An aerial overview of Lake Oroville and the reconstructed Lake Oroville main spillway and emergency spillway. Photo taken June 7, 2019. DWR/2019
SACRAMENTO – Butte County and the Department of Water Resources (DWR) announced today that they have settled a lawsuit filed by Butte County for roadway damage resulting from the Oroville Spillways Incident in February 2017. Repair efforts by DWR resulted in heavy truck traffic on roads maintained by Butte County.
Over the course of approximately two years, DWR and Butte County discussed the effects of the heavy truck traffic and what was necessary to repair the damaged roads. DWR has agreed to provide the County with $12 million for repairs to many of the impacted roads and emergency services.
“Butte County and DWR are pleased to have come to an agreement that will help Butte County recover from the Spillway Incident and hope to continue to work together to ensure public safety and have a positive impact on the community,” stated Butte County District 4 Supervisor Steve Lambert and Ted Craddock, DWR Deputy Director, State Water Project.
Primary roads damaged during the Spillway Incident include: Royal Oaks Drive, Kelly Ridge Road, Miners Ranch Road, Oro-Bangor Highway, La Porte Road, Los Verjeles Road, Oro-Quincy Highway, Table Mountain Blvd and Cherokee Road. The County has full discretion as to the use of the funds.
For more information, please contact Butte County Counsel Bruce Alpert at 530-552-4070 or DWR Assistant Director Erin Mellon at 916-651-7512 or erin.mellon@water.ca.gov.
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