ACPWA has Failed San Lorenzo Creek Residents

The Alameda County Public Works Agency has failed in its mission to promote a healthy and sustainable environment that supports safe and livable communities. San Lorenzo Creek, usually a little stream, during the atmospheric river event of December 31, 2022, became a raging river, 75 yards wide and over 30 feet deep. This event wreaked havoc on creekside residents, tearing away fences and taking away precious soil which supports many existing homes. This event also took away parts of “A” Street.

Don Castro Reservoir is silted up, and no longer has any water control function. Years of housing developments in the above hills have added concrete to once absorbent soils, causing more water to flow down our creek.

Within months, ACPWA fixed “A” street, a thoroughfare. The rest of the creek still has concrete debris and dead or damaged trees. The steep, eroded banks now threaten homes. These are knock-off effects beyond the scope of any individual homeowner to solve. With climate change, a disaster is inevitable.

The Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District (ACFCD) has failed for decades to help protect residents and property from flooding by planning, designing, constructing, and maintaining flood control channels and the riparian woodlands. After a year of many requests for help, no assistance has been provided for the homeowners affected by the disaster. The agency director doesn’t care and says nothing can be done on personal property.

Yet, ACPWA and the Alameda County Board of Supervisors plan to implement a new property tax for deferred projects. The Creekside residents could be their best advocates for this new tax. With their lack of concern, we cannot support this effort. Nor do we recommend voting for any current Alameda Board Supervisors.

–Bruce Finocchio, Castro Valley