Heidelberg Materials North America
For Immediate Release

Downloadable PDF version here

July 22, 2025

Heidelberg Materials North America, Supervisor Margaret Abe-Koga and Sierra Club Celebrate Groundbreaking of Permanente Creek Restoration Project

• 1.5 miles of creek to be restored to natural conditions on lands adjacent to Permanente Quarry
• Project includes removal of existing infrastructure, management of invasive species and habitat enhancements with native revegetation
• Heidelberg Materials is working with Santa Clara County and other local governments along with state and federal agencies, together with the Sierra Club to execute this project over a 6-year period

Irving, Texas – Heidelberg Materials North America, Supervisor Margaret Abe-Koga and The Sierra Club, Loma Prieta Chapter joined community partners, guests and regulators to cut the ribbon and launch a multi-year restoration of the Permanente Creek lands adjacent to the Permanente Quarry.

“The Permanente Creek Restoration Project is ambitious in scope, restoring over 1.5 miles of creek and substantially improving conditions on dozens of acres of land around the creek bed,” said David Perkins, Senior Vice President for Sustainability and Public Affairs at Heidelberg Materials North America. “The project will remove legacy infrastructure on the creek installed over the century of mining operations on the Permanente Quarry site. In addition to restoring the channel site, the project will also remove invasive species, install native riparian vegetation, and create additional pool habitat providing suitable fish passage through these sections of Stevens Creek. These efforts support not only restoration goals, but also help create a richer, more stable environment in and around the creek — one that reflects modern standards and community expectations.”

The project exemplifies Heidelberg Materials’ commitment to delivering on restoration promises and fostering strong, values-driven partnerships with the County of Santa Clara, the City of Cupertino, and agencies including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board.

“This day was a long time in coming. But I am glad it has finally arrived,” said Supervisor Margeret Abe-Koga, Santa Clara County District 5 Supervisor. “When completed, the project will substantially “When completed, the project will substantially improve the creek and riparian habitat for fish.”

The groundbreaking marks the beginning of the restoration that has been under planning and environmental review for more than a decade. The plans are a combined result of Heidelberg Materials’ sustainability team and community advocacy, most notably from the Sierra Club. The work will also serve as reclamation measures from historic mining operations on site.

“Our Chapter’s goal is the completed restoration of Permanente Creek and we appreciate Heidelberg’s hosting today’s event to mark the beginning of this most important phase,” said James Eggers, Chapter Director for the Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter.

About the project

Scope: Restoration of nearly 9,000 feet (~1.7 miles) of creek over a six-year period. The project includes removal of mining-legacy infrastructure, invasive species management, creek channel reconfiguration, habitat enhancements (including pool creation, channel cover, and fish passage improvements), and replanting of native riparian vegetation.

Goals: Beyond ecosystem enhancements, the project aims to stabilize creek banks, reduce sedimentation, upgrade habitat for fish and wildlife, and address community expectations for waterway health.

Partnerships:  In addition to Heidelberg Materials, and local government (Santa Clara County and the City of Cupertino) other involved agencies include the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, SF Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board, and environmental stewards such as the Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter.

For Heidelberg Materials, today’s ribbon-cutting signifies far more than the start of restoration—it’s a testament to collaborative stewardship rooted in listening and sustaining trust with the community.

“Our work continues, and we’re committed to staying engaged and responsive over the long-term,” added Perkins. “This isn’t just a project milestone—it’s how we intend to work with others: by listening, showing up and building strong partnerships that reflect community values.  We want to thank all of those who had a role in bringing us to this celebratory kick off and investment into restoring the creek and bring special acknowledgement to the Loma Prieta Chapter of the Sierra Club for their thoughtful advocacy and dedicated commitment to the environment that was an impetus for this moment.”

About Heidelberg Materials North America
Based in Irving, Texas, Heidelberg Materials North America is part of Heidelberg Materials, one of the world’s largest integrated manufacturers of building materials and solutions. At the center of our actions lies our responsibility for the environment. As the front runner on the path to decarbonizing the built environment and growing the circular economy in the construction materials industry, we are working on developing more sustainable building materials and solutions for the future.

Contact
Director, Corporate Communications
Jeff Sieg
972-653-6011
Jeff.sieg@heidelbergmaterials.com