Laguna Creek Watershed Council

1. 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

2. 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. • 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.

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

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

5. Watershed Management Action Plan Components • 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 • Regulatory and planning influences and policies • Recommended actions • Partnerships & funding • Measuring performance and success

6. Chapter 6 – Recommended Actions • 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

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

8. 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 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

9. 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 • Use “green infrastructure” and mimic the natural pre-development hydrologic condition whenever possible – consistent with EPA policies and initiatives

10. Moving From Traditional “Grey” To “Green”

11. References for Further Reading DeKalb County, IL Stormwater Management Plan (2006)http://www.dekalbcounty.org/Planning/StormPlan0906.pdf EPA’s Green Infrastructure Web Site and Statement of Intent (April 2007) http://www.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/gi_intentstatement.pdf National Academy of Sciences Report: Urban Stormwater Management in the U.S. (Fall 2008) http://www.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/nrc_stormwaterreport.pdf

12. Check out the Draft Laguna CreekWatershed Management Action Planwww.lagunacreek.org