In Santa Clara County, enforcement started Thursday for a controversial Valley Water ordinance that passed in November.
Its aim is to reduce encampments near local waterways. Valley Water said factors like ecological and safety issues led to the passing of the Water Resources Protection Zones Ordinance.
“It’s a law that our board has passed that prohibits encampments on Valley Water property along waterways,” said Mark Bilski, assistant officer of Valley Water.
Valley Water says it will enforce it based on what they consider high and low priority level encampments.
“High priority is one that’s creating impacts that Valley Water has to address immediately, the most egregious environmental or safety impacts,” Bilski said.
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Valley Water said enforcement would include a warning and education first, with 72 hours to voluntarily relocate. The next step would be a misdemeanor charge, with a fine or jail time as punishment — something Valley Water said would be a last resort.