SAFECA project update: import-borrow testing, Stone Lock value-engineering and Deep Water Shipping Channel study

At the April 16 meeting, SAFECA project staff gave a detailed status update on flood-protection projects across West Sacramento, describing geotechnical testing, permitting coordination, and near-term procurements that will shape levee construction and operations.

Ryan (staff) said the agency is moving forward with an import-borrow program intended to identify and certify material suitable for levee fill that could support multiple West Sacramento projects. He said the current site is the primary candidate and that staff will determine if other sites are needed depending on available quantities; the import-borrow amendment discussed at the meeting is being structured as a programmatic contract to support several levee projects.

Ryan noted the recent ribbon-cutting for a new pump station and said staff is completing as-builts, an operations-and-maintenance manual and additional testing; "there does appear that there may be some efficiency issues with the current pump that's in operation," he said, and staff will continue testing to determine ideal operating performance. For the Wybul projects Ryan said a PG&E easement for a utility pole remains to be recorded (Wybul North) and the Wybul South design has reached 60% with Army Corps review underway.

On a larger project, Stone Lock is undergoing a value-engineering study after 10% design completion to evaluate alternatives and identify more cost-effective solutions; the Army Corps will lead a formal VE study beginning in May. Ryan said the Corps has contract capacity to bring the project toward 100% design but that additional geotechnical testing may be needed.

Staff described coordination needs for staging and right-of-way: possible staging locations include the Broderick Boat Ramp and Heritage Center areas, and project sequencing will require early discussions with Parks and port stakeholders because construction could occupy staging areas for months or longer. Ryan said utility coordination is underway; the agency has sent letters to identify conflicts and the sequencing for utility relocation remains a planning focus.

Environmental review scheduling was also discussed: staff expects a draft CEQA initial study and environmental supplemental assessment in early May and said the Army Corps' draft NEPA document should be available at a similar point in the schedule. Ryan said the agency received a Corps request to support a feasibility/design charette for a Deep Water Shipping Channel closure structure and that the charette will evaluate alternatives rather than focus primarily on dredging.

On funding, Ryan told the board the agency's ask to the Flood Protection Board for fiscal 2028 is "upwards of I believe a 100 million" and that staff will confirm the exact figure. He said geotechnical work requested by the Corps will not use the existing on-call list but will instead proceed via a standalone RFP for a longer-duration contract; Ryan said the geotechnical advertisement for some projects is expected to come before the board in May.

The board asked questions about staging durations, overlap with nearby events (for example, an Indian museum groundbreaking in the same vicinity), and whether dredging considerations are built into the Deep Water Shipping Channel charette; staff answered that dredging is a consideration but not the primary charette focus. The update concluded with a reminder that several solicitations and right-of-way efforts are forthcoming and that staff will continue to coordinate with the Army Corps, DWR and port stakeholders.