Rolling Hills Estates receives stormwater infrastructure funding

Heavy rains have created a heavy burden on Rolling Hills Estates' stormwater infrastructure, but $750,000 in federal funding should help improve that infrastructure.

Rolling Hills Estates will receive federal funding to improve stormwater infrastructure, it was announced by Congressman Ted Lieu, on Friday, Nov. 21.

According to Lieu’s office via email, Rolling Hills Estates was awarded $750,000 from the “Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Act” that was recently signed into law.

In a Nov. 21 press release, Lieu said that Southern California “getting hammered by severe rainstorms” has been “stress testing our region’s critical infrastructure,” including that in Rolling Hills Estates.

“By repairing old storm drains and installing a new system to divert storm water, we can curb the harmful impacts of the unprecedented rainfall and flooding we’ve seen in the last few years,” Lieu said in the press release.

In a statement, Rolling Hills Estates Mayor Debby Stegura said the project, “reflects the city’s commitment to both public safety and environmental stewardship.”

“By investing in our stormwater infrastructure, we are reducing flood risks, preventing system failures, and protecting waterways from storm-driven pollution,” Stegura said. “We are proud to advance this work with strong federal partnership and are grateful to Congressman Ted Lieu for his leadership in securing funding for this project in Rolling Hills Estates.”

The Palos Verdes Peninsula region, which includes Rolling Hills Estates, Rolling Hills, Palos Verdes Estates and Rancho Palos Verdes, has been hit hard in recent years due to unprecedented amount of winter rain causing land movement that has damaged city infrastructures and impacted resident’s lives.

Rancho Palos Verdes in particular has seen infrastructure damage to Palos Verdes Drive South, utilities and its popular trail system, as well as severe damage to the landmark Wayfarers Chapel and homes.