Federal lawmakers this week passed a bill to authorize spending
$65 million to protect Morgan Hill and nearby areas from flooding
during severe storms, but when – and if – the money will be
appropriated was not decided.
MORGAN HILL
Federal lawmakers this week passed a bill to authorize spending $65 million to protect Morgan Hill and nearby areas from flooding during severe storms, but when – and if – the money will be appropriated was not decided.
The estimated total cost to complete the Llagas Creek Flood Control Project, in which the Santa Clara Valley Water District and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are partners, has increased from $45 million in 1999 to $105 million due to increasing land and construction costs, said Bal Ganjoo, senior project manager with the district. The Army Corps is responsible for the planning, design and construction to complete the upper portion of the project, which extends 13.6 miles from San Martin to Morgan Hill and would protect the flatlands in the area from flooding in case of severe storms.
“The Army Corps has been working since the year 2000 and they’ve had funding challenges,” Ganjoo said.
The 2007 Water Resources Development Act, passed by Congress after President Bush vetoed it, authorizes $65 million in federal funds towards the project’s cost, leaving it up to the local authorities to raise the additional $40 million, said Scott Wilson of the district’s governmental relations unit.
The WRDA authorizes spending but lawmakers allocate funds through appropriations bills. The bills currently making making their way through both houses omit Llagas Creek funding, Wilson said.
Water district officials are continuing to lobby for the funds to be included, but even with WRDA’s passage, it’s unlikely to happen.
“Now that (WRDA is) in, it gives a little impetus,” Wilson said. “It’s not a very rosy outlook. We’re talking about next year’s appropriations.”
Morgan Hill Mayor Steve Tate said he was pleased with WRDA’s passage.
“It means everything to the city of Morgan Hill,” Tate said. “It’s flood relief and it has a huge impact on the valley floor. Those properties won’t have to pay exorbitant prices for flood insurance once the relief is in place.”
City officials will discuss the Llagas Creek Flood Control Project with the water district’s representatives at a regularly scheduled quarterly meeting at 8:30 a.m. Friday at Morgan Hill City Hall.
UPCOMING MEETING
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What: Quarterly meeting with officials from Morgan Hill and the Santa Clara Valley Water District to discuss pending issues, including the Llagas Creek Flood Control Project.
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When: 8:30 a.m. Friday
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Where: Council chambers, Morgan Hill City Hall, 17555 Peak Ave.
