Natomas Levee Improvement Program - SAFCA

3.3.3 Interior Drainage Pumping Plants
RD 1000’s Pumping Plant 2 needs to be reconstructed to accommodate the raised
adjacent levee in this reach. The existing facility was demolished as part of an emergency
repair effort that occurred at the outset of the NLIP. The reconstruction will occur as part
of the USACE portion of the project. SAFCA’s estimate reflects the actual cost of the
demolition work that was completed and the design consultant’s opinion of the probable
value of the reconstruction work based on a 90 percent design plus a 10 percent
contingency.
Excluding contingencies, the USACE estimate for this demolition and reconstruction
work is about 20 percent higher than SAFCA’s estimate. With contingencies, the USACE
estimate is about 55 percent higher.
3.3.4 Lands & Damages
Several hundred acres of land are needed to accommodate the project footprint in Reach
C. SAFCA’s estimate of the cost of this land reflects actual costs incurred through the
land acquisition process and includes a 5 percent contingency.
SAFCA’s estimate also includes costs for lands and damages administration is based on
actual costs incurred to date plus projected costs to complete the land acquisition. This
cost reflects actual administrative costs incurred to date and includes a 5 percent
contingency.
Exclusive of contingencies, the USACE estimate for lands and damages including
administration is comparable to SAFCA’s estimate. However, the USACE estimate
includes a 37 percent contingency compared to SAFCA’s 5 percent. Given the fact that
the land acquisition process is essentially complete, the basis for this substantial
contingency is unclear.
3.3.5 Relocations
SAFCA’s estimate includes costs for relocating a portion of the Elkhorn Irrigation Canal;
constructing several private irrigation wells and pumping plants, structural demolition
and tree removal; and relocating approximately 100 electrical utility poles in the project
footprint. This estimate reflects unit prices for contracts awarded to carry out this work in
2009 and 2010 plus a 5 percent contingency.
The estimate also includes the cost of reconstructing NCMWC’s Pritchard Pumping
Plant, which will be carried out as part of the USACE project. This estimate reflects the
design consultant’s opinion of the probable cost and includes a 10 percent contingency.
Exclusive of contingencies, the USACE estimate for relocations in Reach C is
comparable to SAFCA’s estimate. However, the USACE estimate includes a 27 percent
contingency compared to SAFCA’s 5 to 10 percent. Given the fact that most of the
relocation work is complete, the basis for this substantial contingency is unclear.
3.3.6 Planning Design and Engineering
As in the case of Reach B, SAFCA’s estimate for Reach C includes substantial costs for
planning, engineering and design. Virtually all of these costs represent costs incurred
through 2010 with some additional projected costs added for completion of Pumping
Plant 2 and Pritchard Pumping plant. As discussed above, these costs reflect SAFCA’s
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