Vista Grande Drainage Basin Alternative Analysis

Vista Grande Watershed Aerial ViewThe City of Daly City is preparing the Vista Grande Drainage Basin Alternatives Analysis based on the recommendations of the Vista Grande Watershed Plan. The purpose of the alternatives analysis is to develop and evaluate alternatives that will reduce or eliminate flooding, reduce erosion along Lake Merced, and provide other potential benefits such as habitat enhancement and lake level augmentation. The Vista Grande Drainage Basin Alternatives Draft Report is available. The recommended program outlined in the plan includes the construction of a new stormwater tunnel, construction of a detention basin in Westlake Park, and potential for treatment wetlands in San Francisco to treat stormwater for diversion to Lake Merced.

Notice of Preparation / Intent to Prepare a Joint EIR/EIS Public Meetings

The City of Daly City, as Lead Agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and the National Park Service, as Lead Agency under the National Environmental Policy Act NEPA), are preparing a joint Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Vista Grande Drainage Basin Improvement project. Daly City proposes this project to address storm-related flooding that currently occurs in the Basin and proposes to provide other environmental benefits, including restoration and management of water levels within Lake Merced. The project would consist of partial replacement of the existing Vista Grande Canal to incorporate a debris screening device, a treatment wetland, and diversion and outfall structures to route some stormwater (and authorized non-stormwater) flows from the Vista Grande Canal to Lake Merced; replacement of the existing Vista Grande Tunnel to increase its peak capacity and extend its operating life; and replacement of the existing ocean outfall structure at Fort Funston. Operational components of the project would include management of water elevations in Lake Merced and a Lake Management Plan that would implement water quality best management practices.

NOP / NOI

View an electronic copy of the NOP/NOI (PDF). Requests for hard copies of the NOP should be emailed to Vista Grande. The NOP is also available at the Westlake Branch of the Daly City Public Library (275 Southgate Avenue, Daly City) and the Merced Branch of the San Francisco Public Library (155 Winston Drive, San Francisco).

Scooping Period

The scoping period begins on February 28, 2013, and closes at 5 pm on April 26, 2013. The City of Daly City will hold a Public Scoping Meeting to provide an opportunity for the public and regulatory agencies to learn about the Project and be informed about how to submit comments on the scope of the Draft EIR/EIS on March 28, 2013: 7 pm to 9 pm at the Doelger Senior Center Cafe/Kitchen, 101 Lake Merced Boulevard, Daly City, CA.

National Park Service

Additionally, the National Park Service will host an open house, which will include a presentation about the Project and opportunities to comment, on March 19, 2013: 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm at Fort Mason in San Francisco, CA. More information can be obtained from the National Park Service.

Input on the Scope of the Environmental Analysis

Input on the scope of the environmental analysis may be submitted either at the Scoping Meeting or in writing via mail, fax, or email. Please send comments, and include a name, address, and telephone number of a contact person for all future correspondence on this subject, to:

  • City of Daly City
    Department of Water and Wastewater Resources
    Attention: Patrick Sweetland, Director
    153 Lake Merced Boulevard
    Daly City, CA 94015
  • Fax: 650-991-8220
  • Email Patrick Sweetland

Previous Public Meetings

The City Council, sitting as the Board of Directors of the North San Mateo County Sanitation District, received the draft Vista Grande Drainage Basin Alternatives Analysis for public review at their regular Council Meeting held on Monday, March 14, 2011. The City Council set the date for a Public Hearing to review the draft Vista Grande Drainage Basin Alternatives Evaluation Report at their March 28, 2011 meeting. The date of the Public Hearing is Monday, May 23, 2011, at which time the Council will review comments received and take public testimony on the alternatives presented. If you have any questions about the alternative analyses or the public meetings, please email Robert Ovadia or call 650-991-8266. Please provide your comments on the Alternatives Analysis by 5 pm, Monday, May 16, 2011.

Slide Presentations from Previous Public Meetings