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FACTSHEETA PUBLICATION FOR THE SANTA CLARA BASIN WATERSHED MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE • Revised May 2000 WMI BEGINS WATERSHED ASSESSMENTS

WMI SIGNATORIES What is the WMI? PUBLIC AGENCIES Department of Fish & Game The Santa Clara Basin Watershed tion and enhancement, water Goals, on reverse). A major aim City of Cupertino Management Initiative (WMI), rights and water supply reliabili- of the WMI is to coordinate City of Palo Alto initiated in 1996, is a collabora- ty; flood management; regulato- existing watershed activities on City of San Jose tive effort of representatives ry compliance; land use and pub- a basin-wide scale, ensuring that City of Santa Clara from business and industrial sec- lic awareness and involvement. environmental protection efforts City of Sunnyvale tors; professional and trade With a vested interest in future are addressed efficiently and Guadalupe-Coyote Resource organizations; civic, environ- basin management and health, cost-effectively. On Earth Day Conservation District Bay Regional Water mental, resource conservation these participants are committed 1999, the groups listed on the Quality Control Board and agricultural groups; regional to improving basin conditions. left signed a participation agree- Santa Clara County and local public agencies; and Participants help manage the ment, demonstrating their com- Santa Clara Valley Transportation the general public. These groups WMI through monthly Core Group mitment to the WMI. Authority have joined forces to address meetings, where they determine Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Program habitat and water quality protec- priorities and apply resources to Santa Clara Valley Water District meet agreed-upon goals (see US Army Corps of Engineers US Environmental Protection Agency USDA Natural Resources First “Suite” of Watersheds Selected Conservation Service

BUSINESS/TRADE ASSOCIATIONS One goal of the Santa Clara Basin entire Basin. In addition, the supply, and recreation. All of the California Restaurant Association/Dairy Belle Freeze Watershed Management Initiative WMI will incorporate the work of three watersheds are identified as Home Builders Association of (WMI) is to develop a Watershed the Area key flood protection areas. Northern California Management Plan that will allow Wetlands Ecosystem Goals Project When the assessment of the San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce the stakeholders to better protect (Wetlands Goals Project) to assess initial suite of watersheds is com- Santa Clara Cattleman’s and sustain the South Bay’s natu- the Baylands. Baylands are the plete, the WMI will continue with Association ral resources. The first step in the areas of the bay found between additional suites of watersheds. Santa Clara County Farm Bureau process is to complete a scientif- the lines of high and low tide. The goal is to assess the entire Silicon Valley Manufacturing Group ic assessment of conditions in the Baylands contain several types of basin. The assessments will be ENVIRONMENTAL & CIVIC GROUPS Santa Clara Basin. Due to the valuable wetlands habitat. the foundation for the watershed CLEAN South Bay large size of the Basin and its The initial suite of watersheds action plan, which will be used League of Women Voters complexity of issues, it is imprac- are San Francisquito Creek, to meet the goals of the WMI. Salmon and Steelhead Restoration Group tical to study the entire watershed Guadalupe River, and Upper Stakeholders are working together San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory at once. To target stakeholder Penitencia Creek. Some of the to conduct the assessments and Santa Clara County for resources, the WMI will study a uses of these waterbodies include develop the action plan recom- Tomorrow “suite” of three watersheds that fish spawning and migration, mendations. The first assess- Santa Clara Valley Audubon together include the uses, charac- wildlife habitat, warm and cold ment report is scheduled for the Society Silicon Valley Pollution Prevention teristics, and conditions of the freshwater habitat, drinking water fall of 2001. Center Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition Western Waters Canoe Club NEWARK SLOUGH PLUMMER COUNTY BAYLANDS CREEK

San MOWRY Goals Francisco SLOUGH Bay

G C U O A Y D O ER A B RYES

L T SA

SAN MATADERO U E Recognizing the importance CREEK P E MATEO C R UPPER PENITENCIA E E

COUNTY T ITEN E N C of sustained dialogue and a N E I K UPPE P A E R WATERSHED SAN BE N ADO FRANCISQUITO A community-supported M CREEK R E R P IV process, WMI stakeholders E R developed the following S SANTA CLARA COUNTY

STEVENS A S Z S A TE CREEK A V O B M E RESERVOIR goals: A N N A O I L G R S T T A O U C U H N Q P O C C T S S P M R A A A E O R P E R T SO EK A S N A IL S G V C E RE S R EK CR • Ensure that the WMI is a SAN FRANCISQUITO O E L E K VASONA C WATERSHED O C

RESERVOIR Y O

broad, consensus-based G U OT Y

O A

GUADALUPE E T D RESERVOIR C R E process. A E C LU E R PE K E E ALAMITOS K CREEK ANDERSON CALERO RESERVOIR RESERVOIR • Ensure that necessary LEXINGTON ALMADEN RESERVOIR RESERVOIR resources are provided for N

COYOTE WMI implementation. RESERVOIR

GUADALUPE • Simplify compliance with WATERSHED regulatory requirements without compromising environmental protection. San Francisquito Creek side of the Santa Clara Basin. The On the Guadalupe River, a proj- • Balance the objectives of San Francisquito Creek is located creek flows through Cherry Flat ect called the Santa Clara County water supply management, on the east side of the Santa Cruz Reservoir, Alum Rock Park, and Fisheries and Aquatic Habitat habitat protection, flood mountains and forms the bound- residential neighborhoods, even- Collaborative Effort (FAHCE) is management and land use ary between Santa Clara and San tually joining Coyote Creek. currently leading an effort to to protect and enhance Mateo Counties. It drains from Major land uses within the restore runs of water quality. the western hills to South San watershed include parklands, and steelhead trout. Stakeholders Francisco Bay, south of the open space, agricultural, and include the Guadalupe-Coyote • Protect and/or restore Dumbarton Bridge. Major land residential. Natural Resources Conservation streams, reservoirs, wet- uses include commercial and resi- The assessment will also assist District, Santa Clara Valley Water lands and the Bay for the dential areas, grazing lands, local stakeholders and the Santa District, California Department of benefit of fish, wildlife and , and a biolog- Clara Valley Water District to Fish and Game, U.S. Fish and develop a flood management Wildlife Service, State Water human uses. ical preserve. project for the Creek. Resources Control Board, National Guadalupe River • Develop an implementable Current activities in these Marine Fisheries Service, City of The headwaters of the Management watersheds San Jose, and the Natural River originate in the Santa Cruz Heritage Institute. Plan that incorporates The San Francisquito Creek Mountains near the summit of Concern for the future of the science and will be contin- Coordinated Resource Manage- . The Guadalupe River Upper Penitencia Creek watershed uously improved. ment and Planning process watershed encompasses a major sparked the interest of a group of (CRMP) supports numerous activ- urban corridor, flowing through teachers and local residents, who ities in the watershed. These Los Gatos, Campbell and San formed the Friends of Upper activities include volunteer water Jose. It is the second largest Penitencia Creek. The goals of the quality monitoring, and regular For more information on the drainage area in the Santa Clara group include stewardship of the creek clean-up events. The CRMP Watershed Management Initiative, Basin (146 square miles, or 20 creek, increasing awareness and is working with Bay Area Action, please contact Alice Ringer, percent of the total). Major land appreciation of the creek, a Peninsula group that empha- Program Manager, at uses in this watershed include conducting creek clean-ups and sizes environmental restoration residential, commercial, industri- creek walks, and working closely 650-494-3819, or e-mail at and preservation, to restore por- al, agricultural, and open space with local elementary schools to [email protected] tions of the lower creek. The lands in the upper watershed. incorporate the creek into local Check out our web site at project uses volunteers to remove classroom curriculum. www.scbwmi.org Upper Penitencia Creek invasive non-native plants and Printed on recycled paper using soy-based Upper Penitencia Creek is located replace them with native riparian inks. Available in large-print and audio formats upon request. in the Diablo Range, on the east species. MAY 2000/1K