LEGISLATIVE ISSUES


  • Governor Brown Signs Budget Bill - On June 27, 2018 the Governor signed the fiscal year 2018-19 Budget Bill which includes a $295 million general Fund augmentation for Central Valley levees. He also signed the resources budget trailer bill, SB 854, which includes amendments to the Delta Levee Maintenance Subventions Program (Section 50 of the trailer bill, page 123) the Association negotiated with the Administration to prevent the local cost share from doubling on July 1, 2018 by deleting the sunset provision to make the current 75% cost share permanent.
  • Water Bond Approved by Voters - On June 5th California voters approved a $4.1 billion water bond with $550 million for flood protection, the California Clean Water and Safe Parks Act (Prop. 68), placed on the ballot by the State Legislature (SB 5).  
  • Nutria Control ​- The rodents of unusual size known as Nutria are a threat to crops and levees.  CDFW has issued protocols for identifying and reporting sightings of Nutria and best practices to prevent canal failure and flooding. 
  • CCVFCA Submits Budget Request - The Association submitted a budget request to the Legislature for annual $100 million General Fund appropriation for ongoing levee improvements and routine maintenance and a one-time $400 million appropriation to fund the repair of levees damaged in the 2017 storm events.
  • CCVFCA Supports Prop. 68 Water Bond - The CCVFCA board of directors voted on March 21, 2018 to support Proposition 68 on the June ballot which includes $550 million for flood management. Legislature approved SB 5 (De Leon) authorizing a $4 billion parks and water bond to be placed on the June 2018 ballot. The author also added a letter to the September 15, 2017 Senate Journal (page 3021) clarifying legislative intent to fund multi-benefits where feasible, but acknowledging projects may have constraints with limited opportunities for fish and wildlife enhancements, therefore primary objective of funding single-purpose projects to achieve reduced risk to life and property is allowed.
  • Proposed DWR and CVFPB Budgets - Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO) report reveals a 76% reduction in DWR's budget from $2 billion to only $475 million due to how bond revenues are accounted for on an annual basis and same level of funding as last year, $9.6 million, for the Central Valley Flood Protection Board to fund their activities and 47 staff positions. However, the CVFPB's budget allocation is entirely reliant on General Fund and not bonds, so the LAO recommends the Board submit a report on February 1, 2019 that describes their progress in generating operating revenues from other funding mechanisms such as permit fees, levee inspection fees, fines for encroachment violations, renewing lease and royalty agreements with higher rates, and collecting assessments through the Sacramento San Joaquin Drainage District.
  • CVFPB and DSC Reappointments Announced - Governor Brown reappointed Bill Edgar, Jane Dolan, and Mike Villines to the Central Valley Flood Protection Board, and Susan Tatayon and Frank Damrell to the Delta Stewardship Council.  Dorene D'Adamo was also reappointed to the State Water Resources Control Board.
  • President Trump's 2019 Budget - Federal budge for 2019 proposes $5 billion nationwide for U.S. Army Corps of Engineer's Civil Works Program, including further levee improvements for Yuba City, Natomas, and Hamilton City (see page 10).
  • Legislators Form Delta Caucus - Senator Bill Dodd and Assemblyman Jim Frazier announced the formation of a legislative Delta Caucus to provide a collaborative venue for keeping the Delta delegation updated, briefed, and educated on the important policy issues affecting their region.

910 K St., Suite 310, Sacramento, CA, 95814

(916) 446-0197

Melinda Terry, Executive Director

CALIFORNIA CENTRAL VALLEY

FLOOD CONTROL ASSOCIATION

Resources and information for flood managers, elected officials, and those living in Central Valley floodplains.



Together for the flood fight -- since 1926.

CALENDAR ALERTS

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Aug 24      CVFPB vote to adopt revised OMRR&R Resolution

Aug 27-29 CA Adaptation Forum, Sacramento

Sept 4-7    FMA Annual Conference, Atlantis Resort, Reno, Nevada

Sept 22     Deadline to comment on Addendum to 2016 Delta Levee Maintenance Subventions Program

Oct 2-3      FMA course on fire hydrology and run-off management, San Diego

Oct   9       Yuba City Preseason Flood Coordination Meeting, 1425 Veteran's Memorial Circle, 9:00 am - noon

Oct  11      West Sacramento Preseason Flood Coordination Meeting, 1110 West Capital Ave., 9:00 am - noon

Oct 20       Delta Flood Safety Fair, Walnut Grove Library, 10:00 am - noon

Oct  23      Redding Preseason Flood Coordination Meeting, 777 Cypress Ave., 9:00 - noon




LATEST NEWS


  • Flood Board to Vote on OMRR&R Resolution - After receiving suggested edits from CCVFCA and comments from other stakeholders the CVFPB released a newly revised OMRR&R resolution for the board to vote on at their August 24th meeting.
  • Delta Subvention Guidelines Revised - DWR released an Addendum to the 2016 Delta Levee Maintenance Subventions Program that incorporate the statutory changes to the program adopted in the State Budget Trailer Bill. Deadline to comment on additional guideline language is September 22, 2018.
  • Preseason Flood Coordination Meetings Announced - DWR announced annual flood coordination meetings statewide.
  • CCFCA Comments on new DWR Grant Program - The Association submitted comment letter on draft guidelines for DWR’s new Central Valley Tributary Grant Program. 
  • New DWR Director - DWR announced appointment of Kris Tjernell to a newly created Deputy Director position for Integrated Watershed Management Program, responsible for coordinating cross-over of flood protection, water supply, and ecosystem restoration activities.
  • Fees for Service Upheld - An appellate court rejected a challenge by NCWA that a charge for annual water right permit and licenses by SWRCB to recover a portion of their staff costs is an unlawful tax because it was adopted without a two-thirds vote.  The court determined the fees assessed on permit and license holders was proportionate to the benefits derived 
  • Highlights of CCVFCA Flood Forum - The collapse of the Oroville spillway in February 2017 reminded us that all aging flood control infrastructure is vulnerable to catastrophic failure. With about 100 flood management professionals in attendance, speakers at this year's Forum discussed actions to be taken now to address deficiencies in the levee infrastructure and emergency response systems. Ric Reinhardt with MBK contemplated how a post-flood forensic report would end up when levees fail in a hypothetical future storm event. Scott Shapiro with Downy Brand reviewed the potential of deauthorizing federal levees. Association lobbyist, Bob Reeb, discussed formation of a Flood Caucus in the State Legislature and CCVFCA's budget request for annual $100 million General Fund appropriation for SPFC system and an additional one-time $400 million appropriation to fund repair levee damage in the 2017 storm events.
  • 90th Anniversary of Santa Clarita Dam Failure - As a reminder of St. Francis Dam  failure in 1928 that resulted in hundreds of deaths, the OrovilleMR News article describes similarities of findings in post-forensic reports and KNBC posts several photos of the devastating aftermath.
  • New 408 Guidance Released - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced completion of new Engineering Circular (1165-2-220) to replace existing policy and procedural guidance for authorizing alteration of federal works under Section 408. The Corps is conducting informational webinars, provided a fact sheet, and Powerpoint slides to explain the updated policy document. Comments on the new 408 policy is due March 7, 2018.
  • New DWR Director Appointed​ - With the resignation of Grant Davis after only four months, Natural Resource Agency Deputy Secretary Karla Nemeth was appointed by Governor Brown to serve as the Director of DWR for the last year of his Administration.
  • USACE Released Yuba River Feasibility Study - A draft feasibility report by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers proposes reconnecting the Yuba River to its floodplain and other fish habitat restoration actions. 
  • New Mitigation Program Available - The October Coordinating Committee included two presentations, an overview and pilot project in Yolo Bypass, on new Regional Conservation Investment Strategies (RCIS) program created by recent legislation. 
  • CCVFCA Comments on USACE Categorical Permission - Pursuant to a Public Notice by the USACE Sacramento District proposing use of Categorical Permission for certain minor alterations of the SPFC project, a CCVFCA comment letter supporting adoption of this new policy was submitted.  RD 17 letter was also submitted.
  • Report Recommends Oroville Dam Changes - A coalition of environmental, fishing, and river rafting groups issue report recommending 18 changes to the Oroville Dam, expansion of the Sutter and Yolo Bypasses, and updating of USACE flood control manuals.
  • DWR Evaluates Reoperation of Reservoirs - A DWR Phase III Report and Fact Sheet describes results from new operational strategies to increase water supply availability for CVP and SWP water deliveries.
  • Court Rules Schools and Roads Required to Pay Property Assessments -  In 2015, CCVFCA filed a brief supporting RD 17's appeal of lower court decision on flood protection assessments, so is pleased by recent court decision to clarify inconsistency between water statutes and State Constitution. A recent Third Court of Appeal decision concluded that schools and roads are no longer exempted from paying local property assessments because the Constitutional provision added by Prop. 218 supersedes other existing statutes. 
  • New USACE Permit Funding Proposal - USACE is proposing to accept funding contributions from the DWR to expedite processing of permits for SPFC & CVFPP projects. Submit comments on SPK-2017-00271 by April 25, 2017 to michael.g.nepstad@usace.army.mil.
  • Flood Protection Fees Proposed by DWR & DPC - DWR and the Delta Protection Commission have independently proposed new property and user fees to fund long term maintenance of Delta and SPFC levees in the 2017 Draft Central Valley Flood Protection Plan (2017 CVFPP) and the Delta Flood Risk Management Assessment District Feasibility Study (DPC Study) and appendices.
  • DWR Discusses Sacramento Bypass Setback Levee Project - At the November Coordinating Committee, DWR described the flood reduction and habitat benefits of Lower Elk Horn project proposing to set back the northern levee on the Sacramento Bypass and the adjacent levee on east side of the Yolo Bypass.
  • CCVFCA Requests Clarification of Delta Eligibility for FEMA Disaster Assistance - Due to repetitive levee failures in the Delta during the 1980s, FEMA established levee criteria in a MOU with CalOES in order for the Delta to remain eligible for reimbursement for levee damage or failures under their Public Assistance Program.  The State failed to achieve criteria in the last 30 hears, so FEMA terminated the MOU as of December 8, 2012, leaving uncertainty on whether the non-project levees in the Delta are no longer eligible for disaster assistance. To confirm the eligibility status of these levees, CCVFCA formally requested the State to obtain a definitive answer from FEMA.  We advise our Delta members once FEMA responds. 
  • Flood Board Weighs in on DLIS - Central Valley Flood Protection Board (CVFPB) and Delta Stewardship Council (DSC) having joint meeting on Aug. 12th to discuss how CVFPB's guidance has been incorporated into the DSC's Delta Levee Investment Strategy (DLIS) which is scheduled to release a draft strategy later this month and send recommendations to the Legislature on funding and proposed legislation in December.  DSC also asking people to weigh in on Delta priorities by responding to a survey.
  • New Dredge & Infill Discharge Procedures - The SWRCB is currently developing new procedures for the discharge of dredge and infill materials intended to create statewide definition and regulation of wetlands, and other waters of the State.  Two public workshops will be held to receive public input before the August 4, 2016 deadline to submit comments.
  • Delta Plan Declared Invalid -  Judge's June 24th clarification ruling declares the entire Delta Plan approved by the Delta Stewardship Council in 2013, and associated EIR, are invalid and must be shelved until revisions are made in accordance with Delta Reform Act statutes to include quantifiable (numeric) targets for certain components, such as reducing reliance on the Delta.  DSC's initial declaration of victory in May was therefore premature, and Restore the Delta's claim that original May 2016 court ruling was a "bullet to the heart" was more accurate.  Now DSC must go back to the drawing board to re-draft the plan and EIR.
  • FEMA Disaster Deductible - DWR and CA State Association of Counties (CSAC) submit comments to FEMA on their conceptual proposal to require state and local government agencies to pay a deductible before receiving federal disaster assistance.
  • Flood Funding Fact Sheet - A recent PPIC flood funding fact sheet asserts that flood risk is growing in the Central Valley, but funding for flood management is not. The Public Policy Institute of California claims that at a minimum the state needs to spend $34 billion to upgrade levee infrastructure over the next 25 years -- $1.4 billion per year -- twice the current level of flood management expenditures.
  • Searchable Online National Levee Database - Ever wonder which Central Valley project levees are ineligible for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) PL 84-99 funding (RIP)?  Ever wonder when the last Periodic Inspection report was done on a USACE project levee and what the results were?  Ever wonder what the official name of a particular levee segment is?  All this and more has been entered into the National Levee Database (NLD) developed by the USACE that allows numerous ways to search including finding reports on levees located within your state, zip code, or address.  Authorized by Congress in 2007, the database contains information to link activities, such as flood risk communication, levee system evaluation for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), levee system inspections, flood plain management, and risk assessments.  

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