Rep. Doris Matsui Highlights Natomas Levee Improvement Program Construction and Progress
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
CONTACT: Mara Lee
(202) 302-3249
Rep. Doris Matsui Highlights Natomas Levee Improvement Program Construction and Progress
NATOMAS, CA - Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-05) participated in a press conference and tour today at the Natomas Cross Canal to provide an update on the ongoing Natomas Levee Improvement Program (NLIP) construction activity. Congresswoman Matsui was joined by state and local representatives and elected officials, Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (SAFCA) employees, the California Department of Water Resources, and members of the community. Rep. Matsui's remarks as prepared for delivery are below.
"As many of you know providing Sacramento with an improved level of flood protection is my number one priority. Flood protection is needed to keep our homes and families safe, and to allow our region's economy to thrive.
"I am pleased to be joined today by many of my colleagues that share that same commitment to flood protection: Councilman Ray Tretheway, Lester Snow from DWR, Mayor Kevin Johnson, Supervisor Roger Dickinson, many of SAFCA's board members, and although he can't join us today - Senator Darrell Steinberg.
"It is great to be standing here on this levee, marking the ongoing levee construction. We are standing next to the Natomas Cross Canal. This canal protects Natomas from flooding by carrying the rain that falls in Roseville, Rocklin and Lincoln to the Sacramento River. We know that this canal's levees, like the rest of the levees in Natomas are key to keeping us safe, but needs improvements.
"Behind us, those improvements are underway. Crews are working 24 hours a day, tearing down the existing levee, installing a 70 foot deep concrete slurry wall, and rebuilding the levee up stronger than before. The hum of the diesel equipment and sight of dirt being hauled and concrete being mixed is welcome news to my constituents. By November 1st these crews will have improved the whole stretch of this levee. While other crews will have moved on to work along the Sacramento River.
"This work could not be going on without the support of the State of California. Even in the midst of our state's budget crisis - the state's leadership understands the need to keep projects like this alive. Just this month the state allocated $30 million dollars to this project.
"Standing here you can see why this is so important. To our south is Natomas and downtown. The only thing that keeps the water from flowing towards it is this levee. It also stimulates are economy by keeping over 1,000 men and woman at work. Standing here I must thank those men and women for keeping this project going. This includes the dedicated people at Teichert Construction, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Magnus Pacific, Enviro-Con, Inquip Construction, and of course the men and women of Operating Engineers Local 3 and Laborers Local 185.
"The work being done behind us is just the beginning. We are in the midst of a $600 million, 40 mile project that must get done. With the efforts of SAFCA, the federal government, DWR and your elected officials it will get done. I look forward to being back out here in the near future to see the progress."
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