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<br /> <br />the city’s Bay-O-Vista neighborhood. On its western edge, the Plain slopes down to San <br />Francisco Bay, the largest estuary on the California coast. <br />San Leandro’s rich alluvial soils and temperate climate support a wide variety of plants and <br />animals. Expansive wetlands in the southwest part of the city provide habitat for the salt marsh <br />harvest mouse and other endangered species. San Leandro Creek remains one of the few <br />waterways in the urbanized East Bay that retains its natural character along most of its course. <br />Elsewhere in the city, street trees, parks, large yards, and other open spaces provide both <br />aesthetic and environmental benefits. Just beyond the eastern city limits, thousands of acres of <br />grasslands, woodlands and coastal scrub are protected in regional park and watershed lands. <br />These open spaces have great environmental importance and scenic value and are a significant <br />amenity for San Leandro residents. <br />The city’s environment is vulnerable to the impacts of urban development, particularly air and <br />water pollution. Air quality has been a persistent problem in the Bay Area for decades. <br />Although many steps have been taken toward improvement, automobile, truck and air traffic <br />continue to create problems. Likewise, water quality has improved as a result of stronger <br />controls over point sources such as wastewater plants, but runoff from streets, parking lots and <br />yards still poses a threat to the health of the Bay. Continued efforts to reduce pollution and <br />preserve the environment are necessary, both for the benefit of San Leandro and other <br />communities in the region. <br />San Leandro’s environment also creates a number of natural hazards. The Hayward Fault, <br />considered by some seismologists to be the most dangerous hazard in the Bay Area, traverses <br />the eastern edge of the city. Ground shaking and liquefaction in a major earthquake could cause <br />serious damage and injury. Even in the absence of an earthquake, some of the city’s steep <br />hillsides are prone to landslides and erosion. Other parts of the city are subject to shallow <br />flooding. Man-made hazards, such as noise from airplanes, trains and trucks, also exist in the <br />city. <br /> <br />4.3.8 Critical Facilities <br />Some services such as healthcare, schools, and police and fire, are crucial for the <br />functioning of communities, especially in the immediate post disaster environment. Other <br />essential facilities for community functioning include public buildings that house <br />community services such as libraries, or privately owned grocery stores, gas stations, <br />banks, parks, places of worship, and many others. Understanding where these facilities are, <br />and which communities they serve, is crucial to understanding the consequence if they are <br />damaged. Directly following a disaster, first responders will be called into action. Local fire <br />and police will be supported by mutual aid from California Highway Patrol, Coast Guard, <br />search and rescue units, and other emergency responders. These services help limit the <br />impact of the disaster and reduce community losses. <br />