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Henry Coe State Park Threatened   January 31, 2003
by Dams

The Santa Clara Valley Water District is exploring constructing new dams and
reservoirs that would threaten Henry Coe State Park, wilderness and other
public recreation values, archaeological sites, and endangered species
habitat.

THE ISSUE

The Santa Clara Valley Water District is exploring options in response to a
water quality problem associated with its water diversion from San Luis
Reservoir. Summer irrigation releases from the massive reservoir often
result in poor water quality when the District diverts water for urban
consumption in the late summer and fall. To solve this so called "Low Point"
problem, officials are considering 16 alternatives, which include among them
constructing new dams, cleaning and filtering the water, or constructing
bypass pipelines directly to Santa Clara County.

PROPOSED NEW DAMS

Of most concern to the public and disastrous to the future of Coe Park in
the Coast Range southeast of San Jose, and the species that rely on its
public lands are three dam options under consideration by the District.
These include:

 a.. Building a Los Osos Dam that would submerge 2,000 acres of land inside
and outside the southern portion of Henry Coe Park
 b.. Expanding Pacheco Reservoir 15 times its current capacity and
extending it into sensitive regions of Henry Coe Park
 c.. Enlarging Anderson Reservoir by raising the height of the Dam east of
Morgan Hill.
DAMS THREATEN WILDERNESS, HABITAT, CULTURAL HISTORY AND PUBLIC INVESTMENTS

 a.. Loss of Coe State Park Wilderness - Coe State Park, the second largest
state park in California stretches across rugged mountains and deep canyons
of the Coast Range southeast of San Jose. Oak woodland and savanna cover
much of the landscape along with grassland and riparian woodland along
streams. Many of these important scenic and ecological values would be lost
if new dams are constructed.
 b.. Loss of Threatened and Endangered Species Habitat - The dam proposals
would destroy habitat for threatened and endangered species such as the
yellow-legged frog, tiger salamander, and kit fox-in addition to habitat for
mountain lion, black-tailed deer, ground squirrel, coyote, golden eagle,
red-tailed hawk, and wild turkey.
 c.. Destruction of Archaeological Sites - The dam projects would destroy
eight recorded archaeological sites, one with known human remains.
 d.. Restricts Public Access to Parklands - The proposed expanded Pacheco
dam and reservoir would block access to eastern portions of the park and
would flood potential trails from a new southeast park entrance due to open
in 2004. The Los Osos Dam would cut access to the southern portion of the
park, which is popular with mountain bikers and equestrians.
TAKE ACTION NOW!

The Santa Clara Valley Water District is currently preparing a draft
environmental report to consider their various alternatives. Write a letter
today to the District, urging them to reject the dam options - particularly
those proposed in or adjacent to Coe State Park - and instead focus on the
less destructive filtering or direct pipeline alternatives. Also, ask to be
placed on the mailing list to be informed about the project.

Send your letter to Mr. Kurt Arends, Senior Project Manager, Santa Clara
Valley Water District, 5750 Almaden Expressway, San Jose, CA 95118. Or email
your letter to SLReservoirLowPoint@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

In addition, you may voice your concerns to Mr. Arends over the phone at
(408) 265-2607, ext. 2384.




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