Marysville levee plans up for review

Marysville residents can review a study on the scope of a project set to begin this summer to upgrade levees around the city.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Environmental Assessment/Initial Study on the levee project is available for public comment through March 3, though City Services Director Dave Lamon said a widespread outcry isn't likely.

"I don't think we've got a situation where we're really looking at adverse impacts to the city," Lamon said. "As such, I don't think there's going to be too many comments other than 'hurry up.'"

The project, with a total price tag of about $100 million, partially involves removing the top portion of one partion of the 7.6-mile levee ringing the city and digging a trench within it to install a slurry wall of a clay-like material.

With a slurry wall, engineers believe the levee will be less likely to experience seepage through or under it, causing flooding within the levee's borders even if the levee itself still stands.

Jane Rinck, an environmental planner with the Corps of Engineers, said the project will happen in four phases, with the first phase of lopping the levee tops off expected to begin in June or July.

"There will be some noise, there will be some dust," she said of what those living near the levees can expect. Crews will likely use water trucks to control the dust during the four to five months the first phase is expected to last, she said.

The city and engineers will limit access to the levees while work is ongoing for those who use the levees for exercise and recreation, Lamon and Rinck said. The city and the corps have created maps of alternate trails levee users can tread instead, Rinck said.

The next three phases will be done in succeeding years, with work set to be completed in 2013. The other phases will include more slurry wall work, building a stability berm, jet grouting and other improvements in different areas.

Lamon said the project's cost is being shared by the federal, state and city governments, with $9.25 million in federal stimulus money accounting for much of the U.S. government's $13 million share of the first phase.

He said the city's share is coming through a property owner assessment passed by voters last summer, with 74 percent in favor.

In addition to being available at Marysville City Hall and public libraries in Yuba and Sutter counties and Sacramento, the study will be the focus of a public workshop from 5 to 8 p.m. Feb. 10 at the Yuba County Government Center, 915 Eighth St., Marysville.

Rinck said residents will be able to offer comments, ask questions and get more information at the workshop, which will have representatives from several government agencies involved with the project.

Where to see the plans

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' draft Environmental Assessment/Initial Study of upgrades to the Marysville Ring Levee is available for comment at:

• Marysville City Hall, 526 C St., Marysville

• Yuba County Library, 303 Second St., Marysville

• Sutter County Library, 750 Forbes Ave., Yuba City

A public workshop on the draft will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Feb. 10 at the Yuba County Government Center, 915 Eighth St., Marysville.

This is a corrected version of the story that appeared in print. Contact Appeal-Democrat reporter Ben van der Meer at 749-4709 or bvandermeer@appealdemocrat.com. For more Yuba County news, see Ben's blog "Yuba County Insider"