Continuing resolution raises hope for Natomas flood project funding, executive director says

Jason Campbell, executive director of the Secondary Flood Control Agency, told the board at its November meeting that a continuing resolution in Congress and language in the House Appropriations Energy and Water Development bill could preserve a Corps of Engineers work plan that supports the Natomas flood-protection project.

"So, as, I think we all know, finally, we have a continuing resolution," Campbell said, noting the House bill includes provisions that benefit agency projects. He added that the Senate had not yet adopted companion legislation but that the existing House language identifies the Corps' work plan in a way that could keep Natomas eligible for federal funding.

Campbell said he hopes funding will materialize "either in '26 or fiscal year 27," and that he will travel to Washington, D.C., from Dec. 1–4 to meet with committee members and Corps headquarters to press for the project. He also said the Natomas Basin is currently the agency's only project in the near term that needs additional federal funding.

The executive director's report also noted local operational activity: the agency used a recently purchased property near Sankey Road for a controlled burn training exercise in collaboration with the Pleasant Grove fire academy and other fire departments, which UC Davis said provided a rare active-fire training opportunity for its cadets.

What happens next: agency staff said they will continue federal outreach and planning work; no formal funding award was announced at the meeting.