University Village after tidal
flooding in 1972.
The neighborhood is still subject to floods
coming from
the Bay. One resident said this was Illinois Street. |
|
East Palo Alto: With or Without Flooding?
The primary mission of the San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers
Authority is to develop and implement a flood management plan
for the San Francisquito Creek. Should they be asked to address
Bay flooding as well?
April 13th meeting seeks resident input on this important decision.
By Debra O'Leary
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Liaison,
City of East Palo Alto
Portions of East Palo Alto are at risk of flooding from either the San
Francisquito Creek or the San Francisco Bay. Some areas are at risk from both
sources. Although flooding from San Francisquito Creek is more frequent,
flooding from the Bay (tidal flooding) has the potential to affect a much larger
area in East Palo Alto.
The Ravenswood Industrial Area and University Village have been hit by tidal
flooding, with the last occurrence happening in the1970’s.
The ever-present threat of tidal flooding affects flood insurance
requirements, complicates redevelopment efforts in the Ravenswood Business
district, and poses security risks for people and property within the area.
A tidal
flood from 1973, Bay Road at the entrance to the
Romic facility. |
|
The San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority (SFCJPA) was formed after the
1998 creek flood to plan a flood management project for the creek. The agency
has set about partnering with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) on a
project to address environmental concerns and reduce the potential for flooding
from the Creek in East Palo Alto and surrounding communities. (See the SFCJPA
website for more information).
The mission of the SFCJPA does not address tidal or bay flooding. However the
Board of Directors is currently debating whether or not the agency should
increase its mission and project boundary to include tidal flooding for Menlo
Park, Palo Alto and East Palo Alto within the current ACOE project.
If the SFCJPA with the Corps of Engineers do not take on the
project, there are alternative scenarios but they are far less
likely to happen, or are not even under discussion. The
South Bay Salt
Pond Restoration Project is also looking at flood control,
but the waterfront adjacent to East Palo Alto north and south of
Cooley Landing is not part of the
project area. The land is within San Mateo County, but the
County has historically held that it does not have
responsibility for the levees in this area. The City of East
Palo itself has the greatest interest but a project of this
magnitude would be difficult to imagine for a small
cash-strapped City. So we come back full circle to the SFCJPA
partnered with the Corps as the most likely candidate.
On Wednesday April 13th, at 2:30 p.m., the
San Francisquito Creek Watershed
Council will host an informal public discussion on these issues before a
decision comes to the SFCJPA Board. It is very important that interested East
Palo Alto residents and business owners attend this (and subsequent SFCJPA Board
meetings) to voice their opinions and concerns.
The results could have profound
effects on the residents and business owners now and for generations to come.
Your voice will help officials from East Palo Alto, Menlo Park and San Mateo
County Flood Control District who serve on the SFCJPA Board make a fully
informed decision.
Tidal
floods by greenhouses, location uncertain,
possibly on outskirts of Ravenswood Industrial
area.
A map from the Federal Emergency
Manage-ment Agency (FEMA) shows a projection of
the potential impact
of a tidal flood, with flooding
in University Village, Palo Alto Gardens and the
Ravenswood Industrial area. |
|
Please come to the San Francisquito Creek Watershed Council
meeting to learn more about the issue and share your thoughts and opinions.
San Francisquito Creek Watershed Council
meeting
Date: Wednesday, April 13, 2005
Time:
2:30 p.m.
Location: Peninsula Conservation Center
3921 E.
Bayshore, Palo Alto
Directions
From East Palo Alto take East
Bayshore heading south. Cross Embarcadero and continue to Peninsula Conservation Center, located at 3921 East Bayshore,
at the corner of Corporation Way, just past Elwell Court and
before San Antonio Road. Make a left onto Corporation Way then a
left into parking lot. (map)
Agenda: San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority
Executive Director Cynthia D'Agosta will speak at exactly 2:40
p.m. about the proposed boundary expansion of the Army Corp of
Engineers Creek project
to include tidal flooding areas. After her presentation,
the public will be able to make comments.. The entire agenda item will be over
around 3:15 p.m.
Another story on this topic was posted in the
Palo Alto Weekly Online Edtion.
Photo source:
San Mateo County Flood Control
District
| 
