Trail Policy Criteria and Guidance Public Meeting
December 17, 2020
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Question Title

* 1. What watershed do you live in?

Guadalupe

Coyote

West Valley

Uvas/Llagas

Lower Peninsula

I'm not sure

Question Title

* 2. How often do you use a creek trail?

Daily

A few times per week

When I get a chance

Hardly ever

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* 3. Who owns and operates the trail you use most often?

Valley Water

County Parks

My City

I'm not sure

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* 4. What is your primary reason for using creek trails?

Recreation, Exercise, and Fitness

Commute to Work or Local Transportation

Experience Nature (Bird Watch, Photography, etc.)

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* 5. How do you usually travel on creek trails?

Walking

Running

Off-road bicycle

Road bicycle

In-line skating or skateboarding

Other

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* 6. I use local trails _______________ during the pandemic than before (Over the past nine months).

More often

The Same Amount

Less Often

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* 7. What wildlife have you observed along the creek trail(s) you visit? (Check all that apply)

Deer, Squirrels

Raccoons, Opossums, Skunks

Shorebirds (Rails, Sandpipers, etc.) and Waterfowl (Ducks, Geese, etc.)

Songbirds and Raptors (Hawks, Falcons, Eagles)

Lizards, Snakes

Frogs, Salamanders

Fish

Butterflies and Bees

Question Title

* 8. How do you anticipate climate change impacting Santa Clara County creeks?

No Change

Less Rainfall and Stream Flow

More Frequent Flooding

More Tidal Inundation from Sea Level Rise

Changes in Plant and Animal Species

More Frequent Trail Closures

Question Title

* 9. What are the top three criteria you value most?

Planning and Public Outreach

Flood Protection

Valley Water Operations

Habitat Protection

Trail Maintenance and Security

Water Quality

Channel Stability

Regulatory Compliance

Question Title

* 10. What are the top three most important actions Valley Water can take along the creeks?

Partner with agencies to connect trails so I can use them for transportation

Partner with agencies to develop new local trails for recreation and enjoyment

Develop more opportunities to experience nature

Restrict or limit trails along creeks to protect habitat and water quality

Expand trash cleanup efforts

Protect the creek environment from the effects of homeless encampments

Build infrastructure to protect more homes and businesses from flooding

Restore habitat and help endangered species

Question Title

* 11. What are the top three most important actions Partner Agencies can take along the creeks? (Check all that apply)

Build new trails along creeks in my neighborhood

Build new connections to improve the countywide trail network

Maintain existing trails

Clean up trash and graffiti

Purchase land along creeks to build more parks and facilities like soccer fields

Provide security and safety enforcement

Keep new trails out of sensitive habitat areas

Require new developments to set aside land for trails

Question Title

* 12. Check all statements that you agree with.

It is OK to reduce the level of flood protection in order to provide a trail.

The benefits of trails are more important than negative effects on to creekside habitats and wildlife.

I like creek trails, but they should not increase Valley Water’s costs to provide flood protection or clean water.

Trails are getting more and more crowded. I worry about how trail use affects water quality and wildlife.

Trails should be located outside of habitat areas and away from the creek to protect it.

It’s ok for new trails to be built within creekside habitats as long as there are other places set aside for wildlife.