Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee last Thursday approved the fiscal year 2009 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill, which includes $155,178,000 in funding for important California projects requested by Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA).
The following are key projects sought by Senator Boxer that were included in the bill:
Bolinas Lagoon Restoration, County of Marin:
The Committee approved $350,000 in funding for planning purposes to amend the existing feasibility study for the Bolinas Lagoon Restoration project. Located on the Pacific Flyway, it provides critical habitats for hundreds of resident and migratory bird species as well as marine mammals, fish and invertebrates.
Boxer said, “Bolinas Lagoon is one of our nation’s most unique and pristine coastal wetlands. These funds will help restore one of the truly remarkable marine estuaries and habitats on the West Coast.”
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San Pablo Bay Wetlands Restoration Program, City of Novato:
The Committee approved $250,000 in funding for a feasibility study to identify ways to use recycled water for the creation of wetlands around the northern rim of San Pablo Bay. The watershed contains vast amounts of valuable wetlands and other wildlife habitats that are threatened by encroaching development, pollution and other problems.
Boxer said, “The San Pablo Bay watershed is home to countless migratory birds and marine animals. This funding will help ensure that future generations can enjoy the natural splendor of the bay.”
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Oakland Harbor Dredging, Port of Oakland (requested jointly with Senator Feinstein):
The Committee approved $24 million in funding to finish dredging the Oakland Harbor. The harbor must be deepened to 50 feet in order to accommodate container ships, which would otherwise need to be diverted to Canada or Mexico. Funding for this project was also included in President Bush's FY 2009 Budget.
Boxer said, “This crucial funding will help ensure that the newest generation of commercial ships can reach the Port of Oakland so that we can maintain the area’s economic viability and status as the fourth busiest port in the nation. This environmentally-sound project will also use material left over from dredging to restore wetlands in the San Francisco Bay.”
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Napa River Flood Control Project, Napa County (requested jointly with Senator Feinstein):
The Committee approved $11 million in funding for ongoing Corps of Engineers construction activities at the Napa River Flood Control Project. The project will provide the surrounding communities with 100-year level of flood protection from the Napa River and Napa Creek. It will provide flood protection for 2,700 homes, 350 businesses, and over 50 public properties. Funding for this project was also included in President Bush's FY 2009 Budget.
Boxer said, “I am proud to have worked with community leaders in Napa on this unique plan to protect the city from flooding and restore the area’s treasured wetlands. These funds will help us protect the homes and businesses along the Napa River and preserve the natural beauty and ecosystem of the region.”
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Matilija Dam Ecosystem Restoration (requested jointly with Senator Feinstein):
The Committee approved $1 million in funding for the Corps of Engineers for project engineering, design and construction for the next stage of the Matilija Dam Ecosystem Restoration Project. This project will provide significant environmental benefits by reestablishing runs of the endangered southern steelhead trout and returning the natural flow of the Ventura River, thus allowing sand and other sediments to flow freely to coastal beaches.
Boxer said, “The Matilija Creek is an important part of California’s ecosystem, but a build up of sediment has diminished the creek’s water storage and flood control capabilities. This restoration project will help restore the natural beauty of the Matilija Creek.”
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Los Angeles River Ecosystem restoration (requested jointly with Senator Feinstein):
The Committee approved $590,000 to study a major restoration of the 51-mile Los Angeles River watercourse. The study will consider the creation of treatment wetlands to clean effluent river flows from 2,200 storm drains from the San Fernando Valley through Los Angeles; provide habitat to support the indigenous wildlife and avifauna; and restore and reconnect fragmented wetland areas. The study will also examine how best to manage and conserve water resources in Los Angeles.
Boxer said, “This restoration will help us advance the goal of revitalizing the Los Angeles River and make it an asset to the community that will provide recreational opportunities and economic benefits to the region.”
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Petaluma River Flood Control Project (requested jointly with Senator Feinstein):
The Committee approved for $350,000 in funding to conduct the post-construction investigation and complete the operations and maintenance manuals for the Petaluma River Flood Control Project, which is critical to protecting the lives and livelihoods of residents and businesses in the surrounding area.
Boxer said, “I have visited Petaluma and understand how important this flood control project is to protecting the community. These funds will help see this long awaited project completed.”
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Redwood City Deepening Project:
The Committee approved $300,000 in funding to complete a feasibility study to determine the proper depth for Redwood City Navigation Channel to maximize operational efficiency for the larger vessels now transiting the channel. Without sufficient water depth, materials must be shipped to more distant ports in the Bay Area, putting hundreds of additional trucks onto already congested highways.
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Silver Strand Shoreline Project, City of Imperial Beach:
The Committee approved $200,000 in funding to replace sand on the beach to protect private and public property and preserve recreational opportunities. The City of Imperial Beach has been severely impacted as roughly 6.6 feet of shoreline erodes every year.
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Dana Point Harbor Restoration, City of Dana Point:
The Committee approved $700,000 in funding to provide adequate water circulation so as to prevent frequent beach closures. Water quality monitoring at the Harbor and at Doheny State Park Beach required beach closings and public posting of unsafe water quality 334 days in 2004. The funding will be used to provide adequate water circulation to prevent frequent beach closures.
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San Mateo County Solar Genesis Project, County of San Mateo:
The Committee approved $1.5 million in funding to construct a One Megawatt Photo Voltaic solar power electric generation facility on rooftops and above parking areas, serving the dual purpose of electrical generation and shading. The system will produce 1.5 million kilowatt hours of electricity annually, which will help the County reach its goal of reducing greenhouse gases by 20 percent.
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Heacock & Cactus Channels, City of Riverside (requested jointly with Senator Feinstein):
The Committee approved $500,000 to widen and deepen the channels. Development of flood protection measures at Heacock and Cactus Channels will not only benefit the local community, but also provide substantial relief for the March Air Reserve Base, which has seen major operations disruptions whenever high flows have exceeded the channels’ capacity.
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Mount Diablo Mine Cleanup (requested jointly with Senator Feinstein):
The Committee approved $1 million to clean up mercury at the Mount Diablo Mercury Mine. The abandoned mine includes a substantial area of exposed mine tailings and a settling pond. Remediation of the tailings would reduce mercury levels in aquatic life living in Marsh Creek.
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Lower Cache Creek Feasibility Study (requested jointly with Senator Feinstein):
The Committee approved $200,000 in funding for a feasibility study to determine the best way to provide greater flood protection for the urbanized area in the City of Woodland and nearby unincorporated lands in Yolo County.
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Santa Barbara Lower Mission Creek Flood Control and Rehabilitation Project, City of Santa Barbara (requested jointly with Senator Feinstein):
The Committee approved $300,000 to help widen the floor corridor and replant vegetation, which will help protect downtown Santa Barbara from flooding while upholding the environmental goals and values of the community.
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Middle Creek Flood Damage Reduction & Ecosystem Restoration Study (requested jointly with Senator Feinstein):
The Committee approved $500,000 for the Middle Creek Flood Damage Reduction and Ecosystem Restoration Study’s project design. Due to significant ongoing land subsidence, a segment of the levees in the Robinson Lakebed area are substandard and pose a major maintenance problem. The purpose of the study is to identify a feasible project that resolves these problems and restores habitat impacted by the existing flood control project.
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Pajaro River Flood Protection Project, City of Watsonville (requested jointly by Senator Feinstein):
The Committee approved $1 million for the Pajaro River Flood Protection Project, which is imperative to protecting the community from recurring floods. Funds will be used to complete the final Environmental Impact Statement, complete a geotechnical investigation and evaluation, initiate final project design, and prepare a draft Project Cooperation Agreement.
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South San Francisco Bay Shoreline Study (requested jointly with Senator Feinstein):
The Committee approved $1.4 million to further the South San Francisco Bay Salt Ponds Restoration Project, the second largest wetlands restoration project in the United States. The project will transform 15,100 acres of salt ponds into a vibrant wetlands area that will provide habitat for endangered birds, fish and wildlife. The project will also provide tidal and fluvial flood protection for Silicon Valley.
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Harbor/South Bay Water Recycling Project City of Carson (requested jointly with Senator Feinstein):
The Committee approved $3 million to develop up to 48,000 acre-feet of recycled water annually for municipal, industrial, and environmental purposes in the Los Angeles area. The water recycling project also includes construction of an interconnection between the West and Central Basin Projects which will ultimately provide 70,000 acre feet of new water supply for the region. This will not only help California reduce its need to import water from the Colorado River and the San Francisco Bay Delta, but will directly reduce the amount of effluent discharged in to the Santa Monica Bay, a National Marine Estuary.
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Llagas Creek Flood Protection Project (jointly requested with Senator Feinstein):
The Committee approved $400,000 to complete mapping and environmental documents for a project that will provide flood protection for 1,100 homes, 500 businesses, and over 1,300 acres of agricultural land in Santa Clara County; protect and improve water quality; and preserve habitat, fish, and wildlife.
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Murrieta Creek Flood Control, Environmental Restoration & Recreation Project (requested jointly with Senator Feinstein):
The Committee approved $5 million to for the project which will provide 100-year flood control protection, environmental restoration, and recreation benefits to the cities of Murrieta and Temecula. The project will include new flood protection features that will reduce citizens’ and businesses’ exposure that requires many of them to carry flood insurance. In addition, the project will develop a riparian habitat corridor to provide a safe home for several endangered species.
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Riverbed Gradient Facility (requested jointly with Senator Feinstein):
The Committee approved $500,000 to continue evaluation, design and engineering work to address gradient facility construction and operational deficiencies that have resulted in navigation safety concerns, and to initiate bank stabilization work in the vicinity of River Mile 208 on the Sacramento River. This work is critical to stabilizing the Sacramento River at the Glenn-Colusa diversion and ensuring the long-term viability of the new fish screen structure at the Hamilton City Pumping Plant.
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San Francisco Bay to Stockton Ship Channel (requested jointly with Senator Feinstein):
The Committee approved $1 million to maintain the navigation channels extending from the San Francisco Bay entrance to the Port of Stockton, through San Francisco, Marin, Contra Costa, Solano, Sacramento, and San Joaquin Counties in California. The San Francisco to Stockton Ship Channel is a major artery for all deep draft vessel traffic through the Golden Gate into the delta, providing vessel access to five major oil refineries, four ports and other industries. The depth and width of the existing navigation channel are inadequate for the efficient movement of both commercial and military deep-draft waterborne commerce.
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Santa Maria River Levee Construction, City of Santa Maria (requested jointly with Senator Feinstein):
The Committee approved $6 million so the Corps of Engineers can restore the existing Santa Maria River levee and certify it, thereby saving the residents of Santa Maria and other local communities from having to purchase flood insurance. The Corps expects to finish the study by the end of fiscal year 2008 and will proceed to design and initial construction of the levee fix in FY 2009.
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Success Dam, Tule River (requested jointed with Senator Feinstein):
The Committee approved $8 million in funding to secure a new dam at Lake Success, an important public safety measure for the City of Porterville and the unincorporated communities along the Tule River. The enlargement project will increase the storage space in Lake Success from 82,000 to 110,000 acre-feet, a 34% increase.
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Upper Guadalupe River Flood Protection Project (requested jointly with Senator Feinstein):
The Committee approved $5 million to provide flood protection for 7,500 homes in Santa Clara County. The project will also provide extensive environmental benefits including restoring fish passage for migrating salmon and steelhead trout, greatly increased riparian habitat, and the restoration of 6.4 miles of native vegetation in the riparian corridor.
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Yuba River Basin Project (requested jointly with Senator Feinstein):
The Committee approved $3 million for levee improvements including installation of slurry walls, construction of landside berms and toe drains, and raising the levee along the Yuba and Feather Rivers. The area has experienced seven major floods, and despite modifications for flood protection over past years, the area is still vulnerable to catastrophic flooding.
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Inland Empire Regional Water Recycling (requested jointly with Senator Feinstein):
The Committee approved $1 million to complete this project, which will produce 100,000 acre-feet of recycled water per year for the growing Inland Empire in Southern California. By using recycled water for outdoor irrigation and industrial processing, the local utilities agency can stretch existing drinking water supplies for potable uses and ensure adequate water supplies for the entire area.
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Solana Beach-Encinitas Shoreline, City of Solana Beach (requested jointly with Senator Feinstein)
The Committee approved $171,000 to study solutions for beach erosion on the coastline of Solana Beach and Encinitas, where erosion has resulted in loss of beach width and the collapse of coastal bluffs. The erosion of the bluffs is threatening structures and forcing homeowners to seek permits for seawalls. The beach project will allow a protective barrier between the bluffs and the open ocean. Funding for this project was also included in President Bush's FY 2009 Budget.
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Hamilton Airfield Wetlands Restoration (requested jointly with Senator Feinstein):
The Committee approved $4.9 million in funding to use clean, dredged sediment from San Francisco Bay to recreate tidal and non-tidal wetlands at the Hamilton Airfield along northern San Francisco Bay. The San Francisco Bay has lost over 85 percent of its wetlands since the 1880s. The project will divert millions of cubic yards of clean sediment from aquatic disposal, provide extensive wetlands habitat for waterfowl and fish, and improve water quality in the bay. Funding for this project was also included in President Bush's FY 2009 Budget.
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Santa Ana River Mainstem Project (requested jointly with Senator Feinstein):
The Committee approved $14 million to continue construction activities on Prado Dam’s outlet works as well as on levee and slope protection on the Lower Santa Ana River and Seven Oaks Dam. These modifications will help mitigate the environmental impacts from the operation and maintenance activities for this facility. This project will provide flood protection to the rapidly growing urban communities in Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, and benefit over 3 million people who live and work in the current floodplain. Funding for this project was also included in President Bush's FY 2009 Budget.
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Marina Del Rey South Entrance and Main Channel Maintenance Dredging (requested jointly with Senator Feinstein):
The Committee approved $2,499,000 to dredge the Marina del Rey south entrance and main channel and to construct a temporary storage, treatment, and reprocessing facility to clean a portion of the contaminated dredge material so that it can be reused on local beaches. A navigable harbor is crucial to the Coast Guard and local law enforcement maintaining public safety and rescue operations in regional waters, especially adjacent to Los Angeles Airport. Funding for this project was also included in President Bush's FY 2009 Budget.
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Calleguas Municipal Water District Recycling Plant, City of Thousand Oaks (requested jointly with Senator Feinstein):
The Committee approved $1.5 million to help construct a facility that will reclaim and reuse over 50,000 acre-feet of water annually. This recycled resource will replace water that otherwise would have to be imported. The project will aid the City in complying with water standards, resulting in millions of dollars in savings for local cities. Funding for this project was also included in President Bush's FY 2009 Budget.
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