The Trump administration is taking an unprecedented step to control post-disaster rebuilding efforts by preempting local regulations that it says have delayed projects that are funded with federal loans. The move applies to thousands of homes and businesses that are rebuilt each year with low-interest disaster loans from the Small Business Administration. It took effect Thursday under an 18-page rule the SBA issued with no public input. … One target of the rule could be the California Environmental Quality Act, which requires state agencies to review the environmental effects of their actions. … “I’m sure a target of this is the California Environmental Quality Act,” said [Chad] Berginnis of the floodplain association [Association of State Floodplain Managers]. 

Other flood mitigation news:

• The Merced Focus (Calif.): Planada residents question plans for remaining flood funds, contractor change
• ABC7 (San Francisco): Palo Alto’s horizontal levee passes test, reduced flooding during recent storms 
• Marin Independent Journal (San Rafael, Calif.): Opinion: It’s time to remove obstacles and support flood-control projects