May 18, 2004

The Zone 7 Water Agency is planning for multiple fish passage barrier removals in Arroyo Mocho, Arroyo del Valle, and Arroyo de la Laguna as part of their Stream Management Master Plan (SMMP) projects in Livermore and Pleasanton. The SMMP proposes about a dozen restoration and enhancement projects which will remove or modify fish passage barriers, restore natural stream meander, plant riparian vegetation or replace non-native vegetation with native plants, create wetlands and other habitat for sensitive species, and install educational kiosks. There is also a project proposed to construct a trail along Alameda Creek from the confluence of Arroyo de la Laguna over 2 miles downstream into Niles Canyon to Stonybrook Creek.

Although there appear to be a few traditional flood control projects that involve hardening stream banks in already-altered stream reaches, most of the proposed flood protection and erosion control projects appear to be quite visionary and take environmental and habitat consideration into account.

The notice of preparation of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the SMMP can be found on the Zone 7 web site at http://www.zone7water.com/pdfs/Zone7_SMMP_NOP.pdf

The initial comments of the Alameda Creek Alliance on the SMMP can be found on the ACA web site at
http://www.alamedacreek.org/Fish_Passage/Arroyo%20Mocho/Arroyo%20Mocho.htm