Feather River Setback Levee, Designed by GEI Consultants, Honored with ASCE Region 9 Outstanding Flo

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—March 24, 2011—GEI Consultants, Inc., one of the nation’s leading geotechnical, environmental, water resources, and ecological science and engineering firms, announced today that the Feather River Setback Levee project has been awarded the Outstanding Flood Management Award by Region 9 of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). Located in South Yuba County, California, and owned by the Three Rivers Levee Improvement Authority (TRLIA), the Feather River Setback Levee is the longest setback levee in the state. A key component in TRLIA’s $405 million levee improvement program, this project is designed to provide the area with a 200-year level of flood protection, and will lower water elevations by more than a foot during significant flood events.

“GEI has been an exceptional partner during the design, construction and implementation of this milestone project,” said Paul Brunner, TRLIA’s Executive Director. “We’re proud to be able to offer our citizens with increased flood protection and are confident that these improvements have increased the safety and economic benefits of our community.”

GEI Consultants’ role included a feasibility evaluation and the geotechnical investigations for this project, in addition to the preliminary and final designs of the setback levee. GEI provided construction management services, secured the required environmental permits, provided support for right-of-way acquisitions, and designed a floodplain swale. The six-mile long setback levee, which was developed and constructed to provide flood protection to more than 40,000 residents in South Yuba County, was largely financed through State Proposition 1E Early Implementation Project funds and Yuba County local funds.

Prior to the setback levee installation, the area had a 20-year level of protection and had suffered devastating losses due to flooding. In addition to increasing the flood protection level, the project also provides habitats for threatened and endangered species as well as ecological benefits. The project provides an example of local, state and federal agencies, and private citizens all working together to expedite project construction and financing.

In addition to it being awarded the 2010 ASCE Region 9 Flood Management Project of the Year, the Feather River Setback Levee also won the 2009 ASCE Sacramento Section Flood Control Project of the Year. The project team included:

• Three Rivers Levee Improvement Authority – Overall Project Leadership and Management
• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Federal Project Oversight and Permitting
• California Department of Water Resources – State Project Oversight and Funding
• The Central Valley Flood Protection Board – Permitting
• Yuba County – Funding
• Reclamation District 784 – Funding and Levee Maintenance
• Yuba County Water Agency – Funding
• Local Landowners – Funding
• Enterprise Rancheria of Maidu Indians of California – Most Likely Descendent (MLD) as designated by the California Native American Heritage Commission
• GEI Consultants, Inc. – Project Design and Construction Management
• EDAW – Project Environmental
• Teichert Construction Company – Levee Construction
• MBK Engineers – TRLIA Program Management and Project Hydraulics
• Bender Rosenthal, Inc. – TRLIA & Project Real Property
• EPS Associates – TRLIA Financial Management
• The Handen Company, Inc. – TRLIA Construction Management
• PBS&J – TRLIA Environmental Management
• MHM Engineers and Surveyors – Surveys and Pump Station Design
• Downey Brand Attorneys LLP – TRLIA Legal
• Kim Floyd Communications – TRLIA Public Relations

About GEI Consultants, Inc.
GEI's multi-disciplined team of engineers and scientists deliver integrated geotechnical, environmental, water resources and ecological solutions to diverse clientele nationwide. The firm has provided a broad range of consulting and engineering services on over 25,000 projects in 50 states and 22 countries. For more information, please visit the firm’s web site at www.geiconsultants.com.

About Three Rivers Levee Improvement Authority.
The Three Rivers Levee Improvement Authority, a joint powers agency, was established in May 2004 by the county of Yuba and Reclamation District 784 to finance and construct levee improvements in South Yuba County.  Four work phases were identified with the goal of achieving 200-year flood protection for more than 40,000 residents and nearly $1 billion in property and structures. For more information, please visit www.trlia.org.

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Media Contact:
Jennifer Shelby, CPSM
Rhino Public Relations
508.685.0763
gei@rhinopr.com

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