Where Land and Water Meet - Norma Camacho from Santa Clara Valley Water District
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On March 17, 2016 (St Patty's Day!) we convened a Gathering with 4 water agencies to talk about land stewardship, drought, and partnerships. More info over at: http://openspacecouncil.org/community-events/gatherings/
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Where Land and Water Meet - Norma Camacho from Santa Clara Valley Water District
- 1. Where the Water and Land Meet Norma Camacho Interim Chief Executive Officer March 17, 2016 BAY AREA OPEN SPACE COUNCIL DAVID BROWER CENTER, BERKELEY, CA
- 2. Clean, reliable water Flood protection Healthy creeks & ecosystems The Santa Clara Valley Water District provides:
- 3. Watershed Management Watersheds Overview Partnerships Drought Impacts Future Opportunities
- 4. Our Watersheds 4 5 major watersheds 2 million people 780 square miles 275 miles of streams 10 dams and surface water reservoirs 400 acres of recharge ponds
- 5. Land: Valley Habitat Plan Photo by Adam Clause
- 7. Water: Keeping Streams Clean
- 9. Land, Water, People: Shoreline Study 9
- 10. Drought: Impacts on Trees District has 10,802 acres of Fee Title- ½ is estimated as acres with tree populations (2.8 trees/acre infected USFS) District has potentially 15,000 impacted trees $5,000 average cost per tree (removal only) Not all trees have to be removed, however costs will be significant Estimated cost to remove hazard trees $50 to $75 mil Thompson Creek Greystone Creek Los Gatos Creek Attachment 1 Page 10 of 17
- 11. Impacts on Trees – Cost Analysis Saratoga Creek Los Gatos Creek Attachment 1 Page 11 of 17 • Survey completed on Saratoga Creek between Cox and Prospect of impacted trees • Total trees in the area 400 • 30 trees identified as dead • 10 trees identified as high risk • 40 trees need to be removed • Estimated cost to remove trees in the creek section $300,000 3,000 ft section of Saratoga Creek estimated to cost $300,000 Mostly large (40) trees, access issues
- 12. Drought: Landscape Replacement Rebates
- 13. ONE WATER: Water for the Future Watershed Stewardship Flood Protection Water Supply ONE WATER
- 14. Looking forward: Integrated goals 14 Manage rainwater to improve flood protection, water supply and local ecosystems Enhance the quantity and quality of water to support beneficial uses Establish and sustain healthy and resilient stream ecosystems Work in partnership with an engaged community to champion wise decisions on water resources Protect, enhance and sustain healthy and resilient baylands ecosystems and infrastructure Valued Rain Healthful and Plentiful Water Ecologically Effective Watersheds Resilient Baylands Community Collaboration
- 15. From Vision to Projects 15 Projects & Programs (Where) Objectives (What) Strategies (How) Integrated Goals (Why) Water Resources Vision 15 E. Expanded & Protected Floodplains J. Community & Tribal Engagement A. Reliable Water Supply I. Emergency Prep C. Surface & GW Quality G. Resilient Habitats H. Climate Change B. Sustainable Ground- water D. Flood Risk Reduction 1. Valued and Respected Rain Manage rainwater to improve flood protection, water supply, and ecosystem benefits 2. Healthful and Reliable Water Enhance the quantity and quality of water to support beneficial uses 3. Ecologically Sustainable Streams/ Watersheds Protect, enhance and sustain healthy and resilient stream ecosystems 5. Community Collaboration Work in partnership with an engaged community to champion wise decisions on water resources F. Supportive Stream Flows The District manages water resources holistically and sustainably to benefit people and the environment in a way that is informed by community values. Goal - A general direction-setter expressed as an ideal future related to the end. A goal may be abstract in nature and expressed as a general state. It is generally not quantifiable or time-dependant Objective – An intermediate step toward attaining a goal(s). It may pertain to one particular aspect of a goal(s) or be one of several successive steps toward a goal(s). Targets – SMART targets are associated with each objective. Strategy - A particular course of action that describes the means to support objectives and achieve targets. Projects and Programs 4. Resilient Baylands Protect, enhance and sustain healthy and resilient baylands ecosystems and infrastructure
- 16. Land Management: Future Opportunities
- 17. Norma Camacho Interim Chief Executive Officer (408) 630-2084 ncamacho@valleywater.org Questions?
Editor's Notes
- Briefly introduce yourself, if the moderator has not already. Brief introduction about the water district and our mission, touching on these three areas. Transition: maintaining the environment is important to our water supply, flood protection and our watersheds. That’s why we make a concerted effort to protect wildlife habitat within our watersheds …
- Much of our own work to protect habitat is the result of partnerships with other agencies on land management: Through improving streams and wetlands Through the Valley Habitat Plan, a years-long collaboration to protect land going forward In considering flood protection projects On water supply: protecting watersheds through clean-ups with volunteers and of homeless encampments On recreation: Partnering with County Parks to use reservoirs for recreation, with other entities on trails
- Coyote Watershed Sixteen major creeks drain this 322 - square - mile area. The county's largest watershed, it extends from the urbanized valley floor upward to the vast natural areas of the Mt. Hamilton range. Coyote Creek, its main waterway, is the longest creek in the county. Guadalupe Watershed This 170 - square - mile area drains the Guadalupe River and its tributaries through downtown San Jose (see map and click to enlarge). Lexington Reservoir, one of the area's best-known landmarks, is located along the western border of this watershed. Lower Peninsula The Lower Peninsula Watershed is a 98-square-mile area whose many small-creek watersheds feed the tidal wetlands along the San Francisco Bay's southwest shoreline (see map and click to enlarge). Its San Francisquito and Stevens creeks in this watershed are among the last remaining viable steelhead trout runs in the county. Uvas-Llagas The Uvas-Llagas Watershed is a 104-square-mile region which is distinguished by its agricultural lands and natural areas. Part of the larger Pajaro River Watershed, the creeks in this watershed are the only waterways in Santa Clara County that flow southward West Valley The West Valley Watersheds are an 85-square-mile area of multiple small-creek watersheds (see map and click to enlarge). Characterized by the contrast between its channelized creeks on the valley floor and its more natural streams in the hillsides, this watershed is the county's smallest.
- CA Tiger Salamander. The Santa Clara Valley Habitat Plan took years to develop, but is an example of the positive benefit for habitat and species that can come of collaboration between jurisdictions. It is a 50-year regional plan to protect endangered species and natural resources while allowing for future development in Santa Clara County. We partnered with the cities of Gilroy, Morgan Hill and San José, the County of Santa Clara and the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority to develop and manage this plan, which is a habitat conservation plan and a natural communities conservation plan. The plan would: Protect at least 46,496 acres of land Protect 100 miles and restore nearly 10 miles of streams Restore 70 acres to 428 acres of riparian woodland and wetlands Create 20 acres to 72 acres of ponds The water district actively reviews proposed development projects and recommends preservation of streamside habitat and water quality improvements for fish and wildlife. We also compensate for the impacts of our own flood protection and maintenance activities through creating wetlands and preserving watershed lands. In fact these flood protection projects incorporate objectives that include preserving and improving habitat for fish and wildlife.
- Top message: The grazing of public and private lands above Santa Clara Valley Water District reservoirs or near streams in Santa Clara County can provide beneficial water quality outcomes when well managed or in some cases can have negative consequences to water quality and stewardship goals. The Santa Clara Valley Water District operates 10 reservoirs, 5 of which have grazing activities taking place in the associated watersheds. (see list below) Additionally four of the six creeks with listed steelhead habitat also have grazing activities taking place in the associated watersheds. (see list below) The District has Water Resources Specialists who have been trained on the potential beneficial results of grazing operations that utilize a robust monitoring program in conjunction with planned grazing. These same staff are also subject matter experts (SME)s in geology, erosion prevention, sediment control and soil and grassland recovery. These SME’s work with and train with local and regional Open Space Authority, Park Management and Nature Conservancy staff on land management and water quality objectives for the watersheds. Staff address grazing as a tool to support the District’s efforts to promote our stewardship goals by increasing stormwater infiltration. Appropriate application of grazing can support perennial and annual plant growth, diversity, improve soil condition and plant root structures. Staff regularly meet in the field with landowners, cattle grazing operations and other regulatory agencies to develop solutions to cattle encroachment along reservoirs and creeks. Regarding the District’s response to the drought, staff took an active role in meeting with ranchers and land owners in the field, offering assistance in the form of cattle troughs, feed barrels and even fencing to assist with the protection of sensitive areas. Staff attended several workshops with the Open Space Council, Elkhorn Slough Foundation, TomKat Ranch and Holistic Management International to better understand the challenges the drought presented to those making a living from the grasslands. District staff have been and continue to work with grazing operators through constructive conversations and meetings to address livestock related challenges. Staff is appreciative of the very professional dialogue from the grazing community. Reservoirs that have grazing in their watersheds are listed below in red. Coyote Anderson Calero Uvas Chesbro Almaden Guadalupe Lexington Stevens Creek Vasona Steelhead streams (those with grazing are listed in red) Upper Penitencia Creek Coyote Creek San Francisquito Creek Uvas-Llagas Creeks Stevens Creek Guadalupe River
- The water district works with the cities and the community to keep our streams clean. This includes: volunteer clean ups like Coastal Cleanup Day and National River Cleanup Day partnering with cities to clean up homeless encampments Providing grants to communities for removing trash and improving wildlife habitat Participating in the County Green Business Program and Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Program to protect water quality and reducing methyl mercury production in lake and reservoirs
- The water district works with other entities to allow public access on some water district lands. While there already are many trails, there are many opportunities for more. We allow trails to be developed, and other agencies take care of the maintenance. Just last year we awarded a total of $571,000 to trail projects. The money was given in three grants from our Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program, passed by voters in 2012. Our creeks, levees and reservoirs are conducive to trails and recreation, and we work with Santa Clara County Parks to allow recreation on our reservoirs. Developed over 70 miles of trail in conjunction with partners.
- 2011- Study reset to concentrate on a high priority area Economic Impact Area 11 northern San Jose area The purposes of this multi-objective study is: Provide one-percent tidal flood protection (4 miles of shoreline) Restore and enhance 2,900 acres of tidal marsh and related habitats Provide recreational and public access opportunities for the Santa Clara County shoreline area SCC: Restoration Project could not move forward without flood protection USFWS: Inability to maintain existing dikes on properties acquired for flood protection District: Need a long term solution to tidal flooding USACE: Federal interest in protecting Silicon Valley, Senator Feinstein championing the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration effort The Shoreline Study takes into consideration the potential need for adaption to sea level rise. Economic Impact Area 11 is home to: The Alviso community of 2,000 residents, 500 structures and 3,000 commuters who work and travel through the area each day. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, which includes 3,000 acres for migratory birds and endangered species. The San Jose-Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility, which serves 1.4 million people and Silicon Valley businesses. The Silicon Valley Advanced Water Purification Center, which receives water from the Regional Wastewater Facility and produces up to 8 million gallons a day of highly purified water. Study constraints: No increase in flood risks through restoration activities Restoration activities must no increase bioaccumulation of mercury New recreational features are compatible with flood risk management and restoration objectives Must protect groundwater quality Comply with all applicable regulatory requirements
- According to the US Forest Service aerial survey, conducted in April 2015, 12 million trees have died on 4.2 million acres of Southern California forests (2.8 trees/acre). The district is experiencing similar tree mortality. Applying the U.S. Forest Service’s survey data ratio to our fee title acreage subtracting ponds, buildings and creeks with no trees, (approximately ½ of the total) 5,401 acres, indicates the potential for 15,000 infected trees on District property
- According to the US Forest Service aerial survey, conducted in April 2015, 12 million trees have died on 4.2 million acres of Southern California forests (2.8 trees/acre). The district is experiencing similar tree mortality. Applying the U.S. Forest Service’s survey data ratio to our fee title acreage subtracting ponds, buildings and creeks with no trees, (approximately ½ of the total) 5,401 acres, indicates the potential for 15,000 infected trees on District property
- The District has seen a significant increase in participation in its landscape rebate program and issued rebates for approximately 174,000 pieces of irrigation equipment and 4.0M square feet of turf conversion in 2015. Another 38,000 pieces of equipment and 3.0M square feet of turf conversion has been approved and is considered “in-process”. At this point the entire two-year budget of $22.8M has been allocated. Staff is currently reviewing older applications that are past their due date, which will likely free up additional money to fund projects on the wait list (the current estimate is that there’s approximately $3.2M in projects on the wait list).
- Water Supply + Flood Protection + Watershed Stewardship = managing water resources as ONE WATER
- One Water Framework 1 vision, 5 integrated goals, 10 objectives, 63 strategies, plus Implementation Opportunities