BOARD AGENDA MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT:
Title
Resolution Establishing Policy Criteria for Public Trails on Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water) Lands and Public Hearing to Amend the Water Resources Protection Manual to Include the Policy Criteria and Guidance for Public Trails on Valley Water Land, as Recommended by the Board Policy and Planning Committee during its January 25, 2021 meeting (PREVIOUSLY LISTED AS ITEM 2.6).
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
A. Consider the January 25, 2021 Board Policy and Planning Committee recommendation to approve the Policy Criteria and Guidance for Public Trails on Valley Water Lands;
B. Adopt the Resolution ESTABLISHING POLICY CRITERIA FOR PUBLIC TRAILS ON VALLEY WATER LANDS;
C. Open the Public Hearing to Consider Amendment of the Water Resources Protection Manual to Include the Policy Criteria and Guidance for Public Trails on Valley Water Land;
D. Close the Public Hearing; and
E. Adopt the Resolution AMENDING THE WATER RESOURCES PROTECTION MANUAL TO INCLUDE POLICY CRITERIA AND GUIDANCE FOR PUBLIC TRAILS ON VALLEY WATER LANDS.
Body
SUMMARY:
Valley Water policy provides for public trail use of its lands through Joint Use Agreements with other agency partners. The Policy Criteria and Guidance for Public Trails on Valley Water Lands (Policy Criteria and Guidance; Attachment 1) were developed to ensure that new trail projects proposed by partner agencies protect water resources and streamside ecosystems, while supporting healthy communities and engaging residents to promote water resources stewardship. The Policy Criteria include Planning and Public Outreach, Flood Protection, Valley Water Operations, Habitat Protection, Trail Maintenance and Security, Water Quality, Channel Stability, and Regulatory Compliance.
The Policy Criteria are standards by which Valley Water staff and the Board of Directors may objectively evaluate the compatibility of proposed trails projects with Valley Water’s water supply, flood protection, and environmental stewardship objectives.
A proposed Resolution to adopt the Policy Criteria is provided (Attachment 2). The Policy Criteria and Guidance provide detailed information for public agencies who are seeking a Joint Use Agreement and encroachment permit with Valley Water for a trails project to meet the Policy Criteria. Notice of a public hearing to amend the Water Resources Protection Manual to include the Policy Criteria and Guidance was made available to the public according to Water Resources Protection Ordinance requirements (Attachment 3). Finally, a proposed resolution to amend the Water Resources Protection Manual to include the Policy Criteria and Guidance is provided (Attachment 4).
Public Outreach
The Policy Criteria and Guidance were developed with input from a Technical Advisory Committee, municipal public works staff, and environmental and trails stakeholder groups. A community meeting to review the Draft Criteria and Guidance was held via Zoom on December 17, 2020. Approximately 90 members of the public attended the meeting. At its January 25, 2021 regular meeting the Board Policy and Planning Committee recommended that staff bring the Criteria and Guidance to the full Board for consideration, following input from the Water Commission and Environmental and Water Resources Committee (EWRC). This input was provided at these committee’s April 14 and April 19, 2021 meetings, respectively. The EWRC recommended that the Guidance for protection of riparian habitat be clarified and strengthened. This recommendation is reflected in the Policy Criteria and Guidance.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no financial impact associated with this item.
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: Policy Criteria and Guidance
Attachment 2: Resolution, Establishing Policy Criteria
Attachment 3: Notice of Public Hearing
Attachment 4: Resolution, Amending WRPM
Attachment 5: PowerPoint
UNCLASSIFIED MANAGER:
Manager
Lisa Bankosh, 408-630-2618