In Fiscal Year 2005/2006, the SFPUC initiated the Watershed and Environmental Improvement Program (Program). The Program will provide $50 million over 10 years for the SFPUC to more proactively manage, protect and restore environmental resources critical to or affected by SFPUC operations. Funding for the Program wil include $20 million from WSIP Measure A bond funds and approximately $30 million from operating funds. The attached Preliminary Project Concepts document represents a summary of proposed projects.
Goal:
Protect and restore lands and natural resources critical to or affected by the operation of the SFPUC water system.
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Calaveras Reservoir |
Criteria:
Project must meet the following criteria in order to be considered for WEIP funding:
- WEIP Projects must be relevant to the protection or restoration of one of the five major watershed regions associated with the SFPUC operations:
- Tuolumne River Watershed
- Alameda Creek Watershed
- Peninsula Watershed
- Lake Merced and other watershed areas in the City and County of San Francisco
- Right of Way
- WEIP projects must be consistent with the Water Enterprise Environmental Stewardship Policy, Alameda and Peninsula Watershed Management Plans, SFPUC Right of Way Encroachment Policy and Integrated Vegetation Management Policy and, wherever possible, regional environmental stewardship framework.
- WEIP projects must be above and beyond any mitigation required by CEQA or other environmental permitting.
- WEIP projects are above and beyond routine watershed operations and maintenance activities. Examples of routine watershed operations and maintenance activities include: vegetation management, rodent control, erosion control, exotic species control, road management, maintenance and/or installation of fencing.
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Pilarcitos Creek |
Objectives:
- Manage watershed activities and resources to protect source water quality, native species and their habitat and identify critical watershed lands, key ecosystem restoration needs and restoration priorities.
- Protect/restore terrestrial species/habitats.
- Protect/restore water quality/stream health.
- Protect/restore aquatic species/habitat.
- Protect/restore watershed lands.
- Enhance public awareness of watershed resources, their protection and restoration efforts.
- Maintain up-to-date watershed management plans.
- Foster SFPUC's leadership role in environmental stewardship through collaborations and partnerships with other agencies, input from the scientific community, and public participation.
- Make use of all available science in planning, design and implementation, and include criteria and monitoring to evaluate and report outcomes.
- Distribute funds so that the overall portfolio affords protection across landscapes and ecological targets in the primary watershed regions.
- Develop monitoring and feedback mechanisms to measure progress against performance measures.
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Prioritization:
- Will the project have a direct impact on protecting and/or restoring natural resources affected by SFPUC operations or facilities?
- Is the project critical to the operation of the SFPUC water system?
- Are there other potential partners and cost share opportunities?
- Will project provide information necessary to implement other projects/program?
- Will failure to act cause environmental harm or a lost opportunity?
- Is the project time sensitive?
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WEIP Implementation Strategy:
Annual Report
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| California Red-Legged Frog |
At the end of each fiscal year (July), staff will report on the progress of the implementation of the Program. The report will include the status of on-going Program projects, an accounting of Program expenses to date by project type and watershed area, and Program goals for the coming year.
SFPUC Staff Recommendations
In the fall, at a regularly scheduled Bay Area Water Stewards (BAWS) meeting, SFPUC staff will discuss projects being considered for the coming fiscal year. The final list of projects and a proposed budget request will be developed in preparation for the SFPUC annual budget meeting in early winter (Jan/Feb).
For more information about the Watershed and Environmental Improvement Program contact Carla Schultheis at (415) 554-1558 or cschultheis@sfwater.org |
