Reclamation District No. 1614: Pump Station No. 7.
Impact
The replacement of Pump Station No. 7 is imperative for maintaining the structural integrity of the levee system and ensuring effective stormwater management for over 10,000 residents while protecting 1,600 acres of land. The current facility manages over 40 percent of the stormwater runoff, and without its replacement, the area would be subject to flood plain restrictions under FEMA guidelines. The funding from AB200 is intended to alleviate this potential crisis and enhance public safety and property protection.
Summary
Assembly Bill 200, introduced by Assembly Member Eggman, addresses the critical infrastructure needs of Reclamation District No. 1614, which plays a vital role in flood management for the area around Stockton, California. Specifically, this bill appropriates $1,175,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Water Resources for constructing a new pump station to replace the aging Pump Station No. 7, also known as the Wisconsin Pump Station. This existing facility is significantly deteriorated, no longer meets FEMA requirements, and fails to adequately manage stormwater runoff from a large portion of the district's area.
Contention
While the bill has garnered support for its focus on essential infrastructure improvement, it has also raised concerns about the reliance on state funding for local district needs. Local property owners in RD 1614 have already raised $1,175,000 through assessments to cover half of the estimated $2,350,000 cost for the new pump station. However, despite these efforts, the district has had difficulty in securing additional grant funding in past attempts. There may also be discussions around prioritizing such projects amid competing state demands for budget allocations.