BOARD AGENDA MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT:
Title
Resolution Declaring September 17, 2016, as Coastal Cleanup Day in Santa Clara County.
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RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Adopt the Resolution DECLARING SEPTEMBER 17, 2016 AS COASTAL CLEANUP DAY IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY.
Body
SUMMARY:
Trash in the creeks and waterways continues to be a significant impact to stream water quality and flooding risks in Santa Clara County. There are ongoing efforts to help educate the community and remove trash from the creeks. The last two countywide cleanups coordinated by the Creek Connections Action Group (CCAG) included a total of 86,293 lbs. of trash from creeks. Additionally, the District’s Adopt-A-Creek Program has 125 partners that each commit to cleaning their adopted creek section twice each year.
Coastal Cleanup Day is an opportunity to partner with cities, non-profit groups, and the community groups to raise awareness of the problem while removing trash from the county’s waterways. The adoption of the resolution will declare September 17, 2016 as Coastal Cleanup Day in Santa Clara County and further encourage Santa Clara County communities and District employees to keep our local waterways clean.
Since 1995, the Santa Clara Valley Water District has been working with the Creek Connections Action Group (CCAG), a consortium of public agencies and non-profit organizations that share a goal of protecting Santa Clara County’s waterways. CCAG coordinates the annual Coastal Cleanup Day in Santa Clara County to keep creeks and rivers clean to help improve the environment. The removal of trash improves water quality and benefits the natural habitat in and around these waterways.
Our role in the partnership is as Chair of CCAG, providing gloves and trash bags for volunteers and supporting marketing efforts.
Public Outreach:
• Social media posts will be made leading up to the cleanup day (Facebook, Twitter, etc).
• “Save the Date” emails will be sent to over 4,000 past participants.
• Postcards and posters will be distributed at libraries, community centers, and chambers of commerce throughout the county.
• 5,000 fliers will be distributed to schools and community groups.
• A flier is posted on the Creek Connections Action Groups home page (www.cleanacreek.org <http://www.cleanacreek.org>).
• A graphic/logo for the event will be featured on the District’s home page.
• The event will be announced via the District’s monthly e-news reaching 22,000 subscribers.
• Volunteers will be recruited at public meetings and events.
Two Events Each Year
The Creek Connections Action Group coordinates two large countywide cleanups every year: National River Cleanup Day in May and Coastal Cleanup Day in September. The 2016 National River Cleanup Day cleanup event had 48 sites participating with 1,124 volunteers participating in the cleanup. They removed over 30,292 pounds of trash and 3,135 pounds of recyclable goods. On September 19, 2015, Coastal Cleanup Day volunteers removed over 49,999 pounds of trash and 2,867 pounds of recyclables from 50 locations throughout Santa Clara County. The District sponsored one site where 15 volunteers removed 400 pounds of trash and recyclables. Using volunteers to remove trash from creeks leverages District funds, provides stewardship opportunities for residents and helps keep our creeks and streams healthy and beautiful.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Funds are allocated in the FY 2016-17 budget for the “Support Volunteer Cleanup” project. No additional funding is requested.
CEQA:
The recommended action does not constitute a project under CEQA because it does not have a potential for resulting in direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Resolution
UNCLASSIFIED MANAGER:
Manager
Chris Elias, 408-630-2379