Matsui secures Folsom Dam Joint Federal Project in Water Resources Development Act of 2007
Thursday, March 15, 2007
In a great step forward for Sacramento flood protection, Congresswoman Matsui (CA-05) announced today that the Folsom Dam Joint Federal Project is included in the Water Resources and Development Act of 2007 (H.R.1495). The bill was marked up and reported out of the Transportation and Infrastructure Full Committee earlier today.
“This is a big step forward for our region. This project goes a long way in ultimately providing over 200 year flood protection for the residents of Sacramento,” Matsui said.
The Folsom Dam Joint Federal Project authorizes $683 million in federal funding to build a spillway off the Folsom Dam. The project is scheduled to begin construction next fall and is targeted to be completed in 2015.
This innovative project utilizes the resources and expertise of two federal agencies----the Bureau of Reclamation and the Army Corps of Engineers. The Bureau of Reclamation manages the Dam Safety component of the project and the Corps has jurisdiction over the flood protection component of the project.
“This project has been about partnerships, Matsui said. “Today is a culmination of over a year of collaboration between Congress, the Corps, the Bureau, the State and SAFCA. There have been a lot of players in this process that have helped produce a big result.”
The entire bill authorizes $14 billion for water resources studies and construction projects by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Matsui, who became a Member on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee earlier this year, says today’s action on WRDA reaffirms the commitment of the Committee to the nation’s water resources infrastructure, to addressing new water resources needs and to fine-tune the Army Corps’ missions and responsibilities. The bill also includes provisions for streamlining and expediting Army Corps’ project delivery and permits.
It has been seven years since a WRDA bill has been enacted into law. The House is expected to consider the legislation on the floor soon. The Senate is scheduled to take up their version of WRDA later this month.
