SACRAMENTO – Today, Assemblymember Dave Jones’ (D-Sacramento) bill to provide the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (SAFCA) with a key tool to improve flood protection in Sacramento passed a concurrence vote in the State Assembly, 60-12.  It will now move to Governor’s Schwarzenegger’s desk. 

“If we don’t take decisive action now, Sacramento is at risk of becoming the next New Orleans,” stated Jones.  “By giving our local flood control agency a key flood control tool, this bill takes an important step towards providing Sacramento with the protection it so desperately needs.”

Specifically, this bill provides SAFCA with clear authority to negotiate to purchase easements.  It also contains a number of protections to ensure that easements are consistent with State and local plans and are pursued in a collaborative, voluntary way.

“I am very pleased with the strong bipartisan vote we received for the bill. Few bills are passed with such a high vote margin,” said Jones.  “I’ve worked with my Republican colleagues as well as local governments and other organizations to make sure that the flood control easements authorized by the bill are mutually-beneficial to rural and urban areas.”

AB 930 comes as easements have received significant interest not only at the state level, but also at the federal level.  Assemblymember Jones’ bill provides SAFCA with the authority it needs to take advantage of funding proposed by Congresswoman Doris Matsui in the 2007 Flood bill for flood easements in rural areas.

“My bill provides the necessary local and state authority for flood easement acquisitions of the type contemplated in Congresswoman Doris Matsui’s effort,” indicated Jones.  “While my bill doesn’t envision using any particular source of funding for the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency’s easements, federal funds like those contemplated under the Farm Bill are certainly one option.  These funds would be a win-win, providing Sacramento with increased flood protection while also compensating rural landowners and communities.”