California Voters to Decide $4.09 Billion Flood and Storm Water Bond

The state of California will be going to the voters in November for funding to improve flood and storm water protection in the Central Valley and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

The Strategic Growth Plan levee proposal authorizes a $4.09 billion general obligation bond on the November 2006 ballot to pay for levee repairs and improvements, upgrade flood protection for urban areas, improve emergency response capabilities, and provide grants for storm water flood management projects.

The storm water management portion of the overall bond is $300 million

.

The storm water flood management funds would be used to provide grants to local entities to cost share storm water runoff projects, consistent with an integrated regional water management plan.

Only projects outside the State Plan of Flood Control are eligible for these funds.

On May 5, 2006, the California Legislature approved the largest infrastructure package in state history, including the proposed $4.09 billion bond to repair levees and improve flood control systems.

On May 19, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation placing the bond proposal on the November ballot. The governor also signed a bill that appropriates $500 million from the general fund to the Department of Water Resources for levee evaluation and repair this year.

"Public safety is my No. 1 priority," said Governor Schwarzenegger at a meeting of Central Valley mayors in Stockton. "The bond, along with our agreement with the Federal government and funds from the state, will allow us to fix the most critical levee sites before the next flood season and shore up our deteriorating levee system in the years to come."

The Schwarzenegger administration says the $4.09 billion bond is justified because Delta levee failures could disrupt water supply to 23 million Californians in the Bay Area,Central and Southern California.

In addition, the state is liable for flood damages caused by levee failures, so all taxpayers foot the bill for these disasters. Bond funds would be used for programs such as:

+ Evaluation and repair of the state/federal flood control system, addressing ongoing erosion, seepage and stability distress;

+ Modifications and improvements to increase flood protection for urban areas, such as Folsom Dam modifications, American River Common features, south Sacramento streams, and other projects;

+ Ongoing local assistance for Delta Levee Subventions and special flood control projects to reduce the risk of Delta levee failure;

+ Creation of new levees in coordination with the construction and preservation of setback levees, flood corridors and bypasses; and

+ Completion of flood hazard and alluvial fan floodplain mapping necessary for proper flood infrastructure investments.

Source: EPA