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Grand jury probes slough restoration

 

July 10, 2009
By Wes Bowers

SAN JOSE — The Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury claims in a new report that the Santa Clara Valley Water District should cease funding for the Alviso Slough Restoration Project and ensure areas with obvious potential flood damage are addressed first.

In addition, the grand jury stated that although the Alviso Slough project will restore boating in the area, it threatens the environment.

The grand jury released its report June 16 as part of a four-part investigation into the Santa Clara Valley Water District's programs.

The Alviso Slough Restoration Project was initiated in 2004 to restore the slough's channel width and habitat to the conditions it had before 1983.

Additionally, the project aims to improve the opportunity for boat navigation, access aesthetics and tourism.

The project also aims to maintain flood protection and reduce mosquito nuisances, as well as promote integration of the water district's Salt Pond Restoration Program.

In 2004, the water district's Board of Directors approved the investigation and planning stages of the project, according to the grand jury report.

The total projected cost was estimated to be $2.5 million to remove seven acres of vegetation and root mass to a depth of four feet, starting at the Gold Street Bridge and going north to the county marina.

The grand jury said by the time a draft environmental impact report had been published in 2008, the cost increased from the proposed $2.5 million to $22 million, with an estimated $3.6 million in annual maintenance.
Also, an alternative slough project had been pursued, which called for vegetation removal on 25 acres, not the original seven. Reports state the reason for the increase in acreage was to return the slough to pre-1982 conditions (a major flood year), rather than pre-1983 conditions.

The jury claimed while a budget of $2.5 million had been estimated for vegetation removal and dredging in 2004, to date no dredging or vegetation removal had been performed.

The grand jury collected comments received from the public and other agencies in response to the draft EIR, which said the project would significantly degrade the 100-year-flood protection the Lower Guadalupe River Project provides.

Other comments said there was potential for damage to vegetation fish and wildlife, an increase in mercury pollution, environmental disturbances from ongoing maintenance and property rights issues with the National Wildlife Refuge System Administrative Act.

Ultimately, the grand jury found the water district should have a known budget and long-term plan for environmental enhancements to be reviewed annually, as well as demonstrate how these enhancements would actually help the environment.

The jury recommended a comprehensive plan covering flood control, water supply, environmental enhancement and ongoing operations should be provided, and funding and prioritization between these areas should be addressed.

Furthermore, the report stated the district should cease funding the Alviso Slough Restoration Project and instead ensure areas with obvious potential flood damage are addressed first.

Finally, the report stated the district's board should establish a policy to ensure politics and local interests do not interfere with project prioritization.

Susan Siravo, the district's public information officer, said the district is finalizing a formal response to the grand jury, which will be presented at the Board of Directors meeting July 14.

She said the district would not give a reaction to the report until the board meeting.

"We certainly appreciate the complex review of our processes and projects," she said. "It is important for us to receive feedback from an independent group or agency like the grand jury."

Siravo said receiving the grand jury's report was not a surprise, as members of the panel interviewed district employees and board members throughout the review process.

"We try to be as open and transparent as we can," she said. "Any project or process we have is open to the public. And the district was very honest and open in their answers to the jury."

Siravo said the next step for the slough restoration project is to present the final environmental impact report to the Board of Directors by the end of the year.

Information on the Alviso Slough Restoration Project can be found at www.valleywater.org.




 

Council District 4

 
 
 

Council District 4
200 East Santa Clara Street, San José, CA 95113
tel. (408) 535-4904 fax (408) 292-6459
district4@sanjoseca.gov

 

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