Executive Summary. FY Annual Report. Integrating Watershed and Urban Runoff Management

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1 UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 2006 NATIONAL CLEAN WATER ACT RECOGNITION AWARD OUTSTANDING STORM WATER MANAGEMENT Executive Summary FY Annual Report Campbell Cupertino Los Altos Los Altos Hills Los Gatos Milpitas Monte Sereno Mountain View Palo Alto San Jose Santa Clara Saratoga Sunnyvale Santa Clara County Santa Clara Valley Water District Integrating Watershed and Urban Runoff Management

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3 INTRODUCTION The Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Program ( Program ) is an association of thirteen cities and towns in Santa Clara Valley, the County of Santa Clara, and the Santa Clara Valley Water District ( Co-permittees ) that share a common permit to discharge stormwater to South San Francisco Bay. Total population within the Program area is approximately 1.7 million people. The City of San Jose, with approximately 945,000 residents is by far the most populous. The Cities of Sunnyvale and Santa Clara, with approximately 133,000 and 110,000 residents respectively, are the next largest cities. The smallest communities in the valley are the City of Monte Sereno and the Town of Los Altos Hills. The Program incorporates regulatory, monitoring and outreach measures aimed at reducing pollution in urban runoff to the maximum extent practicable to improve the water quality of South San Francisco Bay and the streams of Santa Clara Valley. This Executive Summary describes key activities of the Program and Co-permittees during FY Additional details are presented within the Program s and Co-permittee s FY Annual Reports (available at Brief History In June 1990, the Program received the first municipal stormwater permit in the nation from the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board (Water Board or RWQCB). The permit was reissued in 1995 and On October 17, 2001, the Water Board amended the permit to include expanded requirements for controlling pollutants from new and redevelopment activities (Provision C.3). On July 20, 2005, the Water Board amended Provisions C.3.c and C.3.f. to allow for phased implementation and to approve key provisions of the Program s Hydromodification Management Plan (HMP). The Program s third permit was administratively extended on February 21, Organization and Management The Program is organized, coordinated, and implemented in accordance with a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed by the Copermittees. The MOA details the responsibilities of each Co-permittee and a cost-sharing formula for joint expenditures. The Program s Management Committee, consisting of one designated representative from each Co-permittee, meets on the third Thursday of each month to discuss and make decisions regarding Program business. The Management Committee retained EOA, Inc. to provide Program management services. The City of Sunnyvale is the Program s fiscal agent. The Program s Urban Runoff Management Plan The Program s Urban Runoff Management Plan (URMP) consists of an area-wide plan and individual Co-permittee plans describing what the fifteen Co-permittees will do, acting individually and collectively as the Program, to reduce urban runoff pollution. The URMP describes the goals and objectives of the Program and its various elements, including monitoring and watershed management measures. The URMP also contains model performance standards that may be modified as appropriate to fit local conditions and are implemented by the Co-permittees. These include: Illicit Connection and Illegal Dumping (IC/ID) Elimination Activities; Industrial/Commercial Discharger (IND) Control Program; Public Streets, Roads, and Highways Operation and Maintenance; Storm Drain System Operation and Maintenance; Water Utility Operation and Maintenance; Planning Procedures for New Development 1 November 2006

4 Introduction and Redevelopment; Construction Inspection; Pest Management; and Rural Public Works Maintenance and Support. In addition, the URMP presents a framework for the relationship between Program area-wide and Co-permittee specific Public Information/ Participation (PI/P) activities that the Program and Co-permittees use to develop and conduct PI/P tasks. In August 2004, Program staff updated the URMP to include the new and revised model performance standards and information pertaining to other Management Committeeapproved multi-year plans. The revised Program URMP was submitted to the Water Board on September 1, 2004 and included as part of the NPDES permit reapplication package submitted on February 24, Co-permittee Urban Runoff Management Plans Each Co-permittee has developed an URMP tailored to its local characteristics. In August 2004, all Co-permittees updated their URMPs to reflect changes since the last revision (October 2000) and submitted the revisions to the Water Board on September 1, The updated Co-permittee URMPs include: Performance standards (using the Program URMP s model performance standards as a template); Work Plans to implement performance standards; Description of the Co-permittee s legal authority; Best management practices (BMPs); and 2006 SCVURPPP Awards Environmental Protection Agency UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 2006 NATIONAL CLEAN WATER ACT RECOGNITION AWARD OUTSTANDING STORM WATER MANAGEMENT In 1991, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established the National Storm Water Management Excellence Awards program to recognize municipalities and industries that are demonstrating their commitment to protect and improve the quality of the nation s waters by implementing outstanding, innovative and costeffective stormwater control program and projects. The award heightens overall public awareness of stormwater measures and encourages public support of programs aimed at protecting the public s health and safety of the nation s water quality. Awards are presented in the municipal and industrial categories. In September 2006, the Program received EPA s 2006 Clean Water Act Recognition Award, First Place, for Municipal Storm Water Management. No other awards were presented in the municipal category for The Program also received the first placeaward for municipal stormwater management in Standard operating procedures (SOPs) that detail how control measures will be carried out from day-to-day. The Co-permittees also have responsibilities to conduct local PI/P programs, properly maintain corporation yards, conduct staff training and participate in Program and Santa Clara Basin Watershed Management Initiative (SCBWMI) activities as appropriate. EOA, Inc. 2

5 Executive Summary FY Annual Report National Association of Flood and Stormwater Management Agencies Performance Standards are not presented in detail, some highlights are presented in the Executive Summary. Additional details associated with Co-permittee implementation of the other performance standards are presented in the FY Annual Report (available at The Program s Watershed Watch Campaign received the FY National Association of Flood and Stormwater Management Agencies (NAFSMA), Excellence in Communication Award, Third Place, for Improving Water Quality. NAFSMA s Excellence in Communication Awards recognizes the public service and outreach work by municipal and private agencies in educating the public about the protection of lives, property and economic activity from the adverse impacts of storm and floodwaters. SCVWD staff accepted this award on behalf of the Program at the NAFSMA 2006 Annual Meeting and Workshop. Executive Summary Contents The Executive Summary presents a summary of key accomplishments of the Program and Co-permittees during FY The five main areas covered include: Public Information and Participation; Pollutant of Concern Control Programs (including a summary of Industrial/ Commercial Discharger Control and Illicit Connection/Illegal Dumping Elimination Activities); Water Quality Monitoring &Watershed Assessment; New and Redevelopment Control Measures; and Watershed Management Measures While accomplishments associated with the Co-permittee implementation of all Program 3 November 2006

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7 PUBLIC INFORMATION AND PARTICIPATION The goals of the Program s Public Information and Participation (PI/P) element are to identify and change behaviors that adversely affect water quality; and increase the understanding and appreciation of local streams and San Francisco Bay. The Program s PI/P activities focus on educating the public about watersheds, pollution prevention and pollutants of concern (e.g., pesticides, mercury, heavy metals and trash). Watershed Watch Campaign The Watershed Watch Campaign (Campaign) is the Program s public education and outreach campaign designed to promote watershed stewardship by educating the public about watersheds, urban runoff issues and pollution prevention behaviors. Campaign Goals The Program has three main overarching Campaign goals: Goal 1: Educate residents on the Santa Clara Basin watershed and how to protect the watershed; Goal 2: Change behaviors that negatively impact watersheds; and Goal 3: Promote public involvement in watershed stewardship activities. The Program developed quantitative objectives 1 to measure success and allow for adaptive costeffective implementation for the Program s watershed education and outreach activities. 1 Refer to SCVURPPP FY Annual Report, June 2004 Watershed Education Outreach Strategy. 5 November 2006

8 Public Information and Participation FY Campaign FY marked the sixth year of the Campaign. During FY , the Campaign continued its outreach through the Watershed Watch website, toll-free telephone hotline, partnerships, and community events. The Watershed Watch Campaign completed five years of implementation (and four years of advertising) in FY During FY , Campaign activities included limited outreach; more focus was placed on planning Campaign implementation in future years to meet the requirements in the new Permit. TRG & Associates completed five successful years as Campaign consultants in FY The WEO AHTG recommended issuing a RFP for the next phase of the Campaign. Based on this recommendation, the Program issued a RFP in June The selection process consisted of evaluating written proposals and conducting two rounds of interviews. Following this selection process, the committee selected Carl and Manor Advertising as the new Campaign consultant. A media campaign consisting of print, radio and transit advertising was conducted in September and October The Program partnered with the County Integrated Waste Management group to fund the transit ads. The media campaign used the popular Got Bugs and Got Paint ads. The media buys included ten paid print ads (plus five free ads), 462 paid radio ads (plus 200 free ads) and 75 transit (bus taillight poster) ads. The San Jose Mercury News and KRTY/KLIV cross-promoted an enter-to-win contest featuring messages pertaining to the proper disposal of mercury-containing 20,420,100 people were reached by Watershed Watch media advertising messages during FY fluorescent light bulbs. Media support included free promotional ads in the San Jose Mercury News and radio stations KRTY and KLIV. During the four-week contest period, nearly 400 entries were received for a chance to win a customized professional sporting package for two. The net advertising budget for media was $40,800; the media partners provided a total added value package of benefits and resources of $70,415. The Program also attended five community events with the Watershed Watch/IPM display booth. Watershed Watch Focus Groups One of the main tasks during FY was to evaluate the Watershed Watch Campaign and develop a long term plan for the next phase of the Campaign to meet the requirements in the new Permit. Campaign consultants Carl and Manor Advertising developed a series of advertisements, designed a new Campaign logo and recommended a new name for the Campaign. To obtain input from the general public on these materials, two focus groups were conducted in March The first group was comprised of English speaking, Santa Clara County residents. Participants were collegeeducated homeowners between years old. The second focus group was comprised of Hispanic / Spanish-speaking Santa Clara County residents. Participants were a mix of homeowners and renters. Their ages ranged from years. Overall, both focus groups liked the existing Campaign logo and tagline. They also recommended that the Campaign should continue providing stormwater pollution prevention information to residents. The major change implemented in FY , based on the focus group feedback, was to change the website address from to Focus group participants felt that.net or.com websites are too commercial. The feedback from the focus groups was also used to develop the FY Work Plan and the Watershed Watch Campaign Conceptual Plan. The Conceptual Plan provides: key strategies, target audience(s) and message focus, partnership and resource opportunities, and EOA, Inc. 6

9 Executive Summary FY Annual Report evaluation and reporting procedures for implementing the next phase of the Campaign. Schools and Youth Education Outreach West Valley Clean Water Program and the City of Sunnyvale provided numerous hands-on presentations to schools in their jurisdictions using Enviroscape models; The City of Palo Alto conducted Regional Water Quality Control Plant tours and classroom presentations for students; The City of Milpitas coordinated Kids in Creeks, a hands-on program where students perform water quality tests in Berryessa creek. Approximately 400 elementary school students participated. The City of Sunnyvale conducted 15 student tours of the Water Pollution Control Plant reaching 41 elementary, 53 high school, and 196 college age students. The Program has been sponsoring educational assemblies by the musical troupe ZunZun at Santa Clara County elementary schools since These assemblies, which educate teachers and children about watersheds, pollutants and stormwater pollution prevention, are very popular and well-received by students and teachers. Feedback from these assemblies has been very positive and indicates an increase in the students knowledge about watersheds and pollution prevention. In FY , the Program sponsored 50 bilingual (Spanish and English) interactive assemblies at 26 schools in eight cities, reaching a total of 14,059 students in K-5. Co-permittee agencies also conducted outreach to their local schools and youth organizations. For example, The SCVWD Schools Presentation Program reached, 35,612 students with pollution prevention and water conservation messages; The City of Sunnyvale conducted 15 student tours of the Water Pollution Control Plant reaching 41 elementary, 53 high school, and 196 college age students. Pesticide User Outreach The Program s Pesticide User Outreach is designed to educate residents and commercial businesses on the impact of pesticide use and disposal on urban runoff and water quality. Some FY accomplishments include: Continued the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Store Partnership Program in 31 stores in Santa Clara County. The IPM Store Partnership Program involves visiting the stores regularly, setting up display racks with fact sheets and updating shelf labels. In addition, the Program also offered free training on selling less-toxic products to employees of participating stores. Approximately 112 employees representing thirteen stores were trained in FY ; Conducted IPM outreach at five community events and distributed over 4,000 IPM fact sheets, other brochures and promotional items. Program staff, consultant staff and Copermittees from the cities of Milpitas, Palo Alto, Mountain View, Santa Clara, San Jose, Sunnyvale, the Santa Clara Valley Water District, and the West Valley Clean Water Program provided staffing for these events; Conducted advertising on less toxic pest control in September and October November 2006

10 Public Information and Participation Co-permittee efforts included: Palo Alto conducted several IPM Bug Buster workshops. Approximately 600 people have taken Bug Buster workshops to-date. The City has also achieved an 80 percent reduction in municipal structural pesticides use since Santa Clara County restaurant inspectors distributed 465 copies of the Don t Lay a Table for Pests poster to food facilities. The West Valley Clean Water Program conducted a Turf Workshop for municipal, school district and golf course staff. Cornell University Turf Specialists presented latest research in management methods to reduce pesticide use on turf The City of Sunnyvale provided IPM training to 13 Public Work staff members and 70 Golf and Parks department staff. Mercury Pollution Prevention Outreach the availability of free fluorescent drop-off locations; Conducted media advertising to inform residents about the free drop-off locations. The advertising campaign ran in September and October The Program provided funding for radio and print advertising while the Santa Clara County Integrated Waste Management Division provided funding for transit (bus poster) advertising. Local mercury pollution prevention activities included: The City of Mountain View recycled: 704 fluorescent tubes, 400 U-tubes, 94 2 lamps, 16 round 12-lamps, and 392 HID bulbs; The City of San Jose recycled approximately 9,100 feet (2,256 pounds) of mercurycontaining fluorescent lamps; The City of Palo Alto collected 8,481 pounds of fluorescent lights at the Recycling Center dropoff site. In addition, 398 pounds of thermometers and thermostats at Palo Alto HHW collection events During FY , the County HHW Program collected 277,000 feet (67,943 pounds) of fluorescent lamps at 18 retail drop-off locations within Santa Clara County. The Program s mercury pollution prevention outreach continued to focus on educating Santa Clara Valley residents on the proper disposal of spent mercury-containing fluorescent lamps. The Program coordinated its outreach with the Santa Clara County Household Hazardous Waste Program (County HHW Program). During FY , the County HHW Program partnered with18 retail stores to provide free fluorescent lamps drop-off locations for residents. The Program promoted these drop-off locations and educated people about mercury pollution. FY accomplishments include the following: Developed signage (posters for stores and community locations) to inform people about Watershed Watchers Program at Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Environmental Education Center (EEC) To support a full-time interpretive specialist position, the Program continues to provide resources to the Watershed Watchers Program (WWP) at the EEC. WWP activities, which are conducted primarily on the weekends, build watershed awareness and encourage stormwater pollution prevention behaviors among attendees (youth groups, Boy/Girl Scout Troops, families with children, etc.). EEC staff members conducted 105 programs on topics that included watershed protection, gardening without chemicals and the public s role in urban runoff pollution prevention as part of the WWP. Approximately 6,856 visitors participated in these workshops. EOA, Inc. 8

11 Executive Summary FY Annual Report Other FY PI/P Activities overview of Program activities. Fact sheets on the following topics were developed and distributed: General Program Water Quality Monitoring and Watershed Assessment Sediment Impact and Management Practice Assessments Watershed Education and Outreach Trash Evaluation and Management Creek Clean-Up Activities In FY , the Creek Connection Action Group conducted two creek clean-up events: Coastal Clean-up Day on September 17, 2005 and National Rivers Clean-up Day on May 20, The Program provided financial support for one of the events (National Rivers Clean-up Day). A total of 1,458 volunteers participated in cleaning 55 sites and removed approximately 39,730 pounds of trash during the two events. Since September 1998, a total of 14,060 volunteers have participated in creek clean-up events at 368 sites in Santa Clara Valley, removing approximately 396,084 pounds of trash and 40,358 pounds of recyclables. Caltrans Don t Trash California Campaign In FY , as part of its anti-littering outreach campaign, Caltrans developed television Public Service Announcements (PSAs) in English and Spanish. Many Co-permittees obtained copies of these PSAs for airing on their local public access television stations. In all, the PSAs were aired 1,273 times in English and 86 times in Spanish by the cities of Cupertino, Palo Alto, Santa Clara and San Jose. Program Information Fact Sheets In FY , Program staff developed fact sheets describing several Program elements. The fact sheets aim to provide a brief non-technical Program s Hotline and Website Program and consultant staff continued to maintain and update the Watershed Watch website. During FY , the web site had an average of 321 page views per day compared to 342 page views per day in FY While this is a decrease, it is apparent that the website is gaining popularity and people are visiting it in large numbers even when it is not being advertised. Only one advertising campaign was conducted this year, and of the ads used, only the Got Bugs ads promoted the Watershed Watch website. The Got Bulbs ads promoted the County HHW Program website. To ensure public access to all reports,and environmental data, the Program has placed the vast majority of the 368 major reports and work products produced by SCVURPPP since September 1997 on its website ( When viewing the website, the majority of reports and work products are linked to downloadable documents. 9 November 2006

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13 POLLUTANT OF CONCERN CONTROL PROGRAMS San Francisco Bay is impacted by a variety of pollutants of concern (POC) which includes mercury, copper, nickel, legacy pesticides (e.g., DDT, dieldrin and chlordane), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dioxins. In response, the Program implements POC control programs to reduce the impacts of urban runoff on San Francisco Bay. Highlights of recent accomplishments associated with these control programs are provided below. Mercury San Francisco Bay is considered to be impaired by mercury because some types of fish caught in the Bay contain mercury and other pollutants at concentrations that may threaten the health of humans consuming them. To reduce mercury in urban runoff, the Program developed a Mercury Pollution Prevention Plan (Mercury Plan) in FY and continues its implementation today. The Mercury Plan is based on the premise that a Bay area-wide approach (and coordination) will be most successful in addressing mercury pollution prevention. For this reason, many actions identified in the Mercury Plan relate to Program-level participation in regional efforts. These efforts are supplemented by county-wide and local actions, which include sediment management and mercury removal projects conducted by the Santa Clara Valley Water District. Through its Stream Maintenance Program, the Santa Clara Valley Water District has removed approximately 76 kg of mercury since FY The Mercury Plan addresses five general areas: Municipal Use of Mercury-Containing Products; Household Hazardous Waste Collection; 11 November 2006

14 Pollutant of Concern Control Programs Monitoring and Science; Regional, State, and Federal Coordination; and Public Education and Outreach. The Program s mercury outreach continued to focus on educating Santa Clara Valley residents on the proper disposal of fluorescent lamps. During FY , the Program completed implementing mercury reduction outreach activities with the Santa Clara County Household Hazardous Program. Additional information regarding the Program s Mercury Plan is highlighted in the PI/P Section. In addition, a variety of mercury-related monitoring activities occurred, including the sampling and analysis of total and methylmercury in water, sediment, air and biota in the Estuary and Guadalupe River watershed. Copper and Nickel Plan (CAP) and Nickel Action Plan (NAP). Specific accomplishments include: Distributed approximately 2,000 English and Spanish Watershed Watch (WW) campaign brochures that included outreach on car washing (aimed at reducing copper and nickel; and other pollutant inputs to stormwater). In addition, the Program distributed WW campaign brochures at public events, ZunZun assemblies, and through website and hotline requests; Continued to actively support the Brake Pad Partnership; Implemented the fourth year of the Multi- Year Monitoring Plan (including specific water quality and sediment sampling and analyses for all metals including copper and nickel); Prepared the fifth annual Copper Action Plan Report (Palo Alto); Continued distributing the updated brochure, Keep Pool, Spa, and Fountain Water out of Stormdrains, Creeks and the Bay; Continued to monitor dissolved copper and nickel in South San Francisco Bay during the dry season as part of the ambient monitoring program. Monthly monitoring results from ten stations indicated that ambient concentrations continue to be well below the adopted SSOs of 6.9 ug/l (copper) and 11.9 ug/l (nickel) (San Jose); Continued to implement Co-permittee street sweeping and catch basin cleaning programs consistent with performance standards (aimed at reducing discharges of pollutants, including copper and nickel, to storm drains and receiving waters); and, Conducted rooftop inspections at selected facilities that may be potential sources of copper (San Jose). Contact letters and roofvent BMP information were mailed to selected facilities. Pesticides During FY , the Program continued to implement copper and nickel action baseline activities described within their Copper Action During the mid 1990 s, organophosphate pesticides (diazinon and chlorpyrifos) were identified as causing toxicity in local creeks. In May 1999, the Environmental Protection Agency EOA, Inc. 12

15 Executive Summary FY Annual Report (EPA) listed San Francisco Bay and 35 Bay Area urban creeks as impaired by diazinon under Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act. In response, the Program and Co-permittees developed and implemented a Pesticide Control Plan that addresses municipal uses of pesticides, including diazinon and other lower priority banned pesticides (e.g., chlordane, dieldrin, and DDT) and the use of these pesticides by others within municipal jurisdictions. Pesticide pollution prevention and outreach efforts are highlighted in the P/IP Section. Implementation of FY pesticide management tasks included: Continued funding for the Regional Monitoring Program and participation in the Regional Monitoring Program (RMP) steering and technical committees to focus RMP resources on 303(d) problem pollutants (including pesticides); Participation in the Urban Pesticide Committee meetings and participating in discussions on development of the diazinon TMDL; Participating in the Clean Estuary Partnership s Diazinon/Toxicity Workgroup; Supporting actions by the California Stormwater Quality Association (CASQA) to comment on and assist with EPA s pesticide risk assessments; and, Completing the fourth year of sampling and analyses for the Program s Multi-Year Receiving Waters Monitoring Program. PCBs The Program developed a control program to reduce or eliminate discharges of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and dioxin-like compounds from urban runoff conveyance systems from controllable sources (if any). Highlights of the PCBs/Dioxins Control Program includes participating in the Clean Estuary Partnership (CEP) on the following projects: PCB Concentrations of Nearshore Sediments and Assessment of Data Quality - The project aims to quantify PCB concentrations in nearshore sediments impacted by regional or Bay-wide sources. A final project report, entitled, Final Report, Existing Data on PCB Concentrations of Nearshore Sediments and Assessment of Data Quality, was released October 2005; PCBs TMDL Implementation Plan Development - This project will assist Water Board staff in developing an Implementation Plan for the PCBs TMDL. A final project report, PCB TMDL Implementation Plan Development, was released in May 2006; Conceptual Model/Impairment Assessment Report on PCBs in San Francisco Bay - This project provides a detailed analysis of the status of Bay impairment by PCBs and associated uncertainties. It also presents a conceptual model that describes sources, estimated loads and processes that affect the fate of PCBs in San Francisco Bay. The CEP completed the report, PCBs in San Francisco Bay: Impairment Assessment/ Conceptual Model Report, in February Information from this report was used by the USEPA to determine that sport fishing in San Francisco Estuary was impaired by PCBs; San Francisco Bay Food Web Model - This project expanded an existing Bay food web model to include sensitive wildlife species as endpoints. A final report, San Francisco Bay PCB Food Web Bioaccumulation Model, Final Technical Report, July 2005, was released following scientific peer review; and, Multibox Bay PCBs Fate and Transport Model and Multi-Year Sediment Sampling Program. The aim of this project was to construct a mechanistic model that will advance our understanding of pollutant behavior in the Estuary. During FY , the model was independently tested. The results are included in the report, 13 November 2006

16 Pollutant of Concern Control Programs Results of Independent Testing of SFEIs Multibox Model for PCB Fate and Transport, September Dioxins It is estimated that street sweeping activities resulted in the following pollutant load reductions for copper, nickel, lead, and zinc: Street Sweeping Estimated FY Mean Pollutant Load Reduction in Pounds* Copper Nickel Lead Zinc The term dioxins typically refers to a group of chemical compounds with similar chemical structures. Dioxins are not commercially produced but are unintentional by-products of combustion and chemical production processes. During FY , the Program staff surveyed the Co-permittees regarding any dioxin pollution prevention actions and related policies, resolutions, or ordinances adopted. Program staff also continued to track regional, state, and federal efforts to address dioxins. A memorandum entitled Dioxin Control Program FY Activities, documents the results of the survey. The survey revealed that Co-permittees currently implement a wide range of activities that help prevent the formation of dioxins. For example, most Co-permittees are implementing policies for purchasing alternative fuel equipment and vehicles (e.g., compressed natural gas, biodiesel, and electric). Additional policies and ordinances limit or prohibit the use of woodburning appliances and fireplaces. Pollutant Removal via Street Sweeping During FY , Co-permittees swept approximately 204,625 miles of paved streets and removed approximately 82,717 yd 3 or 53,725 tons (based on a density factor of tons/ yd 3 ) of material. Approximately 8,039 yd 3 of leaf litter was removed by Co-permittees who have leaf removal programs other than routine street sweeping. In addition, approximately 149,617 tons of yard waste (which includes large amounts of leaves) was routinely collected by Copermittees. As a result, yard waste pick-up programs are keeping large amounts of leaves out of Co-permittee storm drain systems. *There is uncertainty with these estimates since certain assumptions were made regarding the exact volume of material collected from a particular land use type. Enhanced Annual Reporting Requirements for Industrial/Commercial Discharger Control and Illicit Connection/Illegal Dumping Elimination Activities Since October 2001, the Co-permittees have implemented enhanced reporting requirements for Industrial/Commercial Discharger Control (IND) and Illicit Connection/Illegal Dumping Elimination Activities (IC/ID). Starting with the Program s FY Annual Report, Co-permittees have submitted IND and IC/ID summary tables using inspection and incident data. During FY , the Copermittees conducted 5,817 industrial/commercial inspections and responded to 1,834 illicit discharge incidents. The vast majority (94 percent) of industrial inspections conducted during FY resulted in no action or level 1 enforcement (verbal or written warnings). In addition, one of the most common IC/ID incidents during FY was vehicle & equipment leaking. Overall, approximately 52 percent of the incidents received verbal or written warnings, 39 percent resulted in no action and the remaining nine percent were referred to other agencies for enforcement or required administrative action. The total number and percentage of IND inspections and IC/ID incidents conducted during FY are presented within Figure 1 and 2, respectively. Figure 3 presents the total number of IC/ID incident types occurring in FY EOA, Inc. 14

17 Dewatering SWIDs Misc. incidents Complaint not found Vehicle & equipment leaking Un-hardened cement discharge Tracking soil Dumping - non-hazardous Water line breaks Sanitary spill or leak Accidental spills Pools/Spas/Fountains discharge Surface cleaning discharge Food Facility Oil & grease discharge Vehicle washing Landscape material dumping Grey water discharge Paint discharge Vehicle repair Dumping - hazardous Used oil dumping Saw cutting slurry discharge Allowable discharge Equipment cleaning Carpet cleaning discharge Dumpster discharge Abandoned drums discharge RV Waste discharge Illicit connections Cooling water discharge Figure 1 IND Inspections 230, 4.0% 193, 3.3% 3506, 60.3% Cupertino Los Altos Total Number and Percentage 14, 0.2% 33, 0.6% 381, 6.5% Los Altos Hills Milpitas Mountain View Palo Alto 193, 3.3% San Jose Santa Clara (City) 11, 0.2% Sunnyvale 116, 2.0% West Valley Communities (Campbell) West Valley Communities (Los Gatos) 314, 5.4% West Valley Communities (Monte Sereno) West Valley Communities (Saratoga) 631, 10.8% Santa Clara (County) Santa Clara Valley Water District 195, 3.4% Figure 2 IC/ID Incidents Total Number and Percentage 13, 0.7% 22, 1.2% 26, 1.4% 110, 6.0% 80, 4.4% 73, 4.0% 297, 16.2% 800, 43.6% Cupertino Los Altos Los Altos Hills Milpitas Mountain View Palo Alto San Jose Santa Clara (City) 36, 2.0% Sunnyvale 23, 1.3% 11, 0.6% West Valley Communities (Campbell) West Valley Communities (Los Gatos) West Valley Communities (Monte Sereno) 28, 1.5% West Valley Communities (Saratoga) 37, 2.0% 30, 1.6% 248, 13.5% Santa Clara (County) Santa Clara Valley Water District Figure 3 IC/ID Incident Types Total Number Incident Type

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19 WATER QUALITY MONITORING & WATERSHED ASSESSMENT During FY , the Program collected, compiled and/or assessed water quality data and information from Santa Clara Valley creeks and the San Francisco Bay Estuary. Data was assessed to better understand the status of beneficial uses and extent, magnitude and cause of impacts to receiving water quality. Data collection and analysis efforts were conducted consistent with the Program s Revised Multi-Year Receiving Waters Monitoring Plan. FY marked the fourth year of implementing the Monitoring Plan. The following is a synopsis of results, conclusions and lessons learned from these monitoring activities. 2006, screening-level water quality monitoring data were collected and analyzed from 23 sites located within the following six watersheds: Permanente Creek Matadero/Barron Creeks Water Quality Monitoring Activities Santa Clara Valley Creek Monitoring Activities The Santa Clara Basin is comprised of thirteen watersheds. During FY Santa Clara Basin Watersheds 17 November 2006

20 Water Quality Monitoring & Watershed Assessment Calabazas Creek Sunnyvale East Channel Sunnyvale West Channel Stevens Creek Water samples were analyzed for conventional water quality parameters, chemical pollutants, aquatic toxicity and pathogen indicators. In addition, benthic macroinvertebrate (BMI) and fish bioassessments and physical habitat assessments were conducted to better understand the status of aquatic life in Santa Clara Valley creeks. In summary: Beneficial uses have not been designated for many creeks in the Santa Clara Valley; Numeric Water Quality Standards (WQS) were generally met for all pollutants/ parameters, including mercury, copper and nickel; Organophosphate pesticides (including diazinon) were not detected above TMDL targets in any samples; Acute water toxicity was rarely observed; and, Screening fish tissue for contaminants of concern to human health (e.g., mercury and PCBs); Investigating potential toxic effects in Estuary tributaries; Evaluating concentrations of mercury in rainwater; Continued monitoring of mercury and PCB loads to the Bay from the Sacramento/San Joaquin and Guadalupe River watersheds; and Updating our understanding of Bay impairment, sources and transport pathways for pollutants of concern using the most recently collected data. The Program, working with the Alameda County Clean Water Program prepared The Pulse feature article entitled PCBs in Urban Watersheds - A Challenge for TMDL Implementation. Biological and physical integrity generally decreased in water bodies as you move towards the San Francisco Bay. Status and trends monitoring will continue in FY in selected watersheds. For additional details, the Program s FY Monitoring and Assessment Summary Report can be found at San Francisco Bay Estuary (Regional) Monitoring Activities The Program financially contributed to, and actively participated in, two regional monitoring and assessment activities Regional Monitoring Program for Trace Substances (RMP) and Clean Estuary Partnership (CEP). FY monitoring-related accomplishments of the RMP and CEP include: Conducting long-term monitoring to characterize the status and trends for contaminants in water, sediment and aquatic organisms in the Bay; Watershed Assessment Activities Watershed assessment is the systematic review of existing data and information at the watershed-scale (as opposed to jurisdictionalscale). The results of watershed assessment can be used to establish the need for subsequent evaluations and analysis of cumulative watershed effects and appropriate management actions. During FY , the Program conducted a variety of watershed-based assessments, including those specifically focused on sediment and trash impacts. Sediment Assessments To determine the magnitude and extent of sediment-related impacts to aquatic life, an EOA, Inc. 18

21 Executive Summary FY Annual Report assessment was conducted within the Upper Penitencia Creek watershed during FY The following is a brief summary of the assessment: Upper Penitencia Creek Watershed Analysis The Upper Penitencia Creek watershed was identified as a high priority watershed to conduct a watershed analysis focused on sediment. A Limiting Factor Analysis (LFA) was initiated in the Upper Penitencia Creek watershed in FY The results, conclusions and recommended next steps presented in report are summarized below. 3. Gravel permeability is low but not likely limiting smolt production due to habitat limitations at other life stages; 4. Pool filling is low, indicating high transport capacity of fine sediment relative to supply; 5. Preliminary analysis suggests that overwintering habitat is likely the key limiting factor for steelhead prior to smolt outmigration; 6. Potential limitations to steelhead density and fish growth may exist in Upper Penitencia Creek due to low stream flows and warm water temperatures during the summer period. Summary of Upper Penitencia Creek LFA Results and Conclusions: The primary focus of the Upper Penitencia Creek LFA was to characterize the nature and degree of potential sediment-related effects on a selected indicator species (i.e., Steelhead Trout). The objectives of the LFA were to identify and fill information gaps related to physical and biological factors controlling population dynamics of steelhead and to determine to what degree human-related sediment impacts are key factors limiting steelhead production. Based on the available information and reconnaissance surveys, several focused studies were developed to test hypotheses on potential limiting factors for steelhead. The focused studies addressed the following factors: fish passage barriers, gravel permeability, pool filling, overwintering habitat, and summer rearing and growth. The LFA was conducted using a weight of evidence approach that was based on best available information and the results from each of the focused studies. The findings of the Upper Penitencia Creek LFA include: 1. No barriers to upstream migration below natural waterfalls in Upper Penitencia Creek and Arroyo Aguague were identified. However, a passage impediment in Alum Rock Park may limit passage opportunities at some flow levels; 2. Seasonal low flows in the downstream reaches may limit steelhead outmigration success in some years, especially if channel drying occurs before the end of the outmigration period (typically March May); Saratoga Creek Water Body Assessment Following Upper Penitencia Creek, Saratoga Creek is the next highest priority creek scheduled for investigation of potential sediment impairment due to anthropogenic activities. In FY , Program staff began conducting a water body assessment in Saratoga Creek to: Evaluate potential sediment impacts to fish/ habitat; Evaluate Beneficial Use attainment; and, Identify data gaps and additional monitoring needs. An assessment report that summarize results, findings and recommendations based on all the 19 November 2006

22 Water Quality Monitoring & Watershed Assessment Program s survey data for Saratoga Creek will be released for public comment in FY Trash Assessments During FY , Co-permittees conducted a total of 233 trash evaluations; using the Keep America Beautiful (KAB) Litter Index (i.e., noncreek sites) and the Urban Rapid Trash Assessment Protocol (Version 1.0) (i.e., creek sites). The Urban Rapid Trash Assessment (RTA) Protocol (Version 1.0), which replaces the RWQCB Rapid Trash Assessment Protocol (Version 7.0), is intended to identify, prioritize and evaluate trash management activities within urban creeks over time. Summary results from Co-permittee trash evaluations conducted during FY are provided within a technical memorandum entitled Trash Problem Area Evaluation Results- FY Pedestrians and vehicular traffic accounted for the majority of the sources of trash. Other important sources included: litter at commercial areas, illegal dumping, homeless encampments, litter at schools and dumpsters. The most prevalent trash items reported were biodegradable/paper and plastic/ Styrofoam. The most common recommended management actions reported by Co-permittees include the following: referral to agency staff (e.g., public works, solid waste and police); coordinate with CalTrans; inclusion into existing clean up programs; and conduct public education outreach to businesses and schools. Fifty percent of the responses recommended future assessments. However, sixteen percent of the responses indicated no trash problem and recommended removal of the trash problem area from the list. Over twenty-five percent of the responses indicated that existing management actions were adequate at the site. RWQCB Rapid Trash Assessment Protocol (Version 7.0) Creek Sites KAB Litter Index Non-Creek Sites The KAB Litter Index estimates the presence of litter within a specific non-creek site. During FY , Co-permittees conducted 206 trash evaluations using the KAB Litter Index. Evaluation results and observations at non-creek sites include: Most sites were scored as no litter or slightly littered, only four percent were scored as extremely littered ; The majority of trash problem areas in noncreek areas occurred adjacent to roadways, commercial areas and residences. The RWQCB Rapid Trash Assessment qualitatively rates the trash condition of a creek site. Sites are scored as poor, marginal, suboptimal and optimal. As part of this assessment, trash is collected and appropriately disposed. During FY , Co-permittees conducted 27 trash evaluations using the Urban RTA Protocol (Version 1.0) (i.e., creek sites). Evaluation results and observations at creek sites include: Most of the sites were scored as optimal or suboptimal, whole only five percent were scored as marginal ; no sites were scored as poor ; The most prevalent trash items were plastic/ Styrofoam and biodegradable/paper; The volume of trash removed during an Urban RTA evaluation typically ranged from a partially filled garbage bag (less than one cubic foot) to two filled garbage bags (32 gallon size or about three cubic feet), and; EOA, Inc. 20

23 Executive Summary FY Annual Report The major sources of trash included litter form pedestrians, upstream or storm drains, and vehicular traffic. Other important sources of litter included commercial areas, illegal dumping, homeless encampments, litter at schools and dumpsters. A majority of the sites were reported to have ongoing clean up efforts related to channel maintenance activities. The most common recommended management actions reported by Co-permittees included: increase enforcement or police patrols; support volunteer clean up programs; conduct public education outreach; and install new BMPs (i.e., fences along roadway). Over fifty percent of the responses recommended future assessments, in some cases to evaluate effectiveness of upstream management actions. A small number of responses indicated that existing management actions were adequate. Assessment Conclusions were no apparent spatial patterns for trash conditions in creeks (i.e., optimal and suboptimal sites were located in upper, middle and lower reaches of watersheds). Preliminary analysis of sites evaluated more than once indicated that there was improvement in trash condition over time. Improved trash conditions during subsequent evaluations may be related to trash being removed by Co-permittee staff during the first trash evaluation. Overall, trash scores for creek sites evaluated in FY were generally much higher (i.e., less impacted) than creek sites evaluated during FY These results may be due to the limited number of assessments conducted during FY , large storms resulting in high stream flows during FY , which may have resulted in more flushing of litter and debris out of trash problem areas, and revisions made to the RTA protocol between the two assessment years. KAB trash evaluation results for non-creek sites indicate that a majority of the trash problem areas have no, or limited amounts, of litter (i.e., seventy - eight percent). A majority of these sites occurred in roadways, commercial and residential land uses. Preliminary analysis of sites evaluated more than once indicated that there was no consistent pattern in changes of trash condition over time. In addition, KAB site locations and assessment scores did not appear to have any spatial correlation with location and severity of trash problem areas in creeks. As a result, current implementation of the KAB assessment tool does not appear to be useful approach for identifying potential sources of litter in creeks. Urban Rapid Trash Assessment evaluation results for creek sites indicate that the majority of the trash problem areas were scored as optimal or suboptimal. A majority of these sites occurred near roadways, residential and park/trail land uses. These sites contained primarily plastic/styrofoam and biodegradable/ paper items, which are highly mobile litter easily transported by wind and water. Sources of trash were reported to be primarily from littering by pedestrians and vehicle traffic, upstream/storm drain catchments and recreational areas. There 21 November 2006

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25 NEW AND REDEVELOPMENT CONTROL MEASURES The Program s Permit Provision C.3 contains requirements for controlling the potential impacts of land development on stormwater quality and flow. On October 15, 2003, Co-permittees began implementing the C.3 requirements for Group 1 projects (i.e., projects that create or replace one acre or more of impervious surface). These projects must include specific stormwater control measures (i.e., appropriate site design measures, pollutant source controls and stormwater treatment facilities) to meet the C.3 requirements. Co-permittees also prepared for and began implementing a phased approach for Group 2 projects (projects that create or replace 10,000 square feet or more of impervious surface) and key provisions of the Hydromodification Management Plan (HMP) on October 20, During FY , Program efforts focused on assisting Co-permittees with C.3 and HMP implementation, conducting training workshops for municipal staff and the development community, and participation with Water Board staff on the development of the new and redevelopment requirements of the Municipal Regional Permit. C.3 Implementation Significant amounts of Co-permittee staff time have been invested in developing and implementing policies and procedures for ensuring Provision C.3 compliance. Copermittees integrated procedures and requirements into their local development project review processes and updated policies, ordinances and guidance materials, as needed, to begin implementing the Group 2 and HMP requirements on October 20, Some examples of stormwater control measures incorporated in development projects approved during FY are listed below: The Fairway Glen Shopping Center Redevelopment in Santa Clara, which involves the construction of 27 detached 23 November 2006

26 New and Redevelopment Control Measures homes on a portion of a former shopping center site, will contain numerous postconstruction stormwater BMPs. The site will feature vegetated swales, stormwater retention or detention structures, and porous pavement. Drought and pest-tolerant landscaping is required, and the project will result in a net reduction in impervious area. maintained using integrated pest management principles. In Sunnyvale, the residential condominium project at 1168 Aster Avenue will feature a variety of site design measures to minimize directly-connected impervious areas (e.g., disconnected downspouts and alternative driveway design). In addition, the project will feature treatment control BMPs, including porous pavement with an underdrain system, an infiltration trench and media filters. The Oakwood Apartments expansion in San Jose is a high-density residential development with an assortment of source control and stormwater treatment BMPs. The project will feature covered trash enclosures, stenciled inlets and disconnected downspouts. Treatment BMPs, which will be maintained by the Homeowners Association, include turf block pavers, seven vegetated swales, and inlet filters. In Palo Alto, the 928 East Meadow Drive project will feature vegetative bioswales, permeable pavement, and hydrodynamic separators; typical BMPs for residential townhouse developments. A covered car wash area that drains to the sanitary sewer is also included. The City of Mountain View combines hydrodynamic separators with parking lot swales in several of its projects, including the El Camino Hospital. The project includes several source control measures (e.g., inlet stenciling, parking lot sweeping and covered trash areas). The Public Storage project in Milpitas will reduce impervious area by over 4,000 square feet by removing three, single-story storage buildings and replacing them with a single, three-story building. The project will also include a number of source control and treatment control measures, which are required to be maintained in perpetuity with a maintenance agreement. BMPs on the project will include roof drains directed to landscaped areas, vegetated swales, stenciled inlets, inlet filters, regular sweeping of sidewalks, parking lots and drive aisles, and the requirement that landscaping is C.3 Guidance and Training During FY , the C.3 Provision Oversight Ad Hoc Task Group (C3PO AHTG) continued to meet approximately bimonthly with active participation from Co-permittee staff. The AHTG received updates on C.3 and HMP issues and projects; reviewed fact sheets and updates to the C.3 Handbook; helped plan the annual workshop; and shared information C.3. implementation. The C3PO AHTG continues to be a useful forum for discussion of experience with implementing the C.3 requirements. EOA, Inc. 24

27 Executive Summary FY Annual Report The C3PO AHTG s BMP O&M Verification Work Group continued to develop guidance for implementing local BMP operation and maintenance (O&M) verification programs. During FY , Program staff and the Work Group completed the Standard Stormwater Treatment BMP Inspection Data Collection Form and guidance on what inspection data should be included in future Annual Reports. (Guidebook) that provides information on local projects where innovative design measures which protect water quality have been applied. In FY , Program staff collected information on approximately ten additional projects installed after the completion of the original Guidebook. These examples will be included in the Guidebook when it is updated. The Program also sponsored an awards program for exemplary site designs to protect water quality. The award winners, including the City of San Jose, DKB Homes, and Congregation Sinai, were recognized at an awards ceremony in October After revisions to Provision C.3 were adopted in July 2005, Program staff updated Chapters 1 and 2 of the SCVURPPP C.3 Stormwater Handbook to reflect changes related to Group 2 requirements and the adoption of the HMP. Program staff also completed a Chapter 5, which contains a summary of HMP requirements. On June 6, 2006, the Program conducted a workshop to assist Co-Permittees with implementation of Provision C.3. The workshop, entitled Constructing, Maintaining and Inspecting Stormwater Treatment BMPs, attracted 117 participants. The workshop covered case studies of design and construction of BMPs at Stanford University and the City of San Jose; information on design of biofiltration treatment controls; how to conduct BMP O&M inspections; how to identify potential vector problems in BMPs; and lessons learned during inspection of a commercial facility in Sunnyvale. Hydromodification Management Plan In 2004, the Program completed a document entitled Developments Protecting Water Quality: A Guidebook of Site Design Examples The permit requires the Co-permittees to manage increases in runoff peak flows, volumes and durations from Group 1 development projects through the implementation of a Hydromodification Management Plan (HMP). Beginning in 2002, the Program worked with a consultant team to develop a stream assessment methodology and conduct field investigations, hydrologic modeling and technical analyses to evaluate past impacts of hydromodification on 25 November 2006

28 New and Redevelopment Control Measures Santa Clara Basin streams. Program staff then prepared a HMP Report based on these findings. On July 20, 2005, the Water Board unanimously approved a permit amendment that incorporates key provisions of the HMP into the urban runoff permit and required Co-permittees to implement these provisions by October 20, The key provisions include management standards, performance criteria and applicability criteria and map. To assist Co-permittees with implementation of the approved HMP, the Program formed a HMP Implementation Phase (HIP) Work Group that met several times during FY With direction and assistance from the HIP Work Group, Program staff developed the following products during FY : 1) an HMP fact During FY , the City of San Jose approved one project subject to HMP measures, and had several Group 1 projects in the conceptual design stage for which HMP requirements will apply. No other Co-permittees received project applications subject to HMP requirements. The Program is collaborating with the Alameda and San Mateo County stormwater programs to fund development of a tool called the Bay Area Hydrology Model (BAHM). This tool will assist developers and municipal agencies with design and design review of flow control facilities that meet the requirements of the HMP. A contractor, Clear Creek Solutions (CCS) has been retained to develop the tool. The BAHM is nearing completion and is being calibrated for Santa Clara Valley watersheds. Training workshops on the BAHM will be conducted in November sheet; 2) an update to Chapter V of the C.3 Stormwater Handbook that provides implementation guidance; and 3) a Request for Proposals resulting in a list of consulting firms qualified to design stormwater flow and treatment controls for use by Co-permittees and developers. The Program also conducted training on basic principles of hydromodification management to educate planners and engineers from Co-permittee agencies and the development community. EOA, Inc. 26

29 WATERSHED MANAGEMENT MEASURES The Program s watershed management strategy is to integrate its watershed management efforts with the Santa Clara Basin Watershed Management Initiative (SCBWMI). Stakeholders that include local, state and federal government agencies; business, agriculture and industry associations; and environmental and civic groups guide the SCBWMI. The Program is an active participant in the SCBWMI Core Group and its subgroups. The Program is working through the SCBWMI to identify and assess beneficial uses in the watershed within the urban area; and identify and prioritize reasonable urban runoff control strategies. The Program s involvement in the SCBWMI is organized by the concept of continuous improvement, as described in the Program s Urban Runoff Management Plan. The SCBWMI identifies specific watershed issues and recommendations that are brought to the Program s Management Committee for consideration and action as appropriate. In addition, results from Program studies related to watershed monitoring, assessment and management are frequently distributed, presented and discussed with SCBWMI subgroups. This approach creates an informed and coordinated partnership between the Program and SCBWMI. Watershed management activities conducted during FY include: Bay Area Macroinvertebrate Bioassessment Information Network (BAMBI) BAMBI is a network of scientists, watershed managers, regulators and community members interested in using biological communities as indicators (i.e., benthic macroinvertebrates) of stream health in the San Francisco Bay Area. Additional information on BAMBI is provided at On January 31, 2006, the fourth annual BAMBI workshop was held. Presentations by Program staff and UC Berkeley students 27 November 2006

30 Watershed Management Measures included an update on the development of the Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) for San Francisco Bay Area creeks, long-term variability of bioassessment data and the effects of urbanization on BMIs. environmental investigations within riparian corridors and to facilitate coordination of related data collection and management. It also describes stream-related multi-stakeholder studies and projects that were in-progress in the Santa Clara Basin. On September 15, 2006, the Program finalized the Inventory of Santa Clara Basin Stream Studies (Updated Version 7.0). This version describes twenty-nine related multi-stakeholder studies and projects that recently started or are in-progress within the Santa Clara Basin. An Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) serves as an easy-to-use scorecard for determining the condition of water quality and stream habitat (i.e., stream health) using biological communities. In collaboration with Alameda Countywide Clean Water Program and Water Board staff, Program staff developed a series of tasks to allow for the development of a Benthic Macroinvertebrate Index of Biotic Integrity (B-IBI) for creeks in the San Francisco Bay Area. During FY , Program staff contributed substantial in-kind services towards the completion of tasks outlined in the Work Plan. Tasks completed in FY include: Compilation of benthic macroinvertebrate data collected by local and State public agencies through spring 2005; and, Development of a regional benthic macroinvertebrate bioassessment database that will be internet accessible; In FY , Program staff plans to continue supporting and actively participating in BAMBI activities, with specific objectives to complete a Draft Provisional B-Index of Biotic Integrity for San Francisco Bay Area creeks. Stream Studies Inventory The Inventory of Santa Clara Basin Stream Studies (SSI) was initially prepared by the Program in November The purpose of the SSI is to promote inter-agency awareness of Version 7.0 of the SSI also includes figures illustrating the types and locations of stream studies described. These figures are intended to identify the spatial extent of stream studies conducted to-date in the Santa Clara Basin. Watershed Data Management In accordance with its NPDES permit, the Program compiles, develops and analyzes a variety of datasets and reports. To systematically describe and document data used for its activities, the Program uses a relational database ( SCVURPPP Metadata Database ). The SCVURPPP Metadata Database currently stores information on watershed studies described in the updated SSI Version 7.0 and archived information from previous versions of the SSI; and provides querying capabilities for watershed information listed in both the SSI and SCBWMI s Metadata Database. Overall, the SCVURPPP Metadata Database contains descriptions of 590 projects within the Santa Clara Basin. EOA, Inc. 28