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Editorial: Flood of progress
FEMA, new laws signal a notable change
Published 12:00 am PDT Friday, October 12, 2007
Story appeared in EDITORIALS section, Page B6
Common sense would seem to dictate that managers of the National Flood Insurance Program would not allow homes to be built in floodplains that lack a minimum standard of levee protection.
But this is the Central Valley, where common sense has rarely prevailed on flood control. Over the years, government authorities have looked the other way while developers have built tens of thousands of homes in places vulnerable to deep, potentially deadly flooding.
That is starting to change.
Despite lobbying by Sacramento officials, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has informed the city it will not approve a designation allowing unrestricted building in Natomas while its levees are being upgraded.
FEMA's decision could have implications for other Valley communities with suspect levees. It is one of several encouraging signs that California soon will be managing its floodplains in a less reckless fashion.
This week, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed six bills that could help close the disconnect between development and levee integrity.
Together, these bills will create a new state plan of flood control, and require floodplain cities to double their current standard of levee protection if they want to keep building. They will lead to better mapping of flood risks and notification of property owners. They also will lead to a revamped state Reclamation Board that is less vulnerable to mass firings.
As stated in an earlier editorial, this package doesn't go far enough in immediately stopping unwise floodplain decisions. But it was buttressed by the passage, late in the session, of Assembly Bill 70. This bill, authored by Assemblyman Dave Jones of Sacramento with a key assist by state Sen. Darrell Steinberg of Sacramento, requires cities to share liability should they approve developments in places that are later flooded.
Coupled with FEMA's actions this month, the flood package may well lead to more sensible planning decisions in the Inland Sea. If that is the outcome, then 2007 will one day be remembered as a truly historic year.
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