Feinstein, Thompson Call on President to Fund Napa River Flood Protection

Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Congressman Mike Thompson (D-Napa Valley) today called on President George W. Bush to include $31 million in his upcoming budget to expedite the completion of the Napa River - Napa Creek Flood Protection Project.

In a detailed letter delivered to the White House today, Thompson and Feinstein expressed to the President the value of the Napa Flood Protection Project and the urgency of completing its construction in light of the recent storm damage.

“We believe fully funding the Army Corps capability for the Napa River-Napa Creek Flood Control Project will help finish the project as well as protect citizens and property in the City and County of Napa from future flooding,” the lawmakers said.

The current damage in Napa County for the New Year's Eve Flood of 2005 is over $100 million. More than 1,200 homes and 250 businesses have suffered flood damage. The lawmakers pointed out to the President that the devastation would have been much greater without the initial work that has already been performed on the Flood Protection Project. They also stressed that local officials have indicated that damages could have been reduced had the project been able to stay on its original construction completion schedule.

“This is an important project to the City and County of Napa that will protect its citizens from flooding and continue the resurgence of downtown Napa,” Senator Feinstein said. “Millions of dollars in private investment have been made in Napa on the promise of better flood protection. Local officials have recognized the significance of this project by contributing their match. Now it is time for the federal and state governments to do their part.”

“The Corps' capabilities have been under-funded over the past 5 administration budget proposals,” Rep. Thompson said. “While Congress has been able to replace a portion of these lost funds, the project is still below capacity and completion has been pushed back by several years. Recent storms have shown us the significant value of this project and the additional costs we will incur if it is not completed as quickly as possible.”

The lawmakers called on the President to include $31 million in his upcoming budget proposal to fully fund the Army Corps of Engineers capabilities for expediting the project's completion. “Congress has recognized the importance of this project by increasing funding for the project by $23.5 million over the Administration's request since fiscal year 2002,” the letter states. “The local community has demonstrated its financial commitment to this project and its significance by approving a local half-cent sales tax increase in 1998, which has covered any budget shortfalls by providing more than 70% of the project's funding to date.”

A copy of the Feinstein-Thompson letter is attached.

January 10, 2006

President George W. Bush

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President:

We are writing to request that you include $31 million in fiscal year 2007's budget for the Napa River - Napa Creek Flood Protection Project, which is being built in the City and County of Napa, California. We understand this amount will fully fund the Army Corps of Engineers capability in fiscal year 2007 and is especially important as this project reaches an important construction phase in the heart of Napa's downtown business and residential district.

The City and County of Napa experienced significant damage as a result of record flooding over this past New Year's Day Weekend. More than 1,200 homes and 250 businesses suffered damage with initial cost estimates totaling over $100 million. Little or no damage was observed in areas of Napa where the project has been constructed. The new higher bridges along with over 700 acres of flood plain constructed in the central and southern areas of the project operated as expected in reducing water levels as well as moving water out of the City in a more rapid manner.

The Napa Flood Control Project has been singled out by local, state and federal officials as a national model of responsible public safety that provides both environmental protection and economic development. Over $200 million in private investment has been made in areas adjacent to the Napa River because of the promise that the project's completion will reduce instances of flooding in the City and County.

Congress has recognized the importance of this project by increasing funding for the project by $23.5 million over the Administration's request since fiscal year 2002. The local community has demonstrated its financial commitment to this project and its significance by approving a local half-cent sales tax increase in 1998, which has covered any budget shortfalls by providing more than 70% of the project's funding to date.

We believe fully funding the Army Corps capability for the Napa Riverâ€"Napa Creek Flood Control Project will help finish the project as well as protect citizens and property in the City and County of Napa from future flooding.

Thank you for your consideration of this request and let us know how we can be of assistance.

Dianne Feinstein, United States Senator

Mike Thompson Member of Congress