[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 6] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages 8133-8134] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]HONORING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FRESNO METROPOLITAN FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT ______ HON. JIM COSTA of california in the house of representatives Thursday, May 11, 2006 Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District for reaching a momentous milestone--its 50th anniversary. Over 50 years ago, the Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District was created in order to regulate flooding that had plagued the community for over 80 years. From the outset, the Flood Control District committed itself to managing the flood, storm, surface and ground water resources of the area with the goal of preventing property damage and personal injury as a result of floods. The agency works to conserve such waters for local, domestic and agricultural use. In addition, it seeks to maximize the public use and benefit of the District's programs and infrastructure. This has resulted in the use of ponding basins for recreational purposes such as soccer fields, baseball diamonds and parks. The district has generated 22 recreational sites, including the Sloan Johnson Oso de Oro Lake Park in Fresno, which serves to accommodate disabled children. This recreational facility has received numerous awards, including the Innovations in American Government Award from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. With such a mission in mind, the Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District has established infrastructure projects and completed systems in Fresno and its surrounding areas. These projects, valued at over $600,000,000, include 149 ponding basins, 57 pumping plants, 513 miles of pipeline, three dams, seven flood detention basins, two major stream diversion channels, 145 miles of natural streams and eight river outfalls. In addition to the creation of these infrastructure projects, the Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District has worked resolutely for over 50 years to create programs such as ``Clean Storm Water'' that seek to educate the community on the importance of water resource management and the prevention of pollution to help protect and preserve groundwater supplies for the future. Moreover, many of its policies on outsourcing construction, professional services and maintenance of certain facilities have not only helped the flooding problems, but also have created countless local jobs as well. The Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District has had long standing and effective working partnerships with State and Federal agencies such as the California Department of [[Page 8134]] Water Resources and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The agency and its partners have created a successful model for cooperative interagency planning, management, and execution of local public works projects among the Fresno Irrigation District, County of Fresno, City of Fresno and the City of Clovis. Moreover, it has greatly enhanced the safety and quality of life in the Fresno and Clovis areas. For all its efforts, I would like to commend the Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District. The organization has tirelessly worked to meet the flood control, drainage and water resource management needs of its constituency; while adhering to high standards of performance, environmental sensitivity, economic efficiency and maximization of public benefit. On this special occasion I would like to extend congratulations to the Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District on its milestone 50th Anniversary. ____________________