"Most levees in the city of Sacramento have technically failed a maintenance inspection by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers because they are bristling with trees and other structural intrusions. But the city won't be penalized — for now — while long-term solutions are being developed.

Other areas fared even worse: Levee sections in Marysville, Stockton and Lathrop were deemed 'unacceptable.'

As a result, those levee systems were placed on an 'inactive' list that makes them ineligible for federal repair dollars in the event of flood damage.

In Sacramento's case, the decision amounts to a provisional pass.

The inspections focused on maintenance practices and not the strength of the levees."

Matt Weiser reports for the Sacramento Bee September 15, 2010. [2]