This project reuses local sediment from streams flowing into San Francisco Bay to create and rehabilitate habitat in the South Bay Salt Ponds Restoration. Valley Water reuses sediment that has to be removed from streams to maintain their capacity to carry floodwaters. In partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), the clean sediment is applied to appropriate locations to improve the success of the South Bay Salt Ponds Restoration effort.
Key Performance Indicators for the Safe, Clean Water Program
KPI #1: Establish agreement with FWS to reuse sediment at locations to improve the success of Salt Pond restoration activities.
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Completed in FY14.
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In May 2019, Valley Water signed a new agreement with FWS to replace the initial agreement that was signed in March 2014. This new agreement allows continued delivery of the Stream Maintenance Program (SMP) sediments to assist FWS with their ecotone construction.
KPI #2: Construct site improvements up to $4 million to allow for transportation and placement of future sediment.
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In 2020, approximately 9,300 cubic yards of soil from the SMP was stockpiled along the southern edge of Pond 8 to create a future 30:1 slope ecotone, a gentle slope that will be a good substrate for marsh vegetation to grow.
Updated February 2021
No current documents.
Key Performance Indicators for the Safe, Clean Water Program
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Establish agreement with FWS to reuse sediment at locations to improve the success of Salt Pond restoration activities.
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Construct site improvements up to $4 million to allow for transportation and placement of future sediment.
Benefits
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Accelerates progress of an important tidal wetland restoration project
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Reduces disposal costs for sediment that has been removed from local channels to maintain flood carrying capacity
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Increases space availability in local landfills
Geographic Area of Benefit
Countywide
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.