Federal Funds Allotted To ?Survey San Rafael Canal

Over $11M in federal funding has been allocated for river maintenance in the North Bay, including dredge surveys for the San Rafael Canal.

February 11, 2020

SAN RAFAEL, CA — More than $11 million in federal funding has been allocated for river maintenance in the North Bay, Rep. Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael, said Monday.

The fiscal year 2020 Army Corps of Engineers work plan contains about $9.7 million to dredge the Petaluma River and $1.3 million for preparation work for the San Rafael Canal, Huffman said.

The $1.3 million will be used for environmental coordination and compliance, plans and specifications and dredge surveys for the San Rafael Canal.

"Local economies depend on 'forgotten harbors' like the Petaluma River and San Rafael Canal," Huffman said in a statement about the federal allocation. "I am thrilled that we will finally be able to address the recreational, commercial and public safety problems that come from this delayed dredging.

"The safety and viability of commercial and recreational traffic is the highest priority, and I thank the Army Corps for taking on this urgent infrastructure need," Huffman said.

The Petaluma River has not been dredged since 2003, and Huffman and Lt. Col. John Cunningham, the Army Corps of Engineers commander and district engineer, toured the Petaluma River and San Rafael Canal last fall.

Huffman said he pressed Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Rickey James and Lt. Gen. Todd T. Semonite of the Army Corps of Engineers about the significant regional dredging backlog, and both projects were prioritized in federal appropriations bills for 2020.

Petaluma Mayor Teresa Barrett said the river has suffered neglect and driven away river-dependent businesses, interrupted civic celebrations, halted recreational boating tourism and caused economic and environmental blight in the heart of the city.

"This dredging project lets us protect our downtown from flooding, provide for revitalization along our river and turning basin and extend the feel of the place once again in our dynamic River Town," Barrett said.

"This news is a resounding triumph in a long-fought battle," San Rafael Mayor Gary Phillips said.

"Keeping the San Rafael Canal adequately maintained will have far-reaching benefits for both our commercial and recreational industries and in keeping our communities safe from flooding," Phillips said.

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By:  Bay City News, News Partner
Source: Patch