Approximately $400 million is being invested to improve 29 miles of levees in South Yuba County. When finished, the area will become the first in the Central Valley to provide 200-year flood protection. Better protection comes at a higher cost – approximately $800,000 each year to maintain the improved levees to more stringent federal guidelines.

The Three Rivers Levee Improvement Authority (TRLIA) implemented a benefit assessment district to raise sustainable revenues for levee operations and maintenance. Revenues from the assessment will be used by RD 784 to implement a standards-based levee operations and maintenance program.

Depending on location, FY 10/11 rates for single family homes are between $11 and $148 dollars each year to maintain levees to strict federal guidelines.

Why an assessment?

1. An aggressive repair and maintenance program will reduce the risk of flooding.
2. Assessment revenues are used for levee maintenance, operations and repairs.
3. Funding for maintenance is required for levee accreditation by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
4. So long as levees are accredited by FEMA, then local property owners will remain eligible for low-cost flood insurance.

For information regarding assessments, please contact John Bliss with SCI Consultants at 707-430-4300.