For Immediate Release: January 7, 2020
Contact: Jeff C. Moneda, City Manager, (650) 286-3288, jmoneda@fostercity.org

On January 7, 2020, the City of Foster City reached a pivotal milestone in the advancement of the Levee Protection Planning and Improvements Project, CIP 301-657 (Levee Project) after receiving the final remaining permit needed from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. “The process to obtain the permits from the permitting agencies was arduous and began approximately 1 year ago.” said City Manager Jeff Moneda. “We are pleased that we have finally received the final permit, so that the design of the project can be completed, and the project can move forward.”

The Levee Project had required permits from four (4) major regulatory agencies. This includes the State Lands Commission (SLC), the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB), the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC), and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Most recently in November 2019, Foster City was issued the permit from BCDC for construction of the Levee Project. This came after months of unforeseen delays and the City’s project team working alongside BCDC staff to expedite the application and approval process. With the approval from the USACE and the completion of the overall permitting stage, the next phase of the Levee Project will proceed as follows:

  • Approval of Plans and Specifications and Call for Bids: March/April 2020
  • Bid Opening: May/June 2020
  • Award of Contract: June/July 2020
  • Notice to Proceed: July 2020
  • Construction Completion: 2023

In June 2018, Foster City residents had voted to approve a $90 million general obligation (GO) bond to improve and strengthen the Foster City levee system. The first of the GO bond sales are scheduled to occur in May/June 2020. The Levee Project would provide for critical improvements to Foster City’s levee system, not only allowing Foster City to meet the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) flood protection requirements, but also protecting essential city services during storms and protect the levee from earthquake damage.

Please visit www.FosterCityLevee.org for more information including project updates. Members of the public are also encouraged to contact the City Manager’s Office at (650) 286-3220 or manager@fostercity.org with any questions or comments.