This project reuses local sediment removed through Valley Water’s Stream Maintenance Program, capital projects and other local sources to create and restore tidal marsh habitat. Sediment may be reused to support the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration project or other environmental enhancement and restoration projects. Valley Water removes sediment from streams to maintain their capacity to carry floodwaters. To secure environmentally appropriate reuse sites, this project continues the existing partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and explores partnerships with others. This project also funds site improvements necessary to facilitate sediment delivery to the reuse sites.
Beneficial reuse of sediment has become a key component in tidal marsh restoration around the Bay. As sea levels rise, natural sedimentation and vegetation rates cannot keep up and tidal zones are in danger of being submerged, erasing environmental gains from restoration work. By delivering clean sediment from local creeks that would have naturally flowed into the San Francisco Bay, this project accelerates natural marsh-building processes and helps to keep up with sea-level rise. Activities necessary for sediment reuse may include testing, transport, cover material, and site improvements required for access.
See Environmental & Community Benefits section for complete description of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
KPI #1: (agreements to reuse sediment)
- Valley Water and the United States Fish and Wildlife entered into a memorandum of agreement in May 2019 to facilitate sediment disposal form local creeks along the South Bay Salt Ponds. This agreement is in effect until December 2023.
KPI #2: (sediment reuse activities)
- In Q1 of FY22 (July 1, 2021 – September 30, 2021), approximately 6,472 cubic yards of stockpiled soil from the Stream Maintenance Program was stockpiled along the southern edge of Pond A8 to be used to create a 30:1 slope ecotone, a gentle slope that will be a good substrate for marsh vegetation to grow.
- In Q3 of FY22 (January 1, 2022 – March 31, 2022), the stockpiled soil was moved into the Pond A8 by Valley Water crews and was subsequently covered with approved soil by a USFWS contractor.
August 2022
No current documents.
FY22-36 Key Performance Indicators for the Safe, Clean Water Program
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Maintain partnership agreements to reuse sediment to improve the success of salt pond and tidal marsh restoration projects and activities.
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Provide up to $4 million per 15-year period to support activities necessary for sediment reuse.
Benefits
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Accelerates progress of an important tidal wetland restoration projects
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Reduces disposal costs for sediment that has been removed from local channels
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Reduces disposal of clean fill into local landfills
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Addresses climate change
Geographic Area of Benefit
Countywide
About the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program
In November 2020, voters in Santa Clara County overwhelmingly approved Measure S, a renewal of Valley Water’s Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program.
The program was first passed by voters in 2000 as the Clean, Safe Creeks and Natural Flood Protection Plan, then again in 2012 as the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program. The renewal of the Safe, Clean Water Program will continue to provide approximately $47 million annually for local projects that deliver safe, clean water, natural flood protection, and environmental stewardship to all the communities we serve in Santa Clara County.
While evaluating ways to improve the 2012 program, Valley Water gathered feedback from more than 21,000 community members. That helped Valley Water create the six priorities for the renewed Safe, Clean Water Program, which are:
Priority A: Ensure a Safe, Reliable Water Supply
Priority B: Reduce Toxins, Hazards and Contaminants in our Waterways
Priority C: Protect our Water Supply and Dams from Earthquakes and Natural Disasters
Priority D: Restore Wildlife Habitat and Provide Open Space
Priority E: Provide Flood Protection to Homes, Businesses, Schools, Streets and Highways
Priority F: Support Public Health and Public Safety for Our Community
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. Additionally, the IMC also reviews each proposed 5-year implementation plan prior to its submittal for Board approval.
In addition, the program requires three independent audits.