Guest View

In 2003, I started a company that evolved into what we named “PlanReady.” As a school architect following the Columbine massacre in 1999, I realized that much of the information that the first responders, police and fire—and the school itself—should have had at their fingertips was unavailable to them.

They tried to kill us. We won. Let’s eat. Jewish festivals often conjure up something along these lines. Purim, the Jewish festival that takes place on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Adar—this year March 16-17—is no exception. In 357 BCE, Persia’s King Ahasuerus...

2017 will be a memorable year for Santa Clara County, especially for water resources management.It was the year that broke our state’s longest dry streak with record-setting precipitation. A year of transition between extremes—from drought to floods. A year for big decisions on the future of our water supply. And it was a year to redouble our commitment to preparing for wet and dry years to ensure safe, clean water for a healthy life, environment and economy for the Silicon Valley.As Board Chair of the Santa Clara Valley Water District, I am proud to reflect on some of the year’s highlights.  A historic flood along Coyote Creek was a vivid reminder that flood risks persist in our county, and our hearts go out to those affected. Despite our investments of close to $1 billion in flood protection projects over several decades protecting nearly 100,000 parcels, our work is far from complete. The Coyote Creek flood has ignited a new urgency in our fight to reduce flood risks and help keep communities safe.This year, we completed the Lower Silver Creek Flood Protection Project in east San Jose. The project extends approximately 4.4 miles from its connection at Coyote Creek to Cunningham Avenue. When the Lake Cunningham detention basin is complete, it will protect approximately 3,800 homes and businesses.  After the Coyote Creek flood in February, my colleagues and I led advocacy efforts in Washington, D.C., to seek federal funding and support changes to the regulatory process, which has delayed many important flood protection projects. At home, we took immediate action to build short-term flood barriers at the Rock Springs neighborhood, remove invasive vegetation along Coyote Creek and remove downed trees and potential creek blockages. The board also approved new operating parameters at Anderson and Coyote reservoirs to create more storage space, further reducing the chance of flooding.In one of the most critical decisions of the year, the water district board voted to participate in the California WaterFix project to improve the infrastructure that carries water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Our board developed a list of seven guiding principles to examine a less costly, scaled-down and staged project that would serve Silicon Valley’s needs, as well as those of our partner agencies.To further improve reliability of our imported water supply sources, we applied for $484.5 million in state funding for the potential expansion of the Pacheco Reservoir. Located about 13 miles southwest of San Luis Reservoir, this project offers emergency and drought-year supply, fish habitat enhancement, flood protection and other benefits.  Another way we are preparing for the future is through expanding the use of recycled water.No doubt about it, 2017 was a forward-moving year. I wouldn’t expect anything less for the Silicon Valley, and I am humbled to have led the efforts this year. Follow more of what we accomplished throughout the year in our 2017 annual report, available at valleywater.org.John Varela represents District 1—which includes Morgan Hill, San Martin, Gilroy and hills east of San Jose and Milpitas—on the Santa Clara Valley Water District Board of Directors. He can be reached at [email protected].

On Sunday, May 15, if you happened to see over 100 people walking on Coyote Creek Trail, wearing navy blue tee shirts that said “Danger Future Flux Capacitors of America,” there is no need to worry. The walk was for a worthy cause to...

This guest view is part of a periodic series on tips to prepare for wildfire season, which started May 1 in Santa Clara County.Will your home survive when the embers arrive? Wind driven embers ignite many of the homes destroyed by wildfire. Your home could be at risk!  BE EMBER AWARE and make changes to reduce the threat to your home. Remove leaves and pine needles from your rain gutters, keep your firewood a safe distance from your home and clean out debris from under your deck. You can learn more at emberaware.comMost people believe that wildfires ignite homes through direct contact with flames, but it is rare to have a home ignite this way. Flaming brands and embers can travel a mile or more ahead of the active front of a wildfire. Up to 60 percent of wildland/urban interface home ignitions result from embers.Tip Number 4: Deck dangerDecks are one of the parts of your home that are vulnerable to embers during wildfire. This applies to decks comprised of wood boards as well as those made from plastic and wood-plastic composite deck boards.If your deck ignites, the flames can ignite your combustible siding, break the glass on an adjacent window or sliding glass door, or climb to the eave and burn into your attic. If you have a deck and live in a high fire hazard area, you should consider the following:• Keep the gaps between deck boards free of pine needles, leaves and other debris. This tip also applies to the intersection between your deck and your house. Embers can become lodged in the gaps and ignite the deck. Also, don’t allow fallen pine needles and other dead plant material to accumulate on the deck surface during fire season.• The area underneath the deck is particularly susceptible to ember attack. Don’t store firewood, gas cans, lawn mowers, cardboard or other combustible materials under the deck and keep this area free of weeds, pine needles and leaves. Consider enclosing the deck with solid skirting, such as siding that is properly vented, or with 1/8-inch wire mesh to limit ember penetration and reduce maintenance. Don’t enclose it with wooden lattice.• Rotted or otherwise poor condition wood is more easily ignited by embers than wood in good condition. Replace deteriorated wooden deck boards and posts with new ones.• Install metal flashing between the deck and the side of the house. Be sure the flashing is installed to allow proper drainage of water.• If wildfire is threatening, remove combustible materials from the deck, including newspapers and magazines, baskets, door mats, dried flower arrangements, and place them inside the house or garage. Propane tanks should be placed at a distance of 30 feet or more from the house.Decks can contribute to the wildfire threat to your home. Take steps now to reduce the deck danger.Fire Marshal Dwight Good serves the Morgan Hill Fire Department and South Santa Clara County Fire Protection District and the CalFire Santa Clara Unit. He has 24 years of fire service experience. He can be contacted at [email protected].