THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz
A bipartisan Senate committee in Washington, D.C. today unanimously passed a bill which paves the way for Natomas levee improvements.
Congresswoman Doris Matsui, D-6, issued a state praising the Committee on Environment and Public Works for passing the Water Resources Development Act out of committee.
The Senate bill includes language that would federally authorize the Natomas levee improvements and closely mirrors Matsui’s HR 136.
“(The bill) that was unanimously passed out of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee this morning includes a number of key policies that will be critical to improving flood protection in the Sacramento region, including the Natomas Levee Improvement Program,” said Matsui in a statement released by her office.
Natomas levees protect 100,000 Sacramento residents and billions of dollars of property and infrastructure, including an international airport.
Added Matsui, “The inclusion of generic language that includes the authorization of the Natomas Levee Improvement Program is a critical step in advancing Sacramento’s flood protection efforts, and I am thankful to Senator Boxer for her outstanding bipartisan leadership in advancing this Water Resources Development Act.”
Senataors David Vitter of Louisiana and Barbara Boxer of California introduced the bipartisan bill Tuesday to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. The bill authorizes water projects, flood protection and navigation programs. Congress has not passed a Water Resources Development Act bill in five years.
The bill now goes to the full Senate for a vote. It has been suggested by some Senators that a full floor vote could happen in April or May.
Way to go, Matsui! Let’s hope the full Senate passes this.