Thompson Secures Authorization for Local Projects in WRDA Bill

Press Release

Thompson Secures Authorization for Local Projects in WRDA Bill

Last night, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed legislation to help restore wetlands, protect communities from catastrophic floods and enhance natural resources across the country.

The Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (WRDA) authorizes the Army Corps of Engineers to construct flood protection projects and improve our nation's rivers and harbors. The bill passed the House of Representatives tonight by a vote of 394-25.

"Federal authorization for these important flood control and conservation projects is long overdue," said Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA). "This legislation will give our communities added flood protection and enhance natural resources nationwide."

St. Helena Flood Project and Napa River Salt Marsh

Thompson was successful in adding language to this legislation that will provide added flood protection to the City of St. Helena and restore the Napa River Salt Marshes.

"Giving the Army Corps of Engineers the authorization to work with the City of the St. Helena will provide the city with better flood protection," said Thompson. "In addition, restoration of the Napa Salt Marshes will provide an exciting opportunity for large-scale wetland restoration in the San Francisco Bay.

The City of St. Helena is in the final stages of developing a comprehensive flood protection project to address its chronic flooding issues. The language that Thompson secured will allow the Army Corps of Engineers to assist the City in proceeding with the planning, design and construction for this important flood protection project.

The Napa River Salt Marsh project will restore portions of a former 9,460 acre commercial salt pond complex that is valuable to tidal wetlands, and create one of the largest restored wetlands on the West Coast.

San Pablo Bay Restoration

Thompson was successful in adding language to this legislation that authorizes restoration of the San Pablo Bay.

"The San Pablo Bay watershed is among the richest watersheds in the American West," said Thompson. "This legislation authorizes the Army Corps of Engineers to restore the San Pablo Bay watershed, which is critically important for fish and migratory birds along the Pacific flyway."

The restoration will cover more than 50,000 acres of the San Pablo Bay watershed. The authorization also allows the Corps to coordinate the work with other ongoing restoration projects in the bay.

"I appreciate Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey's support of this important project," said Thompson.

Middle Creek Restoration

Thompson was successful in adding language to this legislation that will fund, design and construct the Middle Creek Ecosystem Restoration Project.

"Restoring Middle Creek is a critical step toward enhancing the area's flood protection and improving the wetlands surrounding Clear Lake," said Thompson.

The Project will restore 1,200 acres of wetlands and 500 acres of floodplain in the Clear Lake area. It entails reconnecting Scott's Creek and Middle Creek to the historic Robinson Lake wetland and floodplain. These two watersheds provide 57 percent of the water flow into Clear Lake.

Salt River and Redwood Creek

Thompson was successful in adding language to this legislation to assess ecosystem restoration within the Redwood Creek levee flood control project. In addition, the authorization included restoration of the Salt River, which is a critical habitat for endangered species.

"Protecting the community of Orick from flooding and improving Redwood Creek's aquatic habitat and fisheries are equally important priorities for Humboldt County," said Thompson. "This bill authorizes the Army Corps of Engineers to reassess any conflicts between these two priorities, so that we can move forward toward a solution."

"The need to restore the Salt River is abundantly evident," said Thompson. "This project will restore and enhance habitat for salmonids and other listed species and prevent future flooding and infrastructure disasters."

The Salt River project is designed to restore approximately two miles of habitat along the Salt River, which has experienced major ecosystem degradation due to long-term sedimentation and drainage problems. Failure to address these problems has resulted in local flooding, which has threatened pastures, waste systems and county roads.

Source