Public Review Documents

What:           Public Hearing on Engineer’s Report and CEQA Exemption Determination

When:          Tuesday, November 22, 2022, 1:00 p.m.

Where:         Valley Water Headquarters Building Boardroom, 5700 Almaden Expressway, San Jose, CA

Or by Zoom Teleconference at https://valleywater.zoom.us/j/84454515597

Valley Water invites you to a Public Hearing regarding the Coyote Pumping Plant Adjustable Speed Drive Replacement Project (Project). The proposed work of improvement is described in the Engineer’s Report for the Project. The Engineer’s Report is available for public inspection prior to the meeting in the Clerk of the Board’s Office or online at https://valleywater.org/public-review-documents and will be available at the meeting. 

A copy of this Notice has been posted outside Valley Water’s offices at 5700 Almaden Expressway, San Jose, CA 95118.

The scope of work for the Project includes the rehabilitation of existing pump motors, and the replacement of associated mechanical, electrical and instrumentation equipment. This includes, the replacement of existing adjustable speed drives (ASD), pump vibration monitoring equipment, hydraulically operated pump discharge valves, power distribution equipment, and obsolete PLC and RTU hardware and pumps control panels at the Coyote Pumping Plant (District 1).Completion of this project will modernize and extend the useful life of major equipment, and allow for reliable and efficient operation.

At the time and place fixed for the public hearing, the Board of Directors will receive comments on the Engineer’s Report and the CEQA exemption determination for the Project and consider approving the Project’s CEQA exemption determination in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act. After considering the comments on the Engineer’s Report, the Board will decide whether or not to proceed with the Project.

This meeting is being held in accordance with the Brown Act. The 1:00 PM, November 22, 2022, public hearing will be held during a Board Meeting and is accessible for public in-person participation at the time, date, and location shown above, or by public virtual participation at the Zoom link above.  Document(s) associated with this hearing are available for public inspection prior to the meeting in the Clerk of the Board’s Office or online at www.valleywater.org, and will be available at the meeting. 

For more information, contact Katrina Jessop at (408) 630-2288 and/or Brandon Ponce at (408) 630-2787.

Important Notices:

Valley Water, in complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), requests individuals who require special accommodations to access and/or participate in Valley Water Board meetings to please contact the Clerk of the Board's office at (408) 630-2711, at least 3 business days before the scheduled Valley Water Board meeting to ensure that Valley Water may assist you. Reasonable efforts will be made to accommodate persons with disabilities.

What:           Public Hearing on Engineer’s Report and CEQA Exemption Determination

When:          Tuesday, February 8, 2022, 1:00 p.m

Where:         https://valleywater.zoom.us/j/82025651780

Why: The Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water or District) invites you to a meeting regarding the Water Treatment Plants Electrical Improvement Project (Project). The proposed work of improvement is described in the Engineer’s Report for the Water Treatment Plants Electrical Improvement Project. The Report is available here: https://valleywater.org/WTPEIP_Report.
 

A copy of this Notice has been posted outside Valley Water’s offices at 5700 Almaden Expressway, San Jose, CA 95118.

The scope of work for the Water Treatment Plants Electrical Improvement Project includes upgrading aging switchboards and motor control centers, increasing power generation capacity, replacing monitoring and control devices, and installing harmonic filters at both Penitencia Water Treatment Plant (District 3) and Santa Teresa Water Treatment Plant (District 7). Completion of this Project will ensure safer working conditions, adaptability for future upgrades, and reduction of downtime caused by electrical failures.

At the time and place fixed for the public hearing, the Board of Directors will receive comments on the Engineer’s Report and the CEQA exemption determination for the Project and consider approving the Project’s CEQA exemption determination in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act. After considering the comments on the Engineer’s Report, the Board will decide whether or not to proceed with the Project.

For more information, contact Mae Siendo at (408) 630-2384 and/or Brandon Ponce at (408) 630-2787.

IMPORTANT NOTICES
This meeting is being held in accordance with the Brown Act, as currently in effect. Valley Water’s offices are closed to the public. The 1:00 PM, February 8, 2022 public hearing will be held during a virtual Board Meeting accessible to the public at https://valleywater.zoom.us/j/82025651780.
 

Valley Water, in complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), requests individuals who require special accommodations to access and/or participate in Valley Water Board meetings to please contact the Clerk of the Board's office at (408) 630-2711, at least 3 business days before the scheduled Valley Water Board meeting to ensure that Valley Water may assist you. Reasonable efforts will be made to accommodate persons with disabilities.

Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water) has approved the Calabazas Creek Bank Rehabilitation Project (proposed project) on September 14, and a Notice of Determination is posted according to CEQA Guidelines Section 15075.

Project Description: Valley Water is proposing bank rehabilitation at 10 sites where creek banks have eroded. Bank rehabilitation work totals approximately 1,535 linear feet and 0.5 acre of work across approximately 0.7 mile of Calabazas Creek between Miller Avenue (downstream end) and Bollinger Road (upstream end) in Cupertino. Generally, two bank rehabilitation treatments would be applied: riprap bank protection and sheet pile walls. Riprap bank protection involves the placement of large rocks or boulders along the bank to stabilize the bank, whereas sheet pile walls involve installation of vertical, metal walls to protect the bank from further erosion. Work would generally be conducted in three phases for each site: 1) site preparation, 2) bank protection, and 3) site restoration. Following the bank rehabilitation work, the project area would be revegetated and restored pre-project conditions to the maximum extent practicable.

• Notice of Determination
• Mitigated Negative Declaration
• Mitigated Negative Declaration Appendices

Project Review: NOD will be posted for thirty days (until October 20th, 2021) on the Valley Water’s website at https://www.valleywater.org/public-review-documents. The NOD is also posted at the County of Santa Clara Clerk Recorder Office and the Office of Planning and Research (OPR).

Contact: Valley Water
Attention: Alex Hunt
5750 Almaden Expressway, San Jose, CA 95118

For further information please contact Alex Hunt at (408) 630-3007, or by email at [email protected]

WHAT: Scoping Meeting for the Environmental Impact Report
WHEN: March 29, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. 
WHERE: Online via Zoom at: https://valleywater.zoom.us/j/94477342812

The proposed Project would include the construction of a new advanced water purification facility (AWPF), water conveyance pipelines to the existing Los Gatos Recharge System complex located in the City of Campbell, lateral pipelines, and associated facilities in Santa Clara County. The AWPF would be located at the existing Silicon Valley Advanced Water Purification Center on Zanker Road in San José or located at an alternate site location at the Former Los Altos Treatment Plant (FLATP) in Palo Alto. The proposed Project would use advanced water purification processes, including reverse osmosis (RO) treatment and would generate purified water for ground water recharge.

The purpose of the proposed Project is to establish greater water supply reliability for Santa Clara County and to help ensure continued groundwater sustainability.  The proposed Project’s objectives to meet this purpose are as follows:

• Support Valley Water’s water supply reliability goals, including the provision of at least 10% of all water supplies through recycled water
• Develop the use of purified water, consistent with Valley Water’s adopted Water Supply Master Plan 2040.
• Implement a potable reuse supply project that provides 10 MGD to 12.5 MGD production capacity for an annual yield of approximately 11,200 AFY of sustainable purified water supply for long-term/future demands.

Valley Water, acting as lead agency for the proposed project, has determined that an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is required to satisfy the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). A draft EIR will evaluate the proposed Project’s environmental conditions, range of alternatives, potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed Project implementation, and provide mitigation measures.

A Notice of Preparation (NOP) has been prepared and circulated to local, state, and federal responsible for the proposed Project’s approval and permitting for a 30-day review period for the purpose of defining the scope and content of the draft EIR. The NOP can be accessed online at: http://www.valleywater.org/PublicReviewDocuments.aspx

• Notice of Preparation

A scoping meeting will be held on Monday, March 29, 2021 via Zoom and will provide an opportunity for the public to learn about the proposed Project, ask questions, and provide some comments.  If you are not able to attend the meeting but would like to provide written comments for consideration during preparation of the draft EIR, please send comments no later than Tuesday, April 27, 2021 at 5 p.m. to:

Santa Clara Valley Water District
Attention: Elise Latedjou-Durand
Senior Environmental Planner
5750 Almaden Expressway
San Jose. CA 95118 or
[email protected]

For further information please contact Elise Latedjou-Durand at (408) 630-3205 or by email.

Project Description: Santa Clara Valley Water District is proposing a project to continue to implement two long-term management plans (LTMPs) for the Rancho Cañada de Pala Preserve.

The purpose of the LTMPs is to ensure the preserve is monitored, maintained, and managed in a manner that preserves its conservation values. The LTMPs consist of biological resource management and monitoring, livestock grazing management, non-native plant species management, infrastructure and facilities maintenance, routine road maintenance activities, and site improvements for the preserve.

The LTMPs include construction of site improvements (e.g., bank repairs and retaining wall rehabilitations) as needed to further improve existing conditions and facilitate
long-term management of the preserve.

Activities associated with the future site improvements could involve minor grading, excavation and fill, vegetation trimming, construction site isolation and staging, removal and replacement of degraded infrastructure.

Typical equipment that may be used for future site improvements may include dump trucks, excavators, portable water tanks, power tools and hand crews and other construction equipment as needed.

• Notice of Intent (NOI)
• Notice of Determination
• Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration
• Appendix A - Areas 1 and 2
• Appendix B - Area 3
• Appendix C - Biological Site Assessment
• Appendix D - Tribal Cultural Resources

Contact:

Santa Clara Valley Water District
Attention: Tiffany Chao
5700 Almaden Expressway, San Jose, CA 95118

For further information please contact Tiffany Chao at (408) 630-3107, or by email at [email protected].

Program Description
The Capital Improvement Program (CIP) is a projection of Valley Water’s capital funding requirements for planned capital projects. The purpose of the CIP is to document planned Valley Water projects and help integrate Valley Water work with the larger community by aligning Valley Water planning with other local agency planning efforts.

The Fiscal Years 2024-28 Draft CIP, approved by Valley Water’s Board of Directors on February 28, 2023, projects funding requirements between fiscal years 2023/24 through 2027/28 and includes 62 projects totaling $9.48 billion. Approximately 14 percent of this amount, $1.3 billion, is anticipated to be funded by outside sources through reimbursements and cost-sharing partnerships. The program includes water supply, flood protection, water resources stewardship, buildings and grounds and information technology projects.

Projects in the CIP will improve, repair, replace, or construct infrastructure. There are 29 Water Supply projects ($7.3 billion), 16 projects to increase flood protection ($1.9 billion), 9 environmental restoration, enhancement and mitigation projects ($160 million), 3 projects to repair or maintain District buildings and grounds ($70 million), and 5 projects to upgrade or expand existing information technology ($50 million).

Public Review
VALLEY WATER (Santa Clara Valley Water District) Draft Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for the Fiscal Years 2024–2028 was authorized by the Valley Water Board of Directors (Board) for release to the cities and county for review on February 28, 2023. It includes a description, schedule, and map for each of the capital improvements Valley Water plans to undertake over the next five years, a financial analysis and a method of financing such improvements.

A public hearing regarding the CIP is scheduled on April 11, 2023, at 1:00 p.m., in the chambers of the Board at 5700 Almaden Expressway, San Jose, California. The hearing will continue at the subsequent Board meeting, currently scheduled for April 25, 2023 at 1:00 p.m., the subsequent Special Budget Hearings scheduled for April 26, 2023, at 6:00 p.m., and if needed, April 27, 2023, and conclude at the Board Meeting scheduled for May 16, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. The CIP is available for review online in the link below. A chapter-by-chapter breakdown can be viewed on the Five-Year Capital Improvement web page.

During the dates, times and location mentioned above, any representative of the cities or county where Valley Water operates, or any person interested in Valley Water’s activities in constructing capital improvements, may, in person or by representative, appear and submit evidence concerning the subject of said CIP.

Following the public hearings, the Santa Clara Valley Water District Board of Directors will adopt the FY 2024-2028 Capital Improvement Program.

DRAFT Fiscal Year 2024-28 Five-Year Capital Improvement Program (CIP)

Project Description: The project would include acquisition of easements and or installing/constructing one new path at the Santa Clara Conduit (SCC) Vault Site 8; and or installation/construction of gravel collars, driveways, gates, signs; and/or implementation of new travel routes near some of the 37 vaults on the existing PC and SCC conduits, as specified in the draft IS/MND.

Valley Water would obtain easements from private landowners near ten (10) vault locations and construct one new gravel path to provide all-weather access from the existing driveway at State Route 152 to SCC Vault Site 8. Valley Water also proposes implementation of 23 new off-road travel routes for more efficient travel and access to the vaults.

New gravel collars would be installed around the top (ground level) of 20 existing vaults to allow for safe access by maintenance personnel. The gravel collars would generally measure 32 feet by 32 feet or smaller.

Valley Water would construct five new driveways to provide access from public roads to the vault locations. Valley Water would construct one new sign. Sixteen new gates would also be constructed at 12 separate site locations near public roads to provide controlled access to vaults.

These improvements (obtaining easements and new construction) will allow new operational methods of pipeline and vault access and maintenance in areas where existing access is currently limited. The use of Valley Water all-terrain vehicles would reduce or minimize the impacts from larger vehicles during periods of wet or limiting conditions.

• Notice of Intent (NOI)

• Mitigated Negative Declaration

• Mitigated Negative Declaration Appendices

• Final Mitigated Negative Declaration

• Notice of Public Hearing Scheduled for February 8, 2022

• Notice of Determination

Project Review: The Draft IS/MND will be posted electronically for review on the Valley Water’s website at https://www.valleywater.org/public-review-documents. The NOI will also be posted at the County of Santa Clara Clerk Recorder Office, the County of San Benito County Clerk Recorder Office, and the State Clearinghouse. Due to the current shelter in place order, hard copies of the Draft IS/MND will not be available for public review.

The public comment period on the Draft IS/MND will run for 30 days upon Valley Water electronic posting of the document beginning Friday, Jan. 8, 2021. During this public review period, Valley Water will accept written hard copy and electronic comments on the project.

Comments on the Draft MND should be submitted via US mail or electronically. The public comment period closes at 5 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 8, 2021.

Download the Engineer's Report

Contact: Valley Water
Attention: Michael F. Coleman, AICP
5750 Almaden Expressway, San Jose, CA 95118

For further information please contact Michael F. Coleman at (408) 630-3096, or by email at [email protected]

WHAT: Public hearing on Engineer’s Report and CEQA Exemption Determination

WHEN: Tuesday, June 23, 2020 - Item is time certain at 6:00 p.m. 

WHERE: Teleconference Zoom

The proposed work of improvement is described in the Anderson Dam Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Order Compliance Project Engineer’s Report. 

• Download the Engineer's Report

The objective of the Anderson Dam Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Order Compliance Project is being proposed to comply with an order from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which requires Valley Water’s immediate implementation of risk reduction measures to protect the public from risk of dam failure due to seismic activity, and development and implementation of necessary avoidance, minimization and mitigation measures. The proposed project would (a) allow Valley Water a way to safely, reliably and expeditiously draw down Anderson Reservoir (Reservoir) and maintain the Reservoir at a required lower elevation; (b) minimize risks associated with exceeding the restricted Reservoir level and an undersized outlet structure by constructing a new, low-level outlet; (c) prioritize the interim downstream protection of residents and property; and (d) minimize the public health and safety and environmental impacts of reservoir drawdown.

At the time and place fixed for the public hearing, the Board of Directors will receive comments on the Engineer’s Report and the CEQA exemption determination for the Project and consider approving the Project’s CEQA exemption determination in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act. After considering the comments on the Engineer’s Report, the Board will decide whether or not to proceed with the Project. 

For more information about this hearing or this Project, contact Yogesh Prashar at (408) 630-2323 and/or Bal Ganjoo at (408) 630-3117.

IMPORTANT NOTICES 
This meeting is being held in accordance with the Brown Act as currently in effect under the State Emergency Services Act, the Governor’s Emergency Declaration related to COVID-19, and the Governor’s Executive Order N-29-20 issued on March 17, 2020 that allows attendance by members of the Board of Directors, District staff, and the public to participate and conduct the meeting by teleconference, videoconference, or both. 

Members of the public wishing to address the Board during a video conferenced meeting on this item listed on the agenda, should use the “Raise Hand” or “Chat” tools located in Zoom meeting link listed on the agenda. Speakers will be acknowledged by the Board Chair in the order requests are received and granted speaking access to address the Board. 

Santa Clara Valley Water District (District), in complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), requests individuals who require special accommodations to access and/or participate in District 

Board meetings to please contact the Clerk of the Board’s office at (408) 630-2711, at least 3 business days before the scheduled District Board meeting to ensure that the District may assist you. 

WHAT:  Notice of Availability of Draft EIR; notice of public meeting to solicit comments on the Draft Program Environmental Impact Report

WHEN:  July 21, 2021, 4:30 p.m.

WHERE:  https://valleywater.zoom.us/j/82676998470  +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) - Meeting ID: 826 7699 8470

Valley Water has released a Draft EIR on the FAHCE project, which is located in Santa Clara County, for a public review from Wednesday, June 30, 2021 to Friday, October 15, 2021. The proposed project implements a Fish Habitat Restoration Plan, and includes restoration measures specified in a 2003 FAHCE Settlement Agreement intended to resolve a water rights complaint filed with the State Water Resources Control Board. It includes both flow measures (reservoir re-operations rule curves) and non-flow measures such as fish barrier remediation, and measures to increase spawning and rearing habitat.

Project Objectives:

• Restore and maintain a healthy steelhead population in the Stevens Creek watershed through measures specified the Settlement Agreement.
• Restore and maintain healthy steelhead and Chinook salmon populations in the Guadalupe River watershed through measures specified the Settlement Agreement.
• Maintain flexible and reliable groundwater recharge to support current and future water supply and water deliveries for municipalities, industries, agriculture, and the environment in a practical, cost-effective, and environmentally sensitive manner so that sufficient water is available for any present or future beneficial use.

The Draft EIR identified significant environmental impacts related to terrestrial biological resources, cultural resources, tribal cultural resources, paleontological resources, and noise. Significant impacts of non-flow measures on special-status species, and on riparian and other sensitive natural communities, and paleontological resources would be reduced to less than significant levels with the implementation of mitigation measures. The proposed project non-flow measure impacts on cultural resources, tribal cultural resources, and noise would remain significant and unavoidable. None of the non-flow measures are proposed on hazardous waste sites listed under Government Code § 65962.5.

The Draft EIR may be viewed HERE. The Draft EIR is also available for in-person review at:

• Valley Water, 5750 Almaden Expressway, San Jose, CA 95118
• Evergreen Branch Library, 2635 Aborn Road, San Jose, CA 95121
• Los Gatos Library, 100 Villa Avenue, Los Gatos, CA 95030
• Cupertino Library, 10800 Torre Avenue, Cupertino, CA 95014
• Milpitas Library, 60 North Main Street, Milpitas, CA 95035
• Morgan Hill Library, 660 West Main Ave, Morgan Hill, CA 95037

Written comments on the Draft EIR should be received by 5:00 PM on Friday, October 15, 2021 (extended from August 16, 2021) and sent to: Ryan Heacock at [email protected]. For additional information or a CD copy of the Draft EIR, please contact Mr. Heacock at (408) 265-2600.

Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water) has approved the Freedom Bridge Removal Project (Project) on August 25, 2022, and a Notice of Determination is posted according to CEQA Guidelines Section 15075.

Project Description: The Project involves removal of an existing pedestrian bridge across San Tomas Aquino Creek and associated structures. Project implementation has been divided into two phases: Phase I, which includes the removal of the existing bridge structure and Phase II, which includes the removal of bridge abutments and associated re-grading and re-paving of the San Tomas Aquino Creek Trail and the Valley Water levee maintenance road in the vicinity of the abutments. The Freedom Bridge is an approximately 125-foot long steel beam span bridge resting on concrete abutments built on constructed levee slopes. The paved San Tomas Aquino Creek Trail is located on the western side of the bridge, and a Valley Water levee maintenance road is located on the eastern side.

• Notice of Determination (NOD)
• Final Mitigated Negative Declaration 
• Notice of Intent (NOI)
• Updated NOI
• Draft Mitigated Negative Declaration
• Draft Mitigated Negative Declaration Appendices

Project Review: The Draft IS/MND was available for public review from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays at the Valley Water Headquarters Building (5700 Almaden Expressway, San Jose, CA 95118) from April 4, 2022 through May 10, 2022 (extended from May 3, 2022). A copy of the Draft IS/MND was also made available at the at the Central Park Library reference desk (2635 Homestead Road, Santa Clara, CA 95051). No comments were received on the Draft IS/MND, and revisions were made to the Final IS/MND only for clarification purposes.

Santa Clara Valley Water District

Attention: Abby Annicchiarico

5750 Almaden Expressway

San Jose, CA 95118

[email protected]

For further information, please contact Abby Annicchiarico at 408-630-2456, or by email at [email protected].