffin, 71, said. “But I can’t imagine what they are paying in
Although being out of the floodplain map no longer requires homeowners to have flood insurance, Griego and Lee strongly encourage it.
“Just because it’s designated on paper doesn’t mean it can’t flood,” Lee said.
The Griffins said they hadn’t thought that far in advance because they have yet to receive a discount. But holding on to flood insurance is something they would consider even though they’ve never been flooded.
“It doesn’t hurt to be protected, especially if it’s that cheap,” Paul Griffin said. #
http://www.appeal-democrat.com/news/flood_55675___article.html/insurance_griego.html
REMOVAL OF RAILROAD TRESTLE:
A river obstacle no more
Santa Rosa Press Democrat – 10/25/07
By Paul Payne, staff writer
In John Cheney's flood-prone
It's happened more times than the retired prison guard cares to remember in his 23 years in the low-lying
So Cheney was relieved Wednesday when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began the last phase of a $40 million flood-control project by plucking an abandoned railroad trestle from the river. It has been obstacle that would clog with debris during a rain storm, spilling water onto streets.
"I'm going to sleep better knowing that trestle is out," said Cheney, who lives in one of 600 residential and commercial buildings in the area. "If it wants to flood my house now, this old guy will get in his car and drive away."
Under sunny skies, large cranes on both banks dismantled the 1920 Southern Pacific Railroad trestle, lifting 15-ton sections of the wooden top. They also planned to pull about 30 creosote-soaked wooden piles.
Excavation of the channel will follow, along with installation of steel sheet pile.
Corps of Engineers and city officials looked on, pleased to be completing a project that has stretched out more than two decades, largely because of funding delays.
"This is a huge step forward," Petaluma Mayor Pam Torliatt said. "It will provide us with a level of flood protection the citizens have expected."
Residents lobbied then-Congresswoman Barbara Boxer to get federal money, and the project was authorized four years later, in 1986.
The Corps of Engineers tackled the project in five components, each funded separately. In earlier phases, the Corps widened the channel between the
The last $3.2 million was approved by Congress earlier this year with support from Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey, D-Petaluma, and Boxer, now a
Jay Kinberger, the Corps' project manager, said the bridge removal brings the flood control system to full capacity as the rainy season approaches.
"That trestle bridge slowed down the water," Kinberger said. "By removing it, we're taking away the last impediment."
Contractors will build an alternative rail spur to replace the bridge, connecting Dairymen's Feed & Supply Cooperative to the main line, said Michael Ban, the city's director of water resources and conservation.
However, a moratorium on development upstream of the weir is not expected to be lifted until a city analysis of the causes of the 2005 flooding is complete. The ban is in its second year.
Meanwhile, residents like Cheney said removal of the trestle is a good sign. Cheney has grown weary of what seems to be a winter ritual of heavy rains followed by a visit from police warning him to leave his house.
"It should have been fixed a long time ago," Cheney said. #
http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/article/20071025/NEWS/710250323/1033/NEWS01
FLOOD FIGHTING STRATEGIES:
Strategy on floods unveiled
By Jennifer Gentile, staff writer
The memory of the devastating storms as 2005 turned into 2006, and questions about how the city will prevent future flooding, drew numerous
More than 40 people gathered at the center to weigh in on the recently released Ulatis System Drainage Study, which the Solano County Water Agency prepared with consultant West Yost Associates.
The report presented several options for pre-venting an inundation like the one that caused $25 million in damage throughout the city almost two years ago.
The report explored several flood-control options, from constructing large regional detention basins to increasing the flow capacity of Ulatis and Alamo Creeks.
Several options were not cost-effective or practical. For example, 150 homes would have to be removed if the creeks were widened and deepened to protect against a 100-year event. The same level of protection, using large detention basins, would cost an estimated $177 million.
The recommended option,
Along Ulatis Creek, the report recommends a 540-acre-foot regional detention basin east of
In phase two, the drop structure downstream of
Along Alamo Creek, the report calls for three upstream detention basins - Alamo Creek, Encinosa Creek and Laguna Creek - during phase one. A 25-foot wide by 10-foot high reinforced concrete box culvert would be added at
"The recommended project would provide a significant improvement over the current level of protection," Wanlass said.
The presenters took questions from the public, who asked about everything from the appearance of the basins to the frequency of debris removal from the creeks.
Resident Bernice Kaylin, who recalled watching a freezer float down her street during the flood, said the estimated cost of the project is only a drop in the bucket.
"I think the city is joking if they think 68 million is even going to begin to make a difference," she said.
Others questioned the impact of development on flooding. Some were particularly concerned about
"This has been one of the arguments we've had all along that was never substantially addressed," said Elissa DeCaro, who is with the Friends of Lagoon Valley group.
City Public Works Director Dale Pfeiffer said the developers in
The Water Agency board will consider the plan in the coming weeks, and the study will also come before the City Council in November. #
http://www.thereporter.com//ci_7277121?IADID=Search-www.thereporter.com-www.thereporter.com
LIME SADDLE CAMPGROUND:
New operator signs contract for Lime Saddle
Oroville Mercury Register – 10/24/07
By Mary Weston, staff writer
California State Parks will sign a contract with a new resort company today to operate the Lake Oroville Marina at Lime Saddle.
The signing will take place at 10 a.m., today, Oct. 25, near the marina offices. Major improvements to the marina will also be announced, according to a media advisory from Roy Stearns of state parks.
"These are new operators, and they are very great operators," Stearns said. "They have more than 70 resorts worldwide."
Forever Resorts of Scottsdale, Arizona, a major resort company that operates 40 resorts nationwide, will be signing a contract to operate the marina, according to state parks.
"They have plans to put a large chunk of money to make some great improvements to this park," Stearns said.
Lime Saddle is located at the end of
The marina now moors about 200 boats from small ski boats to large houseboats. Stearns indicated the capacity would increase, but he reserved the details until improvements are announced tomorrow.
When the old contract for the marina expired, state parks put out requests for proposals. The resort company who had been operating the marina on a temporary month-to-month basis responded with a bid for a contract with major improvements.
Forever Resorts is a company with a reputation for operating outstanding resort locations and high quality vacation experiences, according to state parks. They are noted for having a strong policy of providing for the exploration of nature while preserving and protecting the delicate natural environments, according to state parks.
"This is great news for us to have a great operator to improve this very popular resort area," Stearns said.
State Parks Director Ruth Coleman and President of Forever Resorts Rex Maughan and will attend the signing.
Forever Resorts will also be receiving a national Environmental Protection Agency Award. Mary Byrnes will represent the Environmental Protection Agency. #
http://www.orovillemr.com/news/ci_7272123
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