Sacramento can't afford to have its flood-control work grind to a halt because of intransigence in Washington.

And neither can every flood-prone community in the Central Valley, from Yuba County to Bakersfield.

Up and down the Valley, cities and flood control districts are making plans to upgrade levees so they can dodge a disaster and avoid being remapped into zones requiring costly flood insurance.

Many of them have already put up their own money for levee upgrades, assuming the federal government would continue its traditional role in sharing in the costs. After all, the Central Valley's flood control system was built by federal engineers and protects not only cities but federal assets, including freeways, military bases and courthouses.

Sadly, the current Congress appears to be abandoning its responsibility to partner in flood control and other infrastructure. House Republicans have enacted restrictions on "earmarks" so sweeping they have prevented passage of a Water Resources Development Act that would include flood control funding.

Make no mistake: Some restrictions on earmarks are needed. Up until recently, both parties in Congress abused the process of quietly funding pork-barrel projects in their districts that had no connection to federal responsibility.

But the language of Clause 9 of Rule 21 passed by the House is excessive. It effectively bans funding for any project "targeted to a specific state, locality or congressional district."

Sacramento is one of several communities nationwide paying the price for this excessive zeal.

Helped by state bond funding and a tax assessment in Natomas, the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency has dedicated $370 million toward upgrading more than a third of Natomas' 42 miles of levees. With SAFCA's share of work nearly completed, it was assumed the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers would swiftly take up the next phase of repairs. In support of that cause, the Corps issued a "Chief's Report" for the Natomas levee upgrades, a reflection the project has undergone a high level of review and is considered a top federal priority.

Yet SAFCA officials say the levee upgrades in Natomas can't go forward unless Congress authorizes the project in a Water Resources Development Act. Not only would construction workers be tossed off their jobs, but Natomas' 100,000 residents could be hit hard. A construction ban would remain in effect, and higher insurance rates are possible.

U.S. Rep. Dan Lungren, a Republican from Gold River whose district includes part of North Natomas, insists he is urging his colleagues to recognize how current House rules are hurting water projects nationwide.

Yet he can't do it alone. Reps. Wally Herger and Tom McClintock need to be right there with him. So should other GOP members from the Central Valley, most particularly Kevin McCarthy of Bakersfield, who serves as the House majority whip.

The Central Valley is one of the nation's most flood-threatened regions, right up there with New Orleans. Regardless of party, Valley residents should be pressing their lawmakers to recognize the federal responsibility for flood control and the need to partner with state and local agencies on basic public safety.

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