December 4, 2009

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Jerry McNerney (CA-11) released a list of Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) project and legislative requests he is submitting on behalf of residents of the 11th District.

The Water Resources Development Act is legislation that provides the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with the authority to study and construct water resource projects in conjunction with local partners.  Army Corps of Engineers projects receive Congressional authorization through WRDA in order to be eligible for future funding.

“I’m proud to release the list of requests I made for essential water projects,” said Rep. McNerney. “Investing in water infrastructure is crucial for our area. These requests are an important step towards addressing many water challenges, including flood protection, levee safety and improving water quality.”

Congressman McNerney’s requests, if enacted in a final WRDA bill, will allow local governments and agencies to later submit funding requests.

The list of requests made by Congressman McNerney is listed below:

Central Valley Flood Protection and Water Resources Development Program
Requested: Legislative language
This proposal would authorize a new Central Valley Flood Protection and Water Resources Development Program.  This program would help state and local partners receive funding and reimbursement for flood control work.  This proposal was requested by the California Department of Water Resources.

Clarification of Permitting and Crediting Authorities
Requested: Legislative language
This request for new legislative language would benefit local flood control agencies by providing greater assurance that they will receive reimbursement for actions they undertake to avert and respond to quickly-developing flood situations.  This legislative request was made by the San Joaquin Area Flood Control Agency.

Contra Costa Canal Project
Requested: Increase existing authorization to $43,000,000
This project replaces certain levees and unlined portions of the Contra Costa Canal with buried pipeline.  This project protects water supplies from potential levee failure.  This project was requested by the Contra Costa Water District.

Expansion of Seismic Infrastructure Reliability Programs
Requested: Increase existing authorization to $75,000,000
This proposal would expand and modify an existing program in California to enable the Army Corps of Engineers to assist other communities, such as Stockton and Manteca, with seismic improvements for water systems.  This proposal was requested by the cities of Stockton and Manteca.

Farmington Groundwater Recharge Demonstration Project
Requested: Increase existing authorization to $335,500,000
The Farmington project constructs groundwater recharge facilities to improve water supply in San Joaquin County.  This request will allow the next phases of the project to proceed.  This project was requested by the Stockton East Water District.

Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund Modifications
Requested: Legislative language
This legislative request would ensure that funds intended for harbor maintenance are used for that purpose.  Additionally, this language would clarify that harbors and ports in California receive appropriate compensation.  This language was requested by the Port of Stockton.

Lodi Lake Area Flood Prevention
Requested: Authorization of $1,861,970
This project will repair an eroding riverbank that threatens to flood a unique and publicly accessible nature preserve and species habitat.  This project was requested by the City of Lodi.

Llagas Creek Flood Protection Project
Requested: Modification of legislative language, new reimbursement authority
This request would modify the existing authority for the Llagas Creek project to ensure that this initiative is able to proceed as quickly as possible.  The request would remove language that may limit federal participation and provide federal credit for costs already incurred by the Santa Clara Valley Water District and the City of Morgan Hill.  This request was submitted by the Santa Clara Valley Water District and the City of Morgan Hill.

Manteca Water Infrastructure Development
Requested: Authorization of $10,000,000
This project would assist the City of Manteca with the study, design, and construction of water systems.  This project was requested by the City of Manteca.

Mokelumne Aqueduct Intertie Project
Requested: Authorization of $4,000,000
This request would authorize the Army Corps of Engineers to assist with the development of interties better connecting the East Bay Municipal Utility District’s Mokelumne Aqueducts.  Interties would help preserve reliability of water supplies in the event of natural disaster or aqueduct failure.  This project was requested by the East Bay Municipal Utility District.

Mt. Diablo Cleanup
Requested: Additional authorization of $483,000
This project would allow the Army Corps of engineers to provide construction assistance at the Mt. Diablo mercury mine site.  This project was requested by Contra Costa County and will benefit eastern Contra Costa County, including Brentwood.  

Regional Seismic Protection Upgrades in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties
Requested: Authorization of $35,000,000
This project would increase the reliability of water supply systems in the event of seismic activity in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties.  This project was requested by the East Bay Municipal Utility District.

Reimbursement for Flood Control Improvements
Requested: Legislative language
This request would modify existing law to provide more timely reimbursement to local agencies for the federal share of flood control projects.  This language would allow reimbursement for initiatives like the Stockton Metropolitan Area Flood Project to proceed more quickly.  This legislative proposal was requested by the San Joaquin Area Flood Control Agency.

Rheem Creek Feasibility Study
Requested: Authorization of $100,000
This request would allow the Army Corps to initiate a feasibility study for environmental restoration activities on Rheem Creek.  This project was requested by Contra Costa County.

Ripon Water Improvements
Requested: Authorization of $3,000,000
This project would install piping to connect Ripon’s water system to a South San Joaquin Irrigation District water treatment plant, improving water supply and reducing groundwater overdraft.  This project was requested by the City of Ripon.

Rodeo Creek Feasibility Study
Requested: Authorization of $100,000
This request would allow the Army Corps of Engineers to initiate a feasibility study for environmental restoration activities on Rodeo Creek.  This project was requested by Contra Costa County.

Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Water Infrastructure Program
Requested: Authorization of $100,000,000
This new project would enable the Army Corps of Engineers to better assist communities in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta region with a range of projects including but not limited to: flood control, wastewater treatment, agricultural improvements, water conservation initiatives, and water supply enhancements.  This project was requested by San Joaquin County in coordination with the four other counties encompassing the San Joaquin Delta.

San Ramon Valley Recycled Water Project
Requested: Increase existing authorization to $35,000,000
The San Ramon Valley Recycled Water Project enhances available water resources in Contra Costa County and Alameda County.  This request will allow the project to continue receiving federal assistance.  This project was requested by the East Bay Municipal Utility District.

Stockton Deep Water Channel
Requested: Legislative language
This request for legislative language would authorize the deepening of the Stockton Deep Water Channel to 40 feet; the current authorized depth is 35 feet.  This request would facilitate commercial operations at the Port of Stockton.  This legislative language was requested by the Port of Stockton.

Tracy Wetlands Habitat
Requested: Modify existing authorities, increase authorization to $50,000,000
This project would help Tracy develop a wetlands area for habitat and help cool effluent from a local wastewater plant.  This project was requested by the City of Tracy.