This November, San Jose voters will have the chance to help save Coyote Valley while also voting for disaster preparedness, public safety, and infrastructure. Measure T, a bond measure on the November 2018 ballot, will provide up to $50 million in funding for land conservation in Coyote Valley to prevent flooding and water quality contamination. Please vote YES on Measure T!

Measure T primarily addresses repair and repaving of streets and improving police, fire and paramedic facilities. However, as part of San Jose’s plan to prevent future flooding like the 2017 Coyote Creek floods that devastated some of the city’s most vulnerable neighborhoods, Measure T also provides funds for “green infrastructure” – conserving and enhancing open space in the Coyote Valley floodplain to reduce the risk of future floods and protect groundwater from contamination.

We have long known that “green infrastructure” is one of the most cost-effective ways to address problems such as flooding, air and water pollution, fire prevention, climate change, and sea level rise. Rather than building concrete levees and floodwalls, if we allow natural floodplains to absorb stormwater, we not only recharge our groundwater and prevent erosion, we create new habitat for wildlife and remove carbon and pollutants from the air – all at a lower cost than building concrete ditches and levees.

If Measure T passes, we will be able to permanently protect valuable land in Coyote Valley’s floodplain so it remains open space for wildlife and people. Please vote YES on Measure T in November!