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SAFCA reports federal funding progress, levee certification work and Natomas funding shortfalls
Summary
At its July meeting SAFCA staff reported new federal appropriations momentum, ongoing levy-certification work, and a need for additional funding for Natomas reaches F and G; staff outlined active construction work at Sweeney Creek pump station and ongoing slurry wall work for Natomas Reach A.
SAFCA Executive Director Jason Campbell told the board on July 17 that recent federal appropriations action clears a path for Corps of Engineers work plans and that SAFCA is pursuing additional federal funding for remaining Natomas Basin reaches.
"The president did sign [a federal appropriations bill] on July 4, making way for congressional authority to move forward," Campbell said, adding that SAFCA staff are working with congressional and Senate offices to secure funding for reaches F and G in Natomas.
Campbell said four levee systems are prepared for certification: the American River north and south levees, Robla Creek, and Dry Creek. He said three other levee-system packages are still being prepared: Natomas, Beach Lake South, and Sac Streams levees, and that Magpie Creek is under design with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).
On Natomas, Campbell said slurry-wall work at Reach A is active and that contractors are on-site performing multiple sections of slurry-wall construction. He also said City pump station "Sump 89" piping modifications are being performed by the city of Sacramento, and a county-owned Sweeney Creek pump station contractor has mobilized and removed the previous facility.
Campbell said staff are also monitoring state legislation referenced in the meeting by Sen. Ashby that, if enacted, would allow more time to meet certification requirements through 2030. He said that provision and federal funding are separate matters: the bill would provide additional time for certification, but without federal dollars projects could still be delayed. "If we don't receive funding by the time it's necessary ... come 2028, if we don't have funding, we will need to have a conversation," Campbell said.
Directors asked clarifying questions about links between the state bill and federal funding; Campbell said the Corps is continuing design work and may consider breaking large reaches into smaller phases to make funding requests more palatable to appropriators.
