The Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee convened on March 11, 2025, to discuss critical issues surrounding flood control in California's Central Valley. The meeting featured presentations from key stakeholders, including Tom Engler from the California Central Valley Flood Control Association, Megan Nagy, deputy manager of reclamation for District 108, and Ken Hyatt, city manager of Woodland.

Tom Engler opened the discussion by outlining the role of the Central Valley Flood Control Association, which comprises local flood management agencies responsible for maintaining the state plan of flood control and federal levee systems. He emphasized the importance of collaboration with various state and federal agencies, including the Central Valley Flood Protection Board and the Department of Water Resources, to ensure effective flood management and environmental compliance.

Engler highlighted the increasing flood risks posed by climate change and commended state partners for their ongoing efforts to mitigate these risks. He provided a historical overview of flood control projects in the Central Valley, tracing back to the impacts of the Gold Rush and the subsequent hydraulic mining practices that exacerbated flood risks. Engler referenced the landmark Sawyer decision of 1884, which marked the beginning of environmental regulation in the U.S. by addressing the dangers posed by mining debris.

He further discussed the formation of the California Debris Commission in 1893, which initiated significant flood control measures, including the Jackson Report of 1910 that proposed a comprehensive flood management plan. This plan was eventually approved by Congress in 1917, leading to the establishment of the Sacramento and San Joaquin flood control projects in the early 1950s.

The meeting underscored the ongoing challenges and historical context of flood management in California, with Engler urging committee members to support continued efforts in flood risk reduction and environmental stewardship. The discussions set the stage for future actions aimed at enhancing flood control infrastructure and addressing the impacts of climate change on California's waterways.