20201007-002b: Briefing on Riparian Protection — original pdf

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Ecoregion context: east and west Austin Edwards  Plateau Austin Blackland Prairie Social context: east and west Austin http://projects.statesman.com/news/economic‐mobility/ Lake Austin, Barton Creek,  and Williamson Creek  Watershed Ordinances Comprehensive  Watersheds  Ordinance Drainage Criteria Manual Floodplain  Ordinance Waterway  Ordinance 1974 1977 1980 1981 1983 1986 1991 1992 1997/98 2001 2012 2013 2015 2019 Urban Watersheds  Ordinance Watershed Protection  Ordinance Land Development Code Revision Atlas 14  floodplain  ordinance Save Our Springs  Ordinance Lower Watershed  ordinance What is a Riparian Area? Soil Water Vegetation Soil Water Vegetation Why protecting and restoring  creeksides? community‐centric Urban Heat Island mitigation Access to nature to explore, learn,  relax, breath Greenbelt connectivity Air quality Shade Why protecting and restoring creeksides? system‐focus Summarize watershed health Higher moisture and tree  survival than uplands Wildlife habitat corridors Natural networks Healthy creeksides, healthier  creeks (water quality and  quantity, erosion protection) Why restoring creeksides? community and resiliency In tending to nature, can we heal? Is the resiliency in creeksides a story that speaks to  us as communities? Existing protections Gaps Critical Water Quality Zones Floodplain Modification  Provisons Substantial development  restrictions in floodplains No restoration triggered when  CWQZ or creek are in poor  condition (except when  floodplain modification) Current stormwater  management allows bypassing  of creek