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Coyote Creek Flood Protection Project

Full Notice of Availability

Coyote Creek Flood Protection Project Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR)

Project Title: Coyote Creek Flood Protection Project

Why:      Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act, Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water), as the lead agency for the proposed Coyote Creek Flood Protection Project (Project), has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to evaluate environmental impacts of the Project. The EIR is available for download at the following links below:

  • Draft Environmental Impact Report, click here.
  • Draft EIR Appendices, click here.
  • Individual chapters, click here.
  • Individual appendices, click here.
  • Notice of Completion, click here

Valley Water proposes to construct and maintain a series of flood risk reduction improvements to reduce the risk of flooding in urban areas along approximately 9 miles of Coyote Creek in the City of San José (City), Santa Clara County, California. The improvements would be implemented along Reaches 4 through 8 of Coyote Creek from the Montague Expressway to Tully Road in the City.

Flood risk reduction improvements identified for the project primarily consist of floodwalls, passive barriers, and berms that would be constructed along and adjacent to Coyote Creek. The project also includes construction of headwalls and wingwalls along the Charcot Avenue Bridge crossing and reinforcement of the bridge structure, and installation of flap gates within the City’s stormwater conveyance system to prevent backflows during flooding events. The proposed project would meet the following specific objectives:

  • Reduce the risk of flooding to homes, schools, businesses, and transportation infrastructure along Coyote Creek between Montague Expressway and Tully Road from a flood event equivalent to the February 21, 2017, flood (approximately a 20-year flood event);
  • Complete the project before the Anderson Dam Seismic Retrofit Project Stage 2 Diversion is in operation (estimated in 2028);
  • Design the project to prevent increases in erosion and degradation of Coyote Creek;
  • Maintain access and minimize impacts to existing and planned recreation facilities; and,
  • Minimize the need for future operations and maintenance activities.

The Draft EIR identified significant environmental impacts for the following resource topics: air quality; biological resources; cultural resources; geology, soils, and seismicity; hazards and hazardous materials; noise and vibration; transportation and traffic; tribal cultural resources; and utilities and service systems. Many of these impacts were determined to be less than significant after implementing proposed mitigation measures. However, significant impacts would remain significant and unavoidable for noise and vibration. Portions of the Project would be located in Watson Park, a hazardous waste site listed under Government Code Section 65962.5.

Public Review: Valley Water has released the Draft EIR on the Project for public review beginning on July 12, 2024, and ending on August 26, 2024. The Draft EIR may be reviewed at https://www.valleywater.org/public-review-documents. The Draft EIR is also available for in-person review during normal business hours at:

  • Valley Water, 5750 Almaden Expressway, San José, CA 95118
  • City of San José City Hall, 220 E. Santa Clara Street, San José, CA 95113  
  • East San José Carnegie Library, 1102 E. Santa Clara Street, San José, CA 95116

Contact: Written comments on the Draft EIR should be submitted electronically or by mail by 5 p.m. on Monday, August 26, 2024. Written comments can be emailed to [email protected]. Please include the name and mailing address of the commenter in the body of the email and add “CCFPP Draft EIR Comments” in the subject line. Comments by mail should be sent to:

 

Andrew Martin, Senior Environmental Planner

Santa Clara Valley Water District

5750 Almaden Expressway, San Jose, CA 95118

 

For additional information, please contact Andrew Martin at (408) 630-2160.