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SANTA MARIA RIVER LEVEE Q & A |
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Questions and Answers
This webpage was updated on July 9, 2010.
The following information (below) is designed to address common questions:
When did construction begin?
From January through March 2010, the contractor cleared and grubbed the levee on the side that faces the river, and the riverbed itself for a distance of 150 feet out from the levee, to create a wide and safe work zone, and for environmental reasons. This brush removal and grading work was done along the 3.2-mile stretch from Blosser Road to the west then heading east (upriver) under the Santa Maria River Highway 101 Bridge and to Suey Crossing Road. Initial site work began in October and November 2009, and the bulk of construction will take place during 2010. April 1, 2010 was the start date for repairs. The contractor is to dig down 15 to 20 feet at the base of the levee (also referred to as the toe of the levee) on the river side. The excavated soil will be mixed with cement and water to make soil cement. All that material will then be compacted into the trench at the toe of the levee, and spread on the river side of the levee in a layer eight feet thick.
What is the status of construction?
The project is divided into three sections, referred to as “reaches” in the lingo used by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Reaches 1 and 2 (combined) are 3.2 miles from Blosser Road to Suey Road Crossing. As of July 9, 2010 the contractor (Rodney Williams, Inc. of Lompoc) was 50 percent complete and the revised target for completion is December, 2010.
Reach 3 is 3.3 miles from Suey Road Crossing to Bradley Canyon Confluence. As of July 9, 2010 the contractor (Wood Brothers of Lemoore) was 10 percent complete and the target completion date is August 2011.
Whom do I contact about job opportunities?
For information about job opportunities, contact either the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Los Angeles, or the contractors, R. Williams Construction of Lompoc, or Wood Brothers of Lemoore.
The City of Santa Maria is not involved with the construction contract. The City does not own or maintain the levee.
What will happen to access to the Santa Maria River Levee Trail?
The levee trail will be closed intermittently during construction. Signs have already been posted at various access points along the 3.1-mile-long trail.
Will the Army Corps of Engineers or the County of Santa Barbara be responsible for the performance of the various stages of construction?
The Corps is getting the Federal funding directly and is responsible for the design and the construction. The County has some responsibilities, namely moving utilities and ensuring right-of-way, but the Corps is the main player.
Has the EIR been completed for this project or is it an exempt project?
The Corps prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA), which is a step below an EIR. The draft EA can be viewed here.
Are the construction plans completed and approved by all agencies responsible for approval?
The project is broken into 3 reaches; Reach 1 is Blosser to US 101, Reach 2 is 101 to Suey, and Reach 3 is Suey up to Bradley Canyon.
What is the City's role?
The City and the County have for several years partnered to lobby the Federal government for funding to fix the Levee, which was built using a faulty design. The Army Corps' December 2008 Design Deficiency Report states, "Because of the unanticipated failure mode in the original design, the residents of Santa Maria are at a higher flood risk than they should be and will be paying flood insurance as if the levee does not exist. The federal government has the responsibility to correct this deficiency and provide the residents of Santa Maria the flood protection they were promised by Congress in 1954." City and County staff have sought funding from Congress while working closely with Representative Lois Capps, and Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer. In addition, the County has proceeded with some engineering work on alternatives to strengthen the Levee. The City retained the services of a Washington, D.C.-based firm to assist in lobbying efforts, and the Mayor has traveled to the nation's capitol numerous times to meet in person with the Federal Government. The City will continue to assist the County and Army Corps.
Why did the City approve development on land near the Levee?
The City followed all State and Federal development guidelines and could not deny property owners the right to develop their land. Furthermore, when residential developments were approved, the Santa Maria River Levee was certified at that time to provide 100-year flood protection. As the December 2008 Design Deficiency Report states on page vi, "The federal government has the responsibility to correct this deficiency and provide the residents of Santa Maria the flood protection they were promised by Congress in 1954."
What document or other ruling was the basis for the Army Corps of Engineers to decline to certify the Levee?
As explained in the Summary (at top of this page), FEMA requested that the Corps provide certification of the Levee to FEMA. The Corps did not provide said certification.
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