NEWS RELEASE

Date: Oct. 21, 2002

Water district, NRCS providing emergency assistance to Croy fire watershed

MORGAN HILL, Calif. - Now that the Croy fire is out, what happens next to protect homes and property from runoff and sediment when the winter rains start?

According to Team Leader Bruce Eisenman of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service, federal assistance may be available to implement certain conservation practices. Through the Emergency Watershed Protection Program, some technical and financial assistance may help to reduce the threat of damages caused by runoff, mudslides, and sediment build up.

The Santa Clara Valley Water District has applied to NRCS for disaster assistance as the local sponsor and, upon approval, will participate in EWP's cost-share program.

"We are concerned about watershed stabilization," said José Ortiz, watershed support manager for the Santa Clara Valley Water District. "The scope of work needs to be defined so that we can estimate costs and start work before the rain comes."

Uvas Reservoir and its watershed are an important resource for Santa Clara County. The reservoir is used to replenish the groundwater basin, which annually provides the county with half of its drinking water.

A team of specialists will be preparing a damage survey report to identify critical areas of concern, those that may require cost-effective conservation practices (i.e., straw mulching on unvegetated areas) and structures (i.e., sediment basins designed to capture debris from water runoff) that will reduce erosive flows, and future follow-up needs. Many chaparral species that are native to the burned areas such as manzanita, chamise and knob-coned pine are fire adapted and have evolved to regenerate with vigor following periodic fire. Such areas are expected to naturally revegetate. Led by Bruce Eisenman of NRCS, the team consists of soil scientists, botanists, engineers, geologists and soil conservationists.

In a previous EWP event in Southern California, opportunists emerged and tried to convince fire victims what would be best for their property.

"In one unfortunate case, a family spent thousands for what they were told was going to help them. In the end, it was a huge disaster that caused more problems," said Rich Casale of NRCS. "The key is to work with reliable specialists, such as certified professionals in erosion and sediment control, and revegetation biologists. We've been around since the 1930s."

The team will be in the fire area this week to complete the damage survey report required before work can begin. Landowners are asked to allow team access to their property to make this assessment. Access is voluntary and the team understands if landowners do not want to participate.

The Santa Clara Valley Water District manages Santa Clara County's wholesale drinking water resources, coordinates flood protection for its 1.7 million residents and provides stewardship for the county's 10 reservoirs and more than 700 miles of streams.