Flood Control - Santa Cruz LAFCO

Santa Cruz LAFCO: Countywide Service Review
Flood Protection and Stormwater Services
the Plan. The above is based only on the projected funds and not on the need for improvements in the
Zones.
Zones 7 and 7A
Zone 7 provides funding for the operations and maintenance of the Federal flood control project on the
Pajaro River and Salsipuedes Creek, as well as related long-term debt service. This reach of the Pajaro
River experienced catastrophic flooding in 1995 and 1998. The County notes that disagreements exist on
the level of maintenance and its role in the flood. The County is continuing its maintenance efforts as
well as planning for replacement and upgrades to the infrastructure.
The US Army Corps of Engineers is in the process of completing environmental studies to expand the
Pajaro River and creek levees and increase levee height. The Corps expects to receive $477,000 in
funding in FY 2004-2005 to finish the studies. However, additional funding will not be appropriated by
the Federal government until the studies have been fully reviewed. This could delay the project up to 18
months. Construction may not start until 2008 at the earliest. The County noted that one of the major
challenges it faces in the next five years is to gain public acceptance of the levee plan and to reach an
agreement on financing with Monterey County. The projected cost will be $200 million, with the Federal
government paying 75% and the balance shared between the two counties. When complete the project
will provide 100-year flood protection along the Pajaro River, which currently has eight-year protection.
The delays are increasing the risk to the County and will likely result in further cost increases.
Zone 7A was established on December 14, 2004 to augment existing funding for flood control
improvements in the Pajaro River Watershed area in Santa Cruz County, excluding the City of
Watsonville. The district will provide administrative and engineering services for the replacement,
upgrading, and maintenance of drainage and flood control facilities in the district. The boundary of Zone
7A is coterminous with the Pajaro Storm Drain Maintenance District.
The District noted that one of the challenges it faces over the next few years is implementing the Phase II
NPDES permit to protect water quality.
Pajaro Storm Drain Maintenance District
The Pajaro Storm Drain Maintenance District provides stormwater collection and drainage services in the
South County in the Pajaro River Watershed outside of the Watsonville city limits. The District’s service
area is approximately 83 square miles. The District provides funding for drainage improvements outside
the Pajaro River Flood Control Project area, including sediment and vegetation management. The District
has included $500,000 for capital improvements in its FY 2004-2005 budget.
The Arreola Settlement, which followed the 1995 flooding of the Pajaro River in and near the community
of Pajaro in Monterey County, has significantly limited the ability of the District to address infrastructure
needs and capital improvements due to limited funding. The Counties of Santa Cruz and Monterey
County were each held liable. Both counties settled out of court with Santa Cruz County paying $22
June 2005 – Public Review Draft Section 5 - 7