For Immediate Release

January 21, 2025

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Jared Huffman (CA-02) announced a major federal grant award to the McKinleyville Community Services District to replace three sanitary sewer crossings that have reached the end of their useful lives. 

The sewer crossings drain the east side of McKinleyville under U.S. Highway 101 to the west side of McKinleyville where its wastewater treatment plant is located. The existing crossings have been in place since the early 1970s.

“As American communities age, it’s critical that the federal government invest in the vital and basic infrastructure that is the backbone of our economy,” Rep. Huffman said. “I’m happy I could deliver this much-needed funding to an important local project.” 

Failure of these crossings would have severe impacts on the community and the environment, as well as undermining Highway 101, said MCSD General Manager Patrick Kaspari. The grant will allow the crossings to be replace before an emergency happens and at a fraction of the cost. 

“The community of McKinleyville and the District can’t thank Congressman Huffman’s office, FEMA, and CalOES enough for this grant assistance," said MCSD Board President, James Biteman. “We’re a working-class community and these important, but extremely expensive, infrastructure projects are tough to fund without substantial assistance.  This grant funding will address a critical need and will provide us with infrastructure that will serve the community for the next hundred years.”    

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