January 26, 2023
San José City Council
200 E. Santa Clara Street
San Jose, CA 95113
Mayor Mahan, and members of the Council:
As has become abundantly clear in recent years and especially in the past month, the impacts of climate change are happening now. Record-setting precipitation and flooding are joining heat, wildfires, and extended drought to put San José residents at risk. While the impacts of climate change are widespread, the disproportionate burden falls on those already facing multiple forms of oppression and with the fewest resources to respond, especially low-income people of color.
The Municipal Regional Stormwater Permit (MRP) was recently updated with increased requirements for implementing green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) throughout the city. GSI is a highly effective nature-based strategy for combating the impacts of climate change. These requirements are an opportunity to speed up the city’s climate change resilience planning – a priority established during last year’s budget process – and ensure that the City is adequately protecting its residents.
Green infrastructure—bioswales, rain gardens, tree wells—are not just excellent at reducing pollutants before they run into the Bay and endanger plants, animals, humans, and the healthy functioning of our ecosystem. GSI can also help address the impacts of climate change— managing flooding in the face of intensifying storms, reducing the heat island effect, and making streets more walkable and bikeable. San José’s Green Stormwater Infrastructure Plan developed in 2019 has identified 2,529 street segments that are high priority for green stormwater infrastructure. That represents dozens of miles of roadway that could be managing pollutants and stormwater, greening neighborhoods, and reducing ambient temperatures. San José’s Community Forest Master Plan identifies the multiple benefits of ensuring tree plantings are also designed to manage stormwater, and recommends that “Green Stormwater Infrastructure projects include the planting of one or more shade tree(s) that will contribute to stormwater reduction and avoided runoff.”
As we’ve seen this month, flooding is so much more than an inconvenience. It’s destructive to homes, cars, businesses, and infrastructure, costing millions of dollars in damages, and leads to injury and loss of life. Property destruction and mold will persist for months. Those with the
fewest resources will be least able to recover, and possibly pushed into even more vulnerable positions.
Aligning MRP compliance with climate resilience is strategic—and not optional. As the staff report notes, accomplishing this will require additional resources. We look forward to working with you to acquire those needed resources, and ensure we are building a more resilient San José.
Thank you for your consideration,
David Lewis,
Executive Director, Save The Bay