INTRODUCTION

The Interagency Task Force, established March 3, 1997 at the direction of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) was chartered to consider and implement nonstructural alternatives instead of traditional structural levee repairs consistent with existing authorities and appropriate Federal agencies. Within that context, the ITF specifically looked at those proposed levee repairs under the Corps, NRCS, and FEMA authorities. As part of post-flood restoration efforts the task force concerned itself with the short-term solution to flood plain management issues as well as developing a strategy that would address the overall long-term approach to flood plain management in California. The task force established a Flood Plain Management Working Group that would address the issues and future direction required to carry forward a sound flood plain management policy into the 21st Century. This flood plain management working group has developed several strategies articulated within this paper.

Through the efforts of the Interagency Task Force, Flood Plain Management (FPM) Working Group considerable progress has been made towards:

1. Defining and resolving issues impacting the short-term implementation of nonstructural alternatives.

2. Serving as a forum for State and Federal agencies to develop a vision on the implementation of a flood plain management strategy for the future.

3. The cooperative development of State and Federal outreach efforts describing the nonstructural alternative concept, the PL 84-99 process and the need for a long term strategy.

As the emergency response and recovery efforts of the Federal government associated with the January 1997 floods come nearer to a close in Northern California, there is the opportunity to move forward on a long-term flood plain management strategy.

The Structure

Through the work of the ITF it has been widely agreed that the following conditions must exist in order for a flood plain management strategy to be successful.

1. The effort must not be a top-down approach but must be a cooperative State and Federal effort that includes and involves local governments, constituents, as well as resource management agencies and other entities.

2. The effort must link to the current USACE comprehensive watershed study efforts.

3. The effort must recognize the Governor's Flood Emergency Action Team Report as well as forthcoming recommendations from the Governor's Floodplain Management Task force.

4. The effort must be wide enough to be applicable to broader flood plain management goals not only for Northern California but the rest of the State. Goals must include flood loss reduction, resource conservation, and economic interests. The effort must include the management of natural and beneficial functions. Flood loss reduction strategies must include structural, nonstructural and the use of flowage easements.

5. The effort must include consideration of the CALFED ecosystem restoration, water quality and Bay-Delta levee system integrity program elements.

6. Ongoing public involvement and coordination is essential to the success of the effort.

Based on experience gained through the January 1997 floods, the ITF-FPM Working Group recommends the following for further investigation and implementation.

1. Proceed with comprehensive efforts for floodplain management in the Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins.

2. Establish an Executive Committee to oversee the process and provide a link to other ongoing efforts. It is recognized that both the Governor's FPM Task Force and CALFED are integral to the process of addressing floodplain management issues.

3. The current ITF structure should fold into the Executive Committee and be Co-Chaired by the Chair of the Governor's FEAT Committee and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), with membership from the FEAT BOR, FWS, CALFED, etc. The Executive Committee would be briefed on a quarterly basis and advised on budgeting and policy needs. See the Organizational Structure in the basic plan of action.

4. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, partnering with the State through the Department of Water Resources and the Reclamation Board, will take the lead on comprehensive planning studies for the Sacramento and San Joaquin watersheds. A separate Project/Study Team lead by the Corps would be responsible for the development and execution of a detailed scope of work. The team would include key Federal, State, and local government representatives, and could include a select number of non-government constituents balanced between agricultural, environmental, and commercial interests. Common goals and objectives would be achieved through a partnering process. These studies will develop Sacramento and San Joaquin basin master plans which will utilize all feasible measures to achieve long-term flood damage reduction in the Central Valley.

PRODUCTS

Short-Term

Within 18 months, studies will address:

· Preliminary hydrologic/hydraulic evaluations

· Establish definition of comprehensive flood plain management (this would include the basis for comprehensive management plans for the Sacramento and San Joaquin River basins)

· Clarify new laws and policies to the mutual satisfaction of policy makers · Identify stakeholder roles including non-governmental organizations

· Identify target risk levels

· Identify accurate baseline information about the present system by assessing the existing flood control systems and their deficiencies ( this would include a post-flood assessment for the Central Valley)

· Present a framework plan/strategy for floodplain management in the Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basin, and identify probable NSA type options

· Recommend funding sources and responsibilities for continued evaluations and implementation

· Recommend areas of new legislation

Other product areas beyond policy matters would include activities related to inventories, mitigation activities, GIS support, etc.

Long-Term

· Operation of hydrologic and hydraulic model of Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins

· Completion of economic and ecosystem models to evaluate alternatives

· Within four years, recommendations for implementation of long-term flood plain management plans in the Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins, including alternatives evaluation, economic assessments, cost estimates, and environmental documentation.

FUNDING

There is no funding plan for a comprehensive program approach that addresses the flood plain management issues for the entire State of California. The development of such a funding plan is beyond the intent of this document.

Federal funding for comprehensive studies by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in cooperation with the California Department of Water Resources/Reclamation Board is being considered for appropriation in FY-98. State funding to participate in these comprehensive studies has been established by the State for FY97-98 and is being programmed for the out-years. The funding of these studies would be the first steps in incrementally addressing a systematic approach to the flood management issues.

Recognizing that there are budget restrictions and that no new large centralized programs are being created for this comprehensive approach, additional funding will be necessary to implement short-term solutions and complete recommendations and implement long-term solutions. Through various agency reprogramming authorities, funding could be made available to achieve success and yet remain within the existing balanced budget agreement. Within the Corps of Engineer programs, the Corps should seek authorization for a limited term program that allows for a high level of flexibility between the rules for funding studies and construction projects. The Corps should also consider proceeding in a cooperative effort with the State with each agency funding necessary efforts within their financial limits without requiring cost sharing agreements and associated approvals, etc.

Further, funding of the comprehensive program to include modeling is justified and would ultimately save millions of dollars in damages prevented as well as reducing expenditures for recovery in those areas with a high risk. State and Federal agencies should participate in Executive Committee activities and interagency activities with funding from within each agency's programs. Agencies within the region must have the flexibility to reprogram funds to participate. Congressional language, through the recommendation of OMB/CEQ, should be modified to include the components described herein, with the following phrase:

"The Comprehensive Program shall utilize an approach that allows for the full participation of Federal agencies and the State of California".

ITF Long Term Strategy

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