As the Chair of the Sacramento Area Flood Agency (SAFCA) Board, I witnessed first-hand this month the unveiling of a very exciting landmark for the residents of South Sacramento: the completion of the South Sacramento Streams Flood Control Program.  The final phase for the far reaching project was the completion of the Florin Creek Improvements and the Florin Creek Detention Basin at Florin Creek Park.  This project, which will provide greater protection from flooding, while saving residents the cost of expensive flood insurance, was made possible through significant collaboration between federal and state agencies, as well as SAFCA, and the Southgate Parks and Recreation District.

While much attention is given to flood protection along the Sacramento and American Rivers, it is very important to remember that flood protection involves a complicated system and our local creeks play a crucial role.  Morrison Creek, Elder Creek, Florin Creek and Union House Creek are all located in South Sacramento, and have posed substantial risk to local neighborhoods for many decades. I will continue to work for greater protections.

The goal of the project was to provide a minimum 100-year level of flood protection.  Partners at the Federal and State have provided the majority of the project’s $100 million price tag.  However, that funding never could have been secured if residents had not voted twice to assess themselves and fund the necessary local cost of these projects.

Finally, I want to publically thank Rep. Doris Matsui for her leadership in Washington.  Without those federal dollars, matched by state and local dollars, this project would have never been completed and neighbors in South Sacramento would be at peril, and forced to pay high premiums for mandated flood insurance.