[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 105 (Friday, June 21, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E816]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUPPORT FOR H.R. 2740

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                          HON. DORIS O. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 21, 2019

  Ms. MATSUI. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2740, the 
minibus appropriations bill, which includes funding for Energy and 
Water Development. I applaud the Committee's addition of funds for the 
programs of the Army Corps of Engineers, especially for continuation of 
flood control work in my district, which includes Sacramento and West 
Sacramento. The bill contains funds for continuation of construction of 
levees in the Natomas Basin and for continuation of design of the West 
Sacramento Project. Those initiatives are essential steps in providing 
adequate protection for my constituents, who live in one of the most 
flood-prone areas in the country.
  I also strongly support the Committee's inclusion of additional 
undesignated funds that the Corps of Engineers will distribute through 
a Work Plan to be developed after the bill is signed into law. 
Furthermore, I appreciate the Committee's allowance for six 
undesignated construction ``New Starts,'' which is critically important 
to West Sacramento. As the bill moves forward, I urge the continued 
inclusion of robust funding for a Work Plan and of an adequate number 
of New Starts for flood control to address these needs.
  My district can benefit immensely from these provisions. The Corps 
has recently indicated that additional funds will be needed in Fiscal 
Year 2020 for the Natomas Project due to cost increases and weather 
delays. Additionally, it is my understanding that the West Sacramento 
Project is making very good progress and will soon be positioned for a 
New Start and accompanying initial construction funding. With this in 
mind, I plan to continue working with the leadership of the Corps of 
Engineers, the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency, and the West 
Sacramento Area Flood control Agency to determine the optimum funding 
and New Start designation for my communities.

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