draft central valley flood management planning … · 10/5/2009 · the cvfmp program with broad...

Draft Central Valley Flood Management Planning Program Scoping Document

October 5, 2009

STATE OF CALIFORNIA THE NATURAL RESOURCES AGENCY DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES

October 5, 2009

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Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction ................................................................................................ 1-1

2.0 Purpose Statement .................................................................................... 2-1

3.0 Program Description .................................................................................. 3-1 3.1 State Plan of Flood Control ....................................................... 3-1 3.2 Central Valley Flood Protection Plan ......................................... 3-2

4.0 Program Goal ............................................................................................ 4-1

5.0 Objectives, Requirements, and Approach ................................................. 5-1

6.0 Interdependencies with Other Projects or Programs ................................. 6-1

7.0 Critical Success Factors ............................................................................ 7-1

8.0 Key Milestones .......................................................................................... 8-1

9.0 Acronyms and Abbreviations ..................................................................... 9-1

Appendix A – Relevant Code Sections .............................................................. A-1 State Planning ........................................................................................... A-1 Local Planning ........................................................................................... A-1 Risk Characterization and Hazard Notification .......................................... A-3 Proposed Revisions to Building Codes ...................................................... A-3 Levee Status Reporting ............................................................................. A-4

List of Tables

Table 1. Central Valley Flood Management Planning Program Objectives, Requirements, and Approach .................................................................... 5-3

Table 2. Central Valley Flood Management Planning Program Interdependencies .................................................................................................................. 6-1

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List of Figures

Figure 1. Central Valley Flood Management Planning Program Planning Area .. 1-2

Figure 2. Central Valley Flood Management Planning Program Schedule and Major Deliverables .................................................................................................. 3-4

Appendices

Appendix A – Relevant Code Sections

1.0 Introduction

1.0 Introduction The Central Valley Flood Management Planning (CVFMP) Program is one of several programs being managed within FloodSAFE California (FloodSAFE). The CVFMP Program addresses most of the flood-related planning activities that were authorized by the California Legislature during the 2007/2008 session within much of the Central Valley (see Figure 1).

This Program Scoping Document (PSD) describes the program purpose, context, primary projects, goals, objectives, requirements, and other useful information to allow the CVFMP Program team to plan, organize, and perform the work necessary to carry out the CVFMP Program. Each FloodSAFE program will have a PSD.1

1 Each project within a FloodSAFE program will have an associated Project Management

Plan (or PMP).

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Draft CVFMP Program Scoping Document

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Figure 1. Central Valley Flood Management Planning Program Planning Area

1.0 Introduction

State Plan of Flood Control Projects October 5, 2009 1-3

FloodSAFE Context FloodSAFE is a multi-faceted initiative to improve public safety through integrated flood management and builds on the State's ongoing flood management work. The FloodSAFE Vision is:

A sustainable integrated flood management and emergency response system throughout California that improves public safety, protects and enhances environmental and cultural resources, and supports economic growth by reducing the probability of destructive floods, promoting beneficial floodplain processes, and lowering the damages caused by flooding.

The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the Central Valley Flood Protection Board (Board) will provide leadership and work with State, federal, tribal, regional, and local officials to improve flood management and emergency response systems throughout much of the Central Valley. DWR will invest funds provided by Propositions 1E and 84 to reduce potential flood damages in the highest risk areas, improve integrated flood management, and plan for future improvements within the next 10 years in ways consistent with the FloodSAFE Vision.

All of the bond funded projects within DWR's FloodSAFE Implementation Phase 1 are being organized and managed using a consistent project management approach. Certain “projects” are grouped into “programs,” those programs and other specific projects are grouped into “portfolios,” and those portfolios comprise DWR's FloodSAFE implementation efforts being funded by Propositions 84 and 1E. The CVFMP Program is one of several programs being managed as part of the Flood Management Planning portfolio. In addition to the bond funded work, DWR continues to provide many other ongoing services through its recurring “base” programs that support FloodSAFE goals and objectives.

In the latter part of 2007, the California Legislature passed five interrelated bills aimed at addressing problems of flood protection and liability, including Senate Bill (SB) 5, SB 17, Assembly Bill (AB) 5, AB 70, and AB 156. AB 162 was another flood related bill passed in 2007, and it required additional consideration of flood risk within local land use planning throughout California. These bills added or amended sections in the California Government Code (GC), Health and Safety Code (HSC), Public Resources Code (PRC), and Water Code (WC) (relevant code sections are included in separate documents – the 2007 Flood Legislation Summary and 2007 Flood Legislation Companion Reference). The changes resulting from the new and revised code sections that affect the scope and conduct of FloodSAFE are summarized in Appendix A.

FloodSAFE Projects, Programs, and Portfolios


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2.0 Purpose Statement

2.0 Purpose Statement The purpose of the CVFMP Program is to:

Improve integrated flood management in the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys.

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3.0 Program Description

3.0 Program Description The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) intends to develop the CVFMP Program with broad understanding and agreement on a long-term vision of improving flood management in the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys. The CVFMP Program consists of two primary projects – the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan (CVFPP) and the State Plan of Flood Control (SPFC) (see “FloodSAFE Context”).

Following is a summary of the primary elements of the CVFMP Program.

3.1 State Plan of Flood Control

The SPFC effort will include preparation of the SPFC Descriptive Document and the Flood Control System Status Report (FCSSR).

State Plan of Flood Control Descriptive Document. The SPFC Descriptive Document will inventory and describe the flood management facilities, land, programs, conditions, and mode of operations and maintenance for the State-federal flood protection system in the Central Valley. The SPFC includes the State and federal flood control works, lands, programs, plans, conditions, and mode of maintenance and operations of the Sacramento River Flood Control Project (California Water Code (WC) § 8350), of flood control projects in the Sacramento River and San Joaquin River watersheds for which the Central Valley Flood Protection Board (Board) or DWR has provided the assurances, and of those facilities identified in WC § 8361. DWR is required to prepare the Description Document for the SPFC, and completion of that document is anticipated by December 31, 2009.

Flood Control System Status Report. DWR will prepare the FCSSR for adoption by the Board. The FCSSR will complement the SPFC Descriptive Document by providing an assessment and summary of performance for existing SPFC facilities. The FCSSR will include:

• Identification and description of each SPFC facility

• Assessment of conditions of existing facilities, including levee systems, that documents evident deficiencies and describes the risk of levee failures

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• Description of inspection and review of the existing system performed

• Appropriate recommendations regarding the levees

• Identification of recommended actions and future work activities

In late 2008, DWR prepared a schedule for implementation of the FCSSR for the Board to submit to the Legislature. Board adoption of the FCSSR is anticipated to occur by December 31, 2010.

3.2 Central Valley Flood Protection Plan

DWR intends to develop a CVFPP that establishes a broadly supported long-term vision of improving flood management in the Central Valley.

The CVFPP will be a sustainable2, integrated flood management plan that DWR is required to prepare by January 1, 2012, for adoption by the Board by July 1, 2012. The CVFPP will be a descriptive document and will reflect a systemwide approach to protecting areas of the Central Valley currently receiving protection from flooding by existing facilities of the SPFC. In addition, the CVFPP will include a prioritized list, schedule of implementation, and recommendations of both structural and nonstructural means for improving performance and eliminating deficiencies of flood management facilities, and addressing ecosystem and other water-related objectives. The CVFPP will be updated every five years (years ending in 7 and 2).

The 2012 version of the CVFPP will promote understanding of the challenges, objectives, opportunities, and potential solutions from State, federal, tribal, regional, local, and other interest-based groups’ perspectives. It will attempt to identify and recommend actions that have broad agreement about their value and identify areas of disagreement that will need to continue to be discussed. The CVFPP will promote and guide design and implementation of numerous individual projects over many years that (when aggregated) will satisfy the systemwide objectives.

This effort will require development of CVFPP goals, objectives, and constraints important in the formulation process; potential plan elements; and recommendations for further actions from multiple perspectives including State, federal, tribal, regional, local, and other interest-based groups. Development of the CVFPP will be coordinately closely with the 2 Social, environmental, and financial sustainability, commonly referred to as the “triple

bottom line.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triple_bottom_line)

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US Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) Central Valley Integrated Flood Management Study.

A comprehensive communications and engagement process with partners and interested parties will be used in each step of the CVFPP planning process to solicit information, generate content, promote feedback, and allow input from partners and the public. The strategies and tactics DWR will use in this process are described in detail in the CVFMP Program Communications and Engagement Framework.

DWR anticipates that the CVFPP planning process will evaluate potential management actions and solutions for the first CVFPP (due in 2012) using existing information, expert judgment, and new information as available from other ongoing FloodSAFE efforts. The effort will include describing and promoting understanding about existing flood management related problems and objectives, inventorying potential management actions to improve the existing SPFC and associated elements that influence the performance of the SPFC, evaluating and prioritizing those potential near-term and long-term actions, and making recommendations for future actions and investments to better define these actions. The CVFPP will consider potential climate impacts from sea level rise, increased temperatures, shifting precipitation, and extreme weather events. The CVFPP will build upon the two related SPFC planning documents described in the previous section. Technical analyses to support the planning and engagement process will be performed primarily using existing and available tools and information. Additional information will be provided by other FloodSAFE programs and projects, including the Central Valley Floodplain Evaluation and Delineation (CVFED) Program, Delta Risk Management Strategy, Central Valley Flood Planning Hydrology Update, California Levee Database, and Levee Evaluation Programs (Urban and Non-urban). The relationship between the CVFPP and related CVFMP Program efforts, and follow-on implementation activities, is shown in Figure 2.

The 2012 CVFPP will not contain sufficient detail to lead directly to construction of projects. This first plan will not satisfy fully the requirements for federal feasibility studies. This original CVFPP will attempt to document the multitude of perspectives about flood management related problems, objectives, opportunities, and challenges. It will provide information designed to promote understanding about the interconnected flood management related problems and objectives in the Central Valley as well as help understand potential implications of various promising management actions. Based on extensive dialog from the State, federal, tribal, regional, local, and other interest-based groups’ perspectives, the CVFPP will identify and describe management actions that enjoy broad

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support for action that can lead to progress soon and over the foreseeable future. These actions would then be reviewed and realigned every 5 years as specific projects are implemented and conditions in the Central Valley evolve. It is anticipated that additional activities, such as local and regional studies, federal feasibility studies, and environmental compliance evaluations will be accomplished to support the detailed development of potential physical elements or features to the SPFC as the CVFPP progresses.

Figure 2. Central Valley Flood Management Planning Program Schedule and Major Deliverables

It is expected that as local, high priority candidate projects (or improvements to SPFC facilities) are identified and are consistent with the goals, objectives, and constraints of the CVFPP, they will be recommended for early implementation. These Early Implementation Projects (EIP) will be developed primarily by local or regional entities (potentially in partnership with USACE) to a level ready for implementation and/or construction.

Board action to adopt the CVFPP may trigger review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Because the 2012 CVFPP will not include a specific plan or alternative that can lead to direct implementation, it is expected that any environmental compliance would need to be addressed on a programmatic level, to the extent practicable, while seeking to formulate management actions and solutions that integrate and promote environmental sustainability, protection, conservation and restoration. The CVFPP will not be a formal federal feasibility study. Accordingly, it will not result in a recommendation for federal action or Congressional

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authorization, and environmental compliance under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) would not be required until the companion federal studies are conducted.

The following major products are anticipated to be produced during development of the 2012 CVFPP (described in detail in the Project Management Plan for the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan):

• Regional Conditions Summary Report describing from various State, federal, tribal, regional, local, and other interest-based groups’ perspectives

- Problems

- Objectives

- Potential solutions

• Compilation of Management Actions Report

• 2012 CVFPP Evaluation Methods Report

• Summary of Management Solutions Report

• CVFPP Progress Report

• Draft 2012 CVFPP

• Final 2012 CVFPP

The first four products are interim documents intended to help focus partner and interested party participation as well as solicit feedback at key phases in the CVFPP planning process, while the remaining three are required under the authorizing legislation. In addition, numerous white papers, technical memos, briefing materials, newsletters, and other interim products will be produced to support CVFPP development. Specific plans and milestones for developing the first update to the CVFPP, due in 2017, will be identified over time and documented as part of the 2012 CVFPP.

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4.0 Program Goal

4.0 Program Goal The goal of the CVFMP Program is to conduct, support, and improve integrated flood management planning to address risk and improve system performance in the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys by:

• Creating a strong working partnership among USACE; the Board; DWR local flood project maintaining agencies; resource agencies; and other State, federal, tribal, regional, or local flood protection interests.

• Improving understanding among the Central Valley’s public agencies and constituent groups about flood risks by evaluating the existing State-federal flood management systems.

• Fostering widespread participation in the development of and building broad support for the CVFPP.

• Developing a sustainable plan that addresses long-term maintenance costs and reduces conflicts between social, environmental, engineering, and financial interests.

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5.0 Objectives, Requirements, and Approach


Table 1 summarizes CVFMP Program objectives and their scheduled completion dates. The table also describes specific code requirements for each objective. The Approach column lists both specific and general criteria for addressing the CVFMP Program objectives. In meeting the program objectives, DWR intends to interact extensively with partners and interested parties throughout the plan development process to produce products that capture State, federal, tribal, regional, local, and other interest-based groups’ perspectives on flood management in the Central Valley. Together, the objectives, requirements, and approach summarized in Table 1 will help the CVFMP Program team focus its efforts to meet the CVFMP Program goal.

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Table 1. Central Valley Flood Management Planning Program Objectives, Requirements, and Approach

Objectives by Deliverable (Descriptions and Scheduled Completion Dates)

Specific Code Requirements Approach

Specific General SPFC Descriptive Document – Prepare the SPFC Descriptive Document that describes the State-federal flood protection system in the Central Valley

By December 31, 2009

Update a description of the State and federal flood control works, lands, programs, plans, conditions, and mode of maintenance and operations of the Sacramento River Flood Control Project (WC § 8350), and of flood control projects in the Sacramento River and San Joaquin River watersheds authorized pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 12648) of Chapter 2 of Part 6 of Division 6 of the WC for which the Board or DWR) has provided the assurances of non-federal cooperation to the United States, which will be updated by DWR and compiled into a single document – the SPFC. (PRC § 5096.805 (j) ; WC § 9614(c))

Prepare the SPFC Descriptive Document by:

• Summarizing information contained in USACE operations and maintenance manuals.

• Researching and summarizing Board actions that may affect SPFC contents.

• Listing and describing components deemed to be part of the SPFC.

• Mapping components in a GIS format.

• Interact extensively with partners and interested parties to accomplish the objectives.

• Coordinate extensive partner and interested party interaction related to flood management in the Central Valley through CVFMP Program communications and engagement process.

• Rely on information being generated by other FloodSAFE projects.

• Develop products with partners that contribute to different deliverables and needs.

• Work with State, federal, tribal, regional, local, and other interest-based groups to improve long-term system operation and maintenance and develop procedures to facilitate environmental permitting and resources protection.

FCSSR – Prepare the FCSSR for the SPFC By December 31, 2010

DWR will prepare and the Board will adopt a FCSSR for the SPFC. The FCSSR will be updated periodically, as determined by the Board. For the purposes of preparing the FCSSR, DWR will inspect the project levees and review available information to ascertain whether there are evident deficiencies. (WC § 9120(a)) The FCSSR will include (WC § 9120(b)):

• Identification and description of each facility.

• An estimate of the risk of levee failure.

• A discussion of the inspection and review undertaken to ascertain whether there are evident deficiencies.

• Appropriate recommendations regarding the levees and future work activities. On or before December 31, 2008, the Board will advise the Legislature, in writing, as to the Board's schedule of implementation of this section. (WC § 9120(c))

Prepare a FCSSR for the SPFC by:

• Including identification and description of each facility by referencing the SPFC Descriptive Document.

• Estimating the risk of levee failure based on inspection findings (local, USACE, and DWR), assessment of geotechnical soundness provided by the Levee Evaluation Programs, and expected hydraulic conditions provided by the CVFED Program.

• Making recommendations regarding the SPFC system and future work activities consistent with the CVFPP.

See above.

• Support the Board to advise the Legislature in writing of the schedule


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Table 1. Central Valley Flood Management Planning Program Objectives, Requirements, and Approach (CONTINUED)



Specific General CVFPP – Prepare the CVFPP By January 1,

2012 Prepare a CVFPP that includes the content required by WC § 9614 and § 9616 and that satisfies the following:

• The CVFPP will be a descriptive document, and neither the plan nor anything in this part will be construed to expand the liability of the State for the operation or maintenance of any flood management facility beyond the scope of the SPFC, except as specifically determined by the Board pursuant to WC § 9611. Neither the development nor the adoption of the CVFPP will be construed to constitute any commitment by the State to provide, to continue to provide, or to maintain at, or to increase flood protection to, any particular level. (WC § 9603(a))

• On or before December 31, 2010, DWR will prepare a status report on the progress and development of the CVFPP. DWR will post this information on the Board’s Internet Web site, and make it available to the public. (WC § 9610(c))

• The CVFPP will reflect a systemwide approach to protecting the lands currently protected from flooding by existing facilities of the SPFC. Any flood protection benefits accruing to lands or communities outside the SPFC will be incidental and will not constitute any commitment by the State to provide, to continue to provide, or to maintain at, or to increase flood protection to, any particular level. (WC § 9603(b))

• DWR will prepare the CVFPP and will transmit the plan to the Board no later than January 1, 2012. (WC § 9612(b))

• DWR or the Board may appoint one or more advisory committees to assist in the preparation of the CVFPP. If DWR or the Board appoints one or more advisory committees, the advisory committee(s) will include representation by interested organizations. (WC § 9612(f))

• For the purposes of preparing the plan, DWR will collaborate with USACE and the owners and operators of flood management facilities. (WC § 9615)

• Include best available maps of 100- and 200-year floodplains protected by project levees as developed by FloodSAFE CVFED Program (WC § 9610(a))

• DWR and the Board will investigate and evaluate the feasibility of potential bypasses or floodways that would significantly reduce flood stage in the San Joaquin River Watershed, upstream and south of Paradise Cut. (WC § 9613(c))

• Prepare an investment strategy to meet long-term flood protection needs and minimize State taxpayer liabilities from flooding (PRC § 5096.820(b)(3) ; WC § 9620(c)).

Prepare the CVFPP by working closely with partners and interested parties to:

• Inventory resources problems from State, federal, tribal, regional, local, and other interest-based groups’ perspectives.

• Assemble applicable existing data collected as part of previous and ongoing studies, programs, and projects in the Central Valley and define existing conditions. Identify program goals, objectives, and constraints to establish guidelines for the formulation of potential solutions to identified resources problems.

• Identify potential resources management actions to address the program objectives from State, federal, tribal, regional, local, and other interest-based groups’ perspectives.

• Screen promising resources management actions for incorporation into comprehensive solutions.

• Formulate potential regional solutions to identified problems consistent with program objectives.

• Evaluate potential solutions.

• Identify most promising solutions as well as strategic initiatives to pursue toward achieving future goals.

• Prioritize actions to improve SPFC and associated systems and make recommendations for future actions and investments.

See above.

• Design and initiate a partner and interested party communications and engagement process.

By June 2009

• Determine the appropriate method for USACE participation in the development of the CVFPP.

Not Specified

• Determine a strategy for environmental review to support the CVFPP.

Not Specified

• Prepare a status report on the progress and development of the CVFPP and post on the Board’s Web site.


• If appropriate, propose to the Board additional structural and nonstructural facilities that may become facilities of the SPFC, consistent with the CVFPP.

By August 31, 2013

• Develop a recommended schedule and funding plan to implement the recommendations of the CVFPP.

By August 31, 2013

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Table 1. Central Valley Flood Management Planning Program Objectives, Requirements, and Approach (CONTINUED)



Specific General CVFPP (continued) Upon completion of the CVFPP, DWR may identify and propose to the Board additional structural and

nonstructural facilities that may become facilities of the SFPC, consistent with the CVFPP (WC § 9611 (c)). The Board may add those facilities to the SPFC based on a determination showing how the facility:

• Provides significant systemwide benefits for managing flood risks within the Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley ; or

• Protects urban areas within the Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley. Upon the adoption of the CVFPP by the Board, DWR will develop a recommended schedule and funding plan to implement the recommendations of the plan. To develop the recommended schedule and funding plan, the DWR may collaborate with local and federal agencies.

Key: Board = Central Valley Flood Protection Board DWR = California Department of Water Resources PRC = California Public Resources Code CVFED = Central Valley Floodplain Evaluation and Delineation FCSSR = Flood Control System Status Report SPFC = State Plan of Flood Control CVFMP = Central Valley Flood Management Planning FloodSAFE = FloodSAFE California USACE = US Army Corps of Engineers CVFPP = Central Valley Flood Protection Plan GIS = geographic information system WC = California Water Code

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6.0 Interdependencies with Other Projects or Programs

6.0 Interdependencies with Other Projects or Programs

“Interdependencies” identify other projects or programs (1) with which the CVFMP Program is mutually dependent, and (2) that require close coordination. As presented in Table 2, the interdependencies identified include efforts that provide information or products for use by the CVFMP Program, or that rely on information or products developed by the CVFMP Program.

Table 2. Central Valley Flood Management Planning Program Interdependencies

Other Related Efforts Interdependencies FloodSAFE Management Team Coordinate all FloodSAFE activities FloodSAFE CVFED Program Provide input to FCSSR & CVFPP* FloodSAFE Levee Evaluation Programs (Urban and Non-urban)

Provide input to FCSSR & CVFPP*

DWR Levee Inspection and Reporting Activities Provide input to FCSSR & CVFPP DWR Levee Maintenance Activities Provide input to FCSSR & CVFPP Delta Habitat Conservation and Conveyance Program

Coordinate actions in Delta*

DWR Emergency Response Planning Influenced by implementation of CVFPP

Reservoir Reoperation Study Provide input to CVFPP* Delta Flood Projects (Delta Special Projects, Delta Subventions)

Provide input to CVFPP*

Delta Vision Coordinate objectives & actions in Delta

Surface Storage Investigation Program Coordinate opportunities for improved flood management

DWR Climate Change Study Provide input to CVFPP Integrated Regional Water Management Planning Program

Coordinate activities

FloodSAFE Statewide Flood Management Planning Project

Coordinate activities*

Key: CVFED = Central Valley Floodplain Evaluation and Delineation CVFMP = Central Valley Flood Management Planning CVFPP = Central Valley Flood Protection Plan DWR = California Department of Water Resources FCSSR = Flood Control System Status Report FloodSAFE = FloodSAFE California Notes: * Two-way communication through information sharing and coordination of activities and plan elements.

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7.0 Critical Success Factors

7.0 Critical Success Factors Several critical factors have been identified for successful delivery of the CVFMP Program, including:

• Open, continual, and effective communication between interdependent portfolios, programs, and projects within the State and other partners and interested parties.

• CVFPP must have broad public support and allow and encourage federal and local appointed and elected officials to implement the plan.

• CVFPP must be well understood and accepted by partners and interested parties.

• DWR and the Board must work with USACE to define or clarify federal interests, and DWR and the Board must collaborate with other responsible and interested parties to develop a plan that can be implemented.

• Sound technical information must be generated and managed effectively.

• Working teams and decision making structure must be organized and supported.

• CVFPP must be comprehensive and systemwide in concept and sustainable when implemented.

• Clearly defined milestones must be developed and met.

• Documented recommendations and plans must be acceptable to and supportable by the Board.

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8.0 Key Milestones

8.0 Key Milestones Key CVFMP Program milestones and major deliverables are presented previously in this document in Figure 2. These milestones may differ from the legislated due dates presented in Table 1.

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9.0 Acronyms and Abbreviations

9.0 Acronyms and Abbreviations AB .............................. Assembly Bill

Board ......................... Central Valley Flood Protection Board

CEQA ........................ California Environmental Quality Act

CVFED ...................... Central Valley Floodplain Evaluation and Delineation

CVFMP ...................... Central Valley Flood Management Planning

CVFPP ...................... Central Valley Flood Protection Plan

DWR .......................... California Department of Water Resources

EIP ............................. Early Implementation Project

FCSSR ...................... Flood Control System Status Report

FloodSAFE ................ FloodSAFE California

GC ............................. California Government Code

GIS ............................ geographic information system

HSC ........................... California Health and Safety Code

NEPA ......................... National Environmental Policy Act

PMP ........................... Project Management Plan

PRC ........................... California Public Resources Code

PSD ........................... Program Scoping Document

SB .............................. Senate Bill

SPFC ......................... State Plan of Flood Control

USACE ...................... US Army Corps of Engineers

WC ............................ California Water Code

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The changes resulting from new and revised code sections that affect the scope and conduct of FloodSAFE can be organized into one of five themes: State Planning, Local Planning, Risk Characterization and Hazard Notification, Proposed Revisions to Building Codes, and Levee Status Reporting. The changes and applicable code sections are summarized below, by theme. Many of these themes are addressed in the CVFMP Program.

State Planning

Language in the new and revised code sections related to State planning is instrumental in directing accomplishment of FloodSAFE.

• Create a single document called the SPFC that describes the State- federal flood protection system in the Central Valley. (PRC § 5096.805(j))

• Prepare a FCSSR for the SPFC. (WC § 9120 (a))

• Prepare a sustainable integrated flood management plan called the CVFPP by January 1, 2012, (and Board adoption by July 1, 2012) for areas receiving protection from the SPFC. (WC § 9600 – 9625)

• Prioritize State investments and develop a long-term investment strategy. (PRC § 5096.820; WC §9616(b) and 9620(c))

Local Planning

• Local planning in the new and revised legislation is intended primarily for flood risk and flood management to become an enhanced consideration in local land use planning.

• Land use planning agencies throughout California must satisfy additional requirements to consider flood risk in their general plans. Each city and county is to consult with the Board on proposed revisions in their general plans if they are located within the Sacramento-San

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Joaquin Drainage District. (GC § 65300.2, 65302, 65302.7, 65303.4, 65352, 65584.04)

• Land use planning agencies located in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Drainage District must modify their general plans and zoning ordinances (within 24 months and 36 months, respectively, of adoption of CVFPP) to incorporate additional information about flood risk and objectives to manage that risk consistent with the CVFPP. (GC § 65302.9 and § 65860.1)

• Land use planning agencies located in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Drainage District must satisfy additional requirements to provide prescribed levels of flood protection for all areas (urban, urbanizing, and non-urban) located within a flood hazard zone3 in order to continue to approve development. (GC § 65865.5, 65962, & 66474.5)

• Local agencies may prepare local plans of flood protection according to a State standard. (WC § 8200 - 8201)

• Starting July 1, 2008, certain local agencies responsible for operations and maintenance (O&M) of project levees must agree to prepare a safety plan within two years of when State funds are used to improve a project levee they maintain. (WC §9650 (a) (1))

• Each county located within the Sacramento-San Joaquin Drainage District must collaborate with cities within its jurisdiction to develop a flood emergency plan within 24 months of adoption of the CVFPP. (WC § 9621)

• Each city, county, and city and county within the Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley must collaborate with the State and local flood management agencies to provide relocation assistance or other cost-effective strategies for reducing flood risk to existing economically disadvantaged communities located in nonurbanized areas. (WC § 9622)

3 "Flood hazard zone" means an area subject to flooding that is delineated as either a

special hazard area or an area of moderate hazard on an official flood insurance rate map issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) (GC § 65007(d)). A FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area is defined as the land area covered by the floodwaters of the base flood (i.e., the flood having a one percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year) on National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) maps. A FEMA Moderate Flood Hazard Area is the area between the limits of the base flood and the 0.2-percent-annual-chance (or 500-year) flood as shown on a Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM).

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• Each city, county, and city and county within the Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley must collaborate with the State and local flood management agencies to develop funding mechanisms to finance local flood protection responsibilities by January 1, 2010. (WC § 9623)

Risk Characterization and Hazard Notification

The risk characterization and hazard notification theme is intended to help communities both within the Central Valley and throughout the State understand the potential risks due of flooding.

• DWR must develop preliminary maps for the 100- and 200-year floodplains protected by project levees by July 1, 2008. The 100-year floodplain maps must be prepared using criteria developed or accepted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). DWR may update these maps periodically as necessary. (WC § 9610)

• DWR must prepare maps that show levee flood protection zones (delineating areas that receive protection from project levees) by December 31, 2008, and maintain the maps as information changes. (WC § 9110 & 9130(a))

• DWR must provide written notice to landowners whose land receives protection from project levees, explaining the nature of flood risk they face and recommended actions to mitigate risk, by September 1, 2010, and annually thereafter. (WC § 9121)

• DWR must prepare, and the Board shall adopt, a schedule for mapping areas at risk of flooding in the Sacramento River and San Joaquin River drainage on or before December 31, 2008. DWR must update the schedule annually and shall present the updated schedule to the Board for adoption on or before December 31 of each year. The update must include the status of mapping in progress and an estimated time of completion. The schedule must be based on the present and expected future risk of flooding and associated consequences. (WC § 8612)

Proposed Revisions to Building Codes

Proposed revisions to the California Building Code Standards are intended to help reduce the consequences of flooding on communities and infrastructure in the floodplain once flooding does occur.

October 5, 2009 A-3


A-4 October 5, 2009

• On or before January 1, 2009, the DWR must propose for adoption and approval by the California Building Standards Commission updated requirements to the California Building Standards Code for construction in areas protected by the facilities of the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan where flood levels are anticipated to exceed three feet for the 200-year flood event. (HSC § 50465)

Levee Status Reporting

This theme is intended to clarify the need for regular reporting on the status of levees within the SPFC to include maintenance performed on the levee, current conditions of the levee, and possible issues for the upcoming flood season.

• Local agencies responsible for the O&M of a project levee must prepare and submit to DWR a report relating to the project levee by September 30 of each year. (WC § 9140)

• DWR must prepare and transmit to the Board a report on the project levees operated and maintained by each local agency by December 31, 2008, and update it annually thereafter. (WC § 9141)

STATE OF CALIFORNIA THE NATURAL RESOURCES AGENCY

DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES

draft central valley flood management planning … · 10/5/2009 · the cvfmp program with broad...

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