Vacaville City's flood control takes step forward

City's flood control takes step forward

The Reporter:
City's flood control takes step forward> By Jennifer Gentile/Staff Writer
Article Launched: 02/27/2008 06:14:05 AM PST

The City Council advanced Vacaville's flood-control efforts Tuesday night,
approving a basin project in the northeastern part of the city.

The council approved the design concept and environmental assessment for the
Encinosa Detention Basins project, which the city plans to build on 60 acres
northeast of the Pleasants Valley Road and Foothill Drive intersection. The
project involves two additional basins, which would give the city another
140 acre-feet of storm-water storage capacity.


The Encinosa basin north is the larger basin and will be situated on the
north side of Encinosa Creek at the end of Edgewater Drive, providing
storage capacity of 107 acre feet. The Encinosa basin south will be built on
the south side of Encinosa Creek adjacent to Foothill Drive and have 33-acre
feet of storage capacity.


In a report, staff said that "the presence of wetland areas and other
environmental issues were identified at the project site." Staff has been
working with state and federal agencies, according to the report, to modify
the project and reduce environmental impacts.


A declaration, which the council approved along with the project design,
indicates that environmental impacts from the project could be reduced to a
less-than-significant level. The declaration circulated through the State
Clearinghouse for 30 days, and notices were sent to residents within 600
feet of the project site.

Staff explained that Encinosa Creek drains into Alamo Creek, which has been
known to spill over its banks during heavy rainfall and cause widespread
flooding. The Ulatis Drainage System Study, which was released in the fall
of 2007, recommended that Vacaville build upstream basins as a flood-control
measure.


"This is an important step in resolving the issues pointed out in (staff's)
presentation," said Councilman Steve Wilkins. He also praised staff for its
work on the project, including "identifying where we need to situate the
basins" so they would have the greatest impact.


In addition to City Council, several agencies like the California Department
of Fish and Game, the Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Department of
Fish and Wildlife must also sign off on the project. The Department of Water
Resources, Division of Safety of Dams, will have oversight of the design and
construction of the Encinosa north basin because of its size.


The city is looking to obtain all permits by May and award the project in
June. Construction could begin as early as July and be completed this fall.
The $2 million project is being funded by a combination of grants and
development impact fees, according to the public works director.


Jennifer Gentile can be reached at vacaville@thereporter.com.