Release No. 0410.09
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Office of Communications (202)720-4623
AGRICULTURE SECRETARY VILSACK BREAKS GROUND FOR MAJOR FLOOD PROTECTION PROJECT IN SAN JOSE
Local Recovery Act Project Will Create Jobs and Alleviate the Threat of Flooding that Affects Local Residents
SAN JOSE, Calif., August 27, 2009 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Santa Clara Valley Water District broke ground today on a flood protection project. Unfinished since 2007 due to a lack of funding, this project received an $18 million award through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony and discussed the efforts of the Obama Administration to rebuild and revitalize the nation's infrastructure.
"The Recovery Act is bringing projects like this to life throughout the country, and by making these important investments, we are putting people to work, lessening the effects of natural disasters, and improving the health of families and their communities," said Vilsack. "The Obama Administration is proud to make projects like this possible throughout the country, especially knowing that so many local partners have worked tirelessly to make this project a reality."
Flooding in the Lower Silver Creek area has been a major problem over the past five decades. In response, a partnership of public and private organizations developed a watershed plan to alleviate the threat of flooding. Once completed, 3,800 homes and businesses along the creek will be protected from a 100-year flood event. It is estimated that damages from a large flooding event at this location could have cost as much as $37 million.
"This $18 million Recovery Act investment in vital infrastructure will improve the local environment and stimulate the economy," said Dave White, NRCS Chief. "NRCS and the Santa Clara Valley Water District have been working diligently to ensure that this project is funded as quickly and effectively as possible to create jobs and protect the citizens of the Santa Clara Valley from the potential of flood devastation."
The final phases of this project offer many benefits, including:
Flood protection of homes and businesses for 16,000 direct beneficiaries;
Flood protection of businesses, highways and infrastructure used by 250,000 people;
Protection and enhancement of 3.4 acres of urban wetland habitat;
Economic stimulus including several hundred construction-related jobs;
Water quality improvements as stream bank erosion diminishes; and
Parks and foot bridges that connect neighborhoods and the creek.
The Santa Clara Valley Water District manages water resources and provides stewardship for the county's 5 watersheds, including 10 reservoirs, hundreds of miles of streams, and groundwater basins. The water district also provides flood protection throughout Santa Clara County.
Altogether, USDA has announced $121 million in Recovery Act funding for 80 similar projects in 26 states that will help protect families and businesses from the potentially disastrous effects of flooding, and stimulate our economy by putting Americans to work.
Since 1935, the NRCS (originally called the Soil Conservation Service) has provided leadership in a partnership effort to help America's private land owners and managers conserve their soil, water, and other natural resources. For more information on NRCS and the ARRA visit www.nrcs.usda.gov .
President Obama signed The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 into law on Feb. 17, 2009. It is designed to jumpstart the nation's economy, create or save millions of jobs and put a down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so our country can thrive in the 21st century. The Act includes measures to modernize our nation's infrastructure, enhance energy independence, expand educational opportunities, preserve and improve affordable health care, provide tax relief, and protect those in greatest need.
More information about USDA's Recovery Act efforts is available at www.usda.gov/recovery . More information about the Federal government's efforts on the Recovery Act is available at www.recovery.gov .
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