Matsui Reiterates Need for Full Funding for Sacramento Flood Protection Priorities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, July 15, 2011

CONTACT: MARA LEE
(202) 225-7163

Matsui Reiterates Need for Full Funding for Sacramento Flood Protection Priorities
House Passes Bill Providing 90% of Requested Funding

Today, the House of Representatives passed the Fiscal Year 2012 Energy and Water Appropriations bill, which funds each of Sacramento's top flood protection priorities at 90 percent of requested funding. In this current economic climate, several regions throughout the country saw either significant project cuts or are not receiving funding at all. The Sacramento region, however, was allocated only very modest decreases in their requests from the amount President Obama requested in his FY12 budget.

Congresswoman Matsui thanked her colleagues for their support, but also reiterated the need for full funding so that Sacramento flood protection projects continue without delay. Once complete, they will offer the protection Sacramento residents need and deserve.

I want to applaud the Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee for including funding for four of Sacramento's top flood protection projects, said Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA). But I am concerned that the funding in this bill does not fully support Sacramento's flood protection needs; the levels in this bill are actually below the Corps of Engineers full capability. That is why I will continue to advocate for full funding for our flood protection projects, and will encourage my colleagues in the Senate to meet the President's request as they work on this bill over the next several weeks.

Congresswoman Matsui has been a tireless advocate for federal support for Sacramento's flood protection priorities since she was sworn into office in 2005. She has been in constant contact with leaders of the Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation, the State of California, the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (SAFCA), and other agencies to ensure that construction continues on time and on budget, and has continued to argue Sacramento's case to her colleagues on the Appropriations Committee through both conversations and formal letters.

The current funding levels, as passed by the House, are as follows:

American River Common Features $23,149,000
For work within the American River Watershed, including the American River Common Features General Re-evaluation Report, further design work in support of levee improvements in Natomas and levee improvements on the American River.
Folsom Dam Joint Federal Project$19,028,000
To continue construction on the auxiliary spillway, which will provide greater efficiency in managing flood storage in Folsom Reservoir.
South Sacramento Streams$4,530,000
To improve flood protection in the South Sacramento area, some of which still does not have 100 year protection.
Folsom Dam Raise$906,000
To raise Folsom Dam to help achieve 200-year-flood protection for the region.

In addition, the Energy and Water Appropriations bill will include a Reserve Fund that will allocate over $350 million to the Corps for the purpose of funding flood protection projects. Upon enactment of this legislation, the Corps will have 45 days to craft a plan informing Congress how they intend to use the additional funding. Each project, whether in the President's Budget or not, will have an opportunity to compete for funding included in this Reserve Fund.

I will work vigorously to secure additional funding in any potential Corps Reserve Fund for Sacramento's flood protection projects, Matsui stated. Because of the hard work we already put into our Corps priorities, I believe we are in a strong position to be successful in securing additional funding for Sacramento flood control projects.

Video footage of Congresswoman Matsui's remarks on the House floor during debate on this bill is available HERE.

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