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37-628: The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment has issued a safety advisory for any fish caught in Anderson Lake due to elevated levels of mercury and PCBs. The reservoir was created in 1950 (74 years ago)  ( 1950 ) by the construction of the Anderson Dam across Coyote Creek in the foothills of the Diablo Mountains east of Morgan Hill . The reservoir and dam were named after Leroy Anderson,

74-706: A 10% pay cut. On May 28, 2009 Governor Schwarzenegger proposed an additional 5% pay cut for all state workers (without an adjustment to the number of days worked), resulting a total pay cut of 15%; this additional cut must be approved by the legislature. Many have questioned the Governor's motivation for cutting OEHHA. Some have proposed this cut was spearheaded by industries who have been in conflict with OEHHA and several industries have been proposed as "suspects." An international petition to save OEHHA, titled "Doctors and Scientists for Environmental Health", has also been circulating and has over 200 signatures from California ,

111-516: A capital project for a seismic retrofit by the end of 2018. The operating restriction was to remain in place until the project was complete. Remediation of the problem was expected to cost as much as US$ 100 million. In December 2016, SCVWD reported that further geotechnical analysis indicated that considerably more work would need to be performed on the dam, essentially removing it and rebuilding it. The existing dam had been built on alluvial deposits which could liquefy during an earthquake. Accordingly,

148-594: A highly educated and trained professional staff of about 120 individuals. The staff include toxicologists , epidemiologists , biostatisticians and physicians ; many have international reputations in their scientific fields. In fiscal year 2007–2008 OEHHA was budgeted for approximately $ 17.5 million or 1/500th of 1% the state General Fund; $ 8 million is from the general fund. Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department , sometimes referred to as Santa Clara County Parks Department or Santa Clara County Parks ,

185-604: A key founder and first president of the Santa Clara Valley Water District (not to be confused with the music composer of the same name ). It is the largest reservoir owned by the district. In January 2009, a preliminary routine seismic study suggested a small chance that a large- magnitude earthquake (6.6 with the dam at the epicenter , or 7.2 up to a mile away) could result in flooding in Morgan Hill and as far away as San Jose . In response,

222-535: A variety of environmental media. Traditionally OEHHA has focused on four primary areas: In recent years OEHHA has taken on new mandates to address emerging environmental issues of particular concern to the California public: OEHHA has three main divisions: The Scientific Affairs division is composed of four scientific branches that correspond to the scientific duties: State agency users of information on issues of environmental and public health include: OEHHA

259-565: Is a former home of the owners of the Rancho Santa Teresa land grant, operated by the Bernal family from 1834 until its acquisition by Santa Clara County in 1980. Santa Clara County bought 490 acres for $ 4 million to expand Mt. Madonna County Park. Restored Casa Grande landmark reopens at Santa Clara County Park, November, 2010. 14 miles of new trails coming to Santa Clara County park. Silicon Valley holdout: 287-acre farm in

296-523: Is a government department in Santa Clara County, California . The department manages 28 parks with a total area over 52,000 acres (21,000 ha). Santa Clara County's first parkland was purchased in on January 24, 1924 from Joseph M. Mac Donough and Bessie P. MacDonough, a 400-acre (160 ha) parcel near Cupertino which eventually became Stevens Creek County Park. Mount Madonna park was acquired in 1927. The Parks and Recreation Department

333-727: Is a specialized department within the cabinet-level California Environmental Protection Agency ( CalEPA ) with responsibility for evaluating health risks from environmental chemical contaminants. OEHHA is the scientific adviser within CalEPA and provides the health effects assessments that assist regulatory decision makers within CalEPA, the California Department of Public Health , and other agencies and non-governmental organizations (see below). This includes assessing health and environmental risks from: In May 2009, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger proposed to "eliminate and transfer

370-479: Is essential to prevent undue political influence on the evaluation of health risks. These factors are and should remain explicitly excluded from the assessment of risk. OEHHA plays a critical and unique role that allows for the separation of risk assessment and hazard evaluation from risk management with primary goal of protecting public health and the environment. OEHHA' most recognizable contributions to public and environmental health are: OEHHA's work products cover

407-741: Is the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority (SCCOSA). While the jurisdiction of the SCCOSA lies entirely in Santa Clara County, it is not directly a part of county government. The parks managed by the department are: County Park Rangers act as the public safety branch for the Santa Clara County Parks, ensuring the safety of park visitors and protection of park resources. County Park Rangers are considered "generalists" and perform

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444-620: The Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD) lowered the water level to 74 percent of capacity and announced a further analysis of the situation, which could possibly result in retrofitting the dam if necessary. Updated findings in October, 2010 indicated that the dam could fail if a magnitude 7.25 earthquake occurred within 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) of the dam, potentially releasing a wall of water 35 feet (11 m) high into downtown Morgan Hill in 14 minutes, and 8 feet (2.4 m) deep into San Jose within three hours. In response SCVWD has lowered

481-637: The U.S. and over 20 other countries worldwide. On June 2, 2009 articles and editorials/opinions were published in the Los Angeles Times , Sacramento Bee , California Progress Report , SFGate and others that speak to the importance of OEHHA and further explain how cutting OEHHA would not save a significant source of funding. These timely articles coincide with the California Budget Conference Committee hearings, with public testimony, that occurred on

518-657: The Coyote Creek Fault on Coyote Road, east of Morgan Hill. The reservoir itself is situated parallel to the Calaveras Fault , which runs from Hollister to Milpitas . It holds over 90,000 acre-feet (110,000,000 m) of water when full, more than the other nine reservoirs in the county combined. The 4,275-acre (1,730 ha) Anderson Lake County Park is managed by the Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department . In addition to

555-692: The Gold Rush in the area of what is now Almaden Quicksilver County Park , Casa Grande being the former home of the mine superintendents. Chitactac-Adams Heritage Park offers a unique view into the Native American culture of Santa Clara County before and after the arrival of the Spanish, and includes a self-guided interpretive walk and a replica of a tule hut used by the Ohlone Indians. The Bernal-Joice-Gulnac Ranch at Santa Teresa County Park

592-563: The OEHHA item, but did not say when the committee would revisit the OEHHA budget proposal. On June 15, 2009 the Budget Conference Committee voted 6-4 along party lines to approve funding OEHHA's entire budget with fee- and penalty-based special funds. The conference committee's plan will be considered by the full Assembly and Senate as part of the budget package. The final ruling on OEHHA will not be available until after

629-547: The Ohlone Native American culture. At the end of the program students are invited to overnight campout with Park staff. Graduates of the program age 12 through 17 may move on to the Jr. Ranger II Program. Santa Clara County Parks operates a number of interpretive facilities. The Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum at Casa Grande showcases the history of the mercury (quicksilver) mining operations that occurred during

666-500: The Senate Environmental Quality Committee (below) to keep OEHHA intact and add risk assessment and hazard evaluation functions from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation and the California Department of Toxic Substances Control . When OEHHA's item came up, Assemblymember Nielsen requested more time to review the proposal. The committee decided to postpone the discussion and action of

703-453: The addition of Department Pesticide Regulation 's risk assessment activities, Department of Toxic Substances Control 's hazard evaluation functions, and lead roles in the children's health initiative and the Cal/EPA portion of the biomonitoring program. The main argument against the Governor's proposal is that the science performed in OEHHA should be independent of policy decisions made by

740-441: The afternoon of June 2, 2009. On June 2, 2009 the Budget Conference Committee convened a hearing for public comment on the Governor's budget proposal. The hearing is archived on video, the testimony on behalf of OEHHA begins at 3:49:11 The supporters of OEHHA proposed and alternative to keep OEHHA intact and save $ 8.3 million, OEHHA's general fund budget. The proposal includes alternative funding sources and also expands OEHHA with

777-596: The areas of habitat conservation & restoration, and performing maintenance work. Park Rangers patrol the parks by truck, foot, boat, bike, and motorcycle. County Park Rangers also serve as boating safety officers and investigate vessel accidents and boating under the influence (BUI) violations on County reservoirs. Since 1998 the Park Rangers have offered an after school "Junior Ranger program" for children ages 9–11. Jr. Rangers meet in four two-hour sessions and learn about Park Ranger duties, wildlife, habitats, and

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814-597: The budget is passed by the state legislature and signed by the Governor . As of June 25, 2009, it does not appear that the Democratic budget plan will be passed. On June 10, 2009, The Senate Environmental Quality Committee voted to recommend that OEHHA be kept intact and expanded with the addition of California Department Pesticide Regulation 's risk assessment activities, California Department of Toxic Substances Control 's hazard evaluation functions, and lead roles in

851-463: The children's health initiative and the Cal/EPA portion of the biomonitoring program. The recommendation will be forwarded to the Budget Conference Committee. Public testimony and discussion on behalf of OEHHA continued for over an hour and included 16 people who spoke in favor of keeping OEHHA intact. Two others spoke in opposition to transferring Department Pesticide Regulation 's risk assessment activities to OEHHA, but neither of them commented on

888-877: The county's largest reservoir is the Coyote Creek Parkway multiple-use trails, the Jackson Ranch historic park site, the Moses L. Rosendin Park, the Burnett Park area, and Anderson Lake Visitors Center. Coyote Creek Parkway, a paved trail along Coyote Creek that heads 15 miles (24 km) north to Hellyer County Park , is used for hiking, jogging, bicycling, horseback riding, and skating. California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment , commonly referred to as OEHHA (pronounced oh-EEE-ha),

925-421: The district's "actions to date do not demonstrate an appropriate sense of urgency" regarding the risk of catastrophic failure in the case of an earthquake. In 2020, the reservoir was drained, to 3% of its capacity. This will enable the water district to disassemble and rebuild the dam. It had the effect of increasing San Jose's reliance on imported water. On February 21, 2017, during the 2017 California floods ,

962-794: The environment and sound science is illustrated by the scientific quality of the risk assessments produced. OEHHA is headquartered in the Cal/EPA building in Sacramento and has an office in the Oakland Elihu Harris State Building. Before the state building was built, the Oakland office used to be located across from the University of California, Berkeley ; OEHHA has maintained academic ties with this institution. OEHHA's scientific responsibilities are fulfilled by

999-618: The estimated cost rose to US$ 400 million and the start of work was rescheduled to 2020, with completion planned for 2023–2024. After years of additional studies and interim actions, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission dismissed the Water District's plans as insufficient to address the risk of catastrophic failure and ordered on February 20, 2020, that lowering of the reservoir to deadpool storage begin no later than October 1. The letter noted that

1036-530: The full range of Park Ranger duties including enforcing State laws and Department rules as peace officers, providing information to visitors, checking in campground and picnic reservations, conducting interpretive and public education programs, responding to medical emergencies and accidents to provide medical aid, performing search and rescue activities, fighting wildland fires within County Parks, managing volunteer events, performing resource management work in

1073-473: The functions" of OEHHA (and other agencies) as part his May Revise for the 2009–2010 budget. Details about the transfer of functions including mandates, funding, staff resources, and new head agency are limited. Elimination of OEHHA will have a very minor impact on the budget problems because of several reasons: (1) OEHHA's budget is very small (1/500th of 1% of the General Fund, or 1/50,000th) compared to

1110-586: The larger issue of OEHHA's future. The vote was 3-2. Senator Ashburn voted against the expansion recommendation but also said, "The expertise that resides in OEHHA ought not to be dissipated throughout state government as the Governor proposes." Speakers in support of OEHHA included: Speakers against expansion of OEHHA: OEHHA's goals as a governmental agency include: OEHHA assesses the risk of environmental chemicals based on health considerations alone. In contrast, risk managers consider economic and technical feasibility as factors in their decisions. This separation

1147-600: The other boards and departments of Cal/EPA . Further, in the governor's proposal, many of OEHHA's programs would be dropped entirely (e.g. the Public Health Goals for drinking water contaminants). Speakers in support of OEHHA included: On June 11, 2009 the second hearing for the Budget Conference committee was convened. OEHHA's item number was 3980 on the Agenda and included the recommendation from

Anderson Lake (California) - Misplaced Pages Continue

1184-543: The reservoir reached as high as 104% of capacity, creating a large flow over the spillway into Coyote Creek , which overflowed and flooded the Rock Springs/Summerside, Olinder, Naglee Park , Roosevelt, Wooster-Tripp and Berryessa neighborhoods of San Jose along US Highway 101 between the reservoir and the south San Francisco Bay . The 235 feet (72 m) high earthen dam measures 1,430 feet (440 m) long by 900 feet (270 m) wide and sits along

1221-490: The risk assessment and scientific arm of Cal/EPA and provides health-protective scientific guidance for Cal/EPA. Additionally, OEHHA is the lead agency for Proposition 65 implementation, a ballot measure approved in 1986, titled The Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 . The highly experienced team of experts is well respected in the scientific community and has been built up over more than twenty years. The quality and depth of OEHHA's commitment to public health,

1258-470: The state deficit; $ 8.3 million of OEHHA's budget is general fund (2) about half of OEHHA's budget is funded by special funds (e.g. Proposition 65, Biomonitoring) (3) state mandates that transfer to other agencies or departments will still require funding. By an executive order from the Governor in February 2009, all state workers are on a two-day-a-month furlough , or two days off without pay, equivalent to

1295-405: The water to 54% full, which is 60 feet (18 m) feet below the dam crest. In July 2011, SCVWD issued a report stating that the seismic stability study on Anderson Dam was completed. The storage restriction that has been in place since October 2010 was adjusted, allowing 12 additional feet of storage, which measures 68 percent of the dam's capacity, up from 57 percent. The water district initiated

1332-458: Was established in its current form by Governor Pete Wilson on July 17, 1991 with the creation of Cal/EPA. OEHHA originated in the 1950s for air epidemiology in the Department of Public Health and developed over time with increased public awareness of the environment. OEHHA is the smallest of the six boards, departments and offices within Cal/EPA. OEHHA has no regulatory authority but remains

1369-480: Was founded in 1956. A major expansion with numerous additional parks became possible in the 1970s with the availability of state funds and voter-approved tax setasides. A Master Plan was adopted in 1972 which called for major regional parks throughout the area as well as recreational corridors along creeks. In 1995 the county adopted a Master Plan for trails emphasizing connections between park trails and trails of other agencies. A separate agency, established in 1993,

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