Rep. Obernolte secures $11 million for CA-08 projects including $2 million for Apple Valley’s Desert Knolls Wash

U.S. Congressman Jay Obernolte (CA-08) secured $11 million dollars in funding for projects in California’s 8th District that passed the U.S. House of Representatives as part of this week’s major appropriations package. This includes almost $2 million for Apple Valley’s Desert Knolls Wash to reduce erosion through the Lewis Center Property and school area.

“The Lewis Center school provides an invaluable resource to students across the high desert community,” said Rep. Obernolte. “By improving our water infrastructure to slow the flow of water where the Desert Knolls Wash converges with the Mojave River high water area, we can protect the school and improve our water flow for the entire community.”

“Desert Knolls Wash is a collaborative, shovel-ready project that provides significant flood protection to Apple Valley residents and Lewis Center students. This is an important project for both public safety and economic development, and during my time on the Board of Supervisors I’ve supported finding new funding streams to speed its completion. I’m glad Congressman Obernolte saw the merits of this project and its benefits to the community, and I look forward to seeing it break ground in the near future,” said Supervisor Paul Cook.

Funding of $1,932,000 designated for the Desert Knolls Wash Phase III project in the House appropriations package will provide for the construction of an earthen channel with rock bank protection and rock drop structures designed to slow the flow of water where the channel converges with the Mojave River high water area. The rock bank protected channel will join with the existing concrete lined channel downstream of Apple Valley Road and the Mojave River to stabilize the wash banks and stop erosion from occurring through the Lewis Center school area.