San Francisco Bay Shoreline Protection Bill Passes

SACRAMENTO – A bill to provide state funding to a crucial flood control project in the South San Francisco Bay was unanimously approved by the California Senate today and will go to Governor Brown for his signature.

"SB 881 authorizes state flood control funding for this vitally important project to protect an area of great economic importance and a place thousands of South Bay residents call home," said the bill’s author, Sen. Bob Wieckowski, chair of the Senate Environmental Quality Committee. "Aside from the flood control benefits of the South San Francisco Bay Shoreline Project, there are critical improvements to wildlife habitat and an extension of the Bay Trail. This partnership between the Santa Clara Valley Water District and city, state, and federal agencies is working to ensure the Shoreline Project is a smart investment that will benefit the South Bay for years to come."

The Shoreline Project will safeguard the north San Jose area between the Alviso Slough/Guadalupe River and Coyote Creek from the risk of a 100-year flood through the construction of four miles of coastal levees. It will also protect against sea-level rise caused by climate change and restore and enhance almost 3,000 acres of tidal marsh and other habitat that was lost due to salt production activities.

The project will protect several key companies that power the state’s economy, including Google and Cisco, as well as the NASA/Ames Research Center and three critical wastewater facilities.

"This is a very large public works project and SB 881 provides the final part of the financing package to make the Shoreline Project authorized to receive state flood control subvention funds," Wieckowski said.

In addition to the Santa Clara Valley Water District, SB 881 is supported by the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, the Milpitas Chamber of Commerce, Santa Clara Chamber of Commerce, Mid-Peninsula Regional Open Space District, City of Palo Alto, and several special districts.

Sen. Wieckowski represents the 10th District, which includes southern Alameda County and parts of Santa Clara County.

— Announcement from Sen. Wieckowski 's Office; Image via Shutterstock