Little Egbert Tract · 2020. 5. 15. · The Little Egbert Tract (LET) is 3,500 acres of privately-...
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The Little Egbert Tract (LET) is 3,500 acres of privately- owned land located in Solano County in the lower Yolo Bypass, located upstream from Rio Vista and across Cache Slough from Ryer Island. While farming takes place on this tract today for grazing and producing livestock feed, agricultural productivity is marginal and the tract is increasingly susceptible to sea level rise and climate change. Agriculture is not sustainable and not the highest and best use of the property. A permanent flood easement exists over the entire tract, which is protected by restricted height levees that are engineered to overtop and breach in high flood events. Yolo Bypass Little Egbert Little Egbert Tract A Multi-Benefit Project wesmitigation.com Current Conditions LET acts as a natural funnel for multiple waterways (Yolo Bypass, Sacramento River, Deep Water Ship Channel and several sloughs in the Delta). Because of its strategic location, this tract is ideal for both regional flood improvement to adjacent agricultural lands and restoration for a number of imperiled species.
Transcript of Little Egbert Tract · 2020. 5. 15. · The Little Egbert Tract (LET) is 3,500 acres of privately-...
The Little Egbert Tract (LET) is 3,500 acres of privately-owned land located in Solano County in the lower Yolo Bypass, located upstream from Rio Vista and across Cache Slough from Ryer Island.
While farming takes place on this tract today for grazing and producing livestock feed, agricultural productivity is marginal and the tract is increasingly susceptible to sea level rise and climate change. Agriculture is not sustainable and not the highest and best use of the property.
A permanent flood easement exists over the entire tract, which is protected by restricted height levees that are engineered to overtop and breach in high flood events.
Yolo Bypass
Little Egbert
Little Egbert TractA Multi-Benefit Project
wesmitigation.com
Current Conditions
LET acts as a natural funnel for multiple waterways (Yolo Bypass, Sacramento River, Deep Water Ship Channel and several sloughs in the Delta). Because of its strategic location, this tract is ideal for both regional flood improvement to adjacent agricultural lands and restoration for a number of imperiled species.
The Department of Water Resources (DWR), Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (SAFCA) and Solano County have studied different strategies to create more suitable and higher-value land uses for LET. There is consensus that the highest- and best-use of the property would be to engineer the tract to provide three distinct benefits:
Project Benefits
Achieving these goals through a multi-benefit project is estimated to cost approximately $200 million. Through coordination with DWR for purposes of securing state funds, Solano County, SAFCA and two reclamation districts (RD 2084 and RD 536) are considering forming a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) to continue project development and potentially manage implementation. The proposed JPA would also facilitate an open and transparent decision-making process among the local agencies that would benefit the most from this multi-benefit project.
Establishing a Joint Powers Authority
Benefits for Aging Agricultural LeveesLET can protect valuable Solano County farmland by reducing flood flows against more than 40 miles of agricultural levees that are in need of repair and at risk for breaching during large flood events.
Creates Habitat for Endangered SpeciesThe project creates and sustains tidal marsh and riparian habitats critical for supporting fish populations (Chinook Salmon, Green Sturgeon and smelt) and other endangered and threatened wildlife (e.g., Giant Garter Snake and Swainson’s Hawk).
Improves River Flood SystemThe completion of restoration at LET increases resilience of the Sacramento River by improving flood flow capacity in the lower Yolo Bypass.
For more information visit www.wesmitigation.com/LET or call phone: (916) 646-3644
