Agua Hedionda Creek Restoration Project
OCTOBER 2011 Project Updates
Preliminary design for the Agua Hedionda Creek Restoration Project (AHCRP) is complete. The next step is to secure grant funding to complete the final design, environmental permitting, and construction.
The City has applied for two grants to fund AHCRP. The first application was submitted in July 2010 to the State Water Resources Control Board, the application was accepted to compete for Round Two 2011-12 funding, which should be announced soon. The second application was submitted in October 2011 to the California Natural Resources Agency, awards will be announced in June 2012.
Replacement of bridge at the East end
Due to safety concerns, the footbridge across Agua Hedionda Creek, at the east end of Buena Vista Park, was removed in July of 2009. The preliminary design process has identified that the best strategy for replacing the bridge is to span the creek entirely, placing footings for the bridge outside of the creek area, and therefore outside of environmental permits associated with the creek restoration project. This means that replacing the bridge would be its own project, separate from the creek restoration project. At this time, funding for a stand alone bridge project has not been identified. However, costs to construct the bridge as part of the AHCRP were included in the second grant application that was submitted in 2011.
Tentative Timeline for the Project
The Agua Hedionda Creek Restoration Project will begin at the Buena Vista Park property boundary with the Dawson Preserve continuing upstream to the property boundary with Green Oak Ranch. Planned project highlights: streambed stabilization and restoration, side slope restoration, removal of non-native plants, re-vegetation with native plants, and a new bridge on the east end. The goal of the project is to preserve and enhance the natural resources for wildlife, while providing the community with an opportunity to observe the local wildlife and enjoy the trail system.
September 2009:
Tory R. Walker Engineering hired by the City to complete preliminary design services for the Agua Hedionda Creek Restoration Project.
September 2009 - April 2010:
Preliminary design engineering for the restoration project completed.
July 2010:
Submission of grant application to the State Water Resources Control Board.
February 2011:
Addendum to the Preliminary Design to include bridge design, and stormwater and pump station enhancements.
October 2011:
Submission of grant application to the California Natural Resources Agency.
Buena Vista Park Reminders
Please stay on the trails. Please DO NOT enter the creek area to cross the creek. Many of the vegetation areas provide habitat for local birds and other wildlife.
The area has rocks, rattlesnakes, poison oak, the side slopes of the creek are unstable in several places, and foot traffic will degrade the condition of the creek. The creek area is a designated Wildlife Corridor and would ideally remain as undisturbed as possible.
Please don't leave any trash behind. Keep the park clean! It is good for the community and the environment. There is a trash receptacle near the trail access gate just south of Fire Station No. 5. There are also trash receptacles near the Duck Pond.
Please clean up after your dogs. Please ensure that your animal's waste does not go in and around the creek area. Doggie waste bags are available at the doggie station, located at the access gate next to Fire Station No. 5. Another doggie waste station will be installed on the south side of the creek, under S. Melrose bridge
Emergency? If assistance is needed on the weekend with an issue (i.e., a dead animal is found, etc.) in Buena Vista Park or any City owned property, please contact Public Services After Hours Emergency Number at (858) 756-3006.
Pictures:
Look closely…the tiny white image in the middle of this picture is a great egret at Agua Hedionda Creek.
