News From…
Congressman Dennis Cardoza
18th Congressional District of California
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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 23, 2007 |
CONTACT: Jamie McInerney (202) 225-6131 |
| WASHINGTON – Today Congressman Dennis Cardoza held a comprehensive, region-wide meeting to discuss flood control and levee issues. The conference was attended by over 70 elected officials and flood control managers from San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Merced Counties, as well as representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE), and the State Resources Agency (representing the California Department of Water Resources and State Reclamation Board).
“As the two year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina approaches we are reminded of the immense challenges for communities that are protected by levees. What happened in New Orleans represents the worst case scenario for what could happen in California,” said Cardoza. “This conference is an important opportunity to discuss challenges, like levee certification, and to coordinate to better access state and federal funding.”
The San Joaquin Valley faces significant problems regarding levee upgrades, safety certification, and maintenance. FEMA and COE are both in the process of updating their flood maps and assessing the condition of the levees in the region. For communities protected by levees, this mapping review project could have a significant impact if levees have not been properly maintained or if they do not meet the new standards. The certification of levees is vitally important because those which do not meet federal standards will no longer be eligible for key types of federal assistance.
Today’s meeting gave all stakeholders a better understanding of the federal mapping and certification process. Additionally, participants from all levels of government throughout the region sought to identify strategic priorities and common purpose, so federal and state government can provide greater assistance to local communities.
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