Tulare County reported on Jan. 15 that two flood-planning projects it advanced through Cal OES to FEMA — an Antelope Creek siphon feasibility study and a Deer Creek/White River scoping study — were not funded after the federal administration cut the program. County staff said both projects will be re-submitted for future FEMA or state funding opportunities.

"We did, a project on the Antelope Creek Siphon and then the Deer Creek, White River scoping projects. Both of those were planning projects to determine solutions for both of those issues," Denise (Resource Management Agency staff) said. She told the commission both projects had advanced to FEMA but were cut when federal priorities changed; Cal OES then invited the county to reapply through a state program that prioritized construction projects rather than planning studies.

County staff also gave status updates on capital work and longer-term studies:

- Sultana Storm Drain: initial design required significant property acquisition. The county rescoped the project to focus on basin improvements and pumping-station upgrades so it fits within existing grant funding. Staff said the project will be advertised for bid in November and is expected to be awarded before the end of the year; current grant performance deadlines were stated to run through March 31, 2026.

- Flood-control capital improvements: County staff are inventorying and standardizing the county's storm pump fleet and planning phased replacements to create more uniform equipment and maintenance processes.

- Kings River channel study: The county entered into an agreement with an outside firm (EAF) to undertake a hydro study of the Kings River to identify long-term solutions. The contract timeline is about 23 months; staff reported being roughly six months into the schedule at the time of the meeting.

- Strathmore / Friant Kern Canal: Provost & Pritchard was engaged for design work after the March 2023 storms revealed the prior 2019 design would be insufficient for new flow patterns. The county is surveying Shire Lake to determine storage capacity and will evaluate alternatives for water capture and placement.

Staff emphasized funding and permitting constraints. Denise said the county's RMA application for a routine maintenance agreement has been delayed by CEQA work and staffing resource limits; staff estimated another roughly six months before the permitting piece advances. County staff also noted some projects may be candidates for Prop 1/Prop 4 or other state grant programs when federal options are unavailable.

What’s next

Staff will re-submit planning projects for future FEMA/state funding cycles when those programs reopen, move the Sultana Storm Drain to a November bid, continue pump inventory and replacement planning, and pursue design and survey work for Kings River and Strathmore as funding allows.