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SAFeco reports federal funding prospects, levy certification progress and work on Natomas and pump stations
Summary
Executive Director Jason Campbell briefed the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency on federal appropriations prospects for Corps projects, ongoing levy certification efforts tied to Senate requirements, and local construction progress on Natomas slurry-wall work, Sweeney Creek Pump Station demolition and Magpie Creek design.
Executive Director Jason Campbell updated the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency on July 17 about federal funding prospects for Corps projects, the agency's ongoing levee-certification work and several local construction efforts.
Campbell said a July 4 federal bill had cleared a path for congressional appropriations activity and that House Energy and Water Development subcommittees are advancing work plans that could include Corps projects important to the agency. He told the board that some projects, including reaches F and G of the Natomas Basin project, will need continued federal funding and that SAFeco staff and partners are coordinating with congressional and Senate offices to pursue FY2026 and FY2027 funding.
Campbell reported the agency is progressing on levee-certification packages. Four levee systems (American River north and south levees, Robla Creek and Dry Creek) are prepared for certification and reports will be provided to land-use entities in the coming months. Three additional packages (including Natomas, Beach Lake South and Magpie Creek) remain under development. Campbell said Natomas Reach A slurry-wall work is ongoing and multiple slurry-wall headings are on site; contractors aim to finish the work by the end of the year if possible.
Campbell noted work on local pump stations: city work at Pump Station 89 (Sump 89) is modifying piping to meet levee elevations and the county-led Sweeney Creek Pump Station project has mobilized a contractor after demolition of the prior facility. He said Magpie Creek design is continuing with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as part of American River Common Features.
On statutory compliance and schedule risk, Campbell said Senate Bill 5 requires meeting a 200-year level of protection and described proposed legislation introduced by Sen. Ashby (referred to in the meeting as "SB 6 39") that would allow entities more time to reach certification through 2030. Campbell said the bill was headed to the Appropriations Committee and that SAFeco is tracking the proposal to provide additional time if needed.
Board questions: Director Kaplan asked whether Ashby's bill and the need for federal funding were linked. Campbell said they are not the same thing: the bill would extend certification timelines, but insufficient federal funding by critical milestones could still force further conversations and schedule changes. He said the Corps is considering phasing or breaking larger reaches into smaller pieces to make work more fundable.
Why this matters: Certification and federal funding timelines affect development approvals, levee protection status and the schedule for construction of flood-protection projects that serve parts of Sacramento County.
Ending: Campbell said SAFeco and its partners will continue coordination with the Corps, congressional offices and local land-use entities to pursue funding and complete certification packages; the board did not take formal action on these informational items at the meeting.
