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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 05012001 - C.6 C c, Tri: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FROM: TRANSPORTATION, WATER AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE DATE: MAY 1, 2001 SUBJECT: RANKING OF FEDERAL FUNDING REQUESTS FOR CREEK PROJECTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2001/2002 SPECIFIC IU---QUI-:S-]-(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION I. Recommended Action: APPROVE ranking of requests for Federal Funding for the following creek projects by Congressional District: a. Seventh Congressional District, Congressman George Miller 1. San Pablo Creek/Wildcat Creek project 2. Lower Walnut Creek Channel project b. Tenth Congressional District, Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher 1. Grayson Creek/Murderers Creek project This recommendation was approved by the Transportation Committee on April 9, 2001. Continued on Attachment: '\ SIGNATURE: _RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR _RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE APPROVE OTHER SIGNATURE(S): ACTION OF BOARD ON May 01, 2001 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED X OTHER VOTE OF SUPERVISORS I herebycertify that this is a true and correct co of an X UNANIMOUS(ABSENT ) y copy AYES: NOES: action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of ABSENT: ABSTAIN: Supervisors on the date shown. RMA:ntw G\GrpData\Admin\Mitch\bo\2001\Fed Funding Req 130 S-I-Ol.doc Orig.Div: Public Works(Admin Secs) ATTESTED: May Ol, 2001 Contact: Mitch Avalon(313-2204) c: J Swceten,County Administrator JOHN R. SWEETEN, Clerk of the Board of Supervisors S.Goetz,Community Development and County Administrator R.Goulart,Commmnity Dcvelopnrcnt M Shiu,Public Works Director M.Avalon,Public Works D Eckerson,Public Works By , Deputy CG SK.BJECT: RANKING OF FEDERAL FUNDING REQUESTS FOR CREEK PROJECTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2001/2002 DATE: MAY 1, 2001 PAGE 2 11. Financiallmpact: If the County is successful in obtaining funding allocation for these Anny Corp of Engineers studies then there will be a local match requirement that will have to be funded by the Flood Control District and/or the Cities involved. Cost share funding would be from drainage zone funds and/or the Cities involved. No General Funds would be required. 111. Reasons for Recommendations and Background: There is a need for flood protection improvements in each of the following three watersheds. The County has requested a Congressional add-on to the Federal Budget for each one of these following projects: a. Grayson Creek/Murderers Creek project (Pleasant Hill) This last summer, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released preliminary updated floodplain maps for areas throughout Contra Costa County. There are significant changes to the flood zones in the City of Pleasant Hill with approximately 1800 properties added to the 100- year floodplain. The flood zone changes are in the Grayson Creek and Murderers Creek area of Pleasant Hill. Both of these creeks are in the larger Walnut Creek drainage basin. The City of Pleasant Hill has made it a priority to address this drainage issue and requested assistance from the Flood Control District on their behalf.. The Flood Control District has asked the Army Corps of Engineers to update the last report they prepared for this watershed. Because this issue has arisen late in the federal budgeting process, a request for funding to be added to the FY 2002 budget is necessary. The Army Corps of Engineers needs a budget allocation to enable them to update the 1992 Feasibility Report for Grayson Creek and Murderers Creek(within the Walnut Creek Basin) in the federal FY 2002 budget. b. San Pablo Creek/Wildcat Creek Project In the early 1980's flood protection improvements were constructed to San Pablo and Wildcat Creeks from the bay to the San Pablo city limits. This was Phase I of a two-phase project. The second phase would extend through the City of San Pablo. Last year, the Army Corps of Engineers informed the Flood Control District and the City that the Phase 11 project would be de-authorized on April 16, 2002 unless some action was taken. In September, the City of San Pablo contacted the Flood Control District regarding the proposed de- authorization of the Wildcat and San Pablo Creeks Phase II project. The City confirmed its interest in keeping the project active and asked for assistance in proceeding to the next step with the Army Corps of Engineers. The City would like the Corps to re-evaluate the original design to provide a more environmental solution. C.-d_-1 SKBJECT: RANKING OF FEDERAL FUNDING REQUESTS FOR CREEK PROJECTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2001/2002 DATE: MAY 1, 2001 PAGE 3 III. Reasons for Recommendations and Background (,continued): FEMA is also updating the floodplain maps in the City of San Pablo and the City may potentially have 1500-1800 properties placed in the 100-year floodplain. A budget allocation for Federal FY 2002 would allow the Corps to re-evaluate Phase 11 of the original plan. A re-evaluation of the original plan is necessary prior to committing to the Feasibility Phase of the project, which would be the next step. ALTERNATIVELY, instead of appropriating funds the project authorization could be legislatively extended for five years, which would postpone the pending de-authorization. This would allow the City and Flood Control District to work with the Corps and request funding through the normal budget process. C. Lower Walnut Creek Channel Project Ongoing changes to regulatory agency policies and new listing of endangered species have affected the Flood Control District's ability to operate and maintain portions of the Walnut Creek Channel in a traditional manner. The channel has silted in over the last several years reducing its flood protection capacity. Through work with the Contra Costa Watershed Forum and establishing broad based support, the District is proposing new alternatives that will move the channel levees back to establish a floodplain and additional habitat. This project will also study the feasibility to build step pools for fish to migrate past a concrete drop structure. The project will enhance the flood control aspects as well as restoration and re-vegetation of portions of lower Walnut Creek Channel. To ensure continued progress on this issue, the Army Corps of Engineers must review and determine the feasibility of the proposed alternatives. The Anny Corps of Engineers needs a budget allocation in the federal FY 2002 budget to enable them to evaluate potential changes to the functioning characteristics of lower Walnut Creek Channel. Flood Control District staff visited Washington,D.C. the third week in March to lobby for supporting these federal budget add-ons. We were informed in Washington,D.C. that the Army Corp of Engineers program funding was reduced by 14%over the previous year in the release of the preliminary budget. The President's budget is expected to be released on April 9, 2001, which will have the final recommendations from the Administration on funding for the Army Corp of Engineers. At that time, Congressional Members and Senators will have an opportunity to request modifications or add-ons to the budget. At our meetings with the Congressional and Senate representatives, we discussed the merits of the three projects and the need for funding. We requested Congressman Miller to carry the San Pablo/Wildcat Creek project and the Lower Walnut Creek Channel project, and we requested Congresswoman Tauscher to carry the Grayson Creek/Murderers Creek project. The critical issue for the San Pablo/Wildcat Creek project is to extend the congressional authorization for the project. Recognizing that funding may be difficult this year, especially for a budget add-on, we stressed the importance of seeking language to extend the authorization for the San Pablo/Wildcat Creek project. SiJBJECT: RANKING OF FEDERAL FUNDING REQUESTS FOR CREEK PROJECTS FOR FISCAL 2001/2002 DATE: MAY 1., 2001 PAGE 4 Staff is therefore recommending that the funding priority for Congresswoman Tauscher is for Grayson/Murderers Creek project and for Congressman Miller is the San Pablo/Wildcat Creek project. At some point in the budget process we may be asked to prioritize all three projects. If that is the case, staff would recommend that the projects be split into two categories, one for funding and one for legislative addition, and ranked in the following order: 1. Legislative Additions 1. San Pablo/Wildcat Creek II. Funding 1. Grayson/Murderers Creek 2. Lower Walnut Creek Channel The reason San Pablo/Wildcat Creek is not recommended for funding is that it is already a congressionally authorized project, while the Grayson/Murderers Creek project is currently not an authorized project. Having project authorization makes it easier to get subsequent funding. Legislatively extending the authorization for San Pablo/Wildcat Creek provides San Pablo with what they really need while giving Pleasant Hill priority for funding a study which should result in congressional authorization of their project. IV. Consequences of Negative Action: Staff would not have direction on prioritization of funding requests for the Army Corp of Engineers in the Federal Fiscal Year 2002 budget.