Flood of frustration
By Alex Breitler, The Record, Stockton, Calif. | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
Compared to the old days, the
But the delay of perhaps six months frustrates local flood-control officials, who need the Corps' blessing to qualify for state and federal funding, and who also face regulatory deadlines that could stifle future development in the city.
And yes -- despite the drought, the floods will come again someday. And
"We're being had, and it's not just here, it's everywhere," Hartmann said. "They (the Corps) are not getting anywhere. It's obscene and absurd. And we're the victims of this -- all of us."
The plan began in 2009 and originally was not supposed to be finished until 2017.
But two years ago, the Corps launched a nationwide effort to speed up its notoriously lengthy review process. At the time, 68 Corps studies had been ongoing for more than a decade.
Dubbed "3-by-3-by-3," the new effort is supposed to ensure that studies take no more than three years to complete, cost no more than
The
It's already at five years and
"We're still working through some growing pains trying to do this kind of study more quickly," he said.
A draft of the
The plan will not only be later than expected, but perhaps also less ambitious.
Originally the plan would have included projects all the way up the
In the north, the plan no longer will include levee improvements along
In the south, a long-proposed "relief valve" at Paradise Cut, a channel through which
And finally, the Corps has reportedly backed off improvements along the
Local officials fought against that position, pointing out that thousands of people already rely on the levee, which also protects
Gray said that even if these projects aren't part of the draft plan later this summer, that doesn't mean they're forever off the table.
Remaining a part of the plan is the proposed flood-control gate near the mouth of
That's according to
The ultimate goal: 200-year flood protection for
Not only is the work important to keeping
Any delay might be costly:
-- Cities are supposed to achieve 200-year protection by 2025, which isn't as far away as it sounds. Failing to meet the law could severely restrict development.
-- State money may be available, but funds from a voter-approved flood-control bond must be fully distributed by 2016. And the state generally wants Corps approval before dishing out the dough for large projects. This could hamper progress on the
-- Even with the blessing of the Corps, it's another battle entirely to earn federal money to help pay the billion-dollar tab. Some of the cost, ultimately, is likely to come down on property owners, Giottonini said.
So, there is a certain level of urgency to getting the Corps study done.
Giottonini said he's heard similar concerns about the slowly grinding bureaucracy from other particularly flood-prone parts of the country.
"The people are good and skilled at the Corps," Giottonini said. "I think they have good intentions. But they're doing a new process and they're learning."
"The people having to deal with them are frustrated a little bit," he added, "but I'd imagine the Corps people working on these studies are frustrated, too."
Hartmann's comments last week were more cynical -- certainly when it came to Corps' compliance with the new goal of 3-inch-thick reports.
"If you stacked all the paper they've generated from floor to ceiling you'd be 18 feet over 3 inches," Hartmann said. "It's just ridiculous."
Contact reporter
___
(c)2014 The Record (Stockton, Calif.)
Visit The Record (Stockton, Calif.) at www.recordnet.com
Distributed by MCT Information Services
Wordcount: | 989 |
Media Alert – Foresters offers Emergency Assistance to members in Northwest Washington affected by wildfires
Advisor News
Annuity News
Health/Employee Benefits News
Life Insurance News