HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 4.08 ArroyoDeLaLagunaStudy CI'TY CLERK
File# !1101 3110 ' lOI
AGEN DA STATEMENT
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: November 19, 2002
SUBJECT: Support for Federal .Appropriation for a Reconnaissance Study for
Improvements to the Arroyo de la Laguna
Report Prepared by: Lee S. Thompson, Public Works Director
ATTACHMENTS: Draft Letter to Senator Diane Feinstein
RECOMMENDATION.)<~~ Support this Appropriation Request and Authorize the Mayor to
~~ ~'~- ' Sign the Draft Letter on Behalf of the City Council
FINANCIAL STATEMENT: No Direct Cost to the City of Dublin
DESCRIPTION: The Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation
District, Zone 7, has been working on methods to improve the Arroyo de la Laguna channel to alleviate
potential flooding along the channel and proposes to seek Federal Funds for the needed improvements.
In order to apply for the fimds, a reconnaissance study is needed to determine whether the improvements
will meet the criteria for the Federal Improvement funding.
Improvements to the Arroyo de la Laguna would benefit Dublin by reducing the height of storm waters
that back into Dublin because of inadequate capacity of the Arroyo de la Laguna.
Zone 7 has requested that Dublin support this request for appropriation by sending a letter to Senator
Feinstein who is a member of the Federal Appropriations Committee. Attached is a draft letter of support
for the Mayor's signature.
Staff recommends that the City Council support this appropriation request and authorize the Mayor to sign
the draft letter on behalf of the City Council.
COPIES TO: Zone 7, Flood Control
Attn: Diana Gaines ~el~ d~
ITEM NO.
G:~GENMISC\agst arroyo de la laguna flood control.doc /,~ /
November 20, 2002
The Honorable Dianne Feinstein
United States Senate
Washington Address or San Francisco
Subject: Request for Corps Funding for a Reconnaissance Study for the Arroyo de la
Laguna Flood Control Improvement Project
Dear Senator Feinstein:
We are writing to solicit your assistance in obtaining the Senate's appropriation of $100,000 for
a reconnaissance study to determine if improvements on the Arroyo de la Laguna (ADLL)
watershed, in the Upper Basin of Alameda Creek, are advisable. The House appropriation bill
includes this needed funding. This reconnaissance study is needed to evaluate whether this
project will meet the criteria for Federal funds for these needed improvements. ADLL drains
into the Alameda Creek with a drainage area of more than 400 square miles. Its watershed
extends from the Tri-Valley into Contra Costa County and Santa Clara County. A substantial
part of ADLL watershed is developed. Major storm events have, and could still cause,
significant flood damages and loss of riparian properties that threaten the structural integrity of
homes, businesses (i.e., Castlewood Golf Course), schools (i.e., Sunol Glen School) and
destruction of riparian habitats. ADLL, although located in Pleasanton area, is the downstream
drainage outlet for the City of Dublin. Improvements to this channel will significantly help our
city by improving the downstream water surface that impacts our community's flood control
system.
The Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, Zone 7 has performed a
hydrologic study of this watershed and has identified nine acceptable solutions to the potential
flooding and erosion problems in this area of ADLL. Additionally, Zone 7 is currently working on
a Stream Management Master Plan to further evaluate and suggest a specific alternative for
this problem.
Zone 7 is actively pursuing methods of funding these improvements through increasing Special
Drainage Area Fees, however these fees will not provide the funding necessary to complete the
Stream Management Master Plan. A special earmark in the Energy and Water Appropriations
Bill for 2003 for the Army Corps of Engineers would provide funding for an essential preliminary
step in ensuring the safety of the ADLL watershed against flooding.
Should you have any questions, please contact Diana Barth Gaines from Zone 7, at (925) 484-
2600, extension 404. Thank you for your assistance with this matter.
Very truly yours,
Janet Lockhart
Mayor, City of Dublin