Congress OKs funds for area flood control - The Sacramento Bee

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Congress OKs funds for area flood control
By David Whitney -- Bee Washington Bureau
Published 2:15 am PST Sunday, November 21, 2004
WASHINGTON - Sacramento flood control was at the top of the congressional agenda Saturday as both houses approved a compromise 2005 spending bill that includes more than $54 million for energy and water projects for the Sacramento region.

The Senate passed the measure on a 65-30 vote late Saturday after a 344-51 House vote.

Rep. John Doolittle, R-Roseville, and Sacramento Democratic Rep. Robert Matsui applauded inclusion of the money in the year-end measure.

Matsui said the $24.7 million appropriated for area flood control projects would keep on schedule work by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to add gates to the face of Folsom Dam, and eventually to add seven feet to its top to improve capacity.

"We're very happy with this level of spending, especially given the federal budget constraints," Matsui said. He said the money should be ample to meet the work schedule of the corps for 2005, though it was $3 million less than the House initially approved.

The measure includes $5 million for continued rush work to build a new bridge over the American River below the dam. A road over the dam, used by thousands of commuters, was closed last year because of national security concerns.

Authorization for the work came last year under a deal worked out by Matsui and Doolittle, a member of the House Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee. Read More

Congress OKs funds for area flood control - The Sacramento Bee