Creek Connection I Stormwater News
May 2021
2021 Authority Board
We are pleased to announce the Authority’s Board Members for 2021 are Chairperson Paul Resnikoff (Campbell), Vice-Chairperson Bryan Mekechuk (Monte Sereno), Board Member Mary Badame (Los Gatos), and Board Member Rishi Kumar (Saratoga). Current alternates include Susan Landry (Campbell), Maria Ristow (Los Gatos), Rowena Turner (Monte Sereno), and Mary-Lynne Bernald (Saratoga).
COVID-19 Office Protocol Update
The Authority continues to follow State and County COVID-19 guidelines. As tier levels are reassessed, we expect that our staff will transition to working both remotely and on site in our office.
NPDES Municipal Regional Permit (MRP) Reissuance
The State Water Board released a courtesy administrative draft of the next Municipal Regional Permit (MRP 3.0) Administrative Draft on February 9, 2021. The countywide stormwater program submitted collective comments on behalf of permitted agencies in Santa Clara County. Comments were submitted on all pertinent sections, with a focus on C.3 Development, C.10 Trash, as well as new sections including C.15 Homelessness, C.21 Cost Reporting, and C.22 Asset Management.
The Water Board’s latest schedule assumes the release of the Tentative Order and Water Board hearings to be held in July/August, an adoption hearing in December 2021, and an effective date for MRP 3.0 of July 1, 2022.
2021 Strategic Priorities
The Board unanimously adopted the Authority’s 2021 Strategic Priorities at its February 4th Board Meeting. The Authority will continue its focus on Permit Compliance, Administration and Finance, Stormwater Education, and Technology and Innovation. The Mission, Values, 2021 Strategic Priorities, and key initiatives can be found on our website.
Budget and Work Plan Adoption
The Authority’s FY2021-22 Budget and FY2021-22 Work Plan were approved by the Board at its regular meeting on May 6.
Hearing on Stormwater Property Assessments
On May 6 the Authority Board conducted a public hearing on the proposed storm sewer fees for FY2021-22 and approved placement of the fees on the Santa Clara County property tax roll. Collection of the FY2021-22 storm sewer fees will begin again in September 2021.
GSI Handbook Part 2 and Vegetation Field Guide
Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Program (SCVURPPP) staff is continuing revisions to the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission details for general components related to bioretention and pervious pavement and other updates. A mulch specification for bioretention systems is also being developed, as well as a new field guide focusing on GSI vegetation management and maintenance.
FY2020-21 Annual Report
The Water Board recently approved the Annual Report templates for FY2020-21. Authority staff is in the process of updating this year’s annual report calendar and packet schedule, and will provide to appropriate agency staff in June.
Assembly Bill 377 – California Clean Water Act
AB 377 is proposed legislation that could substantially change the way stormwater is regulated and compliance is determined for stormwater permittees in California. The bill would require the Water Boards by January 2023, to enforce all water quality standard violations that are causing or contributing to an exceedance of a water quality standard in any surface water. Potential penalties and other costs of compliance would significantly burden municipal general funds. Both Campbell and Monte Sereno have sent letters of opposition to AB377. On April 21, the bill passed out of the Committee on Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials, with a final vote of 5-3 and will now move on to the Appropriations Committee.
Urban Creek Monitoring Report
MRP Provision C.8 Water Quality Monitoring requires assessment of the condition of water quality in receiving waters (creeks and the Bay) and identifying impacts and management actions. These requirements are completed by SCVURPPP at a countywide level. The 2020 Monitoring Report is complete and available for review.
Updating Corp Yard SWPPPS
In FY2021-22, Authority staff will assist Campbell, Los Gatos, and Saratoga with updating Corp Yard SWPPPs. Maps will be professionally updated and digitized, and a training component will be developed as well.
Industrial/Commercial Inspection Training Video
The Authority is developing a Commercial/Industrial Inspection training video. The video will be used annually as staff training for the Santa Clara County Fire Department (partner agency conducting commercial/Industrial inspections for Campbell, Los Gatos, and Saratoga). The video is currently in production. Upon completion, the video will be shared with the countywide program for training purposes.
Stormwater Treatment Measure (STM) Data Portal
SCVURPPP staff have uploaded the project data for FY2018-19 and FY2019-20. The Portal now provides project boundaries, maps of installed STMs, trash full capture systems, and other features, and is available to agencies and the public.
Bay Area Stormwater Management Agencies Association (BASMAA)
The organization will dissolve and cease to exist as a formal organization after April 2021. A proposed process to BASMAA members for continued collaboration was accepted at the BASMAA Board meeting.
Earth Smart Actions
In March the Authority launched Earth Smart Actions, an online platform to engage the community and students with a variety of engaging activities to accomplish meaningful environmental changes in their neighborhood.
Underpass Mural Art Grant
The Authority, in partnership with the South Bay Clean Creeks Coalition and the City of Campbell (Campbell), announced Andrew Roulette as the grant recipient to paint a mural under the Creekside Way Bridge in Campbell along the Los Gatos Creek Trail. Installation of Andrew Roulette’s mural design is scheduled to commence in late May.
Valley Water Grant
High School Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan
The Authority’s grant project with Prospect High School in Saratoga is beginning for the 2021-2022 school year. The grant will educate high school students over the course of one school year about pollution entering our waterways and assist students in developing a School Site Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan to reduce pollutants flowing off their campus. After completing the project, the students will present their report to the Valley Water Board.
Youth Commissions
The Authority is in the planning stages to work with Youth Commissions in each West Valley City/Town to implement a stormwater pollution prevention project in FY2021-22. The goal of this project is to help youth commissions become more informed about stormwater pollution and help educate others.
GSI/LID Video
SCVURPPP is developing an educational video on local GSI/LID features, focusing on bioretention areas, pervious pavement, and rain barrels. The intent is to introduce the layperson to GSI/LID features, raise awareness about local GSI efforts, and provide information to incorporate these features into residential landscapes. The video showcases the City of Campbell and its green street features on Hacienda Avenue and a pervious driveway water demonstration on a new development on West Hacienda. In addition, the video will feature the Authority’s new animated GIFs focused on Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI). The video will be posted on the GSI page of the Watershed Watch website and will also be provided to Co-permittees for local outreach.
Earthquakes and Sharks Anti-Litter Campaign
The Authority has partnered with SCVURPPP member agencies to participate in an anti-litter ad campaign with the Earthquakes and the San Jose Sharks. The ads will run in May and June and will be placed at bus shelters. Campbell’s locations include: Hamilton Ave. by Bascom Ave., Campbell Ave. by Kim Louise Dr., and Campbell Ave. by Bascom Ave. Los Gatos’s locations include: Knowles Dr. by Dardanelli Ln., and University Ave. by Mullen Ave. There were no available locations in Monte Sereno or Saratoga.
FY2020-21 Trainings/Conferences - Recently Held or Scheduled
Construction Inspector Workshop Webinar - March 3, 2021
The workshop covered regulatory basics, and presentations on topics such as: BMP case studies, steep hillside inspection procedures, and inspections during COVID-19. Workshop materials are available
here.
Inaugural Statewide Illegal Dumping Conference - April 21-23, 2021
The conference focused on a "Three E's" strategy to end illegal dumping: Education, Eradication, and Enforcement. Post conference materials can be found
here.
Municipal Maintenance Workshop Webinar - April 29, 2021
The workshop provided training videos from CASQA and San Diego County. Workshop materials will be available soon.
Water Management Summit: Watershed Health and People Experiencing Homelessness - May 5, 2021
Topics included: State and Federal perspectives and opportunities, local jurisdictions providing leadership, water quality and watershed health, and funding opportunities.
Landscape IPM Workshop Webinar - May 25, 2021, 8:30 AM to Noon
Who should attend: Muni landscape maintenance staff, muni landscape contractors.
Register here.
Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) Implementation - June 10, 2021, 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Who should attend: Stormwater program coordinators, Planning and Public Works staff.
Register here.
IND/IDDE Inspector Training Webinar - June 2021
Agenda and signup TBA
Upcoming Meetings and Events
Virtual National River Cleanup Month, every Saturday in May, from 9:00 AM to Noon. Register through Eventbrite.
Authority Board Meeting, Thursday, September 2, 2021 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM (PDT), Monte Sereno City Hall, 18041 Los Gatos-Saratoga Rd. Monte Sereno, CA 95030.
Please share any content in the Authority newsletters in your agency publications. Likewise, if you would like to share any stormwater information with other member agencies, please email Pia Lusk and we will include in our next publication.
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