Acquisition of Flood Control Easements Triangle High-Ground Area City of West Sacramento, Yolo Co. Meeting of the Central Valley Flood Protection Board February 26, 2009

Purpose of Briefing Illustrate challenges associated with the unknown location of the current Project Levee. Describe methodology used to propose a new location of the “jurisdictional” levee. Explain relationship between proposed location and future improvements. Obtain direction from Board for DWR staff to acquire easements for the SSJDD.

West Sacramento is the lightly shaded area. The Triangle is the dark shaded area bounded by: - Sacramento River - former SR US 50 RD 900 is the LMA

Tower Bridge Flow

Triangle Above Base Flood Elevation The high-ground is not natural but is the result of river dredge materials placed here in the early 20th century. Dredge materials not only created the high ground but buried the original levee prism. The area is generally above base- flood elevation location.

Comparative Cross-Sections Standard Project Levee Triangle High Ground

No Clear Indicators on Levee Location Sacramento River Flood Control Project authorized in 1917 No easements were acquired for the project in this area. No drawings or other records delineating the levee location have been discovered. –Only tiny dots in the O&M manual. Recent borings did not provide any location data.

Board Jurisdiction? Future development by City and landowners will likely require encroachment permits Lack of easements and no physical location of the levee prism has prevented Board staff to determine Board jurisdiction City and landowners do not know where encroachment permits are needed

A Cooperative Process Landowners, RD 900, city of West Sacramento, Corps, and Board staff have worked together to determine how to protect the public safety and also allow for future development to occur. An informational briefing by the city to the Board in March 2008 presented this issue and requested feedback, which it received.

Proposed “Virtual Levee” Solution Determine levee location by imagining a “virtual levee” within high ground. Assure that the “virtual levee” provides clear location of Project Levee for locals, State, and Corps. Record location of “virtual levee” and a “building setback line” to develop undisputed Board jurisdiction by conveying easements to SSJDD.

“Building Setback” Line Criteria 3:1 water side slope, located to protect against past and future erosion with no daylighting along the existing riverbank 20 foot top width. Top of levee elevation equals actual ground (1.5 feet higher than 1957 design profile plus freeboard) 2:1 land side slope to estimated native grade 10 foot “virtual” inspection road.

“Virtual Levee” Cross Section

Solution Will Support Future Actions to Reach 200-year Protection Levee will need to be raised ~1.5 feet to provide 200- year protection. The proposed solution will obtain a large enough easement to accommodate future 200-year improvements The following maps show the proposed building setback line and Corps-requested 200-year easement requirement

Process to Date Based on Board feedback from March, 2008 briefing, West Sacramento ran additional scenarios. Board staff reviewed final proposal Corps staff reviewed final proposal –Operations and Readiness Branch (flood ops & response) –Engineering Branch (geotechnical review) Board and city staffs met with DWR Real Estate City and landowners willing to offer or dedicate easements to the State All cooperating parties support the proposed resolution

Local Agency Endorsement Because this is not an application for an encroachment permit no written endorsement is required from Reclamation District 900, but the District has been an active participant throughout development of the proposed solution.

CEQA Environmental Evaluation Board staff propose that the project is exempt from CEQA under CEQA Guidelines Section (b) (3) because the activity is covered by the general rule that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment the activity is not subject to CEQA.

CEQA Environmental Evaluation The proposed acquisition of easements will not lead to rebuilding the levee, but will more clearly define the levee (and thus the extent of Board jurisdiction) as it currently exists. Future development in the Triangle area including residential, commercial, recreation, and flood control projects may require Board encroachment permits, and will need to be evaluated for CEQA compliance at that time.

Need for Board Action Approval of this proposal will allow the State of California to acquire flood control easements for the Sacramento River Flood Control Project in the Triangle high ground area of West Sacramento New easements will give the landowners and city of West Sacramento certainty as to the landward extent of the Sacramento River Flood Control Project

Staff Recommendation For the Central Valley Flood Protection Board to approve Resolution –finding the project exempt from CEQA –requesting the DWR Real Estate Branch to acquire all necessary real property rights to clear title for the Sacramento River Flood Control Project in the city of West Sacramento Triangle high ground area by acquiring all necessary easements through dedication or for nominal compensation

Acquisition of Flood Control Easements Triangle High-Ground Area City of West Sacramento, Yolo Co. Meeting of the Central Valley Flood Protection Board February 26, 2009