ASSEMBLYMEMBER NOREEN EVANS |
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| Evans Introduces Bill to Aid Financing of St. Helena Flood Project | ||
(Sacramento, CA)-- Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) introduced legislation to bring crucial state infrastructure dollars to the City of St. Helena that will help finance the construction of the city’s flood protection project. “The Napa Valley needs state funds to meet its flood protection goals,” said Evans. “I’m committed to getting the resources needed to protect life and property in our community. This bill will enable St. Helena to receive key funding provided by the state’s infrastructure bonds for its flood project.” Introduced at the request of St. Helena and co-authored by Senator Patricia Wiggins (D-Santa Rosa), Assembly Bill (AB) 1898 will provide state certification of the Napa River Flood Protection and Estuary Restoration Project, which the city has crafted in partnership with federal, state and local authorities since 1998. The project design is now completed and federally authorized. The state certification provided by AB 1898 will establish eligibility for a state cost-share percentage, ranging 50 to 70 percent of project costs, that will be paid as subvention dollars. In November 2006, the voters of California passed Propositions 84 and 1E. Both provide subvention funds to help build local flood projects. Proposition 84 provides $180 million and Proposition 1E provides $500 million for such purposes. “The City applauds Assemblymember Evans for her commitment to protecting our citizens against the threat of floods,” said Del Britton, St. Helena Mayor. “We appreciate her continued support and efforts to make our City safer by ensuring flood protection for St. Helena and our residents,” he added. The Napa Valley entered 2006 with massive flooding. Governor Schwarzenegger joined Assemblymember Evans and other officials in a tour of Napa to witness its effects and see well over $100 million in related damages. For its part, the City of St. Helena sustained $4 million in damages. Had the water in the floodplain risen an additional four inches, however, losses in St. Helena would have exceeded $30 million. Evans has since worked aggressively with St. Helena to secure much needed documentation and financing from the state for its flood project to move forward. She was instrumental in the city’s receipt of a loan totaling $12 million from the State Revolving Fund, administered by the State Water Resources Control Board. She is also pushing for $5 million in funds from the state’s Flood Protection Corridor program, administered by the Department of Water Resources. |
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