January 11, 2008
Sacramento, Calif. – Today, Rep. Doris Matsui (CA-05) delivered remarks at the Folsom Dam Joint Federal Project (JFP) Groundbreaking. The groundbreaking is the culmination of continued efforts of Rep. Matsui to bring long-term, increased flood protection to the Sacramento Region.
Rep. Matsui worked closely with her colleagues in Congress throughout the year to ensure that the Folsom Dam JFP received authorized funding in the Water Resources Development Act. As the bill took shape, Rep. Matsui reached out to make sure that this vital project, as well as hundreds of others to be completed by the Army Corps of Engineers, received due attention. When the President vetoed the bill, Rep. Matsui worked on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to make sure that the veto was over-ridden.
“Today’s groundbreaking is the realization of a vision that took shape a long time ago. The spillway will increase our regional flood protection, making all of us safer. We must continue the progression of our region’s flood protection,” said Rep. Matsui.
Below are Rep. Matsui’s remarks as prepared for delivery at the groundbreaking ceremony: I remember the day in June of 2005, when the Folsom Mods Project was off the table.
It was a tough moment. At stake was the flood protection that Sacramento desperately needs.
Over the next few months we had many meetings. There were many visits to the dam numerous times and we put a lot of ideas on the table.
I ended up investing a lot of my time and political capital for this project.
Seeing the Joint Federal Project constructed became my top priority.
Finally, I was able to get authorization for this project in the Water Resources and Development Act of 2007.
And here we are today celebrating a monumental step towards increased flood protection.
And let me tell you… standing here… seeing where the new spillway will be… this has been worth every ounce of energy we have put into it.
I'd like to thank the Secretary for being here and his remarks about the importance of this project. I look forward to continuing to work with Department of the Interior as we move forward.
I would also like to thank the Governor for his remarks. We haven't always had governors engaged on the issue of flood protection and it is a very welcome change. So, I also look forward to working with the State of California as we continue to improve flood protection throughout the region.
Finally, I want thank my fellow Members of Congress and local partners for being here today, including representative leaders from the Army Corps of Engineers and the Sacramento Flood Control Agency.
While this project has changed many times over the years---it has even changed several times since I’ve been a Member of Congress---the project today is very distinct.
The project that we are breaking ground on today is an example of post Katrina flood protection. The day after Katrina our country was brought into a new era of flood protection. All of our standards increased overnight.
This project, is the model flood protection project, because it uses resources and the expertise of two federal agencies---the Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation. It also has strong state and local partners.
But most importantly, this project represents cooperation and partnerships. We all have a vested interest in the safety of our communities.
Cooperation will allow this project to be built in less time. It will cost taxpayers less money and provide more flood protection. This is the way that our government should work… this is the way the public expects their government to work.
However the job does not end today… we must continue to fund this project every year until it is completed. This takes a continued commitment.
That means that all our partners on the federal, state and local levels must continue to keep this project as a top priority for the region.
Last week, I couldn’t help but worry about our flood protection system --- more than I normally do--- when the storm rolled in off the Pacific with, rain, snow and strong winds. The levee break in Nevada was a reminder that at the end of the day we are at the mercy Mother Nature… and of the levees and dams that protect us.
We will have better flood protection when this spillway is built---but we must remember that flood protection is something that is never complete. It is something that must be built upon and maintained.
I would be remiss today if I did not mention how my husband, Bob, would have been so proud of this day and this project.
So much of his efforts and energy as a Member of Congress was directed toward improving Sacramento’s flood protection. This project was very special to him. Today is a validation of years of hard work… and I know I have years more ahead.
I look forward to continuing to protect our communities, our families, our friends and our businesses by building stronger flood protection.
