FloodSAFE – how one local agency works to keep its levees and public safe Ann Draper, Assistant Operating Officer National Levee Safety Summit, St. Louis Missouri, February 26, 2008

 Located in Santa Clara County, California along South San Francisco Bay  Home of Silicon Valley  Serve nearly 2 million residents  Integrated water resources agency  Drinking water wholesaler  Responsible for flood protection and stream stewardship About us

More than 100 miles of levees protect thousands of parcels - 50 miles provide 100-year protection Levees are significant to flood protection in Santa Clara County Levees

. 66 % of 100-year levees met FEMA’s new certification standards

Multiple actions required to ensure levee integrity and public safety 1.Inspect 2.Control vegetation 3.Manage animal burrows 4.Repair erosion 5.Secure long-term permits 6.Ensure reliable funding sources 7.Keep community informed & satisfied To do list:

Levee inspection must be systematic, consistent, verifiable Adequate levee inspection and maintenance is essential for providing a reliable flood protection system, reducing the risk of flooding and loss of life and property, as well as maintaining compliance with State and Federal regulations for funding and flood insurance requirements. Adequate levee maintenance also ensures the accessibility and serviceability during flood events for emergency work. This document describes general procedures and guidelines for field operations levee inspection and record keeping.

Vegetation management has many purposes, considerations Allow for ease of inspection Help with fire prevention Recognize neighbors’ concerns with aesthetics, viewshed

Burrow management is complex, crucial to ensuring levee integrity California ground squirrel – the primary local species responsible for burrowing into levees Western burrowing owl – a California species of special concern; often makes its home in abandoned ground squirrel burrows Salt marsh harvest mouse – a state and federal endangered species; bait stations used for ground squirrels must be specially designed to prevent inadvertent poisoning of the mouse Needs, behaviors of several species must be considered

Burrow management is complex, crucial to ensuring levee integrity 1 2 active burrow bait station Burrow must be vacated before repairs can begin Coyote Creek, San Jose, CA

Burrow management is complex, crucial to ensuring levee integrity Burrows are deep and extensive Coyote Creek, San Jose, CA

Burrow management is complex, crucial to ensuring levee integrity Coyote Creek, San Jose, CA Potential solution: bentonite clay slurry grout pumped into burrow entrances. Exploratory excavation confirms mixture completely fills and seals burrows.

Corrective maintenance cannot be overlooked Porta-damBefore Rock toe After Coyote Creek levee repair project San Jose, CA

Long-term permits are key to continuity of levee safety activities 10-year Stream Maintenance Program August 2001 Permits from: San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Department of Fish and Game 10-year Stream Maintenance Program August 2001 Permits from: San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Department of Fish and Game

Reliable funding sources must be secured Santa Clara Valley Water District has spent more than $4 million on levee safety since fiscal 2002 Ad valorem property tax Special voter- approved tax State funding Federal funding

Community outreach improves flood hazard awareness Annual direct mail to owners and residents of floodprone properties Web pages School outreach

Customer outreach and feedback confirms public support 3-year average Completed project was a benefit to the neighborhood Good/excellent rating for overall job performance 2152 responses

Many interests influence local levee management

Local land use and flood protection agencies share a commitment to safety

Our shared future Collaboration between local, state & federal agencies benefits our mutual constituency Federal help with funding; permits; environmental mitigation Cooperation between partners Local partner informs public

valleywater.org Santa Clara County, California a FloodSAFE community