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.
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