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Media Advisory                            Contact: Charles Casey
January 7, 1997                               916/442-3155


      River group calls for review of existing flood protection system


Sacramento - Friends of the River (F.O.R.), California's largest river
conservation group, today suggested that a reassessment of the Central
Valley's existing flood control facilities be initiated in light of the
damaging 1997 floods.

   "It is clear where and when flood officials have paid close attention to
existing structures and operations - the American River flood control
system, for example - that flood control facilities can work well," said
Betsy Reifsnider, executive director at F.O.R.  "We certainly don't need to
straitjacket our rivers or build a series of new dams to fight the floods
we've seen.  Indeed, it's ironic that some of the worst flooding has been
just downstream from two of the largest dams in the state: Oroville and Don
Pedro dams."

   Reifsnider noted that in the Sacramento area the American River flood
control system worked well during the recent storms, largely because of the
efforts of flood officials and F.O.R. during the past decade.  As a result
of intensive analysis, planning, and actual construction, the federal dam
at Folsom is now operated much more prudently during the flood season,
levees have been bolstered and strengthened, and American River levees in
particular are targeted for much more work because Congress - prompted by
F.O.R. lobbying efforts - approved a $57 million flood control package for
the capital city area late last year.

   Despite those forthcoming improvements, there is still more work that
can be done along the American River.  Enlarging the river outlet works and
lowering the spillways at Folsom Dam would offer much more flexibility and
safety during large storm events.  Couple that with raising and improving
downstream banks and levees along the American River and Sacramento will
enjoy even more flood protection.

   "The recent flooding throughout the Central Valley underscores the fact
that we do not need something like an Auburn dam.  A structure on the North
Fork of the American River - no matter how big or expensive - would have
done nothing for the people and property hit by flooding along the Feather,
Bear, Cosumnes, San Joaquin, Mokelumne, Stanislaus or Tuolumne rivers,"
said Ron Stork, associate conservation director and flood control
specialist for F.O.R.  "Let's get serious about evaluating our flood
control system and stop wasting time on an unnecessary, billion dollar dam
that would be located on an earthquake fault."

   Borrowing in part from the 1994 federal task force recommendations that
followed the Mississippi floods (a study by the Interagency Floodplain
Management Review Committee known as the "Galloway Report"), Friends of the
River makes the following suggestions for improving public safety while
preserving the important features of the state's rivers:

*  Analyze and reassess the entire flood system in the Central Valley;
*  Consider levee reinforcement, upgrades and future setbacks in order to       

   improve waterway conveyance reliability and efficiency; 
*  Improve flood control operations at existing dams;
*  Make better land use and floodplain management decisions so people can
safely 
   build, or simply avoid building, in at-risk areas;
*  Encourage more hazard mitigation in flood prone areas, including such things 
   as buyouts, floodproofing buildings by elevating them, flood warning system 
   improvements, and increased flood hazard awareness programs;
*  Encourage flood insurance for those at risk.

   "These are common sense, cost-effective solutions for much greater
public safety, while at the same time preserving and restoring our river
systems," said Stork.  "We don't need new dams as much as we need to
upgrade and improve the aging infrastructure that's already in place.  The
best and most environmentally responsible investment we can make is in the
existing flood control system.  Obviously, there's plenty of room for
improvement." he added.

   Stork, who last year led the environmental efforts to secure flood
protection improve- ments for Sacramento without the Auburn dam, emphasized
that California should make sure the existing systems are more reliable,
safe and effective.  He noted that the devastating levee breaks appear to
be a result of inattention, lack of investment, or woefully inadequate room
for rivers to flow.

   Friends of the River is nearly 25 years old.  Based in Sacramento,
F.O.R. is a membership organization that works on a variety of
river-related issues throughout the state.  For more information on flood
control or other river issues, contact Charles Casey: (916) 442-3155.

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