SIGNED INTO LAW: CORREA HAILS WINS FOR ORANGE COUNTY IN WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT SIGNED INTO LAW: CORREA HAILS WINS FOR ORANGE COUNTY IN WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT
Correa, Orange County Priorities Include Protecting Green Space Along Santiago Creek, Studying Anaheim’s OC River Walk, And More Correa, Orange County Priorities Include Protecting Green Space Along Santiago Creek, Studying Anaheim’s OC River Walk, And More Correa, Orange County Priorities Include Protecting Green Space Along Santiago Creek, Studying Anaheim’s OC River Walk, And More
WASHINGTON — Today, Representative Lou Correa (CA-46) announced that the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA) was signed into law by President Joe Biden and included several key priorities for Orange County families, businesses, and community groups.
WRDA is a comprehensive legislative package that provides for the conservation and development of water and related resources. It authorizes the Secretary of the Army, through the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, to conduct studies, construct projects and research activities that can lead to the improvement of rivers and harbors of the United States. WRDA is strictly authorizing legislation; it does not include funding.
“Putting the needs of Orange County has always been my top priority, and I’m happy that today—with this authorizing legislation being signed into law—that some of our community’s most-needed projects will be getting the green-light they so desperately need,” Correa said. “From the Santa Ana River Mainstem Project, including Santiago Creek here in Santa Ana, to OC River Walk in Anaheim, we must continue to deliver vital water resources to our neighborhoods that have both recreational and economic benefits.”
Two of Correa’s requests were included in the legislation that was signed into law today, in addition to three joint requests that were sent alongside the Orange County delegation—including Representatives Katie Porter (D-CA), Young Kim (R-CA), and Michelle Steel (R-CA).
The requests that were signed into law are:
Santa Ana River Mainstem Project – Santiago Creek
A modification to the Santiago Creek component of the Santa Ana River Mainstem Project. This request would amend the current authorizing language to better address the needs and concerns of the community for a specific stretch of the Creek component located in Santa Ana. The effect of this language would be to prevent the initiation of construction by the Corps unless the project is redesigned to minimize the impacts on existing trees located in or adjacent to the portion of the project downstream of the I-5 Interstate Highway to the confluence with the Santa Ana River.
OC River Walk – Study
Authorizing a study of the OC River Walk project for California's 46th District. This is a dynamic and multi-functioning project with tremendous water resource, recreational, and economic benefits. OC River Walk is a vision to transform the Santa Ana River Corridor into a primary connective open space uniting the Southern California region. The goal of the OC River Walk project is to transform the Santa Ana River into an iconic regional destination for recreation and entertainment.
Santa Ana River Mainstem Project – Reimbursement Authorization
Directing the Secretary to provide information on the status of reimbursement requests by the Orange County Flood Control District to modify the Santa Ana River Mainstem Project to authorize the Corps to reimburse the Orange County Flood Control District for incurred costs.
Santa Ana River Mainstem Project – Appraisals/Settlements
Directing the Secretary to provide information on the status of ongoing requests by the Orange County Flood Control District to modify the Santa Ana River Mainstem Project to specifically grant Corps personnel at the South Pacific Division the authority needed to approve Project appraisals and litigation settlements up to $20M when presented by Orange County Flood Control District with substantiating documentation and a memorandum of no-objection from the Los Angeles District.
Specifically, on his efforts for the Santiago Creek, Correa said that “this was a hard-fought for change on the work in the channel portion of the Santiago Creek project running through several neighborhoods from I-5 to the Santa Ana River that will address the bird sanctuary in one of the few remaining green spaces in Santa Ana and prevent the cutting down of trees that line the channel.”
“I thank Senators Padilla and Butler, as well as Chairman Graves and Ranking Member Larsen, for joining my fight to include this much needed modification in WRDA that I requested on behalf of the Santa Ana community,” he concluded. “Now, the Army Corps of Engineers and Orange County Public Works must begin working immediately with the impacted community to develop a new, acceptable plan for the channel.”
Following the President’s signing of this legislation, Correa sent a letter to Lieutenant General William H. Graham, Jr., Commanding General and Chief of Engineers at the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, requesting a meeting to discuss the implementation of these changes on the Santiago Creek Mainstem Project, urging him to “begin working immediately with [Orange County Public Works] and the community to develop an acceptable plan for the channel.”
“I want to stress the necessity of implementing this modification in a manner that achieves the dual goals of flood control protection and preserving the habit in the channel,” Correa concluded.
You can read the letter Correa sent to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers HERE.
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