- Good news at long last
At long last, South County got some good news about the half-century-old flood control project for Llagas Creek: Congress passed an authorization bill that approves $65 million for the long-delayed, very important project that has a total price tag of $105 million.
Even better, despite a veto from President Bush, Congress – for the first time in Bush’s nearly seven years in office – overrode his veto.
But it’s not time for confetti and bulldozers just yet. This is just the first step in getting the project funded. As the Army Corps of Engineers needs to spend money on this project – and about $1 million is needed in the near future, officials say – they must convince Congress to pass and Bush to sign appropriations bills. Appropriations bills are required before money can be spent.
So far, no appropriations bills for the flood control project, known as PL566, are in the works.
- Still lots of work to do
That means that South County residents and officials can’t rest on their laurels. We need to keep lobbying our federal representatives to ensure that they include money for this project in appropriations bills – now and in the future.
Let’s not wait until a flood devastates downtown, undoing years of expensive work, before we act. Even more importantly, let’s not wait until a flood takes a life.
PL566 started more than 50 years ago in Gilroy. Work progressed north to Buena Vista Avenue in north Gilroy but stopped when the money ran dry.
Morgan Hill and Santa Clara County Water District officials have worked hard to keep the project alive with the Army Corps of Engineers, even providing money so that environmental and engineering work can continue.
In the meantime, however, because the bulk of the project hasn’t been funded, chronic flooding occurs in various parts of San Martin and Morgan Hill as PL566 languishes.
- Keep the pressure on officials
We’re so close now to fixing a five-decade oversight. We can’t let up before we reach the finish line.
Let your Senators and Representatives know how important this project is to all of South County. Let them know you’re watching closely. Let them know that you expect them to take a lead role in securing appropriation of funds for PL566 until the project is finally complete.
ACT NOW
Sen. Diane Feinstein
http://feinstein.senate.gov
One Post Street, Suite 2450
San Francisco, CA 94104
Phone: (415) 393-0707
Fax: (415) 393-0710
Sen. Barbara Boxer
http://boxer.senate.gov
1700 Montgomery St., Suite 240
San Francisco, CA 94111
Phone: (415) 403-0100
Fax: (415) 956-6701
Congressman Jerry McNerney
http://mcnerney.house.gov
Pleasanton Office
5776 Stoneridge Mall Rd. #175
Pleasanton, CA 94588
Phone: (925) 737-0727
Phone: (408) 744-0727
Fax: (925) 737-0734
Congressman Mike Honda
http://honda.house.gov
District Office,
1999 South Bascom Ave., Ste. 815
Campbell, CA 95008
Phone: (408) 558-8085
Fax: (408) 558-8086
Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren
http://lofgren.house.gov
District Office
635 North 1st Street, Ste. B
San Jose, CA 95112
Phone: (408) 271-8700
Fax: (408) 271-8713
