San Joaquin County seeks millions for local water projects
Apr. 9—STOCKTON — San Joaquin County recently submitted more than $13.7 million in funding requests to federal lawmakers for six local projects that will enhance programs, services, and infrastructure.
Of the funding requested, county officials have earmarked $4.41 million for two projects in Victor and Acampo.
The county plans to use $2.41 million to purchase land and construct pumps, pipes, and other infrastructure for the Victor Storm Drain System Retention Pond project.
The goal is to collect, transmit and store storm water to combat the effects of a critically overdrafted groundwater sub-basin and promote sustainable water practices in the region, the county said.
Another $2 million would be used to design a drainage system that will intercept and divert flood waters before reaching the Cooper's Corner area as the second phase of the Acampo Area Drainage project.
The intercepted storm water would be diverted toward the Mokelumne River and distributed through agricultural lands with suitable soils for drainage and groundwater recharge, the county said.
Funding was requested in collaboration with Senators Alex Padilla, and Laphonza Butler, as well as Representatives Josh Harder, D-Tracy, and John Duarte, R-Hughson.
Other projects that will be funded include making Stockton Metropolitan Airport's aircraft passenger boarding ramps and boarding bridges compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act for $2.5 million; removing sediment deposits near Corral Hollow Road Bridge in Tracy that were exacerbated by the atmospheric river storms in late 2022 and early 2023 at $1.8 million; creating a Veterans Mobile Clinic van that would be used to provide personalized, on-site support services for elderly, disabled, indigent, blind, and working veterans for $401,250; and infrastructure work at the San Joaquin Be Well campus for $4.59 million.
"Community project requests like these are essential to our local community because they provide the additional funding needed to get vital projects off the ground," San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors chair Miguel Villapudua said. "The board is grateful to our federal and state delegations for helping to secure funding that will be directed to support the health, welfare, and economy of San Joaquin County."
