PRESS RELEASE. From the San Mateo County Public Works on July 27th, 2026. Subscribe for updates.
Location
Unincorporated area of Seal Cove
About the Project
The Seal Cove Surface Drainage Study will prepare a comprehensive Surface Drainage Study and Drainage Improvement Concepts for the unincorporated area of Seal Cove in San Mateo County. The Department retained BKF Engineers to develop a detailed understanding of existing drainage conditions, evaluate system performance under current and future storm events, identify infrastructure deficiencies, assess regulatory and environmental constraints associated with coastal discharge and the Fitzgerald Marine Area of Special Biological Significance, and integrate surface drainage planning framework.
The Study will culminate in a strategic surface drainage management framework supported by technical memoranda, mapping, planning-level magnitude of cost, and recommendations to guide future evaluation of surface drainage improvements, permitting considerations, funding opportunities, and long-range strategies. The framework will identify opportunities to better manage and direct surface runoff within the study area by evaluating drainage patterns, reducing unnecessary runoff contributions between drainage basins where feasible, and improving the overall function and resilience of the surface drainage system.
Re: Seal Cove Surface Drainage Study
Dear Property Owner/Resident:
The County of San Mateo Department of Public Works (Department) is proceeding with the Seal Cove Surface Drainage Study (Study). The Department has retained BKF Engineers to begin field investigation and surveying activities in your neighborhood as part of the planning for the Study.
Over the coming weeks, you may see survey crews, engineers, and other authorized personnel working throughout the area. These activities may include:
- Performing topographic surveys to document existing ground elevations and features.
- Locating and documenting existing infrastructure, including utilities, drainage facilities, roadways, sidewalks, and other public improvements.
- Marking utilities, survey control points, and other features with temporary paint, flags, stakes, or other survey markers.
- Collecting field measurements, photographs, and other information necessary to support project planning and design. Project Updates During Construction We will be posting periodic updates and information during the Study, which will be posted on our website, as follows:
- Web Link: http://publicworks.smcgov.org/
- Click on “Projects” near the top of the page.
- Next, click on “Our Projects”
- Next, click on “Seal Cove Surface Drainage Study”
- Or use the QR Code on the right to access the Project webpage
https://www.smcgov.org/publicworks/seal-cove-surface-drainage-studyproject
The Study website allows you to subscribe to receive updates by clicking on “Subscribe for Email Updates!”. If you choose to subscribe, as updates are posted to the Study website you will be sent an e-mail notifying you that an update has been made.
We thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation during this survey period and we look forward to completing this drainage study.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this Project, please contact Carter Choi or
Krzysztof Lisaj at (650) 363-4100. They can also be reached via e-mail at:
cchoi@smcgov.org
klisaj@smcgov.org
Very truly yours,
Tory A. Newman, Director of Public Works
cc:
Krzysztof Lisaj, P.E. Assistant Director of Public Works
Khoa Vo, P.E., Deputy Director, Road Services Administration
Carter Choi, P.E., Principal Civil Engineer, Engineering and Construction
Julian Maldonado, Road Maintenance Manager, Coastside
More on Seal Cove and Montara Water and Sanitary District on Coastside Buzz
Seal Cove Resident Asks LAFCo to Urge Montara Water and Sanitary District to Respond More Quickly to PRA Requests; With Small Staff, MWSD Will Have More Records Available by April 17th; April 2, 2026
New 2025 Seal Cove Geologic Study Shows Landslide will Continue; Supervisor Mueller Explains County to Explore Remediation Costs but a Stormwater Assessment District May be Necessary; February 24, 2026
Congressman Sam Liccardo Secures $1.1M in Federal Funding for Montara Water and Sanitary District to Relocate Water and Sewer Pipes After Seal Cove Landslides; January 23, 2026
DATE CHANGE: County Holds Community Meeting to Discuss Newly Released 2025 Seal Cove Geologic Study; January 6, 2026
As Land Continues to Slide, the Long-Awaited Seal Cove Geologic Study has been Released for Public Review; Supervisor Mueller to Hold Community Meeting in January 2026; December 18, 2025
CANCELLED. Supervisor Mueller Holds Community Meeting for Seal Cove Updated Geologic Assessment; September 2, 2025
Midcoast Community Council Receives Presentation on Seal Cove Geologic History from Retired USGS Hydrogeologist who Lives in Seal Cove; June 26, 2025
HMB History Association Lecture ~ The Hidden History of Seal Cove and the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve; June 12, 2025
Moss Beach Seal Cove Landslide Residents Meeting at Supervisor Mueller’s Oceano Mall Office, June 2, 2025
SIGN UP for San Mateo County Building and Planning’s Seal Cove Critical Geotechnical Hazards Area for Updates, May 21, 2025
MSWD Water Leak Along Pescadero-Seal Cove Fault in Moss Beach Causes Water Discoloration; October 7, 2020
3 Geotechnical Reports and 1 Lawsuit Confirm the Consistency of Seal Cove’s Landslides Over 60 Years
1971 Geologic report of the Seal Cove-Moss Beach Area by F. Beach Leighton and Associates.
Lawsuit: 1975 Kopetzke v. County of San Mateo, Board. of Supervisors. “Since the exercise of police power was proper, it did not constitute a taking and no compensation is due. Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railway Co. v. Illinois, 200 U.S. 561, 26 S. Ct. 341, 50 L. Ed. 596 (1906). To the extent plaintiffs’ losses result from any inherent geologic defects in their properties, the ancient rule of caveat emptor must apply. And to the extent their losses result from the regulatory activities of the Board based on the geologic findings of the Leighton Report, they constitute the unequal burden which citizens are frequently called upon to bear in the interests of the general welfare. Hadacheck v. Sebastian, supra.“
See also William Cotton and Associates 1980 Geologic Analysis of the Seal Cove area commissioned by San Mateo County.
San Mateo County Planning and Building’s Seal Cove Critical Geotechnical Hazards Area webpage, including the Seal Cove 2025 Cotton and Shires Geologic Study.
Cotton and Shires Seal Cove Geotechnical Hazard Zones 12/2025
San Mateo County Plannning Commission
San Mateo County Board of Supervisors (BoS) Agendas
The Supervisors meet on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month at 9:00am, as a hybrid meeting.
Author: mdrag
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