California’s Central Valley Flood System Improvement Framework California Levees Roundtable March 27, 2009 California Levees Roundtable March 27,

2 Agenda Origins of the Roundtable Central Valley Flood System Improvement Framework Short Term Plan Long Term Approach Outstanding Issues Ahead Discussion

Origins of the CA Levees Roundtable 3 July Levee Conference August Vegetation Symposium CA Levees Roundtable Corps’ Draft “White Paper”

Why Was the Roundtable Established? Recognition of high risk to public safety due to levee erosion, encroachments, seepage, channel capacity & vegetation management Draft Corps “White Paper” on the “Treatment of Vegetation Within Local Flood Damage Reduction Systems” Issued by the US Army Corps of Engineers in April 2007 Triggered by devastation of New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 Enforcement of existing levee maintenance standard National standard poses major challenges for the Central Valley Flood Management System NEEDED COLLABORATIVE SOLUTION 4

California Levees Roundtable Goals Establish a dialog among the leadership of levee maintaining agencies and resources agencies regarding maintenance on California’s Central Valley levees. Develop collaborative relationships among the stakeholders to work toward policy solutions regarding maintenance of California’s Central Valley levees. Achieve consensus on broad policy guidance on California levee vegetation standards that protect public safety and critical habitat. Gain agreement on a process and next steps toward establishing and implementing sustainable California levee maintenance standards, while conserving or enhancing existing habitat for fish and wildlife species. 5

Roundtable Agreements Public safety is the top priority Vegetation management is only one of many issues that threaten levee integrity Draft a phased system-wide plan to address highest risks to levee stability and public safety first (the Framework) Includes short- and long-term elements Levee maintaining agencies should defer any substantial vegetation removal along levees while the plan is being developed Any vegetation removal to comply with applicable State and Federal laws There is an urgent need to reduce risk throughout the Central Valley by applying a system-wide remedy to levee threats 6

The Framework Short-term Framework for flood system improvements that are already underway or will be initiated before a comprehensive plan (CVFPP) is ready in 2012 Geographic scope of Framework same as CVFPP Activities outlined in the Framework are focused on addressing five threats to improve public safety Channel Capacity Seepage Erosion Encroachments Vegetation No single threat given priority in the short-term 7

Important Elements of the Short-term Framework Inspections Enforcements Maintenance Early Implementation Projects Emergency Response Public Outreach Data Collection Project Planning Feasibility Studies Ongoing Flood Protection Projects Research Environmental Considerations Coordination Issues to Resolve Implementation Roles 8

Interim Levee Vegetation Inspection Criteria Criteria apply on: Entire landside slope plus a 10-feet wide easement beyond the landside toe. Top 20 feet (slope length) of waterside levee slope. Trees trimmed to five feet above the ground (12 foot clearance above the crown road) and thinned enough for visibility and access Brush, weeds, or other such vegetation over 12 inches high blocking visibility should be trimmed, thinned, mowed, burned, dragged, or otherwise removed in an allowed manner. 9

Interim Levee Vegetation Inspection Criteria 10

Interim Levee Vegetation Inspection Criteria 11

Rated Items: Grass/Brush Unacceptable

Rated Items: Grass/Brush Minimally Acceptable

Rated Items: Grass/Brush Acceptable

Rated Items: Trees Unacceptable

Rated Items: Trees Minimally Acceptable

Rated Items: Trees Acceptable

LMA Maintenance Rating: 2007/2008 Comparison

Maintenance Deficiencies: Percentage of System Levee Miles

Vegetation43%24% Trim/Thin Trees10%4% Encroachments6%1% Animal Control13%3% Erosion3%2% Crown Surface6%1% Other<1% Total83%36% Maintenance Deficiencies: Percentage of System Levee Miles

Important Milestones of Framework LMAs to maintain levee vegetation according to the DWR’s Interim Levee Inspection Criteria for Vegetation Levees in the Central Valley to be in compliance with the interim vegetation requirements by November 1, 2010 Report by LMAs of compliance with interim vegetation standards by November 1,

Much Has Already Been Accomplished Significant progress made in 2008! Implementation of Interim Inspection Criteria System wide investigations proceeding Portions of the system meet Corps standards Agreement to measure progress toward remaining Framework goals annually Corps and DWR Flood System to remain “active” in PL Eligibility reviewed annually Eligibility reconsidered in 2012 Corps HQ letter, January 9, 2009 Sets requirements for extension of PL84-99 eligibility 22

Long-term Approach Conserve and enhance riparian habitat on the waterside of levees Aggressively pursue compliance with Corps levee standards including vegetation using: Improved maintenance inspections Phased vegetation management practices Regional variances Engineered alternatives 23

Long-Term Approach (continued) Fully integrate the short-term activities with California FloodSAFE initiative System-wide Central Valley Flood Protection Plan (CVFPP) Development underway with implementation scheduled to begin in 2012 Develop Multi Species and Floodplain Conservation Strategy Conduct research on effects of vegetation and vegetation management on levee integrity/performance 24

Continued Collaboration and Next Steps Roundtable participants are committed to broad based stakeholder collaboration Many specifics of the Framework will be resolved during the next four years as implementation progresses Levee integrity concerns will be addressed collaboratively by federal, State, and local agencies during the development and implementation of the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan and the California FloodSAFE initiative 25

Outstanding Issues Ahead Define standardized maintenance processes and responsibilities of LMAs Address authorized and unauthorized encroachments Processes for identification and enforcement Develop stable funding mechanisms at federal, state and local levels Assist LMAs achieve stable and sustainable funding Work with FEMA on levee certification issues Complete research initiatives 26

Outstanding Issues Ahead (continued) Identify applicable environmental law requirements relating to short and long-term actions Develop CA vision addressing environmental protection and public safety concurrently Define opportunities for LMAs to cost effectively mitigate impacts of levee maintenance Develop programmatic approaches for environmental compliance Define ESA consultation or permitting alternatives 27

For More Information Framework available at Participant Agencies Contact Persons: CORPS Paige Caldwell(916) FWSMichael Hoover(916) NMFSHoward Brown(916) FEMAKathleen Schaefer(510) DWRGary Hester(916) CVFPBJay Punia(916) DFGScott Flint(916) SAFCAPeter Buck(916) RD 2068Mike Hardesty(707)

Staff Recommendation Staff recommends that the Board approve “California’s Central Valley Flood System Improvement Framework” developed by the California Levees Roundtable. Staff recommends that the Board direct its Executive Officer in collaboration with the Department of Water Resources to submit the Framework Document on behalf of the State, to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers demonstrating, the many ongoing and planned system-wide improvements and seek temporary extension of PL eligibility based on the U.S Army Corps of Engineer’s Director of Civil Works January 9, 2009 memorandum.

Questions? 30