The Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee, chaired by Assembly Member Marc Levine (D-10), held an informational and oversight hearing this week on California’s Flood Control Planning and Infrastructure. Ellen Hanak of the Public Policy Institute of California provided the Committee members with an overview of California’s flood risk. Hanak stated that recent studies indicate that the State needs to spend $1.4 billion a year to close its “investment gap” in flood protection infrastructure. California currently spends about $600 million annually.
Leslie Gallagher briefed the Committee on the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan and the role of the Central Valley Flood Protection Board. Rick Poeppelman discussed the State Plan of Flood Control and the role of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Tina Curry of the Office of Emergency Services spoke on flood preparedness and emergency response, while Gary Bardini with the Department of Water Resources (DWR) covered the DWR FloodSafe program and Proposition 1E Financing. Randy Fiorini discussed the Delta Stewardship Council’s Delta Levee Strategy, followed by Melinda Terry from the California Central Valley Flood Control Association who explained local flood control agencies role in flood control.
Each of the panel members who testified pointed to the need to increase spending on flood protection infrastructure. A background paper prepared by Committee staff can be accessed here.