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Brush Creek Mid-Shed
Subgrant # G03-NPS-6
Brush Creek is a direct tributary to the Missouri River in the Kansas City region in Platte County, Missouri. Brush Creek is approximately 11 miles long; its watershed encompasses approximately 15,045 acres (or 23.5 square miles) and it is contained within the Missouri River Mainstem Basin. While still mostly undeveloped, the Brush Creek watershed is expected to experience rapid development over the next decade. The Brush Creek watershed hosts valuable natural resources, including wetlands, prairies, forests, streams, lakes and numerous tributaries.
The Brush Creek Mid-Shed is the area of focus for this project and it encompasses approximately 2,400 acres. The project area begins just north of the intersection of Highways 152 and I-435, continuing south along the I-435/Brush Creek Corridor to just south of the Highway 45 intersection. Local and county planners are anticipating this area of the watershed to be completely developed within ten years. The rapid land-use conversion in this watershed will result in numerous road-stream crossings and many land disturbances resulting in an increase of sediment runoff from construction.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The project will be implemented to minimize nonpoint source pollution in the Brush Creek watershed through the use of assessments, watershed planning, demonstrations, and information/education and technical/ monetary assistance. A smart growth or low-impact development concept will be used to minimize pollutant loading to the stream and improve contemporary development practices to protect the natural resources within the watershed. A major area of focus is to minimize impervious surfaces, maximize contiguous green space and utilize green space for stormwater management. The project funds will support a full-time project coordinator, accounting services, inventory and assessment, conservation planning and design services, on-the-ground application of best management practices, cost-share incentives for developers, creation of covenants, and development and distribution of outreach and education materials and programs.
OBJECTIVES
The primary objective of this project is to minimize the impacts of development on Brush Creek, and subsequent impacts to the Missouri River. The goal is to protect the stream habitat conditions with respect to recharge, hydrology, stream temperature, channel stability, riparian condition and sediment deposition. Plans are to implement strategies that would preserve the Brush Creek watershed natural resources, assist local government in land use planning and to educate the public about new methods that can be used to protect the stream from water quality impairments. Structural and non-structural methods will be used such as conservation of natural sources (wetlands, streams, trees and other environmentally sensitive areas), zoning restrictions to direct and control densities and open space: and advanced structural control technologies to treat and manage runoff quantity and quality problems.
The five major goals for this project include:
1. Assess potential impacts and improvements for anticipated development in the watershed by: a) completing a watershed assessment and critical area protection strategy; and b) identifying best conservation development tools that will serve to protect the watershed's streams, lakes, wetlands, prairies, forests and their associated wildlife and human habitats;
2. Plan and design a comprehensive approach to development by: a) involving citizens, developers, local and regional planners, and numerous other stakeholders in the planning process: b) facilitating major focus groups, training's, public meetings, design charettes, survey analyses and comprehensive planning; and c) raising public awareness through multi-media efforts and tours;
3. Facilitate implementation of the plan by: a) promoting the adoption of best development designs, practices and governing statutes; and b) providing developers with monetary and public relations incentives; and
4. Reduce pollutant loads by 15% based on BMP pollution reduction data and adoption of BMP's by one third of developers. Standard methods, such as STEPL model and the soil loss equation will be used to evaluate this goal throughout the project and;
5. Evaluate and report project successes to watershed stakeholders, and transfer information to external stakeholders.
METHODS EMPLOYED
1. Watershed Assessment and Critical Area Protection Strategy (WACAPS). A watershed assessment of the project area will be implemented to obtain physician information about the watershed. Platte Land Trust will generate a watershed restoration and protection strategy for the Brush Creek Mid-Shed for the purpose of offering general guidance to ongoing and future residential, commercial and industrial development.
2. Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan. Upon completion of the WACAPS, the report and recommendations will be used by the Platte Land Trust to establish best management principles and practices (BMPs) that target specific water quality issues in the watershed. The plan will include recommendation of covenants, easements, ordinances (including stream setback and buffer ordinances), codes and zoning requirements to protect to watershed.
3. Outreach and Education. The project coordinator will develop and implement outreach and education materials, including slide show, exhibit, brochure, articles and an informational website. The focus of the material will be to educate developers on cost-benefits low impact development, such as reduced construction costs, increased net profits and faster sales. Invite developer participation in Smart Growth opportunities.
4. Cost-Share Incentive Program. The Platte Land Trust will develop and implement an incentive program for developers and homeowners. The program will provide cost-share assistance for better construction site designs (commercial and residential subdivisions) and both erosion control and stormwater best management practices.
5. Conservation Demonstrations. Three low-impact conservation developments will be demonstrated in the watershed: commercial, residential and/or mixed-use. Best management principles and practices for stormwater management will be integrated throughout each site to maintain high infiltration and reduce runoff potential.
6. Conservation Covenants. Conservation covenant/easement opportunities for set-aside lands and coordinate legal contractual services will be obtained where appropriate. Covenants may incorporate wellhead protection strategies, protection of riparian stream buffers and protection of aquatic and wildlife habitats.
PRODUCTS
Products from this project include:
? Water Quality Report
? Natural Resources and Impervious Surface Report
? Comprehensive Management Plan
? Exhibit
? Slide Show
? Brochures
? Project signs
? Web Site
? Quarterly and Final Reports
? Three conservation demonstrations - One mixed-use development, one commercial development and one subdivision development.
? Three conservation covenants
PROJECT SPONSOR
Platte Land Trust
COOPERATING AGENCIES
Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Missouri Department of Conservation, Platte County government, City of Parkville, Platte County Regional Sewer District, Mid America Regional Council, Park University, City of Independence, Little Blue Valley Sewer District and Jackson County Stormwater Commission.
CONTACT
Betsy Hulen, President
Platte Land Trust
1201 East Street
Parkville, MO 64152
816-746-0980
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