The draft plans prominently feature an image of this civic landmark. The plans also propose to protect archeological sites dating back to Native American cultures and early Spanish exploration. The team must also address the potential for natural disasters. A sever fire in the hills of the Peninsula Watershed cold burn away enough vegetation to cause severe erosion. Runoff would then literally muddy these precious waters.
Liability is a related concern.
A state law requires major landowners to consider the effects of wildfires on neighboring properties. In addition, the PUC is responsible for upholding conservation terms of two scenic and recreation easements that have protected the Peninsula Watershed since the 1960s. It is only natural that a crowded metropolis would look toward such lands for respite, so access quickly emerged as one of the public's biggest concerns. Yet most people don't perceive these lands as urban drinking-water protection lands. To educate people, the planning team compared the San Francisco watersheds to other regions around the nation.