Orange County California Watershed

Watershed & Coastal Resources Division, RDMD, Orange County, California

Aliso Creek - Watershed Management Plan Chapter IV
Bridge over looking Aliso Creek

CHAPTER IV: IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING OF THE PLAN IV-1
4.1 Implementation IV-1
4.1.1 Land Use Planning Process IV-1
4.1.2 Subwatershed Plans IV-1
4.1.3 Policies and Programs IV-1
4.1.4 Land Stewardship IV-1
4.2 Monitoring IV-2

Chapter IV: Implementation and Monitoring of the Plan

4.1 Implementation

The goals, objectives, and recommendations of the Aliso Creek Watershed Management Plan (WMP) can be implemented through a wide variety of methods. For each watershed resource issue discussed in the WMP, the means to resolve such issues are provided as recommended management actions.

Table 3 provides a summary of the key recommended actions and indicates stakeholder responsibility for implementing these actions. In general, the implementation of this WMP can occur through land use planning documents, subwatershed plans, local agency policy and programs, and land stewardship initiatives. It is important to note that all watershed stakeholders have an important role in the implementation of this WMP. With cooperation from all stakeholders, the Aliso Creek watershed resources can be managed more effectively and consistently.

4.1.1 Land Use Planning Process

In order for a watershed plan to achieve success, it is essential to incorporate the plan's goals and objectives into municipal land use planning documents. To ensure that land use planning occurs in an environmentally responsible manner, it is important that official plans promote and implement the objectives of this WMP. It is recommended that official plans identify implementation mechanisms (i.e., subwatershed plans and stormwater management plans) to ensure the linkage between watershed planning and land use planning is established. Specific details from this WMP could be implemented through comprehensive and site-specific zoning bylaws, site plan and subdivision agreements, and a purposed development permit process.

4.1.2 Subwatershed Plans

Subwatershed plans are an important mechanism for implementing watershed plans. A subwatershed plan will concentrate on resource features identified in watershed plans, undertake a more detailed study to identify the details of the natural systems, and further identify areas for preservation, conservation, enhancement, rehabilitation, and development. Subwatershed plans can also provide more detailed goals, objectives, and recommendations for issues of concern identified in the watershed plan and can be implemented by smaller jurisdictions.

It is not the intent of this WMP to delay development pending the implementation of subwatershed studies. Rather, the undertaking of subwatershed plans is a voluntary process that municipalities may undertake.

4.1.3 Policies and Programs

Policies and programs conducted by local agencies are other mechanisms that can implement the WMP. If a local government agency identifies an area of concern with regard to water resources, the ideologies and objectives in the WMP can be used to support the proposed policy and ensure its compatibility with other watershed policies and programs.

4.1.4 Land Stewardship

Another method for implementing the Aliso Creek WMP is through land stewardship initiatives. For example, a landowner resource center could provide watershed residents with a common place to obtain resource management information and advice. Furthermore, the center could provide services such as tree planting, or bioengineering expertise needed to enhance, restore, or rehabilitate natural resources in the Aliso Creek watershed.

4.2 Monitoring

Monitoring the success of this WMP and the achievement of its goals and objectives will occur in the following manner:

It is intended that the WMP shall be subject to continuing review by the Aliso Creek Study Management Team members. Whenever it is deemed necessary, due to changing environmental, economic, technical, or social trends in the Aliso Creek watershed, the WMP will be amended. Significant amendments will involve a public participation process.
It is recommended that the County of Orange, the lead local agency, hold a yearly meeting for presenting data collected that year and determining the need for revisions to the WMP.
In reviewing this WMP, appropriate documents will be forwarded to municipalities and Study Management Team members for input and review. It is also recommended that a notice be given in local newspapers to provide any concerned stakeholders with an opportunity to obtain a copy of relevant information for input and review.

Monitoring the performance and success of the management actions used to achieve the objectives will occur in the following manner:

Water quality sampling data will be used as an indicator of water quality. This data will indicate whether the recommendations provided in the WMP have maintained and/or improved water quality in the Aliso Creek watershed.
A "Watershed Report Card," a user-friendly method for assessing watershed health, could be used to determine the health of the Aliso Creek watershed each year, identify areas of concern, and reassess what can be done to improve the overall quality of resources in the watershed.
A questionnaire circulated to municipalities, Study Management Team members, and other stakeholders two years following the adoption of the WMP to determine if the WMP is useful, implementable, and generally

LEGEND:

Stakeholder Role:
L - Lead, D - Direct, A - Advisory, Not Applicable

Priority:
h - High, m - Medium, l - Low

Funding Requirements:
$ - Funding in moderate amounts required (<$100,000)
$$ - Funding required (>$100,000, <$1,000,000)
$$$ - Funding required in significant amounts (>$1,000,000,)
V - Variable