Oceanside, CA – Today, U.S. Representative Mike Levin (D-CA) announced he has secured $5.2 million from the Army Corps of Engineers to make progress on the long-stalled San Luis Rey River Flood Protection Project, which is designed to provide flood protection for the surrounding community. The funding will be used for the geotechnical investigation of levees and environmental coordination, levee repair design, hydrology updates and hydraulic analysis, and the monitoring of both water quality and local species. Rep. Levin previously secured the authorization for the funding as part of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2020.
“One of my top priorities is delivering federal investments for local infrastructure projects, and I’m proud to announce that $5.2 million is coming to Oceanside to jumpstart progress on the San Luis Rey River Flood Protection Project,” said Rep. Levin. “This project is critical for protecting the surrounding community from flooding, but a number of environmental challenges and bureaucratic delays have repeatedly stalled progress. More than 50 years after the project was originally authorized, it’s long past time for the Army Corps to finish their work and turn the project over to the City of Oceanside to protect families in the area from flood threats.”
“Huge thank you to our Representative, Congressman Mike Levin, for his Herculean efforts in restarting significant funding toward our city’s San Luis Rey Flood Protection Project,” said City of Oceanside Mayor Esther Sanchez. “After 50 years, this project continues to be a high priority for our community. These funds will especially address the public safety of and economic impact to residents and businesses along the river who, along with flooding and fire hazards, continue to pay high flood insurance premiums until another phase of the project is achieved. Without these funds, our city’s infrastructure would be at greater risk.”
The San Luis Rey River Project Flood Risk Reduction Project was authorized in 1970 with the intention of providing a 250-year level of flood protection. Unfortunately, various challenges associated with the project halted construction on several occasions, causing the project’s costs to double. Additionally, the project’s challenges limited critical levee repair efforts and channel sediment removal work. Meanwhile, flood protection has dipped to a 70-year level, far below the 250-year level of protection envisioned in the project authorization, and well below the 100-year level of flood protection contained in its Post Authorization Decision Document.
The funding Rep. Levin secured will allow the Army Corps of Engineers to take critical steps to restart sediment removal, vegetation management, and levee improvements, with the ultimate purpose of establishing a 250-year level of flood protection for the surrounding community. Once completed, project management can be turned over to the City of Oceanside. More information on the project is available here.
