BOARD AGENDA MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT:
Title
Update on City and District Efforts Regarding Creek Health and Safety Along Waterways.
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That the District Board and the City Council receive information regarding the respective roles, responsibilities, and coordinated efforts with respect to creek health and waterway safety issues.
Body
SUMMARY:
The Santa Clara Valley Water District (District) and the City of San Jos? (City) have a shared goal of improving the health of creeks within their jurisdictions. Of the 800 miles of creek within populated areas of the county, the District manages 278 miles of creeks for flood protection and stewardship purposes; the remainder are in other public entity or private ownership. The District's Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program was developed through community collaboration and resulted in a parcel tax ballot measure being passed by an overwhelming majority. Reducing toxins, hazards and contaminants in our waterways is one of the important priorities in this program. The City of San Jos? has significant responsibilities under the Municipal Regional Stormwater Permit to reduce the amount of pollutants, such as trash and bacteria, that flow into creeks and federal waters. These shared goals have resulted in a partnership between the two agencies in addressing homeless encampments located near creeks.
The 2017 Santa Clara County Homeless Census and Survey found that there were over 7,000 homeless individuals living within the County, with over 4,000 living in San Jos?. Of the individuals experiencing homelessness, 74 percent are unsheltered and a portion are living in the riparian areas along urban creeks. Impacts of encampments on the riparian environment include trash and debris, excavation, vegetation removal, erosion, fire, hazardous materials and bio-waste, and impacts to fish and wildlife through poaching and habitat destruction. Santa Clara County creeks are uniq...
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