Pacheco Stormwater District moves ahead on levee repairs, FEMA reimbursements and multiple grant pursuits

The Pacheco Stormwater District received updates April 28 on debris removal and levee-repair work, was told Federal Emergency Management Agency reimbursements appear close to being obligated for both tasks, and directed staff and trustees to pursue several state and federal grant and technical-assistance options.

District public works staff reported all five debris piles identified after the storms have been removed and moved to the south side of the levee system; the final pile slated for burning is at the northeast corner of Lovers Lane and Pacheco Creek and staff and the property owner will meet on-site Wednesday at 01:30 to finalize safe-burn procedures. "The debris piles, all 5 piles have been removed," Public Works Administrator Steve Blue said when summarizing the cleanup and levee repair schedule. He said the final levee-repair contract was finalized and repairs are scheduled to start next week.

Why it matters: additional funding and technical support could reduce the district's out-of-pocket costs for emergency cleanup and levee work and shape longer-term repairs and maintenance. Trustees said they want to lock in agency relationships and applications before funding windows close.

FEMA status and reimbursements FEMA has completed multiple internal review steps and "looks like they've agreed to approximately $900,000" for debris removal and about $300,000 for levee repairs, Steve Blue told trustees; he added FEMA…