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Local conservation group asks Pacheco Stormwater District to agendize San Benito River cleanup
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Summary
Representatives of Coastal Habitat Education and Environmental Restoration (CHEER) urged the Pacheco Stormwater District to schedule a future presentation on cleaning and maintaining the San Benito River and Pacheco Creek to reduce flood risk and restore habitat.
Representatives of Coastal Habitat Education and Environmental Restoration (CHEER) told the Pacheco Stormwater District on Sept. 22 that the group has worked across local watersheds and is prepared to help clean and maintain the San Benito River and Pacheco Creek.
Herman Garcia, founding president of CHEER, told trustees the organization handles environmental work across more than 2,000 square miles of watershed that include North Monterey County, South Santa Cruz County, all of San Benito County and Santa Cruz County. "What we do, we created a model ... starting with habitat reclamation is the first step to habitat restoration," Garcia said, describing CHEER’s approach of removing garbage and pollutants, maintaining sites with sustainability in mind and then conducting restoration and fisheries work.
Ellie Salinas, who the group described as its business lead and grant writer, told the board that CHEER has participated in recent county-led cleanup efforts on the San Benito River and asked trustees to agendize a future presentation so the group could outline what remains to be done and what resources would be needed. "I'm asking that you as the board members, agendize a future agenda item on a future agenda to have CHEER come back and do a presentation to you that would give CHEER enough time," Salinas said.
Salinas said the group’s recent work has transformed previously garbage-filled river stretches and that CHEER aims to be proactive ahead of the rainy season to reduce blockages in locations such as Lovers Lane, which she said tends to collect branches, leaves and other debris. She noted the coming rain season is generally considered to start Nov. 1 and urged the board to consider intervention to reduce future flood costs and property impacts.
Board members thanked the speakers and said the district is "possibly working with" CHEER but did not commit to specific actions or a timeline. Trustee Schroeder acknowledged prior conversations with CHEER and said the district had not yet made decisions about partnership or contracting.
No formal action was taken on the CHEER request; public comment concluded and the board moved on to its consent agenda.
