A crucial Bay Area project to protect residents and businesses from sea level rise and intense storms will now be eligible to receive state flood control reimbursements funds under Senate Bill 881, authored by California Senator Bob Wieckowski, and signed Saturday by Governor Jerry Brown.
The South San Francisco Bay Shoreline Project will safeguard the north San Jose area from the risk of a 100-year flood through the construction of four miles of coastal levees. It will also restore and enhance almost 3,000 acres of tidal marsh and other habitat that was lost due to salt production activities.
“With climate change bringing about increased storm intensity and sea level rise, the Shoreline Project is a critical collaboration of federal, state and local agencies, ” said Wieckowski , chair of the Senate Environmental Quality Committee.
“It is a multi-faceted response involving significant public works projects such as restoring marshes to increase the resiliency of the shoreline. It will enhance flood control for thousands of local residents and major South Bay corporations. The South Bay will also see recreational benefits through the extension of the Bay Trail. I applaud the Santa Clara Valley Water District’s leadership on this vital project.”
The authorization to receive state flood control subvention funds is the last part of the funding package for the overall project.
The design and construction cost for the flood control structures, ecosystem restoration and recreational improvements are estimated to be $177 million.