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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-10-06 City Council (27)TO: City of Palo A!to City Manager’s Report HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: CITY MANAGER OCTOBER 6, 1997 DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC WORKS CMR:403:97 STATUS REPORT ON THE SAN FRANCISQUITO CREEK COORDINATED RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND PLANNING’S DRAFT WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN REQUEST This report provides information regarding the status of the San Francisquito Creek Coordinated Resource Management and Planning’s (CRMP) Draft Watershed Management Plan. No Council action is required. POLICY IMPLICATIONS This informational report does not contain any changes to existing City policies. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY On November 14, 1994, Council endorsed staffs participation in the ongoing CRMP process for San Francisquito Creek (CMR:506:94). The purpose of the CRMP is to enhance the health of the San Francisquito Creek watershed, by stimulating dialogue amongst Federal, State, regional, and local governmental agencies, businesses, community groups, and interested individuals and by identifying major problems, planning objectives, and future actions. The CRMP process, administered by the Peninsula Conservation Center Foundation, is overseen by a steering committee with representatives from various government agencies and groups, including the City of Palo Alto. The steering committee has formed individual task groups to develop goals and objectives for six specific issues affecting San Francisquito Creek: natural resource protection, flood and erosion control, water pollution prevention, land use planning, social issues (e.g. homelessness and public access), and public education and involvement. The product of this collaborative effort to date is the attached Draft San Francisquito Creek Watershed Management Plan (Plan). The introduction of the Draft Watershed Management Plan describes the San Francisquito Creek watershed, the CRMP process, and its participants. The Plan contains a list of planning goals and proposed actions developed by each of the six task groups for the preservation and enhancement of the Creek watershed. A key component of the Plan is a list of"Partnership Opportunities," which are specific actions that individual stakeholders can undertake to help implement the planning goals cited in the Plan. The partnership opportunities identified for the CMR:403:97 Page 1 or 2 City of Palo Alto and other local governments include revisions to development and permitting policies for properties along the riparian corridor, improvements to ongoing pollution prevention programs, review of opportunities for creek-related public access and environmental education, and efforts to resolve problems with encampments along the creek. Implementation of these partnership opportunities would require varying amounts of additional City staff time and funding. The CRMP Steering Committee is seeking feedback from local decision makers before the Plan is finalized. Based upon discussions with Mayor Huber, the Plan was referred to the Northwest Flood Control Zone Advisory Committee (Committee) for review. The Committee, which is chaired by Council Member Rosenbaum, is an appointed group of elected officials, staff members, and residents from northwestern Santa Clara County cities that provides guidance to the Santa Clara Valley Water District’s Board of Directors on flood control and other creek-related matters. CRMP representatives made a presentation on the draft Plan at a special meeting of the Committee on August 6, 1997. The Committee provided comments on the planning goals, proposed actions, and partnership opportunities proposed in the draft Plan. After review of the .public feedback received on the draft Plan, the CRMP Steering Committee will revise the Plan as necessary and submit a final San Francisquito Creek Watershed Management Plan to the CRMP participants. FISCAL IMPACT This informational report has no fiscal impacts to the City. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT An environmental assessment is not required for this informational report. ATTACHMENTS Draft Watershed Management Plan PREPARED BY: Joe Teresi, Senior Engineer DEPARTMENT HEAD REVIEW: GLENN S. Director of Works CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: cc: CRMP Coordinator, Peninsula Conservation oundation CMR:403:97 Page 2 of 2 January 7997 San Francisquito Creek Coordinated Resource Management and Planning (CRMP) raf’-Ware ement Plan San Francisquito Creek CRMP c/o Peninsula Consera’ation Center 3921 East Bayshore Road Palo AIto, CA 94303 (415) 962-9876 fax: (415) 962-8234 Debbie Mvtels CRMP "Coordiltator Shelley Buranek, Graphic Design San Fran " quito Creek CRMP Acknowledge nts In addition to the many individuals who have served on the CRMP Steering Committee and the six Task Forces, special thanks for their help in reviewing this document are due: Sally Pinkner, Stanford Office of Government and Community Relations Kirk Stoddard,-Environmental Safety and Health, SLAC Jerry Hearn, San Mateo County Fish and Wildlife Advisory Committee Sam Herzberg, San Mateo County Planning Division Geoff Brosseau, Peninsula Conservation Center Foundation Board Special recognition is also due to Shelley Buranek, who contributed six months assistance as an intern with the CRMP project, in addition to doing the graphic design and electronic typesetting of the document. And finally, thanks to Jim Johnson, the San Francisquito Creek "StreamKeeper" whose concern for preserving this living waterway has been the catalyst which initiated this CRMP process. San FrG, ,cisquito Creek CRMP Su This document i~ a progress report and preliminary Draft Watershed Plan from the Coordinated Resource Management and Planning (CRMP) process for the San Francisquito Creek watershed. It is also an opportunity for discussion about the issues related to the management of the creek and how stakeholders can work together to implement platting goals. This docu.ment o describes the CRMP process and who has been involved ¯states draft Planning Goals and Proposed Actions to implement these goals ¯outlines accomplishments of the CRMP process to date, organized by Task Forceo lists opportunities for the various stakeholders to participate in implementing the Planning Goals. , This draft plan has been created through the efforts of a broad-based planning process, including representatives of all the major stakeholders in the watershed. However, it is a "’work-in-progress," and this draft is being presented to decision-makers and the public for further input and refinement, For more information, please contact CRMP Coordinator Debbie Mytels, c/o the Peninsula Conservation Center, (415) 962-9876. San Franc, quito Creek CRMP Contents, 1. Mission Statement ..............................................................................................................1 2, Introduction: What is the CRMP Process? ....................................................................~.., 2 Recommended Planning Goals and Actions Natural Resources ............................................................................................4 Pollutip.n Prevention .........................................................................................5 Flood and Erosion Control ...............................................................................6 Land Use ............................................................................................................7 Social Issues .......................................................................................................8 Public Education and Involvement ...............................................................9 4, Participating Organizations and Contact Persons .........................................................10 5. Task Force Accomplishments .............................................................................................14 6.’ Partnership Opportunities ..................................................................................................28 7, Watershed Map ..................................................................................................................37 Appendices: Definitions ..........................................................................................................A1 Funding for the CRMP Process ........................................................................A2 About the Peninsula Conservative Center Foundation ..............................A3 Regional Water Quality Control Board Guidelines for Development in Riparian Zones ................................................................A4 San Francisquito Creek CRMP Our purpose is to foster a diverse and healthy watershed, valued as a natural and community resource, in a manner consistent with public health and safety and respecting property rights, San Francisquito Creek CRMP Introduction The San Francisquito Creek Watershed and Its Needs The San Francisquito Creek watershed covers approximately 40 square miles from the ridges of the Santa Cruz Mountains to San Francisco Bgy. This region includes a wide diversity of natural habitats and human land uses, including open space preserves, commercial nurseries and truck farms, grazing land, a biological preserve, commercial shopping centers, suburban homes and creekside trails. The creek itself is one of the major waterways flowing into the South San Francisco Bay, and the Regional Water Quality Control Board’s Basin Plan lists its beneficial uses as fish migration and fish spawning grounds (including one of the few remaining native runs of steelhead trout), warm and cold fresh water habitat, wildlife habitat, and potential contact and non- contact recreational uses. Forming the bound.ar.y between San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, San Francisquito Creek also flows through portions of East Palo Alto, Polo Ait0, Menlo Park, Stanford, Woodside, Portola Valley, Ladera, and unincorporated San Mateo County. Other organizations such as the Santa Clara Valley Water District, Stanford University (the major landowner) and numerous neighborhood and environmental groups also have a stake in maintaining the beneficial uses of the creek. The Watershed Planning Process Coordinating the efforts of these stakeholders as they attempt to manage the competing interests within this complex watershed has been an on-going concern. In addition to the problems of overlapping governmental jurisdictions, resource management based solely upon political boundaries often ignores the complex reality of natural systems. Instead, a wholistic approach which manages natural resources according to ecologically defined boundaries is becoming recognized as ultimately more efficient than dealing with problems within the confines of city limits, Using this watershed approach’ and bringing together all the major stakeholders, in late 1993 the Peninsula Conservation Center Foundation (See Apendix III.) initiated a broad- based collaborative process -- Coordinated Resource Management and Planning (CRMP) -- to draft a Watershed Plan for San Francisquito Creek. A CRMP Steering Committee, consisting of representatives from over 30 stakeholder groups, meets monthly to share information. Six task forces were created to examine issues and propose solutions in more detail: 1)Natural Resource Preservation 2)Flood and Erosion Control 3)Pollution Prevention 4)Land Use and Development 5)Social Issues 6)Public Education and Involvement. The recommendations of these six task forces have been compiled into this draft Watershed Management Plan. 2 San Frc~, icisquito Creek CRMP San Francisquito Creek CRMP 3 San Frandsquito Creek CRMP atural ResoU 6e Planning Gaai To protect and restore the ndtural integrity of waterways and the associated native plant and wildlife communities within the watershed. Proposed Actions1 ) Identify critical wildlife species and their habitats, ¯ Establish baseline data to facilitate monitoring of changes in the status of plant and animal species, habitat characteristics, etc, ¯ Determine and map the location of plant and animal species, with parti.c.ular attention to the first upstream location of exotic invasive plants which might migrate downstream, ¯ Expand information.collected by the Coyote Creek Riparian Station on San Francisquito Creek to include Its main tributaries, ° Establish a riparian station which will monitor future changes in biological resources and water quality throughout the watershed, ’2) Maintain current levels of biodiversity, ¯ Protect wildlife species and the no’rive riparian’Vegetation that provides their habitat, ° Protect steelhead habitat characteristics (including in-stream water flows, spawning gravels, shade, appropriate temperatures, in-stream shelter elements, etc,) ° Control exotic (non-native) vegetation,¯Control or eliminate poaching, 3) Identify sites with potential for restoration td an ecologically healthier, more natural riparian environment, ¯Where possible, restore habitat to foster ’ " ’...r, ehablhtatlon of species formerly native to the watershed, } ~ .; ’:. ¯ Inventory barriers to migratory fishpas~age, assess their value and remove or modify them as appropriate, 4) Create and maintain a buffer zone* using native riparian vegetation between the creek and developed areas, ¯ Establish a continuous riparian corridor* with native plants extending from San Francisco Bay to the Santa Cruz Mountains. 5) Review proposed changes in water rights to ensure sufficient water flows to protect ond restore habitat for fish and other wildlife. See Definitions in Appendix I, 4 San Francisquito.Creek CRMP Pollution Prevention Planning Goa! To ensL4re that the waters of San Francisquito Creek are of sufficient quality and quantity to sustain native riparian and aquatic habitat for both wildlife populations and human recreational activities. Proposed Actions 1) 2) Identify problem activities and the pollution that results from each. ¯ Examine activities that involve improper storage, use and disposal of materials, ranging from pesticides and other hazardous materials to items such as yard waste, water from pools and spas not attached to sanitary sewers, and other solid and liquid wastes. Educate stakeholders and create dialogue about pollution prevention. ¯ Convene rural land users (agricultural operators, stable managers, residents) to discuss how to prevent erosion and other stream pollution. ¯ Convene residential property owners and tenants, and commercial property owners and urban business operators (such as landscaping and painting contractors) to discuss how to prevent pollution. 3) Suggest alternatives that prevent pollution, s~Jch as best management practices (BMPs) and other solutions. 4) Involve stakeholders in implementing solutions for a long-term program of pollution prevention. ¯Train and coordinate volunteer StreamKeeper monitors. ¯ Publicize community clean-up dates to encourage proper disposal of household items and solid waste. 5 San Franclsquito Creek CRMP Flood and rosion Contro Planning Goal To minimize damage and costs from flooding and erosion throughout the watershed while ensuring the continued vitality of the natural creek environment, Proposed Actions 1) Conduct a hydrological assessment of the . entire watershed, focusing on water flows, soil conditions and flood probabilities, 2) Reduce or minimize the impact of existing or proposed impervious surfaces on surface and ground water flows. 3) Encourage preservation of unpaved open space to allow for water percolation into the soil, 4) Plan and implement a flood control and management system that will reduce flood insurance costs to homeowners and other property Owners, 5) Set aside and protect riparian buffer zones to minimize bank erosion and allow for natural meandering processes, 6) Identify and reduce problems due to siltation and erosion within the watershed, 7) Educate residents on flood preparedness’ and general floodplain management practices, 6 San FrC: .,_. squ to Creek CRMP Land Use Planning Goal 1o ensure that jurisdictions within the San Francisquito Creek watershed implement land use policies and ordinances which provide responsible s’~ewardship of the watershed’s natural resources, protect people and property from floods, reduce erosion and prevent pollution. - Proposed Actions 1) Adopt General Plan policies and ordinances that provide for protection arid restoration of creeks and wetlands. 2) Adopt policies and ordinances to establish a continuous buffer zone for creek habitat preservation and to protect development which may be anticipated. 3) Adopt a policy of "no net loss" 0f riparian and wetland areas by using Federal and State wetland mitigation policies that recommend mitigation within the same watershed for riparian or wetland areas lost or damaged as a result of development. 4) Implement flood hazard regulations for developments proposed in floodplains. 5) Adopt the Regional Water Quality Control B~ard guidelines for new and redevelopment projects. (see Appendix IV.),J 6) Improve coordination, communication and cooperation between Federal, State, and local permitting agencies in order to foster an efficient and integrated regulatory process which encourages responsible stewardship of natural resources. 7) Identify lands of critical significance that might be preserved by purchase or easement for wildlife habitat, flood control or recreation. San Franu,squito Creek CRMP Social Is Planning Goal To facilitate creation of uniform public policies, ordinances and planning mechanisms to discourage inappropriate and illegal uses of the creek corridor, Proposed Actions ]) Work with law enforcement agencies and property owners to disband encampments along the creek. 2) Utilize public works staff and contract agencies such as the California Conservation Corps to remove debris and furniture from the riparian corridor, 3) Work in conjunction with social service providers to advocate for adequate resources and improved services for displaced individuals outside of the riparian corridor. 8 San Fro, ,cisqaito Creek CRMP Public .Education and involvement Planning Goals oTo broaden awareness of, and appreciation for, the values of a natural riparian corridor and a healthy watershed. oTo educate the public about stewardship methods to protect these values. ¯ To facilitate communication and cooperation among the various stakeholders concerning watershed issues. Proposed Actions 1) Develop a strategy for approaching and delivering appropriate messages to each of the following audiences: ¯ Decision-makers and staff of public agencies ° Interested private parties, including creekside and watershed residents, business operators, and landowners ° The general public and voters (when election issues are relevant) ¯ Youth and schoolchildren, 2) Plan and build an educational kiosk, to be located at El Palo Alto Park, which will highlight the natural and human history of the creek and its watershed, 3) Determine appropriate places for public access to the c~eek and facilitate environmental education at those sites, ,’, 4) Create a home page on the World Wide Web to provide information about the San Francisquito Creek watershed,... 5) Facilitate the development of uniform missions for the Santa Clara ValleyWater District and San Mateo County Flood Control Division to ensure that both agencies will work proactively toward protecting people and property from floods while ensuring the natural vitality of the watershed, 6) Explore the opportunity to create a joint powers agency with taxing authority to address the problems of this watershed, ¯ Initial emphasis should be on flood management stategies consistent with preservation of natural riparian values, 9 San Fran~_.oquito Creek CRMP Participatin .Organization The following organizations have signed a formal agreement t’o participate in the CRMP process for the San Francisquito Creek watershed: City of Menlo Park City of Palo Alto Town of Portola Valley Town of Woodside County of San Mateo County of Santa Clara City and County Governments California Department of Fish and Game Guadalupe-Coyote Resource Conservation District Regional Water Quality Control B6ard (RWQCB) Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD) Other Government Agencies Property Owners Stanford University Jasper Ridge Biologi,cal Preseve Stanford Linear Accelerator Center Stanford Management Company Stanford Utilities Division Individual property owners have also participated in Steering Committee and Task Force meetings (see Contact List), Santa Clara County Creeks Coalition Committee for Green Foothills Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society Northern California Council, Federation of Fly Fishers Peninsula Conservation Center Foundation (PCCF) Bay Area Action Coyote Creek Riparian Station (CCRS) Friends of San Francisquito Creek CLEAN South Bay 10 Community Organizations San Fro.. ,cisquito Creek CRMP Contact Bay Area Action Peter Drekmeier 415-321 - 1994 List CLEAN South Bay Trish Mulvey 415-326-0252 Committee for Green Foothills Lennie Roberts 415-854-0449 Coyote Creek Riparian Station Karen Cotter 408-262-9204 -- Coyote Creek Riparian Station Charles Preuss 408-262-9204 Friends of San Francisquito Creek James Johnson 415-364-3768 Friends of San Francisquito Creek Meredith Johnson 415-325-4708 Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve Stanford University Philippe Cohen 415-723-1589 Menlo Park, City of Engineering Department Yaw Owusu 415-858-3420 11 San Fran,..,squito Creek CRMP Contact List Palo Alto, City of Planning Department Virginia Warheit 415-329-2364 Peninsula Conservation Center Foundation .Geoff Brosseau 415-322-3070 Peninsula Conservation Center Foundation CRMP Coordinator Debbie Mytels 415-962-9876 Portola Valley, Town-of Conservation Committee Marilyn Walter 415-851-8181 Regional Water Quality Control Board Doug Straw 510-286-0431 San Mateo County, Environmental Health Division Duane O’Donnell 415-363-4708 San Mateo County Fish & Wildlife Advisory Committee Jerry Hearn 415-851-2718 San Mateo County Fish & Wildlife Advisory Committee Richard Izmirian 415-342-3200 San Mateo County, Planning Division Sam Herzberg 415-363-1823 Santa Clara County, Department of Environmental Health Leonard Lee 408-737-8933 12 San Frc~, ,cisquito Creek CRMP Contact.List Santa Clara County Creeks Coalition Dena Mossar 415-329-1082 Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society Craig Breon 408-252-3748 Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD) Randy Talley 408-265-2607 Stanford Linear Accelerator Center Kirk Stoddard 415-926-3801 Stanford Management Company Leonie Batkin 415-926-0225 Stanford University, Utilities Division Bob Hockey 415-725-3401 Stanford University, Utilities Division Marty Laporte 415-725-7864 Woodside, Town of Planning Department Dave Rizk 415-851-6790 Woodside, Town of Conservation Committee Debbie Mendelson 415-365-073.1 U,S, Fish and Wildlife Service Rick Morat 916-978-4613 13 San Frc. ,isquito Creek CRMP Task Force 1993--96 Accomp shmenfs The following projects were undertaken by one or more of the organizations and agencies participating in the Coordinated Resource Management and Planning (CRMP) process for the San Francisquito Creek watershed during the first two and a half years of CRMP efforts (November 1993 through June 1996). Most of these projects were planned collaboratively during Task Force meetings and further input was provided by other CRMP participants during monthly Steering Committee meetings, 14 San Francisquito Creek CRMP atural e ources Task Force Fishway Installation at Felt Lake Diversion The goal of this project was to open passage for st~elhead trout and other spawning fish up into Los Trancos Creek, a tributary of San Francisquito, beyond the Felt Lake diversion. The project was undertaken by Stanford University’s Department of Utilities, in collaboration with the California Department of Fish and.Game (DFG), Cal Trout, and the County of Santa Clara. Funding was provided by Stanford University and a grant from the DFG’s Wildlife Conservation Fund. After a planning process beginning in winter 1993 and completed in spring 1995, construction began in May 1995. The fishway was cc~mpleted in September 1995 in time for the winter 1995-96 spawning season. Enhancement of Lagunita Diversion Fish Ladder The purpose of this project is to rehabilitate an existing fish passage ladder on the old Lagunita diversion dam in San Francisquito Creek, The project was undertaken by Stanford University’s Department of Utilities and funded solely by university resources. Planning was done in collaboration with the Department of Fish and Game in summer 1994, and the project was completed in September 1994. Biological Resources Inventory The purpose of this project has been to identify and monitor the biological resources and habitat characteristics of the lower reaches of San Francisquito Creek. Volunteers were trained to identify and measure biological resources in six major areas: water chemistry, reptiles and amphibians, fisheries habitat, vegetation, birds, and habitat pollution. Water chemistry tests included: dissolved oxygen, temperature, turbidity, nitrates, nitrites, orthophosphates, pH, conductivity and ammonia. The reptile and amphibian survey included habitat characteristics, as well as the number of species and individuals along the studied stretch of the creek. The fisheries habitat study analyzed segments of the creek using Department of Fish andGame habitat codes including cover types, substrates, gradients, and the depth and width of each pool observed. The vegetation survey studied a cross-section at every 500 meters, noting the understory species, canopy cover, tree species and height and diameter of tree specimens. The bird study surveyed species and individuals within ten-minute periods at intervals along the creek. Finally, the habitat pollution studies looked at vegetation communities, outfalls, incidence of pollution and channel types near each outfall. The project was undertaken by the Coyote Creek Riparian Station with 15 San Francisquito Creek CRMP afural Resources Task Force a $40,000 grant from the US EPA’s San Francisco Estuary Project. Monitoring of water chemistry began in October 1992, and the other monitoring began in spring 1993. The initial inventory was completed in November 1994. Water quality monitoring continues on a bi- weekly basis, and additional bird surveys are performed quarterly, Computerized Geographical Information System (GIS) The purpose of this project was to compile the information collected in the Biological Resources Inventory into a computerized GIS which ties the information to international geographical coordir~ates. The GIS will be incorporated into the database systems of various government agencies (such as the Santa Clara Valley Water District), city planning departments and other agencies for use in determining future mitigation sites and in making land-use planning decisions. The project was undertaken by the Coyote Creek Riparian Station using its own funding sources, Data entry began in summer 1994 and was completed by October 1994, Native Plant Brochure for Creekside Residents The purpose of this brochure is to inform residents about the problems created by non- native vegetation and to encourage planting of native plants in areas adjacent to the riparian corridor, The project was undertaken by the Coyote Creek Riparian Station and wrih~en by Sara Timby of the California Native Plant Society, with funding from the "if Not Now, When?" Foundation, The publication date is targeted for fall 1996, and a distribution plan is now being developed, Placement of "No Fishing" Signs Indicating Penalties for Poaching The purpose of this project is to inform individuals who have occasionally been seen fishing in the creek that this is a protected waterway, Signs in both English and Spanish were designed and created by members of the Natural Resources Task Force, with resources donated by the Izmirian Roofing Company, Sites were selected and the signs were placed in summer 1996, Task Force members will also undertake public education efforts to reduce poaching along the creek.. 16 San Francisquito Creek CRMP atu I Resources Ta k Force Explore Removing Obstacles to Fish Passage in Bear Creek Tributary The purpose of this project is to identify impediments to fish passage and determine whether and how theses obstacles should be removed, Members of the Natural Resources Task Force have undertaken this effort without spending additional funds thus far, Task Force members arranged visits to several sites with staff from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, These site visits led to a preliminary determination that removing the small dams would not substantially improve fish passage and might cause more erosion. There is still a need to determine the sources of sediment; removal of the uppermost dam might improve fish passage if something is first done to control sedimentation. Further study is needed to determine the best plan, Support will also be needed from the owners of this private property, 17 San Franu~squito Creek CRMP Pollution Prevention Task orce StreamKeeper Pro~jram to Monitor for Pollution The purpose of this project is to involve trained volunteers in on-going monitoring of the creek to quickly report any pollution from chemical or solid wastes. The Coyote Creek Riparian Station, in cooperation with other CRMP groups such as the Peninsula Conservation Center and .Bay Area Action, recruited 60 volunteers, most of whom had been participants in the earlier stream inventory, Trainings were held in August and September 1994, and a network of StreamKeepers is now regularly watching for pbllution in the creek, Funds from the Santa Clara Valley Non-Point Source Pollution Control Program ($15,000) and from the Santa Clara Valley Water District ($20,000) were used to hire the StreamKeeper Coordinator and prepare materials for volunteer training. Re-Publication of Yardwaste Dumping Brochure Disposir~g of yardwaste by creekside residents and landscape contractors is a major source of pollution in the creek, introducing non-native plants, and using up available oxygen in the water while adding in chemical pesticides and fertilizers,To reduce this problem, it was decided to re-publish an existing SCVWD booklet about creek dumping, incorporating phone numbers and locations for local composting programs in the San Francisquito Creek watershed, This project was initiated by the CRMP’s Pollution Prevention Task Force, and printing funds were provided by SCVWD and the San Mateo County Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program (STOPPP), The booklet was re-written by Trish Mulvey, a Task Force member and re-published in June 1995, The CRMP Coordinator and the CCRS StreamKeeper Coordinator are preparing a distribution plan, Placement of Trash Bins at Bus Stops Near Creek The purpose of this project was to reduce litter blowing into the creekbed originating frombus passengers waiting at stops along University and Woodland Avenues in East Palo Alto, Glenna Violette, a member of the Crescent Park Homeowners Association, with support from the CRMP Pollution fdf(fPrevention Task Force, was instrumental in getting SamTrans to fund k.<..’ ~’,~ "m’~ ~, ~I~" ~’,,-" and place trash receptacles at these locations in February 1995, 18 San Francisquito Creek CRMP Poilu on Prevention Task Force Evaluation of Local Stormwater Pollution Prevention Activities To ensure that "all the bases were covered," the Pollution Prevention Task Force reviewed the current and planned efforts of both the San Mateo County STOPPP and the Santa Clara Valley NPSPCP to determine the completeness of topics covered throughout the watershed and to identify areas where there was room for inter-agency cooperation and fu.rther public education, In addition, the CRMP Coordinator and Task Force members: ¯reviewed implementation of "best management practices" (BMP’s) at Stanford University and other Stanford landholdings (golf course, stables, etc,); and ¯ reviewed public and professional education efforts by the Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant. Review of Recycling & Household Hazardous Waste Collection Services To determine if further services were needed to provide the public with suitable alternatives to dumping batteries, oil and other waste in the creekbed, the Pollution Prevention Task Force invited representatives from each of the waste collection franchises serving the watershed to describe current and planned services for oil recycling, yardwaste collection, multi-family recycling and household hazardous waste collection, From this review, the Task Force determined that new services planned for the near future, especially in East Palo Alto, where such services were not available, would be sufficient. 19 San Franc squito Creek CRMP Flood & Erosion Control Task Force Initiation of Watershed "Reconnaissance" Study Some residential areas within the lower watershed of San Francisquito Creek lie within the "100-year flood" probability zone and have been considered the largest flood hazard in the County by the Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD). The purpose of this study is to compile existing hydrological data and recommend alternative flood control strategies which also preserve natural riparian habitat. The CRMP Coordinator, with support from the Flood and Erosion Task Force, the Santa Clara Valley Water District and the San Mateo County Flood Control Division, sent letters to the five cities within the watershed (Portola Valley, Woodside, Menlo Park, Palo Alto and East Palo Alto), requestir~g their support for a hydrological study. Letters of support for this study were then voted upon by the’Cities of Palo Alto and Menlo Park and the Towns of Portola Valley and Woodside. With approval from these four jurisdictions, funds for the study were then budgeted by SCVWD. The next step in the process.will be a public meeting in 1997 to present data to the public about the potential loses due to flooding, various flood control alternatives, and probable costs. Streambank Stabilization at Menlo Park Site In order to prevent further erosion of private property and to provide a demonstration site for an environmentally se.nsitive, geotechnical approach to streambank stabilization, the CRMP Coordinator worked with the City of Menlo Park to prepare a grant proposal to the Department of Water Resources (DWR) for funds to undertake this project. The grant was submitted in January 1995; the project was highly rated by the DWR, but sufficient State funding was not available to provide a grant. Even without grant funds, however, two of the three affected private property owners agreed to undertake the project on a smaller stretch of the creek, and volunteers helped to revegetate the area after the terracing, boulders, and log revetments were installed in fall 1995. The winter 1996 storm waters displaced some of these natural materials, and further work needs to be done to stablize the bank in this location. 2O San Francisquito Creek CRMP Flood Erosion Control Task Force Assistance with Flood Caused I~y Corte Madera Creek Tributary The CRMP Coordinator was contacted by the San Mateo County Office of Emergency Services to assist residents and Stanford University, the major landowner, in determining what permits might be needed for removal of water-borne debris from floods occurring in winter 1995. Agency representatives and other interested parties were brought together by the CRMP for several site visits and meetings to examine the extent of the problem, consider what would be the best method to alleviate the flooding and its negative impact upon trees and other biological resources, determine what permits would be required, and identify funding sources. CRMP involvement in the problem was ended when the residents determined thqt they wanted to engage in direct negotiations with Stanford University representatives to resolve the problem. 21 San Franc~squito Creek CRMP Land Use Force evelop ent Task Review Current Creek Setback Regulations in Each Jurisdiction T.o determine the extent of regulatory protection for riparian natural resources, the Land Use Task Force reviewed the status of creek setback regulations in each of the seven jurisdictions (five cities/towns and two counties). The Task Force reviewed the rationale for creek setbacks and determined the status of general plan revisions in each jurisdiction. Inform Ab~ut and Advocate for Appropriate Setback Regulations To ensure that zoning regulations for creeks are uniform throughout the watershed, the Land Use Task Forde made presentations about the need for creek setbacks during the general plan revisions underway in several of the jurisdictions. A letter to the City of Palo Alto, drafted by the CRMP Coordinator and signed by the full CRMP Steering Committee, advocated retaining a 100-foot creek setback in that city’s proposed revision of its Comprehensive Plan. Input was also given into the general plan review processes for Menlo Park, Portola Valley, East Palo Alto and Santa Clara County. The Task Force sees a remaining need to inform city and county planners about the California Regional Water Quality Control Board’s new guidelines for activities within 200 feet of a creek. Collect Information About Post-Development Land Uses To better understand the impact of development on natural riparian resources, members of the Land Use Task Force researched information about current water rights in the watershed and reviewed studies of groundwater in the watershed. The next steps will include research into the broader implications of zoning laws within the watershed. 22 San Fra, ,,~isquito Creek CRMP Land Use Force Development Task Track Significant Development Proposals Within the Watershed The purpose of this effort is to acquire sufficient knowledge about the watershed-related impacts of current development proposals, in order to inform other CRMP participants as well as to make thoughtful comments during the public comment and approval process. For example, in conjunction with the CRMP Steering Committee, the Land Use Task Force heard presentations by representatives of Stanford Management Company regarding proposed housing, shopping center expansion and road reconfiguration along the Sand Hill Road corridor adjacent to San Francisquito Creek, Such informal discussions with Stanford staff at CRMP meetings contributed to modifications of the eventual proposal. Guide to Permits for Creek-Related Projects To ensure proper agency review of proposed construction projects, the Task Force created a brochure with a checklist to inform property owners of the types of permits needed for work adjacent to the creek and which agencies issue those permits, With input from the Steering Committee and the Land Use Task Force, an intern from the San Mateo County Planning Division researched the permits needed in various situations and drafted the brochure. Copies of the brochure are available from the CRMP Coordinator, and the next Step is to work with the permitting agencies to distribute it to creekside property owners. 23 San Franc,oquito Creek CRMP Social Issues Task Force Communication of Concerns and Creation of a Consensus The purpose of this effort was to bring together parties with a concern about the homeless people living in the creekbed and c, reate a consensus from which various groups could work together. With support from volunteer leaders of the Friends of San Francisquito Creek and neighborhood activists, the CRMP Coordinator lead a series of meetings of the Social Issues Task Force that included creekside residents, staff from the City of Palo Alto, social service providers and police. During these meetings, community concerns about pollution, trash, fire, noise, safety, and crime were voiced. Others spoke for the needs of homeless people and the limited social services available. After several meetings, representatives from all sectors came to a broad-based agreement that "the creek is not an appropriate place for people to be living, neither from the perspective of riparian ecology, the, neighbors, nor of the individuals themselves."This statement of consensus is essential as a basis for future work on this topicl Establishment of Uniform Ordinances and Consistent Enforcement The purpose of this effort was to create uniform ordinances among the three affected jurisdictions and to establish a consistent enforcement policy. Following the impetus of the Social Is.sues Task Force, the police chiefs of Palo Alto and Menlo Park convened an agency task force including police, public works, and human services staff from the two cities, the Palo Alto city attorney’s office, CRMP Task Force representatives, Urban Ministry and Stanford’s police chief. Police staff in all three jurisdictions were assigned to patrol park and public property along the creek regularly and cite overnight campers. Public works staff and contract workers from the California Conservation Corps were assigned to clear out debris and do further non-police patrolling. Volunteers from the Social Issues Task Force agreed to form a residential "neighborhood watch" team and were given police contact numbers to call if further encampments were sighted. The cities are now seeking authority to enforce "no trespassing" rules from other property owners (CalTrans and residential owners), Funds for this effort came from the cities’ public works general budgets (to hire the CCC crews) and through the reallocafion of staff time, Support for Alternative Social Services fo People Living in the Creek In order to prevent further encampments along the creek and to provide for the service needs of homeless people, the Social Issues Task Force wrote letters in support of legislation to keep armories and government buildings open as year- round shelters for people without homes. Similar letters were written by the CRMP Steering Committee and individual CRMP participants, The Urban Ministry also shared information with the Social Issues Task Force about other ways to provide and improve social services for homeless people. 24 San Fra~ ,-cisquito Creek CRMP Public duca Task Force & involvement Produce and Distribute "Citizens’ Guide to San Francisquito Creek" The purpose of this project was to inform residents of the watershed about the natural and human history of San Francisquito Creek and how they can preserve its natural resources. It was initiallyfunded by a grant to the Peninsula Conservation Center from the San Francisco Estuary Project, and funds for printing were provided by the City of Palo Alto, City of Menlo Park, and the Palo Alto Medical Foundation. The brochure was written and coordinated by freelance writer, Janet Cox, and additional fund-raising was done by Dena Mossar of the Santa Clara County Creeks Coaliton. Twenty thousand copies were printed and a distribution plan was carried out by the CRMP Coordinator. To date, over 15,000 copies have been distributed to all the residents of Portola Valley, Woodside, and Ladera, while door-to-door distribution was done to all creekside residences and many other homes throughout the watershed in Menlo Park and Palo Alto by volunteers, including scout troops and school classes. Brochures were also distributed to all school children in East Palo Alto’s Ravenswood School District. Produce and Distribute "A Creek Runs Through It" Video The purpose of this project was to create a public education tool which described the natural resources of San Francisquito Creek, some of the problems it faces and what is being done to solve those problems. It was created and produced by Peter Drekmeier of Bay Area Action with funding from the San Mafeo County Fish and Wildlife Advisory Committee and the Santa Clara County Fish and Game Commission. Fifty copies were initially produced, and CRMP funds were used to produce and distribute another 50 copies. Copies of the tape were distributed and presented to community meetings, private parties, s6hools and government agencies. 1994 Earth Day Youth Environmental Summit Focusing on SF Creek The purpose of this project was to educate high school students about issues related to the creek and to involve them in working to preserve its natural resources, Supported by private donations to Bay Area Action for Earth Day ~1994, the confernece was held at Foothill College and was coordinated by the Bay Area Action Schools Group, which is funded by a U,S, Environmental Protection Agency grant and the Barbara 25 San.Franc~squito Creek CRMP Public ducation volvemenf Task orce Gauntlett Foundation. Over 80 high school students attended, learning about creek ecology and issues and sharing their ideas about solutions to creek problems, As a follow- up, students were invited to join task forces, the Schools Group participated in creek clean- up activities, and students assisted with neighborhood distribution of San Francisquito Creek brochures. Produce and Distribute "Stream Care Guide" Booklet The purpose of this project was to educate creekside residents about riparian ecology, how it affects their property and how the Santa Clara Valley Water District works to preserve natural creek values while protecting against floods and erosion, Written and produced by the Santa Clara Valley Water District staff, the booklet was published using District tax revenues and illustrated copies were mailed to all creekside residents in Santa Clara County, Inform Stanford Leaseholders About Best Management Practices for the Creek To inform Stanford leaseholders about Best Management Practices for rural business operations near the creek, Stanford Management Company*s CRMP representative and the CRMP Coordinator organized a half-day workshop in April 1995. This meeting brought together for the first time Stanford’s rural and commercial lessees, resource agency representatives and environmental leaders to ~hare information about business activities close to the creek and discuss how they can be performed with minimal impact to creek habitats. Follow-up meetings will be held at individual lease sites with appropriate CRMP task force members and other resource agency staff. Present Information about the Creek to Community Groups To inform the public about the natural resources of San Francisquito Creek and invite them to become active in the CRMP process, members of the Public Education Task Force and the CRMP Coordinator organized a public education campaign. CRMP staff sent out letters to over 70 community groups, enclosing a copy of the "Citizens’ Guide" brochure and offering to make a presentation.The CRMP Coordinator made ten 26 San Fro, ,cisquito Creek CRMP Public ducafion & Involvement Task Force presentations to community groups from NovemL~er ]994 fo May ]995, and three presentations to school classes in October through November ]994, Volunteer Jim Johnson made three presentations in spring ]995, and volunteer Mike Hogan gave an in-home presentation in January 1995. Build an Educational Kiosk at El Palo Alto Site To educate the citizens of the watershed about the human and natural history of San Francisquito Creek, the Peninsula Conservation Center’s Palo Alto Centennial Environmental F6cus Committee has undertaken to build a permanent educational kiosk to be placed at Palo Alto’s creekside El Palo Alto Park. Over one third of the estimated cost of $26,000 has already been raised in cash or pledges from the Palo Alto Fund, the Wheeler Fund, Varian Associates, Mr. Mel Lane, Stanford University, the Menlo Park Historical Association and the Committee for Green Foothills. Vance Brown and Sons has also committed to assisting in-kind with the construction. A committee of local naturalists and historians has written material for twelve informational panels, and graphic design will be done by Carol Hubenthal of the Palo Alto Weekly. Grant proposals have been written by the CRMP Coordinator and followed up by volunteer Joyce Leonard. in addition to securing additional funds, the next steps include review and approval of the text by City of Palo Alto, followed by review of the architectural plans by Palo Alto’s Architectural Review Board, Planning Commission and City Council. Organize Creek Clean.-Up Activities as an Educational Tool To involve members of the public in caring for the creek, the Public Education Task Force and Bay Area Action organized monthly Creek Clean-Ups and an Earth Day event in 1994. Over the last two years, more than 500 people have participated, pulling an estimated three tons of trash, debris, furniture and hazardous materials such as car batteries and chemical containers from the creekbed. Assistance in hauling the materials was provided by the cities of Palo Alto and Menlo Park, the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District and the Santa Clara Valley Water District. 27 San Franu~squito Creek CRMP Partnership Opportunities The CRMP Steering Committee has created this draft Watershed Management Plan as a set of recommendations. Implementation now rests with the various stakeholders who have been participating in the CRMP process. This se’~tion suggests which stakeholders might undertake responsibility for implementing the Proposed Actions outlined under each sectioh of the draft Plan. In many cases, these Actions will need to be carried out in collaboration among several partners. The stakeholders listed here will need to decide about whether to incorporate the Proposed Actions in their future workplans. 28 San Fro, ,cisquito Creek CRMP Partnership Opportun" "e City and County Governments CI Identify and remove disincentives to proper disposal of yardwaste and other solid wastes, , I=l Implement an on-going program of pollution prevention. Cl Identify best management practices, problems with their implementation and work with agencies and property owners to facilitate solutions, I~ Adopt General Plan policies and ordinances which provide for protection and restoration of creeks. Q Adopt policies and ordinances to establish a continuous buffer zone for creek habitat preservation ar~l to protect development which maybe anticipated, I~ Require that development in flood plains conforms to flood hazard regulations. I=l Require notification of flood plain hazard upon transfer of private property. I~ Adopt Regional Water Quality Control Board recommendations for newand redevelopment projects. El Establish and maintain a policy of "no net loss~ of riparian or wetland habitat. Cl Establish mitigation policies that ensure habitat lost within the watershed will be restored within the watershed, I=l Streamline the permitting process for projects in the riparian corridor, so that permit applicants need only apply to one agency or jurisdiction. l:i Determine appropriate places for public access to the creek and facllitate environmental education at those sites. Encourage public works staff and contracted agencies such as the California Conservation Corps to remove debris and furniture from the riparian corridor, 29 San Franulsquito Creek CRMP Partnership Opportunities City and County Government Planning Departments Ci Establish a continuous riparian corridor with native vegetation from the Bay to the Santa Cruz Mountains, [3 Reduce or minimize the impact from existing or proposed impervious surfaces. [3 Encourage preservation of open space to allow for wafer percolation into the soil, CI Set aside and protect riparian buffer zones to.protect from bank erosion and allow for natural meandering processes, Social Service Agencies Q Work in coalition with neighborhood and environmental groups to advocate for adeq~Jate resources and improved services for persons removed from creekside encampments, City Police Departments Cl Utilize existing laws and work with enforcement agencies and public and private property owners to disband encampments along the creek. 3O San Fra~ ~cisquito Creek CRMP Partne hip Opportun" "e Santa Clara Valley Non-Point Source Pollution Control Program and County of San Mateo STOPPP ~J Educate residents, business operators, agricultural users, stable managers and others about best management practices to prevent polluted stormwater runoff Identify and remove disincentives to proper disposal of water from pools and spas. ~J Educate residents, business operators, agricultural users, stable managers and others about best management practices to prevent polluted stormwater runoff County of San Mateo Flood Control Department Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD) F~ Complete a hydrological assessment of the entire watershed. ~ Plan and implement a flood control and management system that will reduce flood insurance costs to homeowners and other property owners. [~ Identify areas with potential for restoration into an ecologically healthier, more natural environment. California Department of Fish and Game Control and/or eliminate poaching. ~ Protect and restore wildlife species and the native riparian vegetation that provides their habitat. California Conservation Corps ~ Work with public works staff and volunteers to remove debris and furniture from the riparian corridor. 31 San FranL.,squito Creek CRMP Partnership Opportunities Possible Future Riparian Station ~J Establish a Riparian Station which will perform on-g,oing monitoring of biological and water quality data to measure future changes throughout the watershed. El Establish baseline data to monitor changes in the status of natural resources such as plant and animal species, habitat characteristics, etc. ~J Determine and map the location of species, with particular attention to the first upstream location of invasive plants which might migrate downstream. ~ Expand information previously collected by the Coyote Creek Riparian Station to include the main tributaries of San Francisquito Creek. ~ Review proposec~ ~changes in water rights to ensure sufficient water flows to protect and restore fish and other wildlife habitat. ~ Educate property owners, residents and landscape contractors about problems with dumping yardwaste and other solid waste into the creek. CI Inventory barriers to migratory fish passage, assess their significance and remove or modify them as appropriate. Cl Train and coordinate volunteer StreamKeeper monitors. ~ Identify areas with poter~tial for restoration into an ecologically healthier, more natural riparian environment. El Identify lands of critical significance which might be purchased by cities, counties and agencies such as Midpeninsula Open Space District, Peninsula Open Space Trust or the Golden Gate National Recreation Area for protection of the riparian habitat and natural watershed processes. Create a home page on the World Wide Web to provide information about San Francisquito Creek and opportunities for community involvement. 32 San Frarl.cisquito Creek CRMP Partne hipOpportunities Property Owners ~ Protect and restore steelhead habitat characteristics (including in-stream water flows, spawning gravels, shade, appropriate temperatures, in-stream shelter elements, etc,). [3 Control exotic (non-native) vegetation. [3 Reduce barriers to migratory fish passage. [3 Identify and reduce sources of erosion and siltation. [3 Set aside, plant, and maintain a buffer zone of riparian vegetation between the creek and development to protect from bank erosion and allow for natural meander in processes. [3 Implement an on-going program of pollution prevention. [3 Implement best management practices and other options for managing sites in the watershed to minimize adverse impacts in the riparian environments. ~’Determine appropriate places for public access to the creek and facilitate environmental education at those sites. 33 San Fran~.,oquito Creek CRMP Partnership Opportun Stanford University Implement appropriate Regional Water Quality Control Board guidelines for new and ~edevelopment projects. Q Work with law enforcement agencies and other property owners to disband encampments along the creek. ~ Educate campus residents, facilities operators, construction managers, agr.icultural users, stable managers and others about best management practices to prevent pollution from entering San Francisquito Creek. Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve Q Work with non-profits in the watershed to establish a riparian station which will perform on-going monitoring of biological and water quality data to measure future changes throughout the watershed. 34 San Fro, 0cisquito Creek CRMP Partne hip Opporfunities Peninsula Conservation Center Foundation (PCCF) CI Educate residents on flood preparedness and general floodplain management practices. [3 Educate property owners, residents and landscape contractors about problems with dumping yardwaste and other solid waste into the creek. El Plan and build an educational kiosk to be located at the El Palo Alto park which will highlight the natural and human history of the creek and its watershed. CRMP Steering Committee CI Work in coalition with social service providers to advocate for adequate resources and improved services for displaced individuals. ~ Develop a strategy for approaching various audiences and delivering appropriate messages to decision-makers and staff of public agencies, creekside and watershed residents, business operators, and landowners. I~1 Explore the opportunity to create, a joint powers agency with taxing authority to work on the problems of this watershed, with an initial emphasis on flood management which is consistent with natural riparian values. [3 Facilitate the development of uniform missions and maintenance practices by the Santa Clara Valley Water District and San Mateo County Flood Control Office. 35 San Franclsquito Creek CRMP Partn hip Opportunities Community Organizations ~ Protect and restore wildlife species and the native riparian vegetation that provides their habitat. O Educate residents on flood preparedness and general flood plain management practices. ~3 Implement an on-going program of pollution prevention. 13 Develop a strategy for delivering appropriate messages to the general public and voters (when election issues are relevant). Bay Area Action 13 Educate residents on flood preparedness and general flood plain management practices. 13 Educate property owners, residents and landscape contractors about problems with dumping yardwaste and other solid waste into the creek. 13 Perform regular volunteer creek clean-ups. [3 Develop a strategy for delivering appropriate messages about creek stewardship to youth and schoolchildren. 13 Perform regular volunteer creek clean-ups. O Control and/or eliminate poaching Friends of San Francisquito Creek 36 San F~ ~cisquito Creek CRMP Wafershed ap San Frari_,~quito Creek CRMP Appe Definitions Riparian Corridor: Vegetative and wildlife areas adjacent to perennial and intermittent streams and other freshwater bodies, such as lakes, ponds and reservoirs. Riparian corridors can be delineated by the existence of riparian vegetation. Buffer Zone: A strip of land zoned to protect one type of land use from another with which it is incompatible, Where a commercial district abuts a residential district, for example, additional use, yard, or height restrictions may be imposed to protect residential properties, The term may also be used to d&scribe any zone that separates two unlike zones such as a multi-family housing zone between single family housing and commercial uses, Note: It is important to keep in mind that sensitive habitats, such as riparian corridors and wetlands, are not usually zoned accordingly. Formal identification of sensitive habitats is an instrumental first step in protecting these resources. Developing policy language to regulate development near sensitive habitats is the best step to protect the resource, A1 San Fro, ~cisquito Creek CRMP Appendix Francisquito Fundin for Creek CRMP the San Process Over the past three years, the following organizations and individuals have made substantial finah’cial contributions to support the CRMP process: Fran Adams City of Palo Alto Litton Electronic Devices The David and Lucile Packard Foundation Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society Santa Clara County Creeks Coalition Santa Clara Valley Water District Santa Clara Valley Non-Point Source Pollution Control Program San Mateo County San Mateo County Fish and Wildlife Advisory Committee, via the San Mateo County Parks and Recreation Division U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Contributions for the specific projects, such as the educational kiosk planned for El Palo Alto Park, that have been undertaken by the CRMP process and participating organizations are detailed in the section on Accomplishments. A2 San Franc~squito Creek CRMP : App -dix .111.,! About the Peninsula Conservation Center Foundation The San Francisquito Creek CRMP process is a project of the Peninsula Conservation Center Foundation (PCCF), a non-profit organization founded in 1970, The PCCF serves the public by providing an information and resource center for those working on solutions to environmental problems in the San Francisco Peninsula area, It also serves as the fiscal agent for several projects and provides office space and equipment for others. For more information, contact Jorie Rosel PCCF Executive Director at (415) 962-9876, A3