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Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES - 12061994 - WC.2 , n WC2 r -- ro: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Contra FROM: WATER COMMITTEE -� CostaSupervisor Tom Powers County Supervisor Jeff Smith f DATE: December 6, 1994 SUBJECT: REPORT ON RIPARIAN CORRIDOR POLICY SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATIONS Direct the Public Works Department-Flood Control Division to meet with the Community Development Department and other parties to share information related to riparian corridor policy and report back to the Board's Water Committee. REASON FOR RECOMMENDATION/BACKGROUND Several letters have been received by the Board related to the need for a policy which protects creeks. The letters have been referred to the Water Committee, which met on November 7, 1994 and discussed this issue. The fact that a riparian corridor policy does exist, having been initiated through the Public Works Department, prompted the Water Committee to recommend discussion among all parties to determine if, after review of existing policy, outstanding issues remain. CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE APPROVE OTHER SIGNATURE(S): Su ervisor Tom Powers S p Je Smith ACTION OF BOARD ON December 6, 1994 APPROVED AS `RECOMMENDED V OTHER a VOTE OF SUPERVISORS V1 UNANIMOUS (ABSENT I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE AND AYES: NOES: CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AND ABSENT: n-7- —ABSTAIN: ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. Contact: Roberta Goulart (510) 646-2071 ATTESTED December 6, ,1994 cc: Community Development Department PHIL BATCHELOR, CLERK OF THE Public Works Department, Flood Control BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND Division COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR BY: ' DEPUTY RG:rw R9G2:12-6WC2.4bd `j i. 5'1 wC, �- MT. DIABLO AUDUBON SOCIETY P.O. BOX 53 �✓i' ' � WALNUT CREEK,CALIFORNIA 94596 10 July 1994 Y i FRT�C_ L EIVE D ' 1 131994 o r of Su erviso -- ntr t Bad Supervisors--Contra Costa County uP:RVISORS ' _;A CO. To the Mayors and Members City Councils-Cities and towns-Contra Costa County Greetings:RE:Protections of creeks end -lperien areas Contra Costa County hes within its geographical boundries a number of streams (creeks) that have important habitat values for birds and other wildlife, as well as for human (recreetione]) enjoyment. We direct attention to a Plan adopted by the City of Sen Jose td establish e "Riparion Corridor Policy". We are providing a few pertinent pages from o study carried out for the City of San Jose. A Draft Report was issued under date of 17 May 1994. Your particular attention is directed to the following. "The study provides the City through the baseline inventory and e series of policy guidelines, information to identify and menage its riparian resources in an environmentally senstive manner to protect them for environmental as well as recretione] purposes'. We respectfully suggest to the County and all of the cities and towns in Contra Costo County that arrangements be made to develop a unified Plan which will result in,joint action. The action to establish setbacks of at least 100 ft., along riparian corridors i.e. creeks et el to protect wildlife habitat and provide recreations) opportunities for people. Thank you for your favorable consideration and action, we remain, Respectfully, C A. B. McNabney Vice President-Conservation Prirptl an 100%PACYOW Papa Riparian Values In areas where streamside vegetation h ' removed, revegetated buffer zones i The streams within the City of San Jose are a critical to the continued survival of valuable natural resource supporting a organisms and native fish species diversity of habitats and a great variety of steelhead and salmon. aquatic and terrestrial resources. Several distinct habitats occur along the stream Vegetated stream corridors provide pr, corridors, such as riparian, freshwater marsh, of water quality through buffering urba salt-brackish water marsh, and transitional water runoff and reducing erosit upland habitats. Numerous species of plants, sedimentation from constructioi fish, and wildlife occur within the riparian agricultural activities. Protection of v,. corridors, including several species identified stream corridors is consistent wi; as sensitive by State and Federal resource management practices (BMP's) devel. agencies. Streams and riparian corridors are the Santa Clara Valley Nonpoint also a valuable visual/aesthetic resource, open Pollution Control Program. Nonpoir. space and recreational resources,and often are pollution alters stream temperatures, i the City's densest urban forest resources. levels, nutrient concentrations anc chemistry, all of which can have si; Riparian systems provide very important deleterious effects on aquatic habit habitat for aquatic invertebrates, fish, functioning riparian system can cleans amphibians, birds and mammals. A number of excess nutrients, herbicides, pestic. of species are dependent on a healthy riparian sediment that would otherwise enter ti community for survival. Riparian habitat channels, the Bay or the ground water widths are necessary to maintain some breeding bird populations. Vegetative buffer There is significant evidence tha areas, outside the defined riparian corridor, riparian corridors also contribute e.. are necessary to: value to a community by adding to values and providing attractive envir • Protect water quality, ensuring habitat for for businesses and their employees. invertebrates and fish, which support shorebirds, wading birds and other Residential, commercial, agricultur.. animals. space and recreational land surroL riparian corridors within the City (F1 • Provide food, cover and migration Many of these land uses, coupled corridors for a number of amphibians and accompanying need for flood protecti, reptile species including sensitive and over time, altered the natural featur, candidate threatenedlendangered species City's landscape, including the am( such as the tiger salamander, red-legged condition of its ripariag. resources. frog, yellow-legged frog, and western and rivers that historically supported r pond turtle. wide corridors of natural vegetation c flood plains now support narrow 1 • Provide cover and food sources for other vegetation within their banks or hz. riparian 'wildlife species that range modified for flood protection and watt between riparian and upland areas. A purposes (e.g., in-stream percolatioi. number of mammals use the full width of flood protection and water supple a riparian system for forage, cover, and responsibility of the Santa Clara Vall, migration. District. Recognizing the biological, and even economic importance of it,, • Provide wildlife migration corridors resources and the opportunities these , during high runoff periods. provide for recreational use, the Cil 686-01 2 Because of their size, the maps cannot be included in this document and are available for inspection in the Department of City Planning and Building. These maps are an integral part of the City's riparian policies and may be subject to more site-specific mapping and refinement dependent upon potential future development on affected properties and future studies that provide more detailed boundary delineation (e.g., riparian corridor inventory project currently funded by the EPA). With this approach the City can continue to refine its identification of riparian corridors, thus assisting both property owners and the City to make appropriate development decisions. 686-01 4 MT. DIABLO AUDUBON SOCIETY P.O.BOX 53 " WALNUT CREEK,CALIFORNIA 94596 % 12 Aug[-RK 4 ti RECEIVED t � ,, ��'� �� AUG 1 ! 61994 BOARD pF gJpcRVISOR� ! CONTF;q COg,Q rn r Honorable Tom Powers, Chair& Members Board of Supervisors Contra Costa County Greetings:RE:Ripar!an Cooridors et al Please be referred to our letter of 13 July, and the Board's notice 26 July 1994, item 3.54 having to do with our suggestion that the County work with the various cities to establish 100ft riparian corridors along the various creeks throughout this county. Please be advised: it is our understanding Merin County has such an ordinance in place. Also understand the City of San Ramon has already adopted a policy requiring 100ft. riparian corridors along creeks within the jurisdiction of that community.. We strongly the urge he Honorable Board to move forward and establish a policy as suggested, throughout Contra Costa County, working with the various cities to ensure such a policy is fully implemented within the county and local jurisdictions. Your consideration will be appreciated. espe ully 3� A. a�be Vice President-Cons tI cc:Conservation Commit e • ® PrftW on 100%Aded Paper MT. DIABLO AUDUBON SOCIETY COSTA P.O.BOX 53 _ WALNUT CREEK,CALIFORNIA 94596 28 AM 1135 25 October 1994 � PT DEPT RECEIVED t . M kw- OCT� 2 7 owl CLERK BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CONTRA COSTA CO. Honorable Tom Powers, Chair & Members Board of Supervisors Att'n: Waater Committee Greetings: Re the Meeting of the Water Committee scheduled for 7 November-unfortunatley,I will be out of the area for most of the Month of November, ergo will not be able to attend the meeting. We are particularly interested in Agenda Item 2. Your records will show this organization proposed the project. You will also know Santa Clara County has established such a program and it is in place and is effective. Further the City of San Ramon ahs such a Plan in place as well to the idea of not without precedent. We further direct attention to a program established by the State Water Resources Control Board (Division of Water Quality), covering (matching) grants for the "Water Quality Management Planning-Phase IX. The progran was announced in June 1994. The document can be obtained from the Water Quality Planning Unit, Division of Water Quality, State Water Resources Control Board, PO BOX 100, Sacramento, CA 95812-0100. Time is somewhat of the essence for proposals must be in by Septebmer 7, 1994. With the many environment altering changes that will occur in this County in the next few years, we believe a program, such as suggested has importance. Thank you for your co 'deration and action. e A. . abn y Vice President-C rvatio Printed on 10D%Pagvw Paper