Creek's neighbors push for smaller flood control project Creek's neighbors push for smaller flood control project (May 28, 2003)

Funding threatened by larger-scale project that would take more time

by Bill D'Agostino

Over the next year, the Army Corps of Engineers will be studying a potential $10 million flood control project for the volatile San Francisquito Creek.

But that eagerly-awaited safeguard could be shelved if Congress approves a larger-scale, approximately $100 million undertaking, since there is only so much local money available to help pay for the creek's flood control work.

Creek neighbors, frightened by the threat of flooding and eager to see something done immediately, want the $10 million project to be the first step in safeguarding all those living near the creek.

During a board meeting last week, the multi-city, multi-county agency responsible for the creek, known as the Joint Powers Authority (JPA), agreed to send a letter to the Army Corps of Engineers asking them to begin studying the less grand, $10 million project.

The board also requested that the project -- granted to the JPA by the Army Corps last summer -- focus on the portion of the creek between Highway 101 and the San Francisco Bay.

The San Francisquito Creek, which serves as much of the border between San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, caused around $28 million in damage to more than 400 homes and businesses during heavy storms in February of 1998. The creek is believed to be the last naturally-flowing creek in the South Bay, and is home to numerous endangered species, including the Steelhead Trout.

The $10 million project is expected to take three to five years, beginning with the Army Corps' study, and would require approximately $3 million of local matching funds. It would also add security for Palo Alto and East Palo Alto residents and businesses most vulnerable to raging creek water.

Potential plans selected by the JPA board for the Army Corps' consideration include adding flow capacity at Highway 101 with a new culvert, widening the channel below 101, or creating a second channel, or flood basin, inside Palo Alto's municipal golf course.

Some whose homes were flooded by the 1998 storms include Palo Alto citizens whose pro bono expertise has been utilized by the JPA during the last six months to study various options for the $10 million project.

Ironically, the Stanford researchers, who began working on the creek after floodwaters threatened their homes during heavy rains in December of 2002, would not directly benefit from the $10 million project, if it is ultimately constructed.

Nevertheless, Tom Rindfleisch, a physicist and retired senior research scientist at Stanford who helped study the project's options using a computer generated simulation of the creek's flow, supports the project.

"It is the only way that we're going to move forward on ultimately solving the creek problem," he told the board.

Still, some on the JPA board hope for a much larger study and project that would aim to give protection to all the creek's vulnerable neighbors during much heavier storms.

Earlier this year, President Bush surprised the JPA by placing a $100,000 earmark in the 2003-2004 federal budget for such a large scale project, which would require a multi-million dollar investment from the local agency for the initial study.

But Greg Zlotnick, who represents the Santa Clara Valley Water District on the JPA board, warned that there is only $3 million saved up between the creek's two counties for flood control work.

If that money is "chewed up" for the smaller, $10 million construction project, there'd be nothing left for the more beneficial larger-scale one, especially from the cash-poor San Mateo County side of the creek, Zlotnick said.

As a result of the county's lack of funds, the JPA is closing down for the month of August.

Ultimately, the larger project would require much more than $3 million in local money, and would have to go out to voters for approval of a bond. It would also take much longer than the $10 million project to be studied and constructed.

In a year, the JPA hopes to have both Congress's yes or no on the larger project, and the results of the Army Corps investigation into the $10 million project.

If both go as hoped, the JPA might have to choose between the two projects in mid-2004, or find a creative solution to the apparent lack of funds.

E-mail Bill D'Agostino at bdagostino@paweekly.com