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TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS s; n , County
FROM: DENNIS M. BARRY, AICP, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR S►D,4
DATE: December 9, 2003
SUBJECT: Contra Costa County Watershed Atlas
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATIONS
ACCEPT report from Contra Costa County Community Development Director on the
Contra Costa County Watershed Atlas presented at the Creek and Watershed
Symposium held in Walnut Creek on November 12, 2003.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The creation of the Contra Costa County Watershed Atlas (Atlas)was funded by grants from
the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), CALFED, and the County, as
recommended by the Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife Committee and approved by the
Board of Supervisors. The Community Development Department and the Flood Control and
Water Conservation District provided additional financial support for the project. Sales of the
Atlas produced revenues to help cover production costs.
REASON FOR RECOMMENDATION/BACKGROUND
The Watershed Atlas was conceived by the Contra Costa Watershed Forum (CCWF), an
open committee of some fifty organizations, including federal, state, and local agencies;
local governments; professional watershed research organizations; local non-profit
environmental and education organizations; community volunteer groups; and private
citizens. On November 12th 2003, the Atlas was unveiled at the 2"d Quadrennial County-
wide Creek and Watershed Symposium.
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Contact: John Kopchik(925) 335-1227 ATTESTED
cc: Community Development Department J HN SWEETEN,CLERK OF THE
Public Works BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
BY: ., , DEPUTY
-Nenort on Contra Costa County Creek and Watershed Atlas
December 9, 2003
Page 2 of 2
The Contra Costa County Watershed Atlas is the culmination of efforts by CCWF
members. Through the process of creating the Atlas, organizations, agencies, and
volunteers came together to create and share centralized GIS data and provide text
and graphics for the Atlas. Community volunteer groups surveyed miles of creeks
through a Global Positioning System (GPS) data collection program launched by
the CCWF while local, state, federal and regional agencies shared GIS data. The
Atlas served as the catalyst for collaboration in creating a regional resource for both
information and policy development.
The Atlas is a 151-page, color, large-format book that contains detailed watershed
maps, statistical tables and charts, and text about Contra Costa County's
watersheds. We want to acknowledge the many long days—nights and
weekends—contributed by the Community Development Department GIS mapping
staff to produce the Atlas. Without the expertise of Colin Bishop, Chris Howard and
Heather Kennedy, the Atlas would not have been possible. Kae Ono organized the
conference at which the Atlas was released,and Sue Warden provided art work and
graphic design for the conference and the Atlas. Finally, the dedication of Abby
Fateman, the individual principally responsible for coordinating the project and
assembling the document, was essential in completing the Atlas.
As described previously, the Atlas was a true collaborative effort, both with the
community and with other Departments. A wide variety of individuals and
organizations provided invaluable assistance—assistance that included hours in the
field surveying creeks, guidance on development of the Atlas through numerous
drafts, provision of photographs, and detailed responses to requests for information
about past and proposed restoration projects, watershed documents, and active
organizations. Generous grants from SWRCB, CALFED, and the County through
the Fish and Wildlife Committee grant process made the project possible and
enabled us to offer the Atlas at an affordable price well below the cost of printing.
Likewise, under the leadership shown on creek and watershed matters by Mitch
Avalon, the Public Works Department and the Flood Control and Water
Conservation District stepped forward to become essential partners to the effort.
Carrie Dovzak, Mark Boucher, and Mal Weston were major contributors to the
development of the Atlas and provided invaluable expertise throughout.
Additionally, we want to recognize the support provided by Louise Aiello,
Administrative Officer, and Dennis M. Barry, Director. Ms. Aiello made sure
necessary hardware and software as well as GIS mapping staff time was made
available to concentrate on producing the Atlas.And our Director's on-going support
for GIS mapping efforts as tools for policy analysis and his interest in the watershed
data make our work possible.
Attachments:
• 2003 Contra Costa County Watershed Atlas
G:\Conservation\watershedForum\symposium 2003\13oard Related Materials for the Symposium\Board Order for
12-7-03 re Atlas-2.doc