San Benito County parks panel creates ad hoc river-design committee, hears $2.2 million mitigation estimate for regional park

The San Benito County Parks and Recreation Commission voted May 15 to form an ad hoc committee to advise on the San Oaks River design and heard project updates that included restroom repairs, a planned public water connection, a shade-structure grant, and an estimated multimillion-dollar mitigation requirement for habitat related to Riverview Regional Park.

Commissioners directed staff to recruit two commission members to serve on the ad hoc committee and asked staff to invite other stakeholders, including historically knowledgeable residents and tribal representatives, to participate. The commission approved the motion to create the ad hoc committee by voice vote.

Commission staff briefed the commission on several capital projects. Parks staff reported that a small playground and restroom renovation are complete and open for use; a separate restroom roof and partition replacement is slated for July 2025. Staff said they…