The Clean, Safe Creeks (CSC) Program awarded grants in 3 categories to encourage community involvement in protecting and enhancing the environment. Valley Water awarded grants for 45 projects under the Clean, Safe Creeks Program between Fiscal Year(FY) 10 and FY13. As reported in the FY13 Clean, Safe Creeks report, all KPIs have been met as per the executed agreements. However, some grant projects have yet to be completed.
All of the 46 Clean, Safe Creeks grant projects have been completed. The final two projects will be closed by the end of FY 2021
The remaining Clean, Safe Creeks projects to be closed are:
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The City of San José received a $450,000 grant for the Three Creeks Trail – Trestle and Interim Improvements project to construct a clear-span bridge trestle and an interim trail near Los Gatos Creek. The City of San José experienced delays due to suitability of the Environmental Impact Report, as well as due to legal issues around the replacing of a wooden trestle bridge with a new steel one, therefore, the term of the agreement was amended to March 20, 2021.
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The City of Gilroy received a $190,000 grant for the Ronan Channel Trail – Interim Project, Phase 1, to expand trails in the City of Gilroy for bicyclists and pedestrians. The project has been completed and is expected to close in FY21.
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Updated April 2021
No current documents.
Key Performance Indicators for the Safe, Clean Water Program
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CSC 2.1: Reduce urban runoff pollutants in south county cities.
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CSC 3.2: Creation of additional wetlands, riparian habitat and favorable stream conditions for fisheries and wildlife. (Equivalent of 100 acres of tidal or riparian habitat created or restored).
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CSC 4.1: Community partnership to identify and provide public access to 70 miles of open space or trails along creeks.
Benefits
These grant agreements address:
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CSC Outcome 2.1: Pollution prevention
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CSC Outcome 3.2: Healthy creek and bay ecosystems are protected, enhanced or restored as determined appropriate by the Board
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CSC Outcome 4.1: There are additional open spaces, trails and parks along creeks and in the watersheds when reasonable and appropriate
Geographic Area of Benefit
Countywide
About the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program
In November 2012 the voters of Santa Clara County overwhelmingly approved Measure B, the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program, as a countywide special parcel tax for 15 years with a sunset date of June 30, 2028. This Program replaced the Clean, Safe Creeks and Natural Flood Protection Plan, which voters approved in November 2000.
The Safe, Clean Water Program was developed with input from more than 16,000 residents and stakeholders and was created to match the community’s needs and values. The voters of Santa Clara County identified five priorities:
Priority A: Ensure a Safe, Reliable Water Supply
Priority B: Reduce Toxins, Hazards and Contaminants in our Waterways
Priority C: Protect our Water Supply from Earthquakes and Natural Disasters
Priority D: Restore Wildlife Habitat and Provide Open Space
Priority E: Provide Flood Protection to Homes, Businesses, Schools and Highways
Other: Six projects from the Clean, Safe, Creeks Plan have been carried forward into the Safe, Clean Water Program.
Each year, Valley Water prepares a report providing a progress update for each of these Program priorities, along with fiscal year accomplishments.
To ensure transparency and accountability to the voters, the ballot measure also created an Independent Monitoring Committee, appointed by the Santa Clara Valley Water District Board of Directors. The Independent Monitoring Committee annually reviews the Program’s progress to ensure the outcomes are achieved in a cost-efficient manner and reports its findings to the Board.
In addition, the Program requires three independent audits, the first of which was conducted in FY 2017.