Golden State Today

State and federal officials marked the beginning of a significant flood protection project aimed at reducing flood risk for the City of Watsonville, the Town of Pajaro, and nearby agricultural areas. The Pajaro River Flood Risk Management Project is set to provide 100-year flood risk reduction, a substantial improvement from the current eight-year level.

Governor Gavin Newsom has played a pivotal role in advancing this project by signing legislation that ensures advanced funding and streamlines environmental reviews. "This urgent work underway is critical to protecting vulnerable communities that have faced the threat of devastating flooding for far too long," said Governor Newsom. He emphasized California's commitment to strengthening flood protections as extreme weather events become more frequent.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in collaboration with the Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency, will oversee construction. The state has allocated $560 million over two budgets for flood response initiatives, with $125 million dedicated to preparedness and recovery projects in high-risk areas.

Key legislative actions have facilitated progress on this project. In 2023, Governor Newsom signed AB 876 by Speaker Robert Rivas to expedite levee repairs through streamlined environmental reviews. Legislation passed in 2022 authorized early-stage payments, while a 2021 law covers up to 100 percent of non-federal costs—estimated at $210 million out of a total $599 million project cost.

Additionally, the state provided $40 million for flood relief efforts in Pajaro and Planada during summer 2023, offering direct assistance regardless of residents' documentation status.