Panel OKs Funds for Area Water Projects

The House Appropriations Committee approved more than $8 million for Ventura County water, harbor and coastal projects, officials in the office of Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Simi Valley) announced Friday.

The funds for ongoing and new projects in the county are among $20 billion earmarked for projects across the nation.

The allocations included money for a number of ongoing projects--$4 million to help prevent flooding along Santa Paula Creek, $2.2 million to dredge Ventura Harbor, $2 million to improve drinking water in Port Hueneme and $300,000 for a shoreline protection study in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.

Another $100,000 would be allocated for a new project, an environmental impact study on sediment in Mugu Lagoon.

Local officials were pleased at news of the allocations.

Art Goulet, Ventura County director of public works who oversees the Santa Paula Creek Flood Control Project, said the money is necessary to complete the Santa Paula Creek flood project.

“The project is on the verge of starting and we will need funds for the second phase. We have to thank Congressman Gallegly for keeping it in there,” Goulet said.

Approved Thursday, the bill will move to a vote in the House in coming weeks and then on to the Senate.

Officials in Gallegly’s office are optimistic about approval of the funding.

“We are not aware of any issue to make it controversial, so we think it has a pretty good shot of passing,” said Norma Bomar, Gallegly’s press secretary.