The SCV Water Board of Directors at its meeting Tuesday night affirmed its commitment to protect and preserve the Upper Santa Clara Valley watershed through the adoption of seven stewardship objectives.

“The Santa Clarita Valley shares one river and one watershed. As a regional water agency, it’s more important than ever to make an affirmative statement of our responsibility of this critical resource,” said Bill Cooper, board president for SCV Water.

“The action acknowledges our role as the regional policy-making body on matters of our water supply and our intent and desire to partner with organizations that share common goals,” said Cooper.

In November, SCV Water staff and directors partnered with TreePeople in a restoration effort in San Francisquito Canyon. About 20 agency employees volunteered for a half-day of planting to help restore a creek-side habitat area.

Then in January this year, a small group from SCV Water visited a city of Santa Clarita project site in the river bed, learning first-hand the difficult process to remove Arundo, an invasive plant species in the reed family.

“One of the benefits of the creation of SCV Water last year was that our agency can speak and act as one entity,” explained Matt Stone, general manager. “We plan to engage with stakeholders within our watershed, and plan and discuss policies and projects to achieve tangible progress towards the objectives.”

The resolution contained the following seven objectives:

1. Work cooperatively with governmental agencies, non-governmental groups and other stakeholders, to develop and implement sustainable efforts for the long term health of the Santa Clara River.

2. Pursue and support public ownership of property along the Santa Clara River.

3. Preserve and protect parcels for water conservation and recharge.

4. Promote appreciation and enjoyment of the River through signage, mini-parks, respite areas and shade.

5. Seek options for the removal of invasive plant species from the River (including Arundo and Tamarisk); and prevention of their return.

6. Devise, promote and partner in conservation projects.

7. Manage the river to protect and ensure the sustainability of groundwater resources.

The Santa Clara River is one of the last free-flowing, natural riparian systems remaining in Southern California. The Santa Clara River Watershed is approximately 1,634 square miles and travels through both Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

Though surface flow is intermittent through much of the approximately 18 miles within the SCV Water service area, the river is home to many species of flora and fauna along its 83-mile length, including rare, very rare and protected species.