BILL ANALYSIS Ó
SB 144
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Date of Hearing: July 8, 2015
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Jimmy Gomez, Chair
SB 144
(Pan) - As Amended April 6, 2015
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Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: NoReimbursable: No
SUMMARY:
This bill updates the state's authorization for funding local
flood control projects in the Natomas Basin by including the
2010 final feasibility study in the state's funding
SB 144
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authorization to reflect the project's current design.
FISCAL EFFECT:
Increases the state obligation (subvention) by approximately $40
to $60 million (GF). Although the Department of Water Resources
estimates that the state's cost share of the updated project
will likely increase $40-60 million, because the project changes
were in response to more stringent levee requirements, doing the
project as originally authorized is not an option. This bill
conforms the state's authorization to the most recent federal
authorization.
COMMENTS:
1)Purpose. According to the author, the constructed projects,
as specified in this bill, will increase the ability of the
existing flood control system to protect heavily urbanized
areas within the City of Sacramento and the counties of
Sacramento and Sutter consistent with specifications
prescribed as part of the Sacramento River Flood Control
Project. This bill ensures the Federal-State-local
cost-sharing partnership is continued and construction moves
forward as quickly as possible.
2)Background. Under the State Water Resources Law of 1945, the
state may participate in funding local flood control projects
that are authorized by the Legislature, authorized by
Congress, and meet other specific requirements.
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Among the local flood control projects authorized by the
Legislature are levees in the Natomas Basin to provide flood
control along the American and Sacramento Rivers.
Since the 2007 final engineer report, this project has been
further refined to meet higher levee building standards
required by the Army Corps of Engineers. These changes are
reflected in the 2010 final feasibility study for the American
River Watershed, Common Features Project, Natomas Basin. It is
necessary to reference this final feasibility study in the
state's funding authorization for the project in order for the
authorization to continue to be applicable.
Analysis Prepared by:Jennifer Galehouse / APPR. / (916)
319-2081