Congresswoman Doris Matsui, Secretary Salazar and Governor Schwarzenegger Announce Federal Stimulus Money Flowing to California to Address Water Issues
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Alexis Marks
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
(202) 536-8620
Congresswoman Doris Matsui, Secretary Salazar and Governor Schwarzenegger Announce Federal Stimulus Money Flowing to California to Address Water Issues
Sacramento, CA - Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-05) joined U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Congresswoman Grace Napolitano, Speaker of the Assembly Karen Bass, and Senate President pro-Tem Darryl Steinberg today at Mather Air Force Base to discuss California's water future and the need for additional resources to tackle drought and flood risks in the Sacramento region.
The Secretary and Congresswoman Matsui announced that $22.3 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act would go to the Folsom Dam to address safety needs. The Joint Federal Project (JFP) is the most important flood control project in Sacramento and is currently among the highest risk dams in the country for public safety. The federal funds will go to accelerate the construction of spillway gate pier modifications to resist siesmic loading.
Rep. Matsui issued the following statement after the announcement:
"Water resource strategies, both structural and policy solutions, need to be coordinated between local, state, and federal leaders and agencies. And states like California, with strained budgets and growing needs, will require federal funding and leadership in order to adapt and protect our communities.
"The $22.3 million in federal stimulus funding announced today will ensure that our regions most important flood control project, the JFP, is moving forward. Public safety is my number one priority and I am happy to announce that stimulus funds are flowing into the area to address vital needs, such as dam safety.
"Sacramento is unique in that we are located at the confluence of two rivers, and see the effects of climate change right here in our backyards. There are very real impacts of climate change that translate into serious risks from floods to droughts for our constituents and our economy, increasing the urgency to modernize our water infrastructure. I appreciate the Administration's commitment to helping Californians weather this drought and to investing in a sustainable water future for all Californians."
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