Temecula Mayor James “Stew” Stewart announces, “Temecula businesses and residents located along Murrieta Creek will soon have critical flood protection.” Properties near Murrieta Creek will become the beneficiaries of the much-needed Murrieta Creek Flood Control Project (Phase 2B). The Federal Government allocated $39,334,000 toward the construction of Phase 2B of the Murrieta Creek, which can now proceed due to the Fiscal Year 2024 House Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill that was approved by the House and Senate last week and signed into law on Saturday.
“The Murrieta Creek Flood Control Project has been making progress in phases since the tragic flood of January 1993 that put parts of Old Town Temecula under water,” states Temecula Mayor Stewart. “We can now be relieved this won’t happen again thanks to US Representative Darrell Issa who advanced this important project to the Appropriations Committee with unwavering commitment throughout the years to protect businesses, landowners, and residents in our region who are vulnerable to flooding. We are grateful to Congressman Issa who ensured this Appropriation made it to the finish line.” Mayor Stewart led a coalition of City officials to Washington DC last week to advocate for continued support of this critical funding ahead of the Appropriation approvals. Mayor Stewart adds, “The City also expresses our gratitude to US Representative Ken Calvert who has been engaged since the beginning to secure funding for the phased improvements of Murrieta Creek, and to US Senator Padilla and US Senator Butler for their strong support of this project’s federal Appropriation.”
The City of Temecula has worked collaboratively for over three decades with Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District and the US Army Corps of Engineers to complete Phases 1 and 2A through Old Town. Phase 2B transverses through Uptown Temecula between Rancho California Road and Winchester Road and is anticipated to begin construction in 2025. The project is expected to change what the flood maps look like in Temecula; protecting the City’s local economy and infrastructure from future flooding.
City Manager Aaron Adams states, “We applaud our dedicated partners at Riverside County Flood Control and Army Corps of Engineers for their tireless efforts leading this project and we look forward to our ongoing collaboration.”
Murrieta Creek is recognized as one of the last high-quality and minimally disturbed riverine environments in Southern California. The Murrieta Creek project includes environmental and wetland restoration.