California: Pajaro River flood protection project breaks ground
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~ SACRAMENTO - Today marks a significant milestone for the City of Watsonville, the Town of Pajaro, and surrounding agricultural areas as the groundbreaking ceremony for the Pajaro River Flood Risk Management Project takes place. This project, which has been in the works for several years, will provide 100-year flood risk reduction to these communities, a significant increase from the current eight-year level of protection.

Governor Gavin Newsom has been a strong advocate for this project since taking office and has taken decisive action to move it forward. He has signed legislation to provide advanced funding, cover 100 percent of non-federal costs, and streamline environmental review. Last year, amid major flooding in Pajaro Valley, Governor Newsom traveled to the area to pledge support and work towards protecting against future flood risks.

The existing levees that protect the area were built decades ago and are no longer sufficient to withstand extreme weather events. The new project under construction will provide much-needed protection against potential flooding from the lower Pajaro River and its tributaries.

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In a statement, Governor Newsom emphasized the urgency of this project and expressed gratitude for the partnership between legislators and federal and local leaders in advancing it. He stated that strengthening flood protections in at-risk communities is a top priority as California continues to experience extreme weather.

The construction of this project is being managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in collaboration with the Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency. The state has invested $560 million over two budgets towards flood response and projects like this one that aim to protect communities from future flooding. Of this funding, $125 million was made available specifically for flood preparedness and recovery projects in at-risk communities.

The state has taken several actions to safeguard Pajaro Valley communities from potential flooding disasters. Last year, Governor Newsom signed AB 876 by Speaker Robert Rivas, which streamlines environmental review to expedite levee repairs. In 2022, he signed legislation by Senator John Laird authorizing advanced payments for early-stage work on the project. And in 2021, he signed another bill by Senator Laird that covers up to 100 percent of the non-federal costs, estimated at $210 million out of the total project cost of $599 million.

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The state has already provided $47 million for key early-stage work on the project, and an additional $40 million was allocated for flood relief in Pajaro and Planada in summer 2023. This includes direct relief for residents and workers regardless of documentation or citizenship status.

In other recent news, millions of Californians will receive an average $71 credit on their October electric bills thanks to the state's Cap-and-Trade Program. This program has also contributed to the successful removal of Klamath River dams ahead of schedule and on budget, making it the largest river restoration project in American history.

Overall, California has made significant strides in protecting and expanding water supplies and building climate resilience over the past year. With extreme weather events becoming more frequent, these efforts are crucial in safeguarding communities and ensuring a sustainable future for the state.

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