Laguna Creek Watershed Council Development of the Laguna Creek Watershed Management Action Plan & It’s Relevance to the Elk Grove Drainage Master Planning Process December 3, 2008

Laguna Creek Watershed Council Mission: To protect and restore the many benefits Laguna Creek and neighboring waterways provide, including flood attenuation, fish and wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities, and open space. We seek to accomplish this mission by working cooperatively with all stakeholders in the watershed. Mission: To protect and restore the many benefits Laguna Creek and neighboring waterways provide, including flood attenuation, fish and wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities, and open space. We seek to accomplish this mission by working cooperatively with all stakeholders in the watershed. History: Founded in 2002, non profit 501(c)3 status (pending), governed by Board of Directors, members include community residents, ranchers, developers, environmental advocates, city/county/state staffers. Open to anyone. History: Founded in 2002, non profit 501(c)3 status (pending), governed by Board of Directors, members include community residents, ranchers, developers, environmental advocates, city/county/state staffers. Open to anyone.

Municipal agencies with jurisdiction in the 65-sq mile watershed: City of Elk Grove City of Elk Grove City of Rancho Cordova City of Rancho Cordova Sacramento County Sacramento County City of Sacramento (small portion) City of Sacramento (small portion)

Watershed Management Action Plan Objectives Implement the mission of the Watershed Council by addressing vital watershed functions and values: Implement the mission of the Watershed Council by addressing vital watershed functions and values: Flood Control Flood Control Water Quality Water Quality Habitat Habitat Ecosystem Processes Ecosystem Processes Recreation Recreation Stewardship Stewardship

Watershed Management Action Plan Components Detailed watershed description and assessment findings – historical setting, geography, hydrology, water quality, biological resources, etc. Detailed watershed description and assessment findings – historical setting, geography, hydrology, water quality, biological resources, etc. Watershed community – the people and their connection to the resource Watershed community – the people and their connection to the resource Regulatory and planning influences and policies Regulatory and planning influences and policies Recommended actions Recommended actions Partnerships & funding Partnerships & funding Measuring performance and success Measuring performance and success

Chapter 6 – Recommended Actions 40+ actions sorted into 3 main categories: 40+ actions sorted into 3 main categories: –Implementation Projects Examples:  Jack Hill Park Interpretive Signage  Arboretum Stream Restoration –Stewardship Projects  Bufferland Education Program –Policies, Practices, and Planning Activities   Water Use Efficiency Knowledge Transfer Strategy   Develop Subwatershed Plans for Key Tributaries   Assess existing policies/codes to remove barriers

Why Recommend Policies, Practices, & Plans? Encourage restoration of areas that are degraded Encourage restoration of areas that are degraded Require protection of areas to prevent future degradation Require protection of areas to prevent future degradation Provide additional information/data to fill knowledge gaps Provide additional information/data to fill knowledge gaps Promote watershed-based planning approaches Promote watershed-based planning approaches Remove institutional barriers to new stormwater management approaches such as low impact development Remove institutional barriers to new stormwater management approaches such as low impact development

What is a “Watershed Approach” in the Context of Stormwater Management? A holistic approach that considers all the contributing factors and impacted features in a watershed (ecological, community, etc.) A holistic approach that considers all the contributing factors and impacted features in a watershed (ecological, community, etc.) A recognition that what happens on the land far from the water’s edge can affect water quality, habitat, and aquatic and riparian life in the stream A recognition that what happens on the land far from the water’s edge can affect water quality, habitat, and aquatic and riparian life in the stream Address the sources of pollution, drainage and maintenance problems; move beyond addressing only the symptoms

What is a “Watershed Approach” in the Context of Stormwater Management? Integrate water quantity and quality controls to reduce volume and pollutant loading of small storm runoff Integrate water quantity and quality controls to reduce volume and pollutant loading of small storm runoff Use “green infrastructure” and mimic the natural pre-development hydrologic condition whenever possible – consistent with EPA policies and initiatives Use “green infrastructure” and mimic the natural pre-development hydrologic condition whenever possible – consistent with EPA policies and initiatives

Moving From Traditional “Grey” To “Green” Grey Infrastructure Green Infrastructure Uses pipes and engineered channels to move stormwater off site quickly Controls stormwater (quantity and quality) at the source as much as possible Accommodates impervious surface by increasing downstream stormwater conveyance capacity Reduces impervious surfaces and preserves natural infiltration capacity; promotes recharge Relies on modified stream channels and detention basins to handle flood flows Preserves floodplain, wetland areas, & other natural areas for flood storage and habitat protection Single purpose flood control channels Protects and promotes multi- purpose stream corridors Less Flexible More Flexible

References for Further Reading DeKalb County, IL Stormwater Management Plan (2006) df df df EPA’s Green Infrastructure Web Site and Statement of Intent (April 2007) National Academy of Sciences Report: Urban Stormwater Management in the U.S. (Fall 2008) df df

Check out the Draft Laguna Creek Watershed Management Action Plan