$540,000 Goes To Santa Cruz Harbor Amid Dredging Work

SANTA CRUZ, CA — U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) announced this week that $540,000 will go toward ensuring that people can continue to navigate Santa Cruz Harbor channels as maintenance dredging continues.

Santa Cruz Harbor is the only small-craft harbor that is pitching in to help fund the federal navigation channel, said Santa Cruz Port Director Marian Olin. The district is a government-owned business.

"The Santa Cruz Harbor provides our communities with economic, recreational, and educational opportunities by connecting us to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary," Panetta said. "These funds support continued maintenance and protection of the Harbor’s waterways."

More information on ongoing drudging efforts can be found here.

Panetta also announced the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer has provided $1.8 million for the Pajaro River Flood Risk Reduction Project, first authorized in 1966.

"This historic step of federal investment takes us closer to making the levee project a reality," said Supervisor Zach Friend, chair of Zone 7 Flood Protection District in a press release from Panetta's office.

There have been four major floods in the Watsonville and Pajaro areas since 1949.

"They simply cannot afford future damages,” Panetta said in the press release.

Officials have been working since the federal Flood Control Act of 1966 passed to get authority for construction. The Santa Cruz Sentinel reported more than a decade ago that the project was the "top legislative priority" for the City of Santa Cruz.

In December the U.S. Army Cops of Engineers determined the project was financially feasible and had a positive cost-benefit ratio, a key step toward receiving funding. The project now moves into the design phase, Panetta's office said.

Santa Cruz County Flood Control Division Manager Mark Strudley said the division is ready to begin design work with the Army.

Panetta and Friend said they will continue to advocate for the project.

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