City of AustinPhase 1

Watershed Protection Ordinance (WPO)Overview

Environmental BoardJune 19, 2013

City of AustinPhase 1

Watershed Protection Ordinance (WPO)Overview

Environmental BoardJune 19, 2013

Presentation Overview

• Austin’s Creeks & Watershed Concerns

• Council Directive for WPO

• WPO Highlights

• Coordination with Imagine Austin

• Schedule/Next Steps

• Questions

WPO = Watershed Protection Ordinance

BartonSpringsZone

BartonSpringsZone

WaterSupply

Suburban

WaterSupply

SuburbanWaterSupplyRural

WaterSupplyRural

UrbanUrban

SuburbanSuburban

WatershedClassificationsWatershedClassifications54% of Austin’s jurisdiction in Suburban Watersheds

54% of Austin’s jurisdiction in Suburban Watersheds

UndevelopedLandUndevelopedLand

BartonSpringsZone

BartonSpringsZone

WaterSupply

Suburban

WaterSupply

SuburbanWaterSupplyRural

WaterSupplyRural

UrbanUrban

SuburbanSuburban

“Suburban” has 78% of Austin’s undeveloped land

“Suburban” has 78% of Austin’s undeveloped land

Land in FloodplainLand in Floodplain

BartonSpringsZone9%

BartonSpringsZone9%

WaterSupply

Suburban4%

WaterSupply

Suburban4%

WaterSupplyRural5%

WaterSupplyRural5% Urban

6%Urban6%

Suburban16%

Suburban16%

Nearly 1 in 6 “Suburban” acres reside in 100‐year floodplain

Nearly 1 in 6 “Suburban” acres reside in 100‐year floodplain

BartonSpringsZone

BartonSpringsZone

WaterSupply

Suburban

WaterSupply

SuburbanWaterSupplyRural

WaterSupplyRural

UrbanUrban

SuburbanSuburban

Highly ErodibleSoilsHighly ErodibleSoils“Suburban” area has extensive areas of highly erodible soils

“Suburban” area has extensive areas of highly erodible soils

Turkey Creek (WS Rural)Turkey Creek (WS Rural) Barton Creek (BSZ)Barton Creek (BSZ)

EdwardsPlateauStreams

EdwardsPlateauStreams

Walnut Creek (Suburban)Walnut Creek (Suburban) Bull Creek (WS Suburban)Bull Creek (WS Suburban)

Blackland PrairieStreamsBlackland PrairieStreams

Gilleland Trib (Suburban)Gilleland Trib (Suburban) Cedar Creek (Suburban)Cedar Creek (Suburban)

Wilbarger Trib (Suburban)Wilbarger Trib (Suburban) Wilbarger Main (Suburban)Wilbarger Main (Suburban)

Headwaters Creeks in Austin’s Eastern EdgeHeadwaters Creeks in Austin’s Eastern Edge

Headwaters Creeks in Austin’s Eastern EdgeHeadwaters Creeks in Austin’s Eastern Edge

Boggy CreekBoggy Creek

Wastewater Collection System ProblemsWastewater Collection System Problems

Urbanization: Channel Erosion & RepairUrbanization: Channel Erosion & Repair

BeforeBefore After (at ~$1,000/lin.ft.)After (at ~$1,000/lin.ft.)

BeforeBefore After (at ~$1,000/lin.ft.)After (at ~$1,000/lin.ft.)

Key Themes Inspiring Council Action

• Importance of protecting riparian areas & floodplains

• Lessons learned in Austin & beyond: need best science

• Prevention is affordable; repairs are not

• Simplicity and complexity

• A sustainable future: green infrastructure; compact development; connectivity; health; water

• Balance environmental protection & development opportunity

Council Resolution

1. Creek Protection

2. Floodplain Protection

3. Development Patterns & Greenways

4. Improved Stormwater Controls

5. Mitigation Options

6. Simplify Regulations & Maintain Opportunity

7. Coordinate with Regional Partners

(Resolution #20110113‐038)

"Improve stream buffer requirements, including critical headwater areas, to protect water quality and reduce erosion, flooding, and long‐range costs for infrastructure maintenance."

Creek Protectio

n

Current System - SuburbanMajor > 1,280 acresIntermediate 640 – 1,280 acresMinor 320 – 640 acres

45

Proposed SystemMajor 640 – 1,280 acresIntermediate 320 – 640 acresMinor 64 – 320 acres

45

100  50 0 ft

Proposed BuffersProposed Buffers