Representative Grace F. Napolitano has welcomed new federal funding for Los Angeles County El Niño flood control projects and improvements to the county’s ports.
“ I met with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials multiple times over the last few months in advance of El Niño storms, urging them to provide more funds for flood control operations in LA County, ” said Napolitano.
“ This funding not only helps clear channels for flood control, but the additional storage that is made available in reservoirs from improved maintenance can also lead to more water supply through recharge of the aquifers, ” continued Napolitano.
The Corps’ Work Plan includes $4,590,000 to perform preventative maintenance activities in preparation for El Niño throughout LA County.
Napolitano has also worked with the Corps for years to implement more equitable funding allocations out of the National Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund. Because her amendment was included in the FY2016 Omnibus, the Corps’ Work Plan has provided $5,570,000 to remove contaminated sediment from the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach and improve shipping operations by dredging deeper channels.
“ We are elated the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach will finally receive a fairer share of funding to cover the costs of critical maintenance dredging, ” Napolitano said.
The additional dollars out of the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund will bring much needed assistance to the busiest ports in the U.S., which receives more than 40% of the nation’s goods.