Major flood protection levee project gets critical go-ahead

SAN JOSE—On Friday December 18, the U.S. Army Corps Chief of Engineers signed a report recommending Congress authorize the first phase of the South San Francisco Bay Shoreline Project for construction. The Santa Clara Valley Water District and State Coastal Conservancy have been working in partnership with the Army Corps for more than 10 years on this major flood risk management and ecosystem restoration project that will protect Santa Clara County communities ringing the southern part of the San Francisco Bay from tidal flooding and rising sea levels.

“Today’s important signing brings us a step closer to protecting the lives, property and businesses of those who live along the southern part of the San Francisco Bay,” said Santa Clara Valley Water District board chair Gary Kremen. “The support of U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein and U.S. Rep. Mike Honda and others have helped us come this far and will help us complete this important project.”

This critical signature paves the way for Congress to authorize the Army Corps to begin the design and ultimately construction of Phase I of the $174 million South San Francisco Bay Shoreline Project. The project includes construction of 4 miles of engineered levees, restoration of 2,900 acres of tidal marsh habitat, reduction of flood risk for about 5,500 people, protection of the San Jose-Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility that serves 1.4 million people as well as Silicon Valley businesses, and protection of State Route 237, a major Silicon Valley artery.

Sen. Feinstein and Rep. Honda have been strong supporters of the Shoreline Study efforts that will help protect one of the nation’s most vital economic areas at risk of flooding and from the effects of climate change.

The project will also allow the western United States’ largest wetland restoration project, the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project, to proceed. The Shoreline Project is also supported by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and a host of government and private sector supporters including the City of San José, the San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority, and the Silicon Valley Leadership Group.