R21: West Eugene Wetland Plan (1992)
CHAPTER FIVE
OPERATING, MAINTAINING AND MONITORING
INTRODUCTION This section describes goals, policies and recommended
actions for the operations, maintenance and monitoring elements of
WEWSAS. The establishment and implementation of a program that maintains
and monitors the efforts of wetland protection, restoration and mitigation
is important to the success of a wetland management plan.
The Plan proposes to create a Comprehensive Monitoring and Maintenance
Program (CMMP) for all wetland areas recommended for protection, and
mitigation. The Public Works Department will assume the lead
responsibility for implementation and administration of the CMMP. A key
element of the CMMP is enhancement and utilization of the multiple use
aspects of the resource.
While one of the purposes of the program is to insure successful
mitigation efforts, the primary purpose is to insure the health and
sustainability of the system as a whole. Traditionally, the Public Works
Department has maintained the stormwater drainage system in west Eugene to
meet flood control objectives using standards established by the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers and the Soil Conservation Service to protect the health
and safety of the community. By maintaining the inherent functions and
values of a wetlands system many positive benefits can be realized. These
include stormwater conveyance and flood control, water quality
improvements, increased aesthetic and recreational values, educational and
scientific opportunities, and wildlife habitat improvements.
For mitigation efforts, participation in the CMMP will be mandatory.
Maintenance requirements will be addressed during the design and
construction phases of mitigation in order to best anticipate the scope
and cost of future maintenance activities. The CMMP will contain
provisions that require each mitigation project to develop specific
standards by which to measure the progress and success of the project as
well as a monitoring schedule, annual progress reports and contingency
recommendations. A performance guarantee will be required in the form of a
bond or other acceptable method to pay costs for future repairs or
corrections.
Monitoring for permit compliance and research purposes will aid in
determining how to best meet stated goals and performance standards.
Vegetation, hydrology, inundation, wildlife, and water quality are the
most common indicators of concern. The CMMP will be responsive to
monitoring data in order to make necessary adjustments in the field.
Routine maintenance of wetland sites will include vegetation management
such as selective plant removal and replacement, dredging, water level
manipulation, erosion control, debris and litter removal, and annual
inspections to ensure that sites are operating as intended. Non-routine
maintenance tasks will include structural repairs and replacement of
parts, and sediment removal. Individual sites will be maintained and
monitored in accordance with established performance standards.
Finally, the development and implementation of a CMMP is an opportunity
to revise the traditional stormwater operations and maintenance practices
of the Public Works Department. The incorporation of watershed management
principles will advance multiple use objectives while successfully
maintaining the resource.
GOALS, POLICIES, RECOMMENDED ACTIONS
GOALS
5.1 Conserve and enhance wetland functions and values through
operations, maintenance and monitoring practices.
5.2 Ensure the long-term health and survival of protected wetlands
in west Eugene by incorporating watershed management principles in
operations and maintenance practices.
5.3 Demonstrate responsible wetland stewardship by increasing the
City's knowledge and understanding of wetland ecology and management and
apply that knowledge to operations, maintenance and monitoring
practices.
POLICIES
5.1 Accomplish multiple objectives through a stormwater management
program designed to provide for storm and flood water conveyance, flood
storage, water quality improvement, passive recreation, education, and
wildlife habitat and biological support in an effective and cohesive
way.
5.2 Ensure compliance with the WEWSAS goals and policies through an
operations, maintenance and monitoring program that is responsive to the
needs of an evolving ecological system.
5.3 Advance the success of wetland mitigation projects through a
comprehensive long range monitoring effort and use the results in on-going
operations and maintenance.
5.4 Develop performance standards corresponding to the stated
mitigation goals of WEWSAS and utilize those standards in designing and
evaluating an operations and maintenance program.
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS
5.1 Review all public works projects for opportunities to create,
restore, and enhance wetland functions and values.
5.2 Establish a native wetland plant nursery and seed bank that
relate to the biologic habitats of the area. Encourage the recovery of
wetland plants within the study area for replanting in nurseries and
mitigation projects prior to any construction or maintenance activity.
5.3 Produce an annual report documenting activity in the study area,
e.g., mitigation sites, constructed water quality features, and buffer
areas. The report may include:
·
a record of fill and removal activity · ·
assessments of annual and cumulative impacts and accomplishments
·
status of planning and construction of public projects
Present the above annual report to the Eugene Planning Commission
and City Council, the WEWSAS Technical Advisory Committee, and the general
public.
5.4 Review the channel maintenance program to determine which
alternative technologies are appropriate in order to:
·
minimize impacts to wildlife
·
reduce bank erosion and sedimentation
·
utilize the pollutant removal benefits of channel vegetation
5.5 Restore more natural stream conditions where possible such as:
·
establishment of a 'low flow' meander in the channel bottom ·
terraced banks
·
re-sloping of steep channel banks 5.6 Utilize existing natural ditch systems instead of stormwater
pipes, where practical, for the 5.7 Seek support from nonprofit organizations and private volunteers
for selected maintenance and monitoring activities.
5.8 Create a public education program to inform the community of
stormwater permit requirements, the opportunities that exist to achieve
multiple use benefits, and how citizens can participate.
5.9 Develop pilot projects for the establishment of maintenance
strategies to help determine methods compatible with multiple use
objectives. Pursue grant monies to create these projects.
5.10 Evaluate implementation strategies to establish
the best mix of organizational resources to manage the multiple use
aspects of WEWSAS.
5.11 Establish a long term monitoring program
designed to evaluate the success of wetland mitigation in relation to
established performance standards. The program will apply to newly
created, restored, and enhanced wetlands, as well as water quality sites
and buffer areas. All sites will be monitored for a minimum period of ten
years, or longer if required for compliance purposes.
·
collect data on pre-existing wetlands for comparative purposes
·
evaluate the success of wetland mitigation in relation to established
performance standards
Sampling may include:
·
seasonal wildlife evaluation ·
overview and photographic sampling
Comment: The regulatory standard for monitoring
requirements is currently five years. The above recommended action is
consistent with this standard though it does not preclude a longer
monitoring period requirement on a case-by-case basis in the study
area.
·
mitigation bank activity
·
maintenance and operations activities
·
increase channel width
·
replanting of channel banks with native vegetation
·
creation of wetland 'bench' areas contiguous with the low flow channel
conveyance of stormwater, and in the design of new developments.
·
annual quantitative monitoring of vegetation establishment, survival
and coverage
·
hydrological measurement and observation
·
water quality analysis
