Stream Maintenance Program draft Environmental Impact Report

Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act, Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water), as the lead agency is providing notice that a Draft Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (Draft SEIR) has been prepared for the Stream Maintenance Program Renewal (also referred to as “SMP-3” or Program Renewal) described below and is available for public review.

You can learn about the NOA at this meeting at https://youtu.be/4zoEMhQQHUg

Since 2002, Valley Water has implemented the Stream Maintenance Program (SMP or Program) to guide, manage, and conduct routine maintenance of streams, improved channels, and related flood protection facilities such that these facilities can continue to provide adequate flow conveyance capacity and function properly.

The proposed Program Renewal (including the revised SMP manual and the Draft SEIR) is intended to cover the 10-year planning period from 2027 through 2036. These updated Program documents are intended to fully replace the previous SMP-2 Manual and supporting documents. Valley Water has prepared this Draft SEIR to provide the public, responsible agencies, and trustee agencies with information about the potential environmental effects associated with the adoption and implementation of the updated SMP for the 2027-2036 period.

The principal maintenance activities under the Program Renewal are sediment removal, vegetation management, bank stabilization, management of animal conflicts, minor maintenance, and downed tree management.

The Draft SEIR evaluates the potential environmental impacts of the Program Renewal and four alternatives: a No Project Alternative; a Reduced Frequency Alternative; a Limited Work in Unmodified Channels Alternative; and a Limited Activities Alternative.

Valley Water’s Stream Maintenance Program Renewal Draft SEIR has been prepared and made available for public review. VW has extended the comment period by 2 weeks for responsible agencies and will accept written comments received from July 21, 2025, through 5 p.m. on September 17, 2025.

The Draft SEIR addresses the potential environmental effects that could result from implementation of the Program Renewal. Valley Water invites comments on the adequacy and completeness of the environmental analyses and mitigation measures described in the Draft SEIR.

You can review the Draft EIR and supporting documents at https://www.valleywater.org/public-review-documents

Comments must be postmarked or received by September 17. Please mail, email, or hand deliver comments to Valley Water at:

Santa Clara Valley Water District
Attention: Billy Williams, Senior Environmental Planner
5750 Almaden Expressway
San Jose, CA 95118-3686

Send comments to [email protected] (please include the subject line: SMP – Program Renewal EIR Comments) or visit the Valley Water website listed above. All comments received, including names and addresses, will become part of the official public record.