Who:
U.S. Representative Lynn Woolsey, Member of Congress
Petaluma Mayor, David Glass
Petaluma City Manager, Mike Bierman
Petaluma City Director of Water Projects, Tom Hargis
Lt. Colonel Michael McCormick, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

What:
Celebrating Rep. Woolsey’s work in securing funding to complete the flood control project for the people of Petaluma.
Photo Opportunity: Ribbon cutting, speeches by Rep. Woolsey, city officials and Army Corps of Engineers’ representative

When:
Tuesday, January 6, 2004
11:00 – 11:30 AM Ribbon cutting ceremony and speeches

Where:
Lakeville Bridge, Petaluma

For the past decade on Capitol Hill, Rep. Woolsey has championed Petaluma’s funding to protect residents from flooding of the Petaluma River and has secured more than $30 million for flood control construction and dredging of the Petaluma River.

“We did it,” said Rep. Woolsey. “I have been working on the Petaluma Flood Control Project ever since I was on the Petaluma City council, over 20 years ago, and am overjoyed that we now have the money to finish the job.”

The Petaluma Flood Control Project consists of new flood walls along 3,500 feet of the river's bank and replaces low-hanging bridges to prevent trapping debris that cause flood waters to spill into the Payran neighborhood. Once the project is complete, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will remap the city, taking Payran residents out of the 100 year flood zone, which not only protects their homes from flooding, but will also lower their insurance rates.

With the passage of the FY 04 Energy and Water Bill, Rep. Woolsey secured the final $7.3 million to complete the Petaluma Flood Control Project. In this year’s bill alone, she secured $21.5 million for environmental projects in Sonoma and Marin Counties that include funding to complete the Petaluma River Flood Control Project, and to restore wetlands in the San Pablo Bay and the Napa-Sonoma Salt Marsh.