TO: Board of Directors
FROM: Richard Thomasser - District Manager
REPORT BY: Andrew Butler - District Engineer
SUBJECT: Napa River/Napa Creek Flood Protection Project (Flood Project) Update
RECOMMENDATION
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District staff to present an update on the Flood Project.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The District Manager and District Engineer will present a status update on the Flood Project regarding the progress towards a process to construct the Floodwalls North of the Bypass Project (Floodwalls Project) in cooperation with the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE); the progress on the early design efforts for the Floodwalls Project; the recent public meetings soliciting feedback and input on the design of this project and the future construction activities, and the progress on the Real Estate Acquisition Plan.
FISCAL IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
No |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The proposed action is not a project as defined by 14 California Code of Regulations 15378 (State CEQA Guidelines) and therefore CEQA is not applicable.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
District staff have been working to advance certain aspects of the Flood Project in anticipation of preparing for construction of the next phase - the Floodwalls Project, which will provide flood protection north of the downtown dry bypass channel. Currently the District is working with the office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army on a strategy to meet the federal requirements to move forward with the project. This process is expected to take place over the next few months. After this, the District is expected to continue work on the design of the Floodwalls Project through 2023. To this end, staff have selected HDR, Inc. to assist in the design. HDR has a great deal of experience with the Flood Project. The Board of Directors approved HDR’s design contract at the December 7, 2021 Board Meeting.
Real Estate Acquisition - the District, as the local sponsor for the Flood Project, is responsible for acquiring the rights of way for construction, as well as maintenance and operation of the project. This next phase includes acquisitions of over 20 separate parcels, most with multiple required types of right of way, including several parcels with a high level of complexity due to current use or flood project feature alignment. The District currently has a contract with Associated Right of Way Services, Inc. (ARWS) to assist with acquisitions. ARWS has been tasked with preparation of a Real Estate Acquisition Plan and Right of Way Estimate to help guide the District’s efforts towards completion of this requirement. The acquisitions must follow federal guidelines, which is a complex and strict process, in order for the rights of way to be acceptable to USACE, and also to allow reimbursement through the State Flood Control Subventions Program.
The District Manager and District Engineer will present a status update on these matters during the meeting.