1) Construct capital projects to temporarily detain water upstream during severe storms, and to reduce flooding in the areas most at risk.  We will do this while the Corps of Engineers Feasibility Study moves forward, and will receive Federal credit for the projects.

2) Advance the Corps Study by having local agencies take over all possible tasks and by increasing federal funding to the Corps for our project.

Upstream detention can provide protection for everyone in the floodplain by reducing the amount of water reaching flood-prone areas during the height of severe storms. It may be cost efficient because it reduces the scale and/or number of projects needed downstream and it likely involves undeveloped lands. Also, it may provide environmental and water supply benefits.

Downstream work – to increase Creek capacity from Middlefield Bridge to the Bay – can address the areas where life and property are most at risk, address the issues of tidal flooding from the Bay, and provide environmental and recreation benefits.

The JPA and its member agency partners have embarked on an ambitious schedule for these capital projects. Local funds will allow us to realize this schedule for at least one capital project and our share of the Corps study, but more funding – and partnerships with landowners – are needed to accomplish additional projects and complete the study.  This additional funding will come from Federal, State, local, or private sources.

In order to access these funds, the JPA needs the support of residents and their elected leaders within the watershed, especially in the downstream cities of Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and East Palo Alto.  Neighborhoods within these cities have come together to sponsor this meeting and – with the JPA – launch this website: www.threeforthecreek.com. Join your neighbors, and be a part of the solution.