Creeks Division launches sustainable stormwater rebate, expands outreach and urban creek trails

Erin Markey, manager of the Creeks Division, told the Sustainability Committee on April 3 that the division just launched a sustainable stormwater rebate program offering incentives for disconnected downspouts, rain barrels, rain gardens and removal of hardscape to increase onsite infiltration and improve water-quality outcomes.

Markey said the rebates are designed to be stackable with the Water Resources landscape rebate application so applicants can coordinate with a single point of contact. "We can try to keep it as simple as possible for them," she said.

The Creek Tree program, which offers reimbursable payments for riparian tree planting and related site preparation, remains active but is not heavily promoted; the program can provide up to $1,000 upfront and up to $5,000 with a property owner contribution and match, Markey said. The division also coordinates volunteer restoration events, Adopt-a-Beach partners and Creek Week activities and has begun an Urban Creek Trails map series with a Lower Mission Creek route featuring QR-linked interpretive content and citizen-science opportunities.

Markey said the stormwater rebate launched a few weeks before the meeting, has received 15 applications and already produced one completed reimbursement. "Somebody just jumped on it and got their rain barrels installed and is already seeking reimbursement," she said.

Why it matters: incentives that increase onsite infiltration can reduce runoff volumes, improve local water quality and incrementally increase climate resilience by retaining rainwater on-site.

Speakers: Erin Markey (Manager, Creeks Division).