Seventeen Central Valley Levee Systems Lose Eligibility For Federal Rehab Assistance

On August 23, 2012, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (“Corps”) announced that 17 Central Valley levee systems are now ineligible for federal rehabilitation assistance, after a temporary agreement between the Corps and the state of California extending eligibility for deficient levees expired in June.  The 17 levee systems received unacceptable maintenance ratings in their most recent Corps inspections.  To regain active status in the Corps Rehabilitation and Inspection Program, the California Central Valley Flood Protection Board, as the manager of levee systems, must either fix the deficiencies identified by the Corps or submit a system-wide improvement framework that outlines a long-term strategy for bringing the levees into compliance with the Corps’ standards.

As reported in one news article, approximately 180 miles of levees are now ineligible for federal rehabilitation assistance should they be damaged in a flood, including 40 miles of levees that protect most of the Sacramento area population.

For additional information regarding the affected levee systems, please contact Elizabeth Leeper or the KMTG attorney with whom you normally consult.

Related Story:
Central Valley Flood Protection Board Receives Public Draft 2012 Central Valley Flood Protection Plan