This project will develop a community-based stormwater management plan for the Sunnydale Watershed, an urban watershed that falls under multiple jurisdictions, but whose stormwater and wastewater is treated by the SFPUC. This watershed contains significant industrial sites and brownfields, including a 750-acre site along the shoreline that is undergoing a redevelopment planning process in Brisbane as well as a smaller site in the San Francisco portion of the watershed that is undergoing a community-based planning process. Additionally, the stormwater flows from this watershed contribute to combined sewage overflows along the Bay. This stormwater management program will develop a toolbox of low-impact development techniques that can be incorporated into both existing and new developments to improve watershed water quality and also act as part of a larger watershed restoration program that provides open space to the community. In addition, local youth will be trained to help evaluate and test techniques after implementation. Results and lessons learned can be used to apply to similar projects in other Bay area watersheds.
This neighborhood is undergoing intensive redevelopment, with the threat of loss of green space and habitat and an increase of impervious pavement, likely leading to increased flows and impaired water quality. At the same time, SFPUC has begun some upgrades to reduce flooding in this watershed and is working on a Wastewater Master Plan to determine its priorities for the next 30 years. The City of Brisbane is developing a plan for reusing 750 acres of contaminated, formerly industrial property that lies at the bottom of the watershed, while San Francisco is looking to redevelop a smaller industrial site adjacent to this larger site. Furthermore, new development is occuring on San Bruno Mountain on both Brisbane and Daly City property. With all of these major efforts taking place, now is an opportune time to look at the existing hydrology, the impacts of new development patterns on that hydrology, and ways in which stormwater management tools (e.g. diversion, storage, treatment) can be incorporated into that new development. Absent such an integrated planning process (coordinated by SFPUC as part of its Wastewater Master Plan process), the proposed developments could result in greater peak stormwater flows into the SFPUC's combined sewer system, resulting in greater combined sewage overflows into the Bay. This neighborhood provides a unique opportunity to evaluate impact of both retrofitting an existing neighborhood with stormwater diversion and infiltration projects and incorporating such practices into new developments. This planning process will identify pilot projects for implementation as well integrate current projects being implemented by the local community organizations Visitacion Valley Planning Alliance (VVPA) and the Visitacion Valley Greenway Project (VVGP). In addition, this project will involve the local community in water management practices to ensure the plan's long-term success and will provide an opportunity for youth job training and economic development.
Recreation, Flood Protection, Public comment and response, Watershed Management, Stormwater Management, Water Quality, Habitat Protection, Wastewater, Pollution
Ecosystem Restoration,
Environmental and habitat protection and improvement,
Flood management,
Land use planning,
NPS pollution control,
Recreation and public access,
Storm water capture and management,
Water quality protection and improvement,
Watershed planning
