Governor Signed Santa Clara Valley Flood Funding Bill

MILPITAS, CA -- As the prospect of a heavy winter emerges, California Gov. Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 881 into law Saturday to protect and control the Santa Clara Valley from flooding through projects such as the South San Francisco Bay Shoreline Project.

The partnership between the California State Coastal Conservancy, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and regional stakeholders serves to provide tidal flood protection as well as restore and enhance tidal march habitats. The San Francisco Bay Trail will also receive funding for efforts to maintain its integrity.

Environmental wetland restoration with levee reinforcement to protect life and property has been planned for the region including Palo Alto, Mountain View, Sunnyvale and the community of Alviso.

The bill authored by Sen. Bob Wieckowski allows the Water District to receive funding from the state to the tune of up to $7 million.

"With climate change bringing about increased storm intensity and sea level rise, the Shoreline Project is a critical collaboration of federal, state and local agencies," the Fremont Democrat said.

The timing is ideal for averting potential disaster from high tides, rising seas and severe storms.

The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration predicts a great propensity for a winter of storms due to El Nino, a tropical weather phenomenon that originates off the shores of South America.

"This project is vital to our economy and the safety of our community," district Board Chairman Richard Santos said.

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