California Water Plan Highlights Dec 2005

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The need for adequate flood management is more critical now than ever before. Improve Flood Management The need for adequate flood man- agement is more critical now than ever before. California's Central Valley flood control facilities are deteriorating and, in some places, literally washing away. At the same time, the Central Valley's growing population is pushing new housing and job centers to areas that are particularly vulnerable to flood- ing. Yet, in recent years, funding to maintain and upgrade flood protec- tion facilities has sharply declined. Compounding these challenges are recent court rulings that hold state and local agencies liable for flood - related damages when levees fail. Flood management in the Central Valley needs an approach that will achieve both short -term and long -term solutions. This approach This initiative includes physical facilities and statewide water management programs. should include a set of strategies that involve policy changes, pro- gram reforms, and funding propos- als to better protect California from the devastating consequences and economic impacts caused by floods. These strategies include: improved maintenance, system rehabilitation, better emergency response, sustain- able funding for flood management programs, better flood mapping and public education. Legisla- tive and constitutional actions may include stronger flood insurance requirements, a Central Valley flood control assessment district, and a reduction in taxpayer exposure for funding flood disaster claims. These actions will ensure that people who choose to live or work in floodplains are aware of the hazards, pay for flood protection systems, and bear the consequences of floods. Flood management cannot occur in isolation; whenever possible it must be a part of multi- objective manage- ment of floodplains, integrated with other objectives such as ecosystem restoration, and farmland protection.