Press Releases

Thursday, April 19, 2007                                                                               

The House of Representatives took an historic step today to strengthen the Sacramento region’s flood protection system by approving the Water Resources Development Act (H.R. 1495). Congresswoman Doris O. Matsui praised the legislation, noting that the long-overdue package of water projects is one of the most critical and urgent bills that Congress will consider this year. The House passed H.R. 1495 by an overwhelming vote of 394 to 25.  The legislation’s focus on Sacramento is noteworthy for its inclusion of $683 million for the Folsom Dam Joint Federal Project. This unique agreement between federal agencies will expedite upgrades at Folsom Dam, which by 2015 will protect the Sacramento region from a flood that has a 1-in-200 chance of occurring in any given year. Said Matsui, “These renovations at Folsom are both urgent and critical. I am pleased that H.R. 1495 contains a new blueprint for the Joint Federal Project that will get our city the flood protection it needs at least six times faster than previous plans.”  Click here to view the full set of remarks Congresswoman Matsui delivered on the floor of the House in support of the legislation. “Sacramento is the hub of a six-county regional economy that provides jobs for 1.5 million people. A major flood along the Sacramento or American Rivers would cripple this economy, cost up to $16 billion in direct property damage, and likely result in significant loss of life,” continued Matsui. “Clearly, if we do not manage our water effectively in Sacramento, we put lives and livelihoods in danger. The projects authorized in this bill demonstrate that the House is committed to protecting Sacramento from catastrophic flooding.” Matsui also commented on the long delay which transpired prior to today’s passage of H.R. 1495: “Seven years is perilously close to an entire generation passing without a national water-resources policy being signed into law. My constituents expect and deserve the level of flood protection that can only be provided by a regularly authorized water resources bill, and I am proud to have worked with leadership to help bring these critical projects to the point of passage.” In total, H.R. 1495 directs the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to conduct nearly $14 billion of work to study, build, and reinforce various water management projects across the country. The legislation also authorizes two additional Sacramento projects on top of the Folsom Dam renovations: one giving local flood agencies more flexibility to complete work at Magpie Creek, and the other providing these local partners with the tools they need to maximize the benefit of funding committed to projects in Natomas.