Evans moves to secure flood funds for St. Helena

By DAVID RYAN, Register Staff Writer

In the mix of proposals to aid California flood projects, there's a chance St. Helena may be left out to dry.

But Assemblywoman Noreen Evans, D-Santa Rosa, is sponsoring legislation to take away that risk, trying to make sure state lawmakers vote to make St. Helena eligible for state money that could come out of a number of competing bond proposals to aid state flood projects.

Introduced last week, AB 2172 would declare the legislature's intent that the Upvalley flood project be among those entitled to seek bond funds, where normally only federally-approved projects would be eligible. The bill is due to head to its first committee hearing later this month, about the same time state lawmakers will parse bond proposals for upgrading the state's roads, levees and flood control projects. A state bond proposal may head to voters in June.

"It's a matter of timing, really," Evans said. "The state is moving forward with its bond proposal at the same time St. Helena is waiting for approval of its plan at the state and federal level."

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger recently proposed about $6 billion in bond money for flood projects. Along with California's senators, Schwarzenegger is trying to wrangle flood money from the federal government, so far with few results.

If Evans' bill passes, it could pave the way for millions of dollars to aid St. Helena's $30 million flood protection project. The project envisions two man-made terraces along the banks of the Napa River to hold water during winter storms.

St. Helena's flood project could get federal approval under a Senate bill that City Manager Bert Johansson said Congress should act on soon. He said the city anticipates having a federally authorized project within a couple months.

"That gets us a seat at the table (for federal budget bills) and it is a hall pass that we need to be recognized by the state," Johansson said.

Evans' bill functions as an insurance policy if that doesn't happen before the legislature approves a bond scenario.

If passed, the bill would make sure the St. Helena project receives eligibility for state bond money no matter how fast the federal government moves.

"The Napa Valley needs a reliable partner in the state to meet its flood protection goals," Evans said in a statement. "This bill will assure St. Helena's eligibility to receive local flood assistance payments established through a flood bond this year."

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