SFCJPA Current Newsletter
Fall 2025 Newsletter
Welcoming the Winter Rains
California’s water-year begins in October. This year, the National Weather Service is predicting a moderate La Nina weather pattern, which typically means drier and slightly cooler than average weather for the area. This general pattern may persist through January or February then change to a wetter pattern, or it may continue all winter.
It is important to remember that long-range forecasts reflect averages or typical conditions. Significant storms are possible even when these events may not be typical during a La Nina winter.
The following are useful resources for following weather forecasts and conditions:
Weather Forecasts https://www.cnrfc.noaa.gov/precipForecast.php?cwa=RSA&imgNum=1
Stream Flow Forecasts https://www.cnrfc.noaa.gov/ensembleProduct.php?id=SFCC1&prodID=3
Real-time Precipitation AQPI Radar Viewer
You can watch how local creeks are responding to rainfall in the watershed at the City of Palo Alto’s creek camera and monitoring page: https://www.paloalto.gov/Departments/Public-Works/Engineering-Services/Creek-Monitor-Cam
Other Helpful Information:
7532Flood! - Contra Costa County has developed a helpful tool for flood prediction for their county. Flood Forecast Information | Contra Costa County, CA Official Website This is not exactly applicable to the San Francisquito Creek watershed, but it could be generally informative, and it’s a useful way of thinking about flood risk.
When the watershed is already wet from previous storms, and there has been substantial rain in the past 30 days, and some rain in the past week, one more heavy rain can lead to flooding.
This is from the Contra Costa website and was developed for their conditions:
Critical Rainfall Conditions:
· 7 inches - Season’s Rainfall (season starts July 1st)
· 5 inches - 30 Day Rainfall
· 3 inches - 7 Day Rainfall
Critical Rainfall Forecast:
· 2 inches – 24 Hour Rainfall
Under these conditions, pay attention to radio, TV, or internet flood warning information. The National Weather Service forecasts and advisories should be monitored.
Project Updates
San Francisquito Creek - Stream Maintenance
The annual stream maintenance walk was conducted in September. The creek is in good condition with no significant downed trees in the channel that could block flow. Smaller dead trees, branches and vegetation were left in the channel for habitat. Areas of trash and debris were identified for clean up.
The SFCJPA is planning for a comprehensive Stream Maintenance Permit, which, when complete and approved, will allow the SFCJPA and member agencies to remove dead and downed trees, invasive vegetation removal, and sediment management in and along the creek.
Reach 2
Over the next few months, our consulting team at WRA and our member agency colleagues will be evaluating combinations of flood protection actions and selecting one to recommend for the SFCJPA board’s approval. We anticipate this selection to occur in Spring 2026. Many factors will be taken into consideration: impacts of construction, cost, long-term maintenance obligations, environmental impacts or benefits, etc. Once we’ve narrowed down the choices, we’ll be scheduling in-person and virtual community meetings.
SAFER Bay Project – Three Public Meeting Opportunities to Learn About and Comment on the SAFER Bay Project’s Draft Environmental Impact Report
The overall purpose of the project is to reduce risks to people, property, and infrastructure from current tidal flooding and projected sea level rise through engineered and natural features that enhance shoreline ecosystems and improve recreational opportunities.
In some areas of the Project, tidal salt marsh habitat will be restored to provide flood protection for Menlo Park and East Palo Alto. Critical habitat for western snowy plover (federally listed as threatened) will be created or protected from coastal flooding as will segments of the San Francisco Bay Trail (Bay Trail) and other trails.
The Draft EIR provides an analysis of the physical environmental effects of implementing the proposed SAFER Bay project, describes the environmental setting, assesses the project’s impacts, and identifies mitigation measures for significant impacts.
The SAFER Bay Project includes approximately 7 miles of shoreline, starting from O’Connor Street in East Palo Alto at San Francisquito Creek, north along the shoreline to Redwood City near the Menlo Park city boundary.
The Environmental Review Process:
The Draft EIR will be published, and the public comment period begins on December 1, 2025. The comment period closes on January 23, 2026. After all comments are received, the project team will incorporate comments and prepare a response to all comments received. Certification of the Final EIR is planned for May 2026.
Public Meeting #1 - East Palo Alto
When: Monday, December 15, 2025. 6 PM to 8 PM
Where: East Palo Alto Government Center
Council Chamber (1st Floor)
2415 University Avenue
East Palo Alto, CA 94303
This is a joint meeting with the City of East Palo Alto and the San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority. The presentation will describe the overall project, with a focus on East Palo Alto.
Public Meeting #2 - Menlo Park
When: Wednesday, December 17, 2025. 6 PM to 8 PM
Where: Belle Haven Community Campus, 100 Terminal Avenue, Menlo Park, CA 94025
This is a joint meeting with the City of Menlo Park and the San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority. The presentation will describe the overall project, with a focus on Menlo Park.
What: Presentations of the anticipated benefits and impacts of the proposed SAFER Bay Project and an opportunity to ask questions and provide comments.
Who should attend: Community members and stakeholders interested in the future of the shoreline, including protection of homes, businesses, and infrastructure from flooding and sea level rise, potential impacts of project construction, habitat protection, and access to recreation and shoreline trails.
A light dinner, on-site childcare, and Spanish language interpretation will be available at both the East Palo Alto and Menlo Park public meetings.
RSVP is not required but appreciated for planning purposes.
Public Meeting #3 – As Part of the Regular SFCJPA Board Meeting
When: Thursday, December 18, 2025. 3:30 PM
Where: City of Menlo Park Council Chambers
751 Laurel Street, Menlo Park, CA 94025
What: A presentation of the anticipated benefits and impacts of the proposed SAFER Bay Project. The SFCJPA Board meeting will include an opportunity for board and community members to ask questions and provide comments about the project. Oral comments may be time-limited as determined by the Chair if there are many attendees to ensure all who wish to speak have an opportunity. Written comments on the Draft EIR presented during the meeting will also be collected.
Who should attend: Community members and stakeholders interested in the future of the shoreline, including protection of homes, businesses, and infrastructure from flooding and sea level rise, potential impacts of project construction, habitat protection, and access to recreation and shoreline trails.
More Information: This regular meeting of the SFCJPA Board of Directors will be a hybrid meeting. Attendees may join in person or may attend via Zoom. Attendees wishing to join via Zoom must register and will be sent a Zoom link for the meeting. The Zoom portion of the meeting, including slide presentation materials, will be recorded. This recording will be posted on the SFCJPA website.
Ways to Comment -
· Verbally at any of the public meetings
· In writing at any of the public meetings
· Verbally or in writing with Nuestra Casa or Climate Resilient Communities outreach coordinators
· By mailing comments to the SFCJPA offices: 750 Menlo Ave. Suite 250, Menlo Park, CA 94025
· By emailing comments to tbyler@sfcjpa.org
· By submitting comments on our online form at our website: The SAFER Bay Project - San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority under “Project Status and DEIR Comment Form” section.