Addressing Maintenance Issues on Cupertino Creeks

By Deborah C. Barrett

There are many maintenance issues on Cupertino creeks which need to be addressed by the Santa Clara County Water District.

There is currently a capital project in the works for the flooding problems on Calabazas Creek at Bollinger Road. The SCVWD plans to remove an old upstream bridge that is blocking the flow of water, and to enlarge the upstream culvert which will increase the flow under Bollinger Road. This is a project that has long needed to be addressed, and I support the project whole heartedly.

Maintenance on the creeks, however, has been sorely neglected. Many of Cupertino citizens who live near or on the creeks have complained of loss of property due to erosion, concern about water ponding increasing the likelihood of a West Nile Virus infestation, and the smell emanating from stagnant water.

I recently met with Mr. Gary Nagaoka of the SCVWD who indicated to me that the Water District is not currently willing to work on solving these problems.

I also spoke with a representative of Vector Control, the agency that addresses mosquito problems, and he told me that they have historically had problems with Water District cooperation.

Mr. Nagaoka told me that erosion on the creeks would not be addressed unless a structure (meaning a house, not fencing, decks, or out buildings) was directly threatened. This means that a citizen could lose most of his or her back yard before the Water District would step in. Obviously, this would result in serious devaluation of the homeowner's property.

Mr. Nagaoka further stated that any erosion problems on Calabazas Creek would be addressed only through completion of a large capital project which is not likely to begin for 10 to 15 years.

As to stagnant water and unpleasant odors, Mr. Nagaoka indicated the Water District has no responsibility to address these issues.

If elected, I would use all means in my power to encourage the Water District to address all maintenance issues on our creeks.