Lawmakers Approve Napa Flood Control Bill

SACRAMENTO – A bill from Senator Bill Dodd, D-Napa, that would authorize the state to fund construction of the uncompleted phases of the Napa River flood protection project when there are no available federal funds passed the Assembly Thursday with a unanimous vote.

“I am extremely pleased to advance this bill, which will allow Napa to fund construction of uncompleted phases of the Napa River flood protection project without federal funding,” Senator Dodd said.

Senate Bill 1073 authorizes state funding from general obligation bonds, subventions or upon appropriation by the Legislature, to be used for the Napa River project.

The project was first federally authorized in 1965. Phases of it have continued until recently with federal, state and local funding. There is no current federal funding appropriated for its continuation, leaving it stalled and contingent on federal action. It covers improvements to six miles of the river from Highway 29 at Butler Bridge to about Trancas Street and Napa Creek. The project includes bank terracing, bridge replacement, and creating bypass channels, culverts, floodwalls and levees.

The bill passed by a vote of 76 to 0. It returns next week to the Senate for a vote of concurrence before heading to Gov. Jerry Brown for a signature.

Napa Mayor Jill Techel, who is chairwoman of the county’s Flood Control and Water Conservation District board, said she was pleased the bill appears poised to become law.

“I am thrilled,” Mayor Techel said. “It is nice to know the state is there to help us complete this important project. There are still neighborhoods in Napa that don’t have flood protection and the promise is to extend those safeguards to all.”

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Senator Bill Dodd represents the 3rd Senate District, which includes all or portions of Solano, Napa, Sonoma, Yolo, Contra Costa, and Sacramento counties. You can learn more about the district and Senator Dodd at www.sen.ca.gov/dodd.