President’s Budget Advances Northern California Water Projects that Congressman Garamendi Fought For

WASHINGTON, DC – February 5, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Today, Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA-03), a former Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Interior Department, announced that several water infrastructure projects he championed for his constituents are in the Army Corps of Engineers’ Budget, which is included in the just-released President’s Fiscal Year 2016 Budget. The 3rd District is based in the Sacramento Valley, which is the second-most flood prone region in the nation behind only New Orleans.

“Overall, the President’s Budget presents a good roadmap for strengthening and expanding the middle class. If Congress passes this Budget, we can create over a million jobs, lift wages, and expand economic opportunity,” said Garamendi. “The President’s Budget helps guide which projects get funded. I am proud to announce that the Administration’s Budget proposes funding for crucial Northern California water infrastructure projects that my office has advocated. These projects would establish property- and life-saving flood protection for Glenn, Yuba, Sutter, Sacramento, and Yolo counties. They would also help protect our environment and bring immense economic value to communities across our region.”

Garamendi, a Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure’s Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, has worked with Republicans and Democrats to successfully advance flood protection throughout the 3rd District, including for Hamilton City, the Marysville Ring Levee, and Cache Creek. All of these three projects are already underway.

The Army Corps of Engineers’ list of proposed projects for the CA-03 region that are based on the President’s Budget for Fiscal Year 2016 is included immediately below.

Investigation funding:

· American River Common Features, Natomas Basin: FY15 $1.5M; FY16 $3.5M The Corps will continue preconstruction engineering and design of the first construction contract which will improve levees that protect the Natomas Basin.

· Lower Cache Creek: FY15 $800K; FY16 570K This money is to continue with the feasibility report to provide flood protection to the City of Woodland. The Corps is currently studying a number of design options for the project and will be identifying a design to move forward with in June/July.

· Sutter Basin: The Corps will complete the feasibility phase, prepare a Project Management Plan, and negotiate a Design Agreement with Sutter Butte Flood Control Agency and the Department of Water Resources. The non federal sponsors are focusing on the ongoing construction of the Feather River levees. This program will provide additional flood protection for Live Oak, Yuba City, and southern Sutter County.

· Sacramento Bank Protection, General Reevaluation Report: FY15 $200K; FY16 $500K The Corps will be scoping this General Reevaluation Report to focus on improving the Sacramento and Fremont Weirs and expanding the capacity of the Yolo Bypass.

· Yuba River Ecosystem Restoration: FY15 $300K; $700K The non-federal sponsor will execute the Federal Cost Share Agreement in April to initiate a three year study on improving the fish passage in the Yuba River.

Construction funding:

· Hamilton City: FY15 $3.8M; FY16 $15M. The J levee project will advance with the construction contract for levees and initiate restoration this summer.

· Yuba River Basin (Repairs to the Marysville Ring Levee): FY15 $5M; FY16 $7.361M The Corps will advance the design of all remaining sections of the Ring Levee. They plan to award a construction contract for a portion of Phase 2C that is not impacted by the Union Pacific Railroad. Non-federal partners continue to work on an agreement with Union Pacific Railroad and have initiated condemnation for phase 4A. This is the largest amount ever included in the President’s Budget proposal for the project.

· Sacramento Bank Protection: FY15 $1M; FY16 $6M. The Corps will continue to complete construction of erosion protection features near river mile 29, which was awarded last year.

Maintenance funding:

· Suisun Bay Shipping Channel: FY 16 $3.25 M. The Corps will keep the channel operational through dredging and maintenance measures.