A regional meeting was held on, September 26, 1997, at the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, South Pacific Division in San Francisco, California. The meeting was chaired by Mr. John Garamendi, Deputy Secretary, Department of the Interior. Agencies represented were the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, CALFED, U. S. Geological Survey, USDA - Farm Service Agency, NRCS, FEMA, CEQ, NMFS, U. S. Bureau of Reclamation, State of California Resources Agency, Reclamation Board, Department of Water Resources, U. S. Forest Service, NOAA/NWS and representatives from the Department of Interior.

The purpose of the meeting was to review advance preparation for El-Nino, as well as further addressing the long-term activities related to floodplain recovery and management and efforts related to current levee restoration efforts were discussed. Overall, the meeting was very successful. Clearly one of the biggest missions of the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers is to complete the levee restoration effort.

A press conference was held following the meeting and the emphasis of the media, of course was on El-Nino. All major net works including CNN were present.

What is El - Nino?

El-Nino is an abnormal state of the ocean-atmosphere system in the tropical Pacific that occurs every 2 to 7 years. It is basically the weakening (or even the reversal) of the easterly trade winds, resulting in the movement of warm equatorial water from west to east, piling up on the South American coast around Christmas (thence the Peruvian name, El -Nino, for the infant Jesus).

How will El-Nino effect California?

A large El-Nino event is underway and forecasted to continue into the winter. Though we cannot be sure, we are told to expect substantially more rainfall than normal, especially in the central and south coastal areas of California. Fall rains are likely to come earlier, and if the early rains are sufficient to soak the ground, we could have an early and long flood season. Considering past history, the flood risk would be higher in the coastal and lower elevation terrain and not as high on major Central Valley rivers arising in the Sierra. Higher ocean levels are expected, one-third to one half foot above normal. Given that peak tides are highest in the winter, and since the highest tides of winter always occur in the morning, storm preparations will have to be carried out at night.

Coastal damage and erosion are most severe when storm waves coincide with peak high tides. Potential coastal impacts include: structural damage from wave overtopping, onshore flooding and wave impact, and land loss due to cliff failure and beach erosion. Public lands and infrastructure as well as private property are at risk. State Beaches are some of the most vulnerable, with bulkheads, seawalls, parking lots and rest rooms in danger. Boating facilities and boats are also at risk. During the winter of 1982-83, a strong El-Nino event, caused over $100 million of damage to public and private coastal infrastructures. One third of the damage (approximately $35 million) occurred to public recreational facilities along the coastline in Central and Southern California. Farther north, while the Central Valley flood control system performed well considering the record rainfall and runoff, ten Delta islands were flooded due to levee failures. Impacts to inland watersheds could be highly variable. The Department of Fish and Game notes that the impact to California's inland rivers and streams will depend upon the condition of the watersheds. For watersheds that are stable, the high volume of rainfall and runoff that frequently accompanies an El-Nino may wash sediment out of the gravel, thereby improving spawning condition for fish. For unstable watersheds, El -Nino may pose a more severe threat, as it can cause hillsides to collapse into the river or stream.

Preparations for El-Nino

In conjunction with Federal and local agencies, the Governor's Office of Emergency Services is developing and testing guidelines for a Standardized Emergency Management System that will clarify and coordinate all joint emergency field operations. The Office of Emergency Services and the Department of Water Resources are conducting flood emergency workshops and have initiated intensive training for local agencies aimed at improving communication activities during disasters. In addition, the Office of Emergency Services is currently developing in conjunction with other State agencies and the U. S. Coast Guard, procedures for the emergency closure of Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta waterways in flood conditions.

The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, continues to coordinate closely with the State and local governments in anticipation of response requirements resulting from El-Nino. Several meetings and training sessions in preparation for El-Nino are being scheduled.

Nonstructural Alternatives

Efforts continue on the nonstructural alternatives that were previously identified. The status of the projects are as follows:

Reclamation District (RD) 2124 - Nicolaus Farms Levee: The site is adjacent to the Cosumnes River approximately 15 miles south of Sacramento, California. The nonstructural plan shall include partial removal or lowering of 1.75 of the existing levee, lands, easements and rights of way for approximately 1,100 acres subject to occasional flooding and flood proofing of existing agricultural pumps, 3000 lineal feet of irrigation ditch and 3.5 miles of existing access road.

Reclamation District (RD) 2099: The site is located adjacent to the San Joaquin River, approximately 15 miles west of Modesto, California. The nonstructural plan is to acquire the necessary lands, easements and rights of way for lands subject to flooding, the acquisition of flowage easements for approximately 250 acres immediately adjacent to the RD subject to occasional flooding and construction of short levee to flood proof several remaining structures.

Reclamation Districts (RD) 2100 and 2102: The site is located adjacent to the San Joaquin River, approximately 15 miles west of Modesto, California. The nonstructural plan is to acquire the necessary lands, easements and rights of way and the acquisition of flowage easements for approximately 250 acres immediately adjacent to the RD subject to flooding and construction of short ring levee to flood proof an existing irrigation district lift station.

San Joaquin #18, Salt Slough: The site is located immediately adjacent to the San Joaquin River, approximately 2.25 miles (portion downstream of Highway 165 only). The nonstructural alternative is abandonment of the existing levee and acquisition of the necessary lands, easements, and rights of way for lands subject to occasional flooding.

Office of Management and Budget visit to the Sacramento Area

On September 3, 1997, Ms. Bonnie Galvin, Program Examiner, Water and Power Branch, Office of Management and Budget paid a courtesy visit to the Sacramento area. Ms. Galvin's visit was to follow up on the February 18, 1997, guidance issued by OMB/CEQ relative to Levee Repair and Associated Restoration projects. She was provided a courtesy in-briefing by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District. The in-brief provided a short review of the nonstructural alternative efforts and an update on the levee repair efforts. The discussion was focused on the proposed nonstructural alternatives. Ms. Galvin also attended an orientation briefing of the CALFED program with discussions focusing on the relationship to the Corps ongoing study program and the long term comprehensive efforts that need to completed.

The current effort funded by the Corps in the FY 98 appropriations for the Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins are a beginning step to the overall flood plain management problems. On September 4, 1997, she visited various project sites in the Sacramento Area.

On September 5, 1997, an information meeting was held with the California Department of Water Resources. Mr. Ray Hart provided Ms. Galvin with an overview of the Governor's FEAT report. Mr. Hart indicated that some landowners are now interested in nonstructural solutions. He commended the Corps for a job well done. In addition, PL 84-99 funds can only provide a portion of the funds and the Corps is doing what is possible in order to implement a nontraditional approach to flood control. The FEAT recognizes that there needs to be a long term management of flood plains. The Governor's FEAT report has identified issues and the State is looking at legislation in the Spring of 98 for the Flood Plain Management Task Force. The Task Force will be made up of State agencies. Mr. Hart indicated that the Comprehensive Study must be completed as quick as possible. The State will use the Designated Floodway Program as much as possible. Impediment to the NSA process is reflective of a lack of an analysis of the damaged levees. The long term solutions must identify those other potentials previously identified in the ITF process.

FEEDBACK

The intent of this newsletter is to provide information and to solicit feedback regarding outreach efforts on floodplain management issues. Should you have any concerns or issues please do no hesitate to contact, Ms. Serene Terrazas, at 916-364-3025 or fax 916-364-3107.

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