1. Watershed Stewardship Program Marin County Watershed Stewardship Plan Marin County Department of Public Works

2. Watershed Stewardship Program Why a watershed approach?  Supports and guides protection and enhancement of Marin County’s significant natural resources.  Flooding of this magnitude requires exploring watershed wide opportunities (i.e. detention, infiltration and channel enhancements).  Complements integrated efforts to comply with Federal and State environmental regulations (Clean Water & Endangered Species Act) by incorporating environmental restoration elements  Identifies critical projects to streamline funding and permitting process which can facilitate the flow of State and Federal funds  Working with natural systems is the most cost-effective way to manage our streams and wetlands. Program needs to be both ecologically and economically sustainable.  Encourages a coordinated planning process with City and local agency staff to support development of watershed work plans.

3. Watershed Stewardship Program Purpose of the Plan  Compile information and tools to support staff in selecting and prioritizing projects, policies and programs  Engage staff, municipalities, agencies, and the public to view issues and solutions from a watershed level  Develop projects to be inclusive using a watershed- based approach  Design integrated projects with multiple benefits  Create planning tools to assist with funding, regulatory compliance, prioritization, and assessment of watershed needs  Incorporate knowledge from existing planning efforts including Ross Valley and San Geronimo

4. Watershed Stewardship Program Approach to Planning Website Background Conditions and Concepts Watershed Work Plans Multiple Benefit Criteria Watershed Health Evaluations

5. Watershed Stewardship Program Land Use-historical and existing Land Use-historical and existing Water Management Strategies-flood protection, stormwater, supply, water treatment and re-use Water Management Strategies-flood protection, stormwater, supply, water treatment and re-use Physical Characteristics-hydrology, channel morphology, erosion, climate change Physical Characteristics-hydrology, channel morphology, erosion, climate change Biological Resources-diversity & distribution of rare, threatened and endangered species Biological Resources-diversity & distribution of rare, threatened and endangered species Current Management & Enhancement Efforts Current Management & Enhancement Efforts Summary of Identified Watershed Issues-synthesized from personal interviews, NBWA planning processes and other recent planning and assessment efforts Summary of Identified Watershed Issues-synthesized from personal interviews, NBWA planning processes and other recent planning and assessment efforts Existing Conditions Overview

6. Watershed Stewardship ProgramWatersheds WatershedCities and Towns Alder CreekBolinas Corte Madera CreekLarkspur, Greenbrae, Ross, San Anselmo, Fairfax Easkoot CreekStinson Beach Las Gallinas CreekSanta Venetia and San Rafael Inverness CreeksInverness and Inverness Park Miller CreekLucas Valley and San Rafael Novato CreekNovato Richardson BayMill Valley, Tam Valley, Marin City, Bel Aire, Sausalito, and Tiburon San Antonio Creekunincorporated Marin County San Rafael CreekSan Rafael West MarinEstero Americano, Stemple Creek, Tomales Bay, Walker Creek, Lagunitas Creek, smaller east and west tributaries to Tomales Bay, Bolinas Lagoon and Pine Gulch, Webb, Lone Tree, Cold Stream, Redwood, Tennessee Valley/Rodeo Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore

7. Watershed Stewardship Program Uplands Valley floor Baylands Ecological regions of the watershed

8. Watershed Stewardship Program Website  www.marinwatersheds.org  The Watershed Program website will maintain background information for all watersheds in Marin County  References and resources will be linked  The site will provide the context for watershed-based planning  The site will encourage interactivity and visual representations of the background information collected  Alerts and news will be distributed online

9. Watershed Stewardship Program Watershed Health - Framework Watershed Regions Uplands, Valley Bottom, Baylands Stressors that Impact Ecologic Functioning (i.e. Health) in these Regions Assess Level of Impairment in each watershed - process based with data support as available - Develop Programmatic Goals and Recommendations to Improve Ecologic Functioning Monitoring Program Guidance for Effectiveness - based on goals and programs -

10. Watershed Stewardship Program Watershed Health Evaluation Example  What region?  Bayland-valley transition  Stressors  Urban encroachment, stormwater pollution, …  Level of impairment  Impervious area, channelization extent, riparian canopy, …  Programmatic goals  Stormwater management actions, LID implementation, channel improvements, …

11. Watershed Stewardship Program Multi-Benefit Guidelines and Criteria  Guidelines to evaluate and rank proposed projects  Potential to: improve biotic functioning, enhance watershed health, implement local and regional environmental restoration goals  Promote integrated multi- agency approach to problem solving  Links to watershed health as a process to track ecological enhancement

12. Watershed Stewardship Program Watershed Work Plan Watershed Work Plan Watershed Specific Work Plans Financing Programs Environmental Compliance Strategies Outreach and Education Watershed Health Evaluations Partnerships & Multi-benefit Projects

13. Watershed Stewardship Program Board of Supervisors of the Flood Control and Water Conservation District Policy Advisory Committee: BOS FC District rep City Council reps Flood Zone Advisory Board reps Water and Sanitary Board reps Operations and Finance Committee: City Managers & County PW director Technical Working Group: Municipal Directors Local, State & Federal Agency reps Watershed Groups Homeowners Association reps Stakeholder Outreach

14. Watershed Stewardship Program Recent Developments  Meetings with water and sanitation districts  Initial support and financial commitment from the City of Mill Valley and we hope to gain similar support from City of Novato, Novato Sanitary District, and North Marin Water District  Provide watershed planning tools to other watersheds

15. Watershed Stewardship Program Next Steps  Form technical work groups (TWG) to develop and prioritize projects for Mill Valley and Novato watersheds (anticipated for early 2009)  Create a draft workplan to address issues identified in the existing conditions report and by TWG (to be completed by the end of 2009 for Mill Valley and Novato)  Determine how to provide interim support to other watersheds (ongoing)

16. Watershed Stewardship Program For more information contact: Chris Choo, Senior Planner cchoo@co.marin.ca.us 499-7586 Liz Lewis, Principal Planner lizlewis@co.marin.ca.us 499-7226 Website under construction www.marinwatersheds.org