$4 Million Allocated for Lake Mendocino Infrastructure Funding from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Disaster Relief Law

Today, Representative Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) announced that three projects in California’s Second Congressional District will receive $6.97 million in new funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Disaster Relief Law to help with long needed operations and maintenance work. This new federal investment comes as the Biden administration continues its nationwide focus on easing supply chain bottlenecks, improving infrastructure resilience, and creating jobs for families. 

“Waterways, dams, and jetties are vital parts of our communities and economy on the North Coast, but many are in need of repair,” said Rep. Huffman. “Thanks to these historic laws, almost $7 million will be heading our way to revitalize and improve three critical projects. With these new federal funds from the Army Corps, we will be able to ensure that these structures can continue to serve Californians and all who rely on them for decades to come.”

Funding for these projects comes primarily from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law with additional funds coming from the Disaster Relief law enacted in the September government funding bill. Projects that are set to receive funds for operation and maintenance work are:

• CA SPD NHS Bodega Bay, CA
  • $20,000 from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for jetty monitoring.
• Dry Creek (Warm Springs) Lake and Channel, CA
  • $2,950,000 from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to replace original emergency and service gates.
• Coyote Valley Dam, Lake Mendocino, CA
  • $1,500,000 from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for Control Tower Bridge repainting.
  • $2,500,000 from the Disaster Relief Law to replace and repair restrooms at Pomo C, South Boat Ramp Parking Lot Extension, Overlook, and Fig Recreation Areas and clean-up, demolish, and rebuild recreation, utility, and maintenance assets destroyed by the September 2021 Hopkins Fire.

“Sonoma Water, the local non-federal sponsor for both Warm Springs Dam and Coyote Valley Dam, appreciates the ongoing representation and collaboration of Congressmen Huffman and Thompson, and the hard work invested by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, to implement critical projects at our local reservoirs that support our environment, economy and community.  For example, further funding to support Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations will continue to support this innovative water management tool which is being replicated throughout California.  Funding ongoing maintenance and operations of our reservoirs is critical to ensuring a reliable source of water and flood protection for our community, and replacing the emergency and service gates at Warm Springs Dam will help accomplish that goal.  In addition to allowing the safe and reliable release of water from Lake Sonoma, the gates will ensure that clean and cold water continues to flow for endangered salmon at Warm Springs Hatchery and in Dry Creek. Both of these projects have been included in the Corps’ work plan for which we are grateful,” said Grant Davis, Sonoma Water General Manager.

Background

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The Biden administration announced today that the Army Corps of Engineers will invest $14 billion in 500 projects across the nation that focus on strengthening critical supply chains.  Due to decades of underinvestment, and accelerating climate threats, supply chains have struggled to keep pace with the strong economic recovery – burdening families and businesses with added costs and delay.  These new investments will create jobs and economic opportunity, while strengthening key water infrastructure projects, improving resiliency to the climate crisis and restoring the environment.

The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act was signed by President Biden on November 15, 2021.  The Disaster Relief Supplemental was signed by President Biden on September 30, 2021.

The Bodega Bay jetty is critical for our fishermen and crabbers and recreational boaters, and it protects the harbor.

The Dry Creek Lake and Channel project was completed in 1983 for flood control, water supply, environmental stewardship, hydroelectric, and recreation purposes.  In the years since, a fish hatchery has been constructed and operated for three federally listed species: steelhead trout and Chinook and Coho salmon. The California Department of Fish and Game, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), and the Corps have initiated a Coho recovery program that has been deemed to be successful. The last remaining viable population of California Central Coast Coho reside at the hatchery. If the hatchery were to succumb to fire or its aftermath, then the species would be extirpated.

Lake Mendocino provides several important purposes for county residents and visitors, water supply, flood control, and recreation. It is an extremely popular place for recreational users for camping, boating and fishing. It was also used for temporary housing after the 2017 fires. Most recently, the Hopkins Fire burned to the Western shore of the Lake. The facilities receive lots of use and need maintenance.