FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, May 22, 2014      

CONTACT: JONELLE TRIMMER
(202) 225-7163

Congresswoman Matsui Praises Senate Passage of WRRDA That Will Authorize Federal Support for Natomas Levee Improvements

Bill Now Goes to the President to be Signed into Law

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-06) today praised the Senate for acting in a strong bipartisan manner to pass H.R. 3080, the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA).  This bill includes several of Sacramento’s flood protection priorities, including Congressional authorization of the Natomas Levee Improvement Project (NLIP).

“Today’s vote is a major victory for the people of Natomas and all of Sacramento.  Senator Boxer has done a fantastic job drafting and shepherding this important bill from start to finish.  She has made sure that our state’s and especially Sacramento’s flood protection priorities were included in the bill, and has been a strong advocate for our region throughout this process.  This important legislation includes authorization of the Natomas Levee Improvement Project, as well as much needed reforms to the Army Corps’ vegetation on levee and crediting policies,” said Congresswoman Matsui.

WRRDA includes several provisions that are critical to improving Sacramento’s level of flood protection:

• Authorization of the NLIP – WRRDA includes language nearly identical to Congresswoman Matsui’s Natomas Basin Flood Protection Improvements Act of 2013 (H.R. 135), which authorizes full federal participation in the NLIP, which will help restore 100-year flood protection to the Natomas area.
• Vegetation on Levees – WRRDA includes language similar to Congresswoman Matsui’s legislation, the “Levee Vegetation Review Act” (H.R. 399).  This provision will require the Army Corps of Engineers to move to a position regarding vegetation on levees that allows regional variances with input from the state and local entities, rather than their current “one-size-fits-all” national standard.
• Section 104 Crediting – WRRDA also includes provisions to encourage State and local initiatives that accelerate flood control improvements by allowing federal crediting for work accomplished by non-federal interests.  The final WRRDA provision is similar to Congresswoman Matsui’s Flood Control Credit Act of 2013 (H.R. 2293).

“Now that Congress has passed WRRDA this important legislation will head to the President’s desk for his signature.  I am confident that the President will sign this important infrastructure bill into law.  Once we secure the authorization for the levee improvements in Natomas, I look forward to securing funding for the NLIP and seeing it through construction and completion, just as I have with the Folsom Dam Joint Federal Project and other important flood protection projects,” added Matsui.

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