Grant OKd for Flood Control Project

A federal program aimed at preventing disasters before they can occur is providing $1.35 million to help pay for a flood control project in the Live Oak Springs Canyon area, Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon announced.

The remainder of the $3.7-million project--which calls for construction of an underground drain and debris basin to convey runoff from the canyon to the Santa Clara River--will be paid for by the city, officials said.

“This was identified as Santa Clarita’s No. 1 unmet need back in 1992,” said Adele Macpherson, the city’s community services superintendent. “Every time it rains we have major flooding problems in the area.”

Santa Clarita Mayor Jan Heidt, who lives in the rustic area on the city’s eastern edge, said the flooding is especially bad on Sand Canyon Road. “We get a lot of water flowing down the street and under the trestle. Occasionally it will block the traffic,” Heidt said.

The grant, which was approved under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, will be administered by the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, McKeon (R-Santa Clarita) said in a statement.

“It’s always much better to spend a little money up front to prevent flooding than to spend a lot after the flood damage has occurred,” McKeon said.

Macpherson said that because of new development, the project had to be redesigned and sent back to FEMA for reapproval.

“The area has changed quite a bit,” Macpherson said. “This will be a great boost for residents, because when it rains it’s very difficult to get in and out of there.”

Construction is expected to begin next spring, Macpherson said.