WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Congresswoman Lois Capps announced the approval of $1,907,000 for water projects in Santa Barbara County as part of the conference report on H.R. 3183, the Fiscal Year 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations bill. The conference report was approved yesterday by the by the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 308 to 114. Next week the legislation will be considered by the Senate and is expected to pass and go on to the President for his approval.
At the request of Congresswoman Capps, the conference report includes $202,000 to continue a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers study investigating shoreline protection and coastal storm damage reduction strategies, including beach nourishment, submerged artificial reefs and seawalls, along the Carpinteria shoreline. The new funding is in addition to the $350,000 previously granted for the study through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (H.R. 1).
“I am pleased that this funding was appropriated to continue this important study of the Carpinteria shoreline,” said Capps. “I’ve seen firsthand how the beaches along our coastline have suffered tremendous erosion and storm damage over the last decade. We need to complete this study so we can identify projects that will ensure the long term protection of our coastal environment and growth of our recreation based economy.”
At the request of Congresswoman Capps, the conference report also includes $1,606,000 for dredging in Santa Barbara Harbor. Santa Barbara Harbor, a commercial and recreational harbor, is the homeport to a variety of U.S. government vessels, including the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Blackfin, which provides critical law enforcement and search and rescue missions in the Santa Barbara Channel, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s research and monitoring vessel, the R/V Shearwater.
“Annual dredging of the Santa Barbara Harbor is essential to ensuring the vitality of our fishing and tourism industries,” said Capps. “We have to regularly dredge the channel to make sure it remains navigable throughout the year. Failing to properly maintain our channel would result in accumulated sand in the channel and would likely lead to the closure of Coast Guard operations, important marine resource research and monitoring, local commercial and recreational fishing and other successful businesses in the Harbor. I’m glad this much needed federal funding will continue to keep our harbor clean and healthy for the foreseeable future.”
Additionally, the conference report includes $99,000, at Congresswoman Capps’ request, to address flooding concerns along Lower Mission Creek. For years, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, working with the City of Santa Barbara and the Santa Barbara County Flood Control District, has sought to reduce flood damage in the Lower Mission Creek area through a combination of channel improvements and bridge replacements. The new funding is in addition to the $600,000 previously granted for this project through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (H.R. 1).
“I’m glad that we are moving forward with this flood control and ecosystem rehabilitation project,” said Capps. “With this funding, the Federal Government, the City of Santa Barbara, and Santa Barbara County, are taking important steps to reduce the future risk of flooding along Lower Mission Creek, while maintaining the natural integrity of the channel.”
Finally, at the request of Congresswoman Capps, the conference report also includes federal support to investigate shoreline protection and coastal storm damage reduction at Goleta Beach. Santa Barbara County is working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on a project that would create and maintain a wider beach for shore protection and recreation, as well as prevent future loss of sand, and other park amenities.
“I’m pleased to announce the federal government’s continued interest in helping to address the severe erosion problem at Goleta Beach,” said Capps. “This is one of our County’s most popular beaches. Unfortunately, several major storms have eroded the beach, threatening coastal recreation and the local businesses that thrive because of it.”
