"Viewpoints: Levee upgrades offer protection at far lower cost
Share
By Jeffrey Michael and Robert Pykeis
Special to The Bee
Published: Sunday, Mar. 25, 2012 - 12:00 am | Page 5E
Last Modified: Sunday, Mar. 25, 2012 - 10:49 am
Several new reports on the condition of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta levee system, the economic value protected by the levees and the consequences of levee failures create an opportunity to rethink what it means to "fix" the Delta.
Seismic upgrades to most lowland Delta levees would protect water supplies for a fraction of the cost of a tunnel or canal to transfer water to the Central Valley and Southern California. Upgraded, wide levees would also improve habitat by supporting appropriate vegetation. These improved levees, combined with expanded flood bypasses, would create a cost-effective, eco-friendly flood control system in the Delta.
In addition, fat seismic-resistant levees would help save lives in an emergency and protect other critical transportation and energy infrastructure that is overlooked in many discussions regarding the Delta."
Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/03/25/4362381/levee-upgrades-offer-protection.html#storylink=cpy"
www.restorethedelta.org
Share
By Jeffrey Michael and Robert Pykeis
Special to The Bee
Published: Sunday, Mar. 25, 2012 - 12:00 am | Page 5E
Last Modified: Sunday, Mar. 25, 2012 - 10:49 am
Several new reports on the condition of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta levee system, the economic value protected by the levees and the consequences of levee failures create an opportunity to rethink what it means to "fix" the Delta.
Seismic upgrades to most lowland Delta levees would protect water supplies for a fraction of the cost of a tunnel or canal to transfer water to the Central Valley and Southern California. Upgraded, wide levees would also improve habitat by supporting appropriate vegetation. These improved levees, combined with expanded flood bypasses, would create a cost-effective, eco-friendly flood control system in the Delta.
In addition, fat seismic-resistant levees would help save lives in an emergency and protect other critical transportation and energy infrastructure that is overlooked in many discussions regarding the Delta."
Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/03/25/4362381/levee-upgrades-offer-protection.html#storylink=cpy"
www.restorethedelta.org