Mossdale Tract Area Urban Flood Risk Reduction Project Draft Environmental Impact Report

In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the San Joaquin Area Flood Control Agency (SJAFCA) has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Report (Draft EIR) for the proposed Mossdale Tract Area Urban Flood Risk Reduction Project. The Draft EIR evaluates the potential environmental effects associated with flood risk reduction, ecosystem restoration, and recreational improvements in and adjacent to the Mossdale Tract area.

The proposed project area encompasses approximately 22,400 acres, including Reclamation District 17 and portions of the Cities of Stockton, Lathrop, and Manteca, as well as unincorporated San Joaquin County. Project components evaluated in the Draft EIR include fix-in-place levee improvements with habitat enhancement, a dryland levee extension, ecosystem restoration features, and recreational improvements along the levee system.

Reducing Flood Risk for the Mossdale Tract Area

The existing Reclamation District 17 levees protecting the Mossdale Tract Area do not provide 200-year flood protection as required by state law. Properties in this area face two types of risk: physical damages to properties, and economic impacts associated with not meeting state requirements. SJAFCA is working with local, state and federal agencies to implement a project to reduce flood risk and meet state requirements. 

The existing plan for meeting state requirements includes two components: (1) Reclamation District 17’s recently completed Levee Seepage Repair Project (LSRP) and (2) SJAFCA Levee Improvements to achieve 200‐year flood protection (the Project). The Project consists of a fix‐in‐place levee improvement project and an extension of the existing dryland levee in Manteca.

Project planning is multi-faceted. SJAFCA partnered with the CA Department of Water Resources on the Mossdale Tract Urban Flood Risk Reduction Feasibility Study, and is engaged with the US Army Corps of Engineers on a feasibility study for federal interest. Environmental (CEQA) analysis for the Mossdale Tract Urban Flood Risk Reduction Project is underway.

The estimated Project cost is $473 million. The majority of funding is expected to come from state and federal agencies. Required local funding is expected to come from the following sources:

• a regional development impact fee
• an assessment of all benefitting properties
• the Mossdale Tract Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District (EIFD)
• any remaining funds following the completion of RD 17’s Levee Seepage Repair Project

Mossdale Tract EIFD

The Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District is governed by a Public Financing Authority, the Board of Directors for which is comprised of two elected officials from each participating agency and two members-at-large. The District’s purpose is to help finance the necessary flood protection improvements to provide a 200-year level of protection to the Mossdale Tract Area. The EIFD will receive tax increments generated from growth in property taxes collected from within its boundaries as agreed upon by each participating agency. 

Does the EIFD increase Property Taxes?

No, the EIFD does not increase property taxes. Properties will continue to be subject to the base 1% property tax rate authorized by State law.  A portion from the future growth of property taxes will be the source of funding for the EIFD. Generally speaking, property tax revenues grow each year. Growth in revenues can occur as a result of new development, the sale of properties (due to an increase in assessed value as part of a reassessment at sale) and the regular annual increase in property assessed values. Through the EIFD, the Cities of Stockton, Lathrop and Manteca and San Joaquin County are committing a portion of the new property tax revenues from within the EIFD boundary to flood protection improvements. Those improvements will benefit the properties within the EIFD boundaries.