Wolk introduces comprehensive flood protection bill

Legislation promotes state and local flood protection plans, standards

SACRAMENTO–Picking up where she left off last year, Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) today introduced a comprehensive bill to protect Central Valley communities from floods. 

Wolk’s new legislation, Assembly Bill 5, would connect flood management with local land-use decisions, an issue Wolk championed last year with her legislation Assembly Bills 1899 and 802. AB 5 also includes new financial incentives to encourage local governments to adopt flood protection plans before approving new developments—as well as minimum flood protection standards for new developments within flood-prone areas.

“This bill creates the framework for a state-local partnership to protect current and future residents in the Central Valley from the devastating floods that loom in our future,” said Wolk.  “Now that the voters have approved over $3 billion in bond funding for levee repairs, we have a responsibility to see that these funds are spent wisely, rewarding those who adopt responsible plans and strong requirements for new housing in flood-prone areas.  

“The voters want their tax dollars spent wisely.  This legislation will ensure that existing communities receive priority for bond funds. It will also ensure that we don’t throw good money after bad by subsidizing developments with inadequate flood protection plans in place.”

The legislation does not mandate local governments to adopt the Local Plan of Flood Protection established by the bill. It does, however, give local governments that adopt the plan priority for state bond funds.  As defined by AB 5, a Local Plan of Flood Protection must include the following elements:

• A plan to meet minimum flood protection standards for urban, rural and small communities;
  
  
• Analysis of the various facilities that provide flood protection for flood prone areas;
  
  
• Identification of current and future flood corridors and any necessary future flood protection facilities;

• Identification of needed improvements to the existing flood protection facilities necessary to meet flood protection standards for urban, rural, and small communities;
  
  
• An emergency response and evacuation plan for flood prone areas;

• A strategy to achieve multiple benefits including flood protection, groundwater recharge, costs savings, and ecosystem health;

• A long-term funding strategy for improvements and ongoing maintenance and operation of flood protection facilities; and
  
  
• Approval of an ordinance to mandate flood insurance and annually notify homeowners as to the level of flood protection and level of flood risk.

AB 5 also establishes a Central Valley Flood Protection Plan, the key elements of which include:

• Minimum flood protection standards for urban, rural and small communities;
  
  
• Analysis of the facilities that provide flood protection for flood prone areas;
  
  
• Emergency response planning in high risk flood prone areas; and
  
  
• A long-term funding strategy for maintenance, operation and flood protection facility improvements.

“I will be meeting with stakeholders and residents throughout the Central Valley, as well as other legislators with legislative proposals and administration officials,” said Wolk. “I believe there is much more common ground on this issue than some might have you believe. It is a difficult issue, but there is a growing consensus that we cannot afford a ‘business as usual’ approach.  I am looking forward to moving this legislation forward when we return in January.”