Aliso Creek - Watershed Management Plan Chapter I
Photo 1: Outlet of Laguna Niguel Lake (Sulphur Creek Reservoir)

CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION I-3
1.1 Purpose I-3
1.2 Goals and Objectives I-3
1.3 Stakeholders in Watershed Planning and Management I-4
1.4 Report Format I-4

Chapter I: Introduction

1.1 Purpose

The Aliso Creek Watershed Management Plan (WMP) is a collection of recommendations that have been developed with the advice and participation of community representatives; Federal, State, and local agency representatives; private citizens; and local citizen interest groups. Where possible, specific practices are listed that may be adopted by landowners and managers. Because there is usually more than one way to pursue any given land use, the practices include many alternatives from which to choose, dependent on specific site conditions and personal preferences. In many cases, the recommendations would serve to fill gaps in existing information. Furthermore, these recommendations help develop additional practices that would assist the citizens of the Aliso Creek watershed maintain a healthy, sustainable natural resource system. It is designed to be flexible and will be updated by local entities as new information and new techniques become available. The recommendations in this WMP are intended for use as a technical and educational resource for landowners and managers in the watershed who want to help ensure the long-term protection of the soil, water, and other natural resources of the watershed.

The recommendations in this WMP should be reviewed for effectiveness and completeness during the next two years. Public workshops and forums will be used to provide the widest participation possible. Implementation assistance such as funding and technical assistance will be sought from various Federal and State agencies to supplement the local effort and a thorough monitoring plan will generate needed information to maintain a proper assessment of the effectiveness of implementation. With that information, adjustments can be made, and further recommendations can be developed to help maintain the health of the watershed for the use and enjoyment of future generations.
Photo 1: Outlet of Laguna Niguel Lake (Sulphur Creek Reservoir)

1.2 Goals and Objectives

This integrated WMP is designed to address numerous water and land related problems in the Aliso Creek watershed. With increasing population and intensity of land use in the watershed, watershed management becomes more necessary in order to decrease negative impacts of human activities and to increase the positive impacts. Economic resources are necessary to enable the community to address and solve resource problems such as non-point source pollution. In order to keep the system in balance, decisions must be made with full knowledge of the likely long-term results of those decisions. Establishment of a goal-oriented management program can prevent problems before they occur and will result in much less expensive and much more efficient use of community energy.
The effort to attain this goal will include programs to reach several listed objectives of the plan. These objectives are measurable milestones that will enable the community to track progress toward maintaining a natural balance in watershed resources. Most of the objectives are to promote and encourage practices and behavior that supports development of a healthy environment for the watershed. Education is therefore a major characteristic of this management program. Education is desirable regarding not only the technological issues related to watershed management but also social interaction that promotes more complete understanding of the respective needs of the citizens of the Aliso Creek watershed. The objectives of the WMP include:

• Promote stream stabilization
• Reduce soil erosion
• Increase biological diversity
• Encourage land stewardship
• Improve aquatic and riparian habitat
• Reduce invasive species
• Improve Water Quality

1.3 Stakeholders in Watershed Planning and Management

The preparation of the WMP is coordinated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District (USACE) and Orange County, California. However, the USACE and Orange County are only two of the players in watershed planning and management. The following stakeholders all play an important role in this process:

Local Government

• City of Aliso Viejo
• City of Lake Forest
• City of Laguna Hills
• City of Laguna Beach
• City of Laguna Niguel
• City of Laguna Woods
• City of Mission Viejo

Water Districts

• Aliso Water Management Agency
• El Toro Water District
• Los Alisos Water District
• Municipal Water District of Orange County
• Moulton Niguel Water District
• South Coast Water District

State and Federal Agencies (local representatives)

• California Coastal Commission
• California Game and Fish Department
• San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Special Interest Groups

• Surfrider Foundation
• Trails 4 All
• Clean Water Now!

Citizen Groups

• Civic Organizations
• Homeowners/Neighborhood and Community Associations
• Landowners
• Youth Groups

Universities, Colleges, and Schools

• SOKA University
• Capistrano Unified School District
• Laguna Beach Unified School District

Representatives from the above groups have provided significant direction for the preparation of the WMP and it is anticipated that their support will continue through the implementation and monitoring stages of the WMP.

1.4 Report Format

This WMP presents a summary of an extensive analysis effort. Chapter 2 provides an introduction to the watershed problems and technical issues analyzed. Chapter 3 provides a summary of the key recommended actions. Conclusions and next steps are discussed in the final chapter. Appendices A through D contain specific recommended actions for various focus groups (i.e., individual, neighborhood groups, local, State, and Federal government) for keeping the Aliso Creek watershed healthy.

Continue to Chapter II