Larry Klein
Mayor
Linda Sell
Vice Mayor
Alysa Cisneros
Councilmember
Richard Mehlinger
Councilmember
Murali Srinivasan
Councilmember
Charlsie Chang
Councilmember
Eileen Le
Councilmember
May 1, 2025
T
he Honorable Aisha Wahab
California State Senate
1021 O Street, Suite 8530
Sacramento, CA 95814
R
E: Sunnyvale East and West Channels Flood Protection Project– SUPPORT D
ear Senator Wahab:
O
n behalf of the City of Sunnyvale, I want to express our support for the Sunnyvale East and West Channels Flood Protection Project (Project), a project of critical importance to our community.
T
he Project will improve approximately 9.4 miles of the existing channels to provide 1% (100-year) flood protection to over 1,600 homes, schools, and businesses in our region. This is particularly vital for the vulnerable populations of our shared districts residing in the large mobile home parks along the east channel, who have experienced repetitive flooding since the channels’ inception in the 1960s.
T
he scope of the Project includes the construction of levees and floodwalls, bridge and culvert improvements, and bank stabilization measures to improve steep and eroding banks. Upon completion, the Project will mitigate flood risk for the surrounding low- income communities, addressing long-standing inequities and safeguarding residents from the threat of displacement. These modifications will also protect Highways 101 and 237 from riverine impacts while ensuring supply chain functionality during a severe weather event for approximately 200,000 vehicles that access the highways during peak hours. The project will also improve public access and promote active transportation.
W
e strongly support Valley Water’s efforts to identify funding sources for this project that will help protect our communities against the effects of climate change.
T
his request also aligns with the City of Sunnyvale policy that calls for taking measures to protect life and property from the effects of a 1 percent (100 year) flood (Policy SN- Attachment 2
The Honorable Aisha Wahab, State Senate
May 1, 2025
1.2) and encourages Valley Water to reevaluate the creeks and channels within city limits in relation to a 100-year flood.
Thank you for your efforts and support for the Sunnyvale East and West Channels Flood Protection Project. Please do not hesitate to contact me or Ramana Chinnakotla, Director of Environmental Services at [email protected], if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Larry Klein
Mayor
cc: Santa Clara Valley Water District Board of Directors City Council
Tim Kirby, City Manager
Sarah Johnson-Rios, Assistant City Manager
Ramana Chinnakotla, Director of Environmental Services Department Attachment 2