City of BellinghamHabitat Restoration

Master Plan

TAG MeetingDecember 5, 2012

ESA | VEDA Environmental | Northwest Ecological Services

Project Overview

• Project Goals• Project Approach• Example of End Product•Conceptual Framework•Questions for Advisory Group

Project Goals

•Develop scientifically defensible plan that prioritizes a wide range of restoration actions•Create useful tool for multiple applications:– Development review/permitting– Capital improvement plans– Comprehensive planning – Mitigation programs, grant applications

• Take advantage of TAG input to date

Project Approach

• Framework is science-based analysis of ecological functions but also considers feasibility

• Process-based vs. species-based

• Functions grouped by habitat groups

•Restoration actions prioritized by sub-basin/watershed and by type of action

•Utilizes existing data and TAG input

Project Approach (continued)

•Restoration actions include capital projects, protection, education / outreach, changes in land use/environmental regulations, etc

• Success of Plan can be measured (adaptive management)

• Plan is accessible and understandable by public

– City IQ website

– Action sheets

Project Transition

Original Approach New Approach

Step 1. Identify Limiting Factors Create science-based analysis of ecological functions. Develop model parameters.

Step 2: Determine stressors

Group functions by habitat type

Utilize existing data and TAG input

Characterize existing ecosystem conditions

Step 3: Identify restoration and regulatory constraints and opportunities

Develop/analyze project actions

Step 4: Habitat restoration potential and feasibility Prioritize restoration actions by ecological uplift

Step 5: Prioritized actions Feasibility assessment

Key Similarities

• Both approaches are processes based• Both approaches prioritize actions• Both approaches evaluate constraints

Key Differences

•Our approach is function based and transparent•Our approach is not explicitly species focused•Our approach incorporates anthropogenic

constraints at the end•Our approach focused on project actions•Our prioritization approach does not rank all

actions against each other

Example of End ProductSqualicum Creek Existing Condition

Existing Riverine Function Rating (1 = Low, 5 = High)

SubbasinSurface Water

Flow Variability

Thermal Regulation

BiodiversityChemical

Regulation

Upper Squalicum

1 2 3 3 3

Baker Creek 3 3 4 4 4

Lower Squal 4 4 4 4 5

GIS Mapping

GIS MappingBaker Creek Sub-basin – Existing Riverine Function Scores

Function Score

Surfacewater Storage 3

Flow Variation 3

Biodiversity Maintenance 4

Chemical Regulation 4

Thermal Regulation 4

Prioritizations within Sub-Basin

Baker Creek Sub-basin Habitat Area Rank Priority Actions

Riverine Habitat Areas1 Implementation of LID program

2 Public education campaign for WQ

Upland Habitat Areas1

Restore forested cooridor between two largest exisitng forested pataches

2 Protect open-field habitat

Riparian/Floodplain Habitat Areas

1 Restore floodplain in middle stream reach

2 Implement wider riparian buffers in DS reach

3 Meander channel in DS reach

Wetland Habitat Areas1 Protect large wetland in southwest of basin

2 Enhance wetland buffer in Wetlands 4 and 5

Marine Nearshore/Estuarine Habitat Areas1 Remove bulkhead along north shoreline

2 Create pocket beach(s) along south shoreline

Prioritization by Restoration ActionAction: Install Instream Structure

(e.g., LWD, boulders)

Priority Sub-basin

1 Lincoln Creek

2 Bear Creek

3 Spring Creek

4 Central Bellingham

5 Cemetery Creek

6 Toad Creek

7 McCormick Creek

Conceptual Model

• Function based•Definitions (see handout)•Model relies on relationship of habitats to functions

and functions to measurable attributes•Model will evaluate and compare existing conditions • Analysis will occur at sub-basins scale

Model Linkages

Conceptual Model ExampleRiverine Habitat

Potential Functions for Stream Habitats

• Surface water storage• Sub/surface water transfer• Flow variation• Sediment continuity• Substrate mobility•Maintain biodiversity• Sustain trophic structure •Nutrient cycling•Chemical regulation• Thermal regulation

Potential Attribute Measures

Surface Water Storage Function• Strahler Stream Order and upstream contributing basin area• Ratio of contributing basin area to total basin area• Percent impervious surface within contributing basin /floodplain• Condition (forested or non-forested) of upstream basin• Ratio of stream bankfull width to "pre-developed" floodplain width• Qualitative assessment of downstream flood frequency and

magnitude for adjacent• reaches and downstream basin• Area of 'urban' land cover or infrastructure (bridges, utilities) in

mapped floodplain• Percent of downstream channel with levees, dikes, or other

channel confinements

Potential Attribute Measures (continued)

Chemical Regulation Function• 303(d) listings or TMDLs for Dissolved Oxygen, pH, total

dissolved gas, toxics • upstream and downstream• Percent impervious surface within contributing basin• Percent of contributing basin consisting of industrial,

commercial, or high-density residential land uses

Selecting Attribute Measures

•Not all attributes can be effectively measured•Measures will be screened based on these

criteria to determine suitability:1. Relationship to function

2. Quantifiable and repeatable

3. Sensitivity to change

4. Data availability

Actions Relate to Habitats and Functions

Restoration Action Portfolio

Restorative Enhancement Prerequisite Protective

Role

Exert long-lasting effects on ecosystem processes

Promote structural elements (habitats) and/or mimic natural processes

Remove or prevent physical and chemical disturbances

Protect existing resources, limit future impairment, influence human behaviors

Action

• Remove impervious surface

• Remove bank armoring

• Install LWD

• Remove Invasive Species

• Enhance stream substrate (for spawning)

• Treat stormwater runoff

• Control access

• Acquire property

• Educate property citizens

Next Steps

•Determine number and type of habitat groups• Prepare draft list of functions for each

habitat group• Prepare draft list of attribute measures for

each function• Prepare draft list of restoration actions

Questions?

Questions for TAG

• Is the function-driven model proposed appropriate for achieving project goals?

• Suggestions for number or type of habitat types?

• Appropriateness of sub-basin scale for analysis?