NATOMAS-

The House of Representatives passed a bill on Tuesday that would support levee improvements in Natomas with an overwhelming majority, 412-4.

There was a building moratorium placed there in 2008 when FEMA decertified the levees along the American River, saying they weren’t up to the latest standards in the chance of a flood

“Here in Natomas there are over a 100,000 people who have been waiting for this day to come,” said Danielle Marshall, President of the Natomas Chamber of Commerce.

Angelique Ashby, Sacramento’s Mayor Pro Tem, said a levee expansion affects nearly everyone in Natomas.

“For people building their homes, for businesses that have been waiting to expand, for schools that need real classrooms and not portable classrooms,” said Ashby.

There are currently 18 miles of levees, and another 24 miles is needed to ensure the area will be safe.

Congressman Doris Matsui was one of the people who voted in the house on Tuesday, and she says she is confident the bill will pass in the senate.

“When you have a vote like that, it’s very, very strong. And a strong vote like that will be voted on quickly, and then it will go to the president’s desk for signature,” says Matsui.

If the bill is signed by the president, Sacramento will then apply to FEMA for an A99 flood designation.

The designation is what the city needs to be considered less of a flood risk.

The application process takes about 12 months.