The Watershed Action Plan Chapter 10: Realizing the WMI Vision August Draft

Todays Presentation Project Status & Schedule Chapter 10 Contents Completing and Selling the Action Plan

Milestones January Retreat February General Features March Outline June Draft Ch. 1-9 August Draft Ch. 10 October Complete Draft December Core Group Approval

Process Actions WMI Goals Retreat Draft Chapters Comments Draft Ch. 10 Draft WAP Final WAP WMI Vision We are here WAPTAG COS

Chapter 10 Realizing the WMI Vision

Chapter 10 Contents Why the Santa Clara Basin needs the WMI The WMIs Strengths and Key Functions The WMIs Nine Strategic Policy Objectives Implementation Conclusion

Why the Basin needs the WMI Increase in mandated & voluntary programs Programs interact and overlap Potential for confusion and conflict Need to align, coordinate and integrate Streamline regulations Accelerate preservation and enhancement Economic benefit

The WMIs Strengths What weve achieved Common vision, goals, and objectives Consensus on a balanced approach Recognize each others legitimate interests Track record of successes What we do best Articulate & communicate a vision of the future Facilitate exchange of ideas & perspectives Achieve consensus among different interests

Prioritizing Actions & Tasks Action Worksheets (112) Actions & Tasks Stream Stewardship HCPs/NCCPs Floodplain Mgt. General Plans TMDLs Chapters Policies & Programs Policy Objectives WMI Role Chapter 10

Future Functions Facilitate stakeholder groups Add fresh technical & policy perspectives Recommend solutions to policy-makers Bring consensus to boards, managers, & funders Educate and involve the public Develop indicators Issue reports

Nine Policy Objectives 1.Stream Stewardship Planning 2.Floodplains & Riparian Corridors 3.Habitat Conservation Planning 4.Expanding the National Wildlife Refuge 5.General Plans & Specific Area Plans 6.Drainage Systems that Retain or Detain Runoff 7.Better Assessments, TMDLs, & Permits 8.Integrated Water Resources Planning 9.Coordinating Outreach

1. Stream Stewardship Planning Objectives Integrate Restoration & Flood Protection Use a Floodplain Management Approach Remove Barriers to Fish Restore Stream Beds and Banks Restore Shaded Riparian Aquatic Habitat Coordinate FAHCE, SMP, SPP, Sediment TMDLs Commit to Long-term Adaptive Management

2. Floodplain & Riparian Planning Objectives Coordinate & Integrate: National Flood Insurance Program Countywide Trail Master Plan & Guidelines Recreational Facilities Protected Habitat Areas Regional Stormwater Facilities Shared sense of place

3. Habitat Conservation Planning Objectives Adaptive management – specific, measurable Update and improve habitat surveys Incorporate existing refuges and public lands Acquire new land for critical habitat Restore native plants & animals Coordinate with strategic plans & General Plans

4. National Wildlife Refuge Expansion Comprehensive planning process Issue permits timely to allow restoration Plan for levee maintenance & flood protection Apply Bay Ecosystem Habitat Goals Preserve & expand contiguous critical habitat

5. General Plans & Specific Area Plans Detailed maps of habitat corridors Coordinate acquisition & mgt. of open space Assess cumulative impacts at appropriate scale Encourage smart growth

6. Site Development & Drainage Implement C.3. provisions Develop public works specifications and details Coordinate hydromodification management planning with stream stewardship planning

#7. Objectives for Better Assessments, TMDLs & Permits Coordinate monitoring & assessment Acknowledge different objectives & methodology Test problem statements & conceptual models Coordinate investigations to optimize support for listing decisions and TMDLs Build on successes with POTW permits and site-specific objectives

#8. Integrated Water Resources Planning Objectives Develop broad representation in the IWRP process Gauge & build public support for conservation & recycling Integrate conservation & recycling with objectives for stream stewardship & habitat conservation

#9. Objectives for Outreach Align & coordinate messages around the vision. Stream functions; effects of urbanization; Multiple uses of floodplains in urban areas; Smart Growth; Importance of imperviousness; Water conservation, recycling & stream habitat; Habitat reserves; Pollution Prevention Inform public & stakeholders about public policies & investment needed to achieve our vision. Annual report updating key indicators of watershed health and WMI achievements and successes

Chapter 10 Contents (Review) Why the Santa Clara Basin needs the WMI The WMIs Strengths and Key Functions The WMIs Nine Strategic Policy Objectives Implementation Conclusion

Needs for Implementation Commitments from Signatories Process to prioritize future actions Capacity Structure for decision-making Staff

WMI will ask signatories to: Adopt policy objectives Assign stakeholder processes to WMI Provide resources to make process work Cu/Ni Technical Working Group is a model Provide resources to support integration

Prioritize Future Actions WMI is a clearinghouse for new actions Facilitate consensus on how and where new actions can be implemented Prioritize by: Relevance to WMI policy objectives Effectiveness in attaining the objectives Timeliness Use of WMI resources

WMI Needs Capacity to: Facilitate stakeholder processes Bring consensus recommendations to decision-makers Formulate, refine, disseminate the WMI message

Capacity WMI Structure Retain existing WMI decision-making structure (with minor changes) Expand WMI executive capabilities & authority WMI Staff Leadership Enough staff to fulfill WMI role

Action Plan Conclusion Ten years from now, the need for a WMI will be obvious. The Basin has a WMI now. The WMI has an Action Plan now. Stakeholders have the opportunity to strengthen the WMI & entrust with the challenges that lie ahead.

Completing & Selling the Action Plan Product Development Sales

Signatories Decisions to Buy-in Adopt Policy Objectives in Chapter 10 Assign stakeholder processes to WMI Integrated Stream Stewardship Planning Sediment TMDLs, Stream Protection Policy Floodplain & Riparian Planning/Mapping National Wildlife Refuge Expansion Planning Habitat Conservation Planning General Plans & Specific Plans Provide additional resources to WMI

Signatories Steps to Decision Acknowledge the problem Accept the value of aligning, coordinating, & integrating plans and policies Believe that WMI can add value to process Commit in concept to WMI role Negotiate specific agreements

Schedule August 2: COS group reviews objectives August 19: Core Group comments on Ch. 10 August 20: WAPTAG discusses comments August 23: Dry run of presentation to REF September 4: Regulatory Executive Forum September 5: Report back to Core Group September 24: Complete draft distributed

Schedule October 3: Presentation of Complete Draft October: Core Group comments on draft December 5: Core Group approval of Watershed Action Plan Core Group members will take Action Plan back to their agencies with expectation that it will be approved

In 2003… Agency Staff Reports to Boards & Councils Action Plan is attachment or reference Agencies adopt policies to: Approve WMI policy objectives Engage in WMI stakeholder processes Provide WMI with funding and resources Coordinate outreach on WMI issues

In 2003, WMI will need to: Lead and facilitate discussions with agency managers and department heads Coordinate and assist with staff reports and council/board meetings Convene & facilitate initial meetings for stakeholder groups

Discussion