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| Creek Authority News |
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Tuesday, December 31 2002 @ 01:42 AM PST
Contributed by: Alex Hunter, DSFNA Webmaster
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 Ongoing issues & activities of the Joint Powers Authority (JPA) -
published in December & June of each year.
VOLUME #8 - December, 2002
Seasons Greetings and best
wishes for a bright new year!
As we turn the corner on the calendar
year and reflect on where we've been, we here at the JPA would like to
extend a heartfelt thanks to all of you for your tremendous support and
commitment. It is the exceptional relationships that have been formed
that make the beginning of this new year special. This issue of the CAN
describes the many exciting things underway. An exciting personal
note for staff occurred earlier this month with the birth of a first child
for Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Kloak. Little Mariana arrived on December
10th and the new family is doing very well! From the staff of the Joint
Powers Authority, a very warm happy holidays to you and yours...and a peaceful
new year.
Creek Speak from the Director
"A Creek is a joining seam in the fabric of neighboring
communities".
A few months back a commentary was written in the Palo Alto
Weekly on the subject of neighboring communities having disputes regarding
planning, transportation and building issues. In this article the
creek was referred to, in a metaphorical manner, as a 'dividing line' of
these communities.
Although historically this has been an expression to characterize
our creeks and rivers across the nation, the tide is changing with regards
to these precious pieces of natural resources in our urban midst.
Creeks and rivers are being recognized for their contribution to the health
and interconnectedness of our communities.
As a community fortunate enough to still have a creek that
sustains a unique and dynamic quality of life here, an opportunity exists
to harness the recognized value of the creek, this common seam, and use it
to strengthen the fabric of our adjoining communities. Any 'divisiveness'
that occupies views on matters common to the community can be overcome when
dealing with creek issues, if focus is placed on preserving the benefits
it provides and managing it as a regional natural resource.
As it stands, the established political and jurisdictional
boundary structure was not designed to recognize or respect the margins of
a natural system. But waterways are seams that flow through political
boundaries, adhering only to the dictates of nature. The Joint Powers
Authority provides a way to bridge this difference. Through this structure,
we can cross the political boundaries to manage our natural resource together,
and in the process strengthen neighboring communities. The creek
can be the joining seam...this is my belief, and my sincere hope in what
we can do together as we move forward in our efforts.
Partnering with the Army
Corps of Engineers (COE)
The concept of partnering with the COE on a comprehensive,
watershed wide, flood management and habitat preservation project has been
pursued by the JPA since the 1998 flood for two primary reasons. First,
the costs for addressing our flooding problems are anticipated to be exorbitant
enough to require federal matching funds, and second, it is agreed that
we need the expertise of the COE to find solutions. The process of
securing a partnership with the COE can be lengthy, complex, and from time
to time, difficult to follow. If you have questions, please call our
offices for clarification. We welcome the opportunity to talk with
you about it. The following is a brief recap of what occurred this
past year, and current activities regarding the effort:
- In May 2002, the JPA Board approved becoming the "Local
Lead Sponsor" to work with the COE for the Reconnaissance Study and the
Feasibility Study phases of a General Investigation Project (GI).
A GI is often called the 'long-term project', and refers to the larger,
watershed-wide study.
- Also in May, the Joint Powers Authority sent a letter
to the San Francisco (SF) District of the COE requesting a project be started
here under the 205, Continuing Authorities Program (CAP). A CAP project
is a 'localized flood control project' of up to $7 million dollars that
is funded through the SF District office, and does not require Federal authorization
of funds.
- In June, Congresswoman Eshoo advised the JPA that the
COE had been given authorization by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
to conduct a GI study in this watershed. This is the first step; we
still need funding approval at the Federal level to start a GI project.
- In November 2002 the COE SF District Office notified
the JPA that a CAP project could be funded through the local district,
and indeed we could begin a project with them. Starting a 205 CAP
project does not in any way discontinue the Joint Powers Authority's efforts
to engage the COE in a GI study. It is simply another avenue for beginning
work in the watershed with the COE. The next step is for the JPA to
define the boundaries or scope of the CAP project for the COE.
To create a scope for the project, discussions took place
in a Workgroup last Spring; a meeting between the Public Works directors
from each member agency and the JPA Director took place in December; a
public presentation and Board meeting will happen on January 9th with the
SF District COE (question/answer time will be available); and a final Joint
Powers Authority Board meeting on January 23rd. Stakeholder input
into the two Board meetings are welcomed and recommended. Please see
schedule below for exact times and locations of meetings.
Searsville Lake - Sediment
Impact Study
In March of 2002, Stanford University completed a sediment
study regarding existing conditions, future conditions assuming no intervention
at the dam, and future conditions given certain modifications to the dam.
The JPA was asked to render a decision as to whether the study results,
which indicate that a 2 inch increase in sediment over 50 years in the creek
bed downstream of Pope-Chaucer Street Bridge, as a result of lowering of
the dam, is a tolerable increase. The JPA's Executive Director recommended
to the Board, that an outside peer review of the study be conducted before
they comment. Through the California Coastal Conservancy, the JPA
is being offered the services of the firm Moffatt - Nichol Engineers to
do such a review. Final approval of the contract is expected in early
January 2003; the review will follow four weeks after this authorization.
Levee Project
As part of a $3 million construction project, the SF Creek
JPA headed an effort by all member agencies to restore the levees and floodwalls
near Hwy. 101 this year. Construction began in August and will be
completed by the end of this month. The project has restored levees
downstream of Highway 101 and raised and / or replaced a portion of floodwalls
just upstream of Hwy 101. The natural levees, which were built more
than 40 years ago, needed restoration due to erosion and settling. The project
will mitigate potential flooding while preserving the creek's natural environment.
Construction required the participation of all JPA member agencies and
many residents. Congratulations and thanks to all!
Sediment Reduction Planning
The Joint Powers Authority submitted and was awarded a grant
from the State Regional Water Quality Control Board through Prop 13 last
year to conduct a 'Watershed Wide Sediment Reduction Plan' (plan).
The plan is being conducted in response to permit requirements issued to
both San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties for storm water discharge.
The SFCreek is listed by the state as "sediment impaired", which triggered
the need for the study to meet storm water discharge permits. Not all requirements
of storm-water runoff permits for the two counties are the same, nor are
they on the same time schedule. However, this specific requirement was made
of both counties. Because the watershed feeding our beloved creek spans both
counties, the JPA was asked to oversee this project to aid in bridging
this requirement.
It took almost a full year to get a scope of work approved
through the state process, and agreed upon by the stakeholders of both counties
involved in a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) for the project. But
the project is finally underway! Northwest Hydraulics, Inc. of Sacramento
has been hired as the consultants to conduct the project. Reports
will be completed in fall of 2003.
Bank Stabilization
Design work has begun on three sites along the creek to
implement ecologically-sensitive, "soft engineering" methods of bank stabilization
and erosion control. The designs, which are highly vegetative and
rely less on concrete and other hardscape structures, will serve as demonstration
projects in the community to showcase these new stabilization alternatives.
Additional sites are currently being considered for design work to begin
this summer.
The JPA is partnering with the California State Coastal
Conservancy, the Regional Water Quality Control Board, Children's Health
Council, Sunset Magazine and creek side homeowners on these and future
project sites. Northwest Hydraulic Consultants (NHC) is providing
technical analysis and design recommendations.
Corte Madre Creek Planning
The JPA has been awarded funding from the California Department
of Water Resource's Urban Streams Program to conduct reconnaissance studies
and make preliminary recommendations for bank stabilization and erosion
control along Corte Madera Creek above Searsville Dam.
Partnering with the Town of Portola Valley, the JPA will
study a six-mile section of Corte Madera to compile a report, modeled after
the Bank Stabilization and Revegetation Master Plan produced in 2000 for
the main stem of San Francisquito Creek.
Ira Bonde Weir Replacement
As a contribution to the work of the Watershed Council's
Steelhead Task Force, the JPA has secured grant funding from the California
Department of Fish and Game to provide designs for the replacement of an
aging grade control weir below the CalTrain crossing and Ira Bonde pedestrian
bridge. (Alma Street connection between Palo Alto and Menlo Park).
The goals of the project and resulting new structures are
to provide protection for the wall and abutments of the bridges, improve
sediment transport through the stretch, and decrease erosion in the areas
surrounding the project, while providing a design that is easily passable
for migrating adult and smolt steelhead trout. Water Consulting Inc
(WCI) has been hired by the JPA, and on December 3 presented conceptual
designs for review. The Steelhead Task Force will work with WCI's
recommendations and begin to seek funding for construction this spring.
Construction could take place in summer, 2004.
Discharge Response Team
In June the JPA initiated a small committee to discuss possible
improvements in cross-county communications with regards to the investigation
of and response to creek spills. This committee held regular conference
calls to strategize recommendations. In October, the JPA hosted a
meeting of all the primary and secondary responders within the watershed,
which included representative from local Emergency Dispatch, Fire and Hazardous
Materials Teams, Public Works Departments and local and state Water Quality
Divisions.
The participants agreed that a one-page reference sheet
with cross-county communications recommendations and contact information
could be made available to all responders, and would be a simple and effective
way to make immediate communications improvements. JPA staff is currently
gathering information and developing the reference tool, and will disperse
it in January. Special thanks to Phil Bobel (City of Palo Alto),
Trish Mulvey (CLEAN South Bay), Jim Johnson (SFWC), and Brett Calhoun (SCVWD)
for participating in the committee and providing valuable insight.
CPA Management Recommendations
For the first two years of operation, the city of Palo Alto
acted as Fiscal Agent for the JPA. In August 2001, the responsibility
was transferred to the agency itself, and as a result the first audits
of the agency's finances for the fiscal years ending in 2001 & 2002
were completed and presented at the September 2002 Board meeting.
Along with completing the audits, Mr. Kevin Harper,
CPA in a Financial Management Report - made recommendations for future
reporting and internal accounting for the agency. Many of the recommendations
were implemented immediately; JPA staff will be reporting on implementation
process of the remaining recommendations at Board meetings throughout 2003.
Member Agency Reports
The following member agency reports were presented to the
Board of Directors at meetings within the last six months. Please contact
our offices for more information on any one of these items.
Watershed Council
/ July:
Project Notification Form - letter
of request
Retreat Summary
Santa Clara Valley
Water District / November:
Levee Project Update (for all
member agencies)
Proposed Water Resources Protection Ordinance
COE liaison to
East Palo Alto / November:
Degraded Urban Rivers Pilot Program
Proposal
Exploring other Programs
In an effort to stay informed of river/creek efforts in
other watersheds, to keep planning efforts abreast with regulatory changes,
and to maximize agency development, JPA staff have attended or participated
in the following events / conferences this past year:
- UC Davis Endangered Species Act Conference
- Alameda Creek Alliance Exchange
- San Francisco Bay Joint Venture Creeks Subcommittee
- FishNet 4C Conference
- 2002 State of the Estuary (SF Bay)
- Urban Creeks Council, Bay Area Chapter
- Bay Area Open Space Council Annual Event
- Collaborative Decision Making in Land Use
- American Society of Landscape Architects Annual Convention (San Jose)
- NorthBay Watershed Association - Prop 50
Please contact staff directly for more information on any
one of these items.
SFCreek Web connections...
JPA home site:
www.city.palo-alto.ca.us/jpa/
Bank Stabilization and Revegetation Master Plan:
www.menlopark.org/creek/sfcindex.html
Creek level monitor:
www.cityofpaloalto.org/earlywarning/creeklevels.html
USGS INCLUDE Project:
wgsc.wr.usgs.gov/sfcreek
Santa Clara Valley Water District:
www.valleywater.org
San Francisquito Watershed Council:
www.acterra.org/watershed
Searsville Lake Sediment Impact Report
facilities.stanford.edu/searsville
In addition, staff recommended at the November 2002 Board
meeting that these sites be visited as reference to community related processes
on other similar projects:
Napa River site:
www.napaflooddistrict.org/
brochure.pdf
Truckee River site:
www.migcom.com/truckee/
JPA 2003 Board Meeting Schedule
January 9 Menlo Park 1:30-3:30
Note: This is a special
meeting with Army Corps of Engineers.
January 23 Palo Alto 6 - 8 p.m.
March 20 Menlo Park 6 - 8 p.m.
May 22 East Palo Alto 6 - 8 p.m.
July 24 Palo Alto 6 - 8 p.m.
September 25 Menlo Park 6 - 8 p.m.
November 20 East Palo Alto 6 - 8 p.m.
All meetings are held in City Council Chambers unless otherwise
noticed. Please contact our offices for exact addresses.
New Look for JPA Communications
In addition to a new publication timeline, this issue of
the Creek Authority News introduces a new visual appearance that is part
of a family of graphics and design being created for the JPA by graphic artist,
Ms. Beverly Catli - Manzano. Also, a year end report was distributed
in September, and an agency pamphlet and Creek Issues brochure will be
published soon as a part of the new literature.
We hope you like it! Let us know how it works in the
new email format. We continue to perfect the the deliverability, so
if it doesn't work for you, let us know! With an email list close to
500 members, we're sure it may not work for all of you! But we'll try....
The San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority
701 Laurel Street, Menlo Park, CA 94025
phone: 650-251-8830
sfcreek@menlopark.org
fax 650-328-7935
website: www.city.palo-alto.ca.us/jpa/
Board of Directors:
San Mateo County Flood Control District, East Palo Alto, Menlo Park,
Palo Alto, Santa Clara Valley Water District
Associate Members:
Stanford University, San Francisquito Watershed Council
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