The 8 projects under Priority D restore and protect wildlife habitat and provide opportunities for increased access to trails and open space. Funding for this priority pays for control of non-native, invasive plants, revegetation of native species, and maintenance of previously revegetated areas. Other projects include removal of fish barriers, improvement of steelhead habitat and stabilization of eroded creek banks.
To support these and future restoration projects Valley Water will create a comprehensive, updated database on stream conditions countywide. Valley Water and other agencies can then use the new information to make informed decisions on where and how to use restoration dollars so they have the greatest value for wildlife.
Project D1: Management of Revegetation Projects
Project D2: Revitalize Stream, Upland and Wetland Habitat
Project D3: Grants and Partnerships to Restore Wildlife Habitat and Provide Access to Trails
Project D4: Fish Habitat and Passage Improvement
Project D5: Ecological Data Collection and Analysis
Project D6: Creek Restoration and Stabilization
Project D7: Partnerships for the Conservation of Habitat Lands
About the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program
In November 2012 the voters of Santa Clara County overwhelmingly approved Measure B, the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program, as a countywide special parcel tax for 15 years with a sunset date of June 30, 2028. This Program replaced the Clean, Safe Creeks and Natural Flood Protection Plan, which voters approved in November 2000.
The Safe, Clean Water Program was developed with input from more than 16,000 residents and stakeholders and was created to match the community’s needs and values. The voters of Santa Clara County identified five priorities:
Priority A: Ensure a Safe, Reliable Water Supply
Priority B: Reduce Toxins, Hazards and Contaminants in our Waterways
Priority C: Protect our Water Supply from Earthquakes and Natural Disasters
Priority D: Restore Wildlife Habitat and Provide Open Space
Priority E: Provide Flood Protection to Homes, Businesses, Schools and Highways
Other: Six projects from the Clean, Safe, Creeks Plan have been carried forward into the Safe, Clean Water Program.
Each year, Valley Water prepares a report providing a progress update for each of these Program priorities, along with fiscal year accomplishments.
To ensure transparency and accountability to the voters, the ballot measure also created an Independent Monitoring Committee, appointed by the Santa Clara Valley Water District Board of Directors. The Independent Monitoring Committee annually reviews the Program’s progress to ensure the outcomes are achieved in a cost-efficient manner and reports its findings to the Board.
In addition, the Program requires three independent audits, the first of which was conducted in FY 2017.