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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 08031999 - SD3 SD.3 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Contra FROM- DENNIS M. BARRY, AICD Costa COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR County MICHAEL J. WALFORD PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR DATE- August 35 1999 SUBJECT: REPORT ON OUTCOMES OF APRIL 7, 1999 CREEK AND WATERSHED SYMPOSIUM AND ON POTENTIAL FORMATION OF A NEW COMMITTEE TO FOLLOW-UP ON THE SYMPOSIUM AND CONTINUE PROGRESS ON CREEK AND WATERSHED ISSUES SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RE,COMMENDATIONS 1.) ACCEPT the following report summarizing the outcomes of the April 7, 1999 Creek and Watershed Symposium. 2,) CONSIDER draft proposal for a new committee, the Contra Costa Watershed Forum, to follow-up on the Symposium; ACKNOWLEDGE that this new committee has the potential to continue progress on creek and watershed issues; and AUTHORIZE staff from Public Works and Community Development to work with other interested organizations to refine the purpose and scope of the new committee, identify additional participants, and report back to the Board for a later decision on formalizing the committee mandate. FISCAL_IMPACT No impact to the General Fund. Public Works and Community Development staff costs would be incurred, but these costs may be covered within the budgets of the Flood Control and Water Conservation District, in the case of Public Works, and the Water Agency, in the case of Community Development. CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: X YES SIGNATURES RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATORN—RECOMMENDATII: ,�OF BOARD COMMITTEE � APPROVE OTHER ­4 SIGNATURE(S) ACTION OF BOARD ON g;,eP APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED X,-OTHER VOTE OF SUPERVISORS I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE A'UNANIMOUS (ABSENT A-z,, AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AYES;® NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE ABSENT: ABSTAIN:— BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. Contact. John Kopchik, CDD (925-335-1227) ATTESTED 1,1XI cc: Community Development Department (CDD) PHIL BAfC49LOR, CL RK OF Public Works Department THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS County Administrator AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR Rood Control District Fish and Wildlife Committee y Smposium Planning Group B YEPUTY �,,�v"'-, D C,.\MYDOCU-I\jKOPC\jOHN-0;11)\C,REEKFOI".BO Report on Crook and'watershed Symposium and the Potential Formation of a Now Committee August 3q, 1999 Page 2 of 2 BACKGRO The County, through its Community Development and Public Works Departments, was a key sponsor of the ,April 7, 1999 Creek and '+ ter h d Symposium held in Walnut Creek which attracted approximately 300 ,attendees, Supervisor C nci milla made presentation at the event as the Board Chair, welcoming attendees and framing the r eating agenda within the context of the role of local government. Supervisors Gerber and Uilkema also attended. Due to the County's role as a sponsor, to the interest in the event, and to staffs general impression that a number of productive ideas were, discussed, staff determined that it would be useful to provide the Board with a summary of the outcomes of the Symposium. To this end, staff has worked with the gather organization that planned the Symposium to develop a brut summary of key outcomes. The resulting document, as well as some more detailed supporting information, are attached. During these follow-up discussions among the Symposium planning group, participants identified the need for, and the value of, establishing a standing committee comprised of a bred spectrurn of interests to discuss creek and watershed issues. The group felt that such a committee could be an appropriate vehicle for pursuing suggestions made at the Symposium, sharing information, improving coordination, developing new ideas and approaches to creek and watershed problems, and fostering consensus. The group has developed a preliminary proposal for a Contra Costa Watershed Forum that describes the purpose, structure and function of this potential new committee. Staff concurs that such a cons ittee could have potential merit, and recommends that the Board authorize staff to park with other involved organizations to explore this possibility further before reporting back to the Board for a more formai decision. Attachments: Report on the April 1999 Creek and Watershed Symposium (with attachments) Draft Proposal for a Contra Costa Watershed Forum C.\M,YDOCU-I\,�KoPck.OH-NI-OLD\CRWKroo30 Report to the Board of Supervisors on the April 7, 1999 Contra Costs County Creed. and Watershed Symposium ®' ares«rac y star ;o a unitu Q ve€c�pmert«rad tablic tNor s ctin'u ctian with the » nsi�t ianr�ir Grp�a "A first step tow and fostering more efffective& collaborative management of creeks & watersheds.9 On April 7, 19199, approximately 300 people participated in the Contra Costa County Creek and.'watershed Symposium in,Walnut Creek,the first event of its kind to be held in Contra Costa County. The Symposium was filmed by CCTV and played on cable channels throughout the County. The Symposium was planed and sponsored by a broad array of local governments, regulatory agencies, conservation groups, private consulting fire s, individuals, educational institutions, and corporations(please see attached lists of planning group participants and sponsors/co-sponsors). The SyrrAposiurn was subtitled,"Bridging the Gap Between focal Government,Regulators,Creek Advocates, and the Local Community", and, based on the breadth of participation, the quality of the presentations,the positive feedback provided by participants in their evaluation forms, and fie general sense of optimism and partnership which characterized the event,the Symposium was a valuable first step toward achieving this goal and fostering more effective and collaborative management of creeks and watersheds. she purpose ofthis repoft,is to summarize some o:"the key points raised at the Symposium, identify unmet needs and necessary additional work, and suggest potential next steps, Key points raised- A few of the most significant topics discussed by speakers, poster presenters, and attendees included the following: Local governments and elected officials are interested in cooperating to rake progress on creep and watershed issues and learn from past experience, Supervisor Ca.-ciarnilla, Councilwoman Hicks of Walnut geek, and Councilman Doss of Martinez noted the significance of the occasion, identified the inter jurisdictional challenges of managing watersheds, and described the advantages of maintairning creeks as community amenities rather than liabilities. It is irrmorta.nt to understand the political and physical history of our watersheds and identify the constraints and opportunities this history presents for future work. It is not possible to return to a"forest primeval,"but we may be able to learn how to recreate the aesthetics and the f£.rnction.of a natural system in our modfffted environrr±ent. ('Fitch Avalon, Flood Control) The Flood Control District has a new mission and is taking a new approach to creek and watershed issues `hat reflects increasing societal interest in the protection of'natural resources. f itch Avalon, Flood Control) New techniques are gaining acceptance in the field of creep and watershed management, including naturally-constructed or bioengineered channels, which can better integrate needs for protecting both natural resources and Duman safety/property. Scientists arra engineers see constructive public involvement as essential to -Implementing these techniques. (leff Haitiner, Phiiiip Williams and Associates; Mori Struve, City of B Cerrito; Bob Culetz, Harris&Associates; Roger Leventhal, LFIRLevine- ricke;Ann Riley,Waterways Restoration Institute) Effective public outreach.&involvement can make feasible creek&watershed projects that were formerly considered unrealistic. This may require a new outlook on public processes. (Dennis Bowker, Napa RCD) Additional work needed- presentations and comments at the Symposium identified.-needs and opportunities for improving current management of creek and watershed issues. bey needs include the following: Build or:the successful attendance and broad representation of interests at the Sympo Turn by increasing the involvement of the general public, developers, and land owners in future activities. Improve and streamline,the permitting process for creek-related projects, Remove barriers to the use of bioengineering techniques in creek projects through training,standardization of procedures, and further docurne-talion of effectiveness and affordability. * Better coordinate creek and watershed education and outreach efforts. Follow through on the suggestions, ideas, and momentum generated at the Symposium. Potential Next Steps: Symposium Planning Group participants have identified the following as the primary tasks Which could and should be implemented as a follow-up to the Symposium: l ioe igineerzng workshop to provide training on more natural charnel design and construction: Flood Control plans to work with the Urban Creek Council to held such a workshop in September of 1959; Develop a countywide creek.&watershed web-site: students at Pinole Valley High may be of assistance; The Symposium generated a fairly comprehensive creek mailing list and database--it should be used to foster improved coordination; Q 'corm, a standing,broadly representative committee to discuss creep and watershed issues on. a countywide basis. Such a committee should be an effective tool for building can the Symposium. Consider hosting «second, large symposium in 2 to 5 years to consider progress and emerging issues. Attachments: 1) Symposium Planning Group participants;2) Symposium sponsors and co-sponsors; and 3) Summary of Symposium evalu«tion.forms. CAMYDOCU-11JKOPC\JOHN-a'_J\CR a;FKBos.REP Participants in Symposium Planning Group The following individuals participated in the planning group for the April 7, 1999 Contra Costa County Creek and Watershed Symposium: Pat Solo, EBMIUD Steve Andrews,UC Cooperative Extension Mitch Avalon, CCC Flood Control District Skip Bateman, CCC Fish&Wildlife Cor.nm, Josh Bradt,Urban Creeks Council Laura Cossey, CCC Resource Conservation District Brenda De La Ossa, Contra Costa Earth Day Scott Etzel, The Dow Chemical Company Don Freitas, Contra Costa Clean Water Program Jim Hale, CCC Fish&Wildlife Corn-mittee JeffHaltiner, Phillip Williams Associates Jeff Hicks, Lindsay Museum Kathy Hoffman, Congressman Miller's Office John Kopchik, Contra Costa County Community Development Department Luisa Valiela, US Environmental Protection Agency Joe Mariotti Dennis McConnace, Contra Costa Water District Brett Morris, CCC Fish & Wildlife Committee Tom Mumley, SFRWQCB Marcus O'Connell, Contra Costa Creeks Council Pam Dorno, Friends of the Creeks Ed Pancoast,Urban Creeks Council Carole Schernmerling,Urban, Creeks Council Igor Skaredof Friends of Alhambra Creek Nancy Stein Mori Struve, City of El Cerrito Tom Studley, CCC Fish&Wildlife Comm.. Todd Teachout, City of Pleasant Hill Jim'.Folwid, CCC Resource Conservation District Tom.Williams, CCC Public Works Department John Zentner, Zentner&Zentner CONTRA COSTA COUN- ---e ureek and Watershed Symposium. April 7, 1999 Walnut Creek City of El Ce M. to City of Walnut Creek Contra Costa Clean.Water Prograrn Contra Costa County Clear Water Program Contra Costa County Community Development Department Contra Costa County Fish&Wildlife Committee Contra Costa County Flood Control &Water Conservation District Contra Costa County Water Agency Friends of the Creeks Lindsay Wildlife Museum Phillip Williams &Associates San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board Urban Creek Council symyqainzmSasaso Aquatic Outreach Institute Dr. Joe Mariotti Bay Area Council East Bay Municipal Utility District Braddo&&Logan Group,L.P. Estuary Action Challenge Byron Bethany Im. gation District Friends of Alhambra Creek California Coastal Conservancy Friends of the San Francisco Estuary California Department of Fish &Game Mr. Mike Vukelich City of Concord Mt. Diablo Audubon Society City of Pittsburg San Francisco Estuary Project City of Pleasant Hill Sycamore Associates LLC City of San Ramon The Bay Institute Congressman George Miler The Dow Chemical Company CCC Resource Conservation District Inc Cooperative Extension Contra Costa Creek Council U.S. Envirom-nental Protection Agency Contra Costa Water District Zentner&Zentner CONTRA COSTA COUNTY CREEK AND WATERS-HED SYMPOSIUM EVALUATION FORM (sheaving summary results) To help us understand the strengths and weaknesses of this Syn-tposium and inaprove ourplanning for the f=uture,please complete this evaluation form. b please rate the effectiveness of the Symposium on a scale of 1 to 5,with"p€of correspondirrg to a 1 and "excellent' corresponding to a 5, if you wish to clarify or expand on your rating, please use the space provided below each question. -Poor excellent Usefulness of the Symposium subject ratter 1 2 3 4 5 4.49 The quality and usefulness of the verbal presentations 1 2 3 4 5 4.44 The quality and;.usefulness of the poster presentations I 2 3 4 5 4,02 The quality awed usefulness of the written materials 1 2 3 4 5 4.00 The quality and usefulness of the breakout groups 1 2 3 4 5 4.01 Outreach/notification for the Symposium 1 2 3 4 5 109 ti were receivedAverage ratings rneseforms are shown above, to the ightof each category. Longer written comments were also cottected and can be providedren request. Proposal for a NewCommittee to Follow Up on the Contra Costa County Creek and Watershed Symposium Proposed Name- Contra Costa Watershed Forum Suggested Mission Statement. The mission of the Contra Costa Watershed Forum is to identify common principles among parties involved in creep and watershed issues and promote actions that transform these principles into multi-objective enhancements of creeks and watersheds throughout the county. The following general goals reflect input from the April 1999 Contra Costa County Creek and Watershed Symposium and shall help to wide the work of the Forum: Promote creeks as community amenities and,encourage coordination and cooperation in creep and watershed management to achieve this goal. ® promote protection and restoration of creep ecosystems, water quality, hydrological processes,wildlife corridors,recreational opportunities,and scenic appeal while also reducing food risks and protecting health, safety, and property, Improve and streamline regulations and regulatory compliance. a Promote cooperative planning processes that protect flood plains and riparian areas wrhile maintaining the interests of property owners. Promote public education and outreach to improve understanding of and involvement in creep and watershed issues. Improve the bevel of trust arnong all parties involved in creek and watershed issues. Basic committee functions: The Contra Costa Watershed Forum shall attempt to implement its mission by drawing on the experience, expertise, and interests of the broadest possible group os participants. The committee will have no independent authority. It will seep to develop and communicate group consensus and to enable participating organizations to perform their separate rnissiotzs more effectively and with greater coordination, Key areas of potential cormnittee wwonk are summarized below: C DIN I N Provide a forum for agencies, organizations, and individuals to discuss creek and watershed issues ofrnutual interest, enabling then to coordinate actions to improve effectiveness and avoid duplication. • Identify needs and opportunities for joint projects. • Develop more efficient means for sharing and disseminating information, including potential creation of a web-site and/or general information telephone number, • Maintain an up-to-date mailing list and database of contact:Information and interests. EL'T 3ITN Provide,a clearinghouse for information on available funding so-arces for creed and DRAFT Page 1 of 3 DRAF r watershed projects. Support grant funding to projects in the county by providing applicants with advice and technical information. Demonstrate to granting authorities that there is county- wide interest in such projects and that coordination is a priority. Help match projects and funding. • Initiate woreshops and syzposia particular topics related to creeks and watersheds. Plan for holding a second,general county-wide syrnposin in 2®5 years. • Develop or assist with developing written educational-materials specific to creek and watershed issues in the county. • Provide a foruin.for educational institutions to coordinate heir creek and watershed curricula and.activities, • Provide technical and other assistance to agencies in the county which request it. P LICA lNQYA= Provide a foraw to discuss means for improving the implementation of creek and watershed policies to better protect resources and the interests of all sectors of the local community. Develop suggestions for streamlining regulatory permitting while maintaining or improving protections for creek and watershed resources. T 1Z_L1IAL. TP MI • Provide interested individuals and organizations with technical assistance on creek and watershed issues by holding workshops, developing written information for distribution, or connecting these interested parties with technical experts or other teehnical resources. • Discuss technical issues related to implementation of newer approaches to creek and watershed management, such as bio-engineered channels and use of flood control detention basins as restored flood plain habitat. Discuss potential improvernents in the design and construction of such projects. • assist with coordinating any efforts to expand creek and watershed monitoring and data sharing. Participation and Representation: Participation on the Contra Costa Watershed Foram shall be open to all interested individuals and.organizations. Because broad participation and representation of a diversity of interests is crucial to the success of the Forum, the following list of target constituencies has been developed to drive the recruitment of participants. Local governments Conservation advocacy organizations Special districts Environmental education institutions Regulatory agencies Developers Private landowners and.agriculturalists General community interests/citizens Industry Private sector professionals/consultants Business community DRA Page 2 of 3 DRAFT Suggested Operating Procedures, The Contra Costa Watershed Forums shall rake decisions by consensus. The Forum shall attempt to avoid reaching agreements on utters directly affecting specific constituencies when hese constituencies are not present. 'VWen this is not possible, due to *actors such as a consistent lack of-participation,the Forum shall.not represent agreements to be any broader than they actually are and seal:continue to strive to seek the input of unrepresented interests, The Forum may form subcornmittees to address specific topics and develop more specific operating procedures as needed. Adr ir-istratiwe support will be provided by Contra Costa County. c:\r.voocu-=\J-,KOPC13CY?I-o D\--REEKFOR.V-Is DRAFT Page 3 of 3 DRAFF-$'