"We have already begun to see environmental recovery in Water Resources Protection Zones areas,"
"Valley Water staff are experiencing fewer interactions with dangerous individuals on Valley Water lands."
"We observe that many unsheltered individuals living within Valley Water's jurisdiction sometimes do not qualify for housing due to violence or other behavioral issues,"
Valley Water implemented a no camping policy at the end of last year to protect 333 miles of waterways and has removed 462 homeless encampments from its land. Prior to the policy, more than 450 people lived along the waterways, concentrated in San Jose and portions of several creeks and the Guadalupe River. A February count found 224 people remaining on agency property. Workers have removed more than 1.2 million pounds of trash, debris and hazardous materials since the start of the year. Re-encampment and eligibility obstacles for housing due to violence or behavioral issues create ongoing challenges. Valley Water is coordinating with Santa Clara County about services for people with severe mental illness, posting Water Resources Protection Zone signs, and using citations or arrests to enforce the policy while observing environmental recovery and fewer dangerous interactions on protected lands.
Read at San Jose Spotlight
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