BOARD AGENDA MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT: Title
Adopt a Resolution Declaring September 18, 2021, as Coastal Cleanup Day in Santa Clara County.
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RECOMMENDATION: Recommendation
Adopt the Resolution DECLARING SEPTEMBER 18, 2021, AS COASTAL CLEANUP DAY IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY.
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SUMMARY:
Trash in and along creeks and waterways has a significant impact on stream water quality and contributes to potential flood risks in Santa Clara County. Consequently, each year a consortium of public agencies known as the Creek Connections Actions Group (CCAG), of which the Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water) is a member, undertakes efforts to educate the community about these impacts, and encourage agencies and volunteers alike to remove trash from the creeks, with the goal of protecting Santa Clara County’s waterways. Last year, CCAG’s efforts resulted in the removal of a total of 46,359 pounds of trash from the waterways in Santa Clara County.
Since 1995, Valley Water has been working with CCAG to coordinate the annual Coastal Cleanup Day event in Santa Clara County to keep creeks and rivers clean. In addition to Valley Water, members of CCAG include the cities of San Jose, Milpitas, Palo Alto, Gilroy, Cupertino, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, as well as Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation and the West Valley Clean Water Authority. Valley Water’s role in CCAG is to serve as Chair and provide countywide coordination, outreach, and supplies for volunteers, such as gloves, trash bags, and litter sticks.
Coastal Cleanup Day continues to serve as an opportunity to partner with cities, non-profits, and various community groups to raise pollution prevention awareness and organize volunteers to help remove trash from the county’s waterways. This year, as we continue to adhere to the Santa Clara County Public Health Order in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Valley Water and CCAG will host a virtual Coastal Cleanup Day event along with in-person cleanup sites. Volunteers will have the option to conduct cleanups in their neighborhoods and around their local natural areas or participate in a small group cleanup along the creek. Valley Water will work with other CCAG partners to host supply pick-ups for individual volunteers and group organizers.
Staff recommends the Board of Directors adopt the resolution (Attachment 1) to declare September 18 as Coastal Cleanup Day in Santa Clara County to further encourage the community and Valley Water employees to volunteer to help keep our local waterways clean. Following adoption of the resolution, staff will promote the event using a variety of social media and other channels, and recruit volunteers.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no financial impact from the approval of the recommended action. Staff estimates a $10,000 expenditure associated with Coastal Cleanup Day Activities, and funding for the cleanup activities is included in the FY2021-2022 budget for the “Support Volunteer Cleanup” project.
CEQA:
The recommended action does not constitute a project under CEQA because it does not have the potential for resulting in direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Resolution
UNCLASSIFIED MANAGER: Manager
Marta Lugo, 408-630-2237