The District collaborates with many partners on projects such as the Eden Landing Salt Pond Restoration Project.
The District works cooperatively with federal, state, and local governmental agencies and conservation and community groups on its projects. Federal and state regulatory permits must be obtained from a variety of agencies before construction can begin.
Large and small projects often involve complex and difficult decisions that may overlap with larger local or regional issues. Through these partnerships, the best-possible solutions to the county’s flooding issues are derived.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
San Francisco District
Since the District began building flood control infrastructure in the 1950s, the USACE has played an important role in developing and constructing Alameda County’s flood control system. The USACE built the Alameda Creek, San Lorenzo Creek and San Leandro Creek flood channels. However, these channels are maintained by the District.
The USACE is also the regulatory agency responsible for issuing permits for all structures and work on waterways within its jurisdiction, including dredging, marinas, piers, wharves, floats, intake/outtake pipes, pilings, bulkheads, ramps, fills, and overhead transmission lines.
The District works with FEMA to assess and mitigate the risk of flooding in western Alameda County. The District’s work to update and digitize FEMA’s Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) is an example of a cooperative project. FIRMs provide the most up-to-date boundaries of floodplain areas.
Other FEMA projects include evaluating and certifying levees in Alameda County to comply with stricter safety codes imposed after Hurricane Katrina caused levees to fail in New Orleans.
Other Federal Environmental Partners
The District works routinely with the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to acquire regulatory permits for environmental restorations, such as the Eden Landing Salt Ponds Restoration. The District is currently collaborating with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as part of the Alameda Creek fish ladder project. Survey studies and mapping of Alameda County floodplains is carried out by the U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) with assistance and support by the District.
State and Regional Partnerships
There is frequent collaboration between the District and a variety of California State Departments, including the Department of Fish and Game, Department of Water Resources, State Water Resources Control Board, Wildlife Conservation Board, State Coastal Conservancy, and others to ensure that state environmental laws and mandates are followed for a variety of projects.
The Clean Water program is a collaborative effort with the California Regional Water Quality Control Board of the San Francisco Bay Region, and 60 other regional agencies who are co-permittees on the new joint “Municipal Regional Stormwater Permit” issued under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES).
Additionally, the District coordinates its activities with the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG).
The District collaborates closely with the communities in which our facilities are located. This includes working with local city councils and agencies, community groups, and environmental organizations.
Municipal Governments and City Councils
The District engages closely with Alameda County government and shares staff and strategic goals with the Alameda County Public Works Department. The District frequently partners with the Cities of Emeryville, Fremont, Hayward, Newark, Oakland, San Leandro, and Union City, as well as with municipal groups in unincorporated areas of Western Alameda County, such as Castro Valley, San Lorenzo, and Union City.
Environmental and Community Groups
The East Bay Regional Parks, Hayward Area Recreation and Park District, Bay Trail, and Bay Area Ridge Trail Council are only a few of the local organizations with which the District partners. Community groups that conserve creeks and wildlife habitat also participate with the District to improve our creeks:
- Alameda Creek Alliance
- Friends of San Leandro Creek
- Friends of San Lorenzo Creek
- Friends of Sausal Creek
- Piedmont Avenue Neighborhood Improvement League – Glen Echo Creek
Other Water Districts
Part of the District’s charter as a water conservation agency is to ensure the beneficial use of water resources in Alameda County – so that water is not degraded or wasted. To support this goal, the District collaborates with other local water agencies, including: