Benton County, Oregon
http://www.co.benton.or.us/cd/riparian/index.php?
Printed on May 20, 2013 @ 8:16 AM
Benton County Riparian and Wetlands Project
Welcome to the Benton County Riparian and Wetlands Project Website
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What is this Project All About?
Throughout Benton County there are hundreds of stream miles and wetlands. Numerous high quality streams, riparian corridors and wetlands within the County are still around because of residents' and visitors' values for planning and management of our shared water resources. The Riparian and Wetlands Project will inform development of a plan and program to help keep the natural function of these vital areas while working to meet State and Federal regulations.
Looking for resources to plan, conserve or restore
riparian area and wetlands?
Riparian and Wetlands Project Updates
Voluntary Program Update (4/25/13): Review the Benton County Riparian Corridors Monitoring Protocol Outline (DRAFT)
Voluntary Program Update (2/27/13): Review the February Community, and Stakeholder Input Update and proposed "Benton County Voluntary Program for Riparian Corridors" Outreach and Education.
Voluntary Program Update (1/9/13): Summary of Non-Regulatory Riparian and Wetlands Program for the Willamette Basin portion of Benton County ; Final program methodology forthcoming with assurance letter provided by Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.
Review Project Update Report (11/29/11): Benton County Riparian and Wetlands Project Update Report
Project staff shared this update report at the November 29th, 2011 Riparian and Wetlands Advisory Group meeting with an extended project timeline, goals, and objectives to meet local residents and property owners needs while working to meet local, state & federal requirements. The draft goals and objectives are based on the extensive public input, analysis, and other information collected or developed from 2009-2011 and continuing through 2013. The result will be development of three options for Planning Commission review including: 1.) Stream and Riparian Corridor Overlay Zone, 2.) Voluntary Stream and Riparian Corridor Protection Program, or 3.) Alternative program or no action. Please provide your input/comments to the project lead Adam Stebbins at adam.stebbins@co.benton.or.us; or call 541-766-6085
Review Inventory Report: Benton County Riparian and Wetlands Inventory Report (5/8/11) (PDF)
The first Draft Benton County Riparian and Wetlands Inventory Report was released for public review on 12/17/10. Notice was provided via email, project website, and local newspapers and newsletters. Public comments were provided by county landowners and residents, Riparian and Wetland Advisory Group participants, State/local government, and many others.
In addition, Benton County held community meetings with approximately 100 attendees in the community of Alsea, to share project work to date, and was provided with additional input on improving the draft report. Ongoing Listening Sessions led by a Benton County graduate student intern also provided landowners with additional one-on-one discussions to learn more about the project and provide ideas for improving the inventory and any proposed code.
Based on the range of input received from December 2010 to April 2011, several updates to the draft inventory were completed by project staff.
Note: Be sure to visit the meetings and events page for agendas, notes, and other meeting information.
Why are Riparian and Wetland Areas Important to Residents of Benton County?
Riparian areas can improve property values, stabilize eroding banks, enhance fish and many other wildlife habitat, improve water quality by filtering runoff/contaminants, and can protect against flood damage of property.
Wetland areas can improve property values, increases water quality, store flood water, provide fish and wildlife habitat – many species rely on remaining wetlands for survival.
Did you know: From 2004-2007 Benton County residents engaged in the Comprehensive Plan development with County Staff, Planning Commission and the Board of Commissioners adopted a policy to undertake a “Goal 5 process and adopt a protection program for significant riparian areas within 18 months of adoption of the plan amendments.”
Residents also emphasize taking the appropriate steps for protecting headwaters of streams along with wetlands in Benton County.
What are the Goals of this Project?
What are the Riparian and Wetlands Project Goal and Outcomes?
Riparian and Wetlands Advisory Group (RWAG) (diverse landowners, scientists, residents, and County staff)
Goal: Create a plan to support and improve natural function of streams, riparian areas and wetlands within the unincorporated areas of Benton County, to comply with State planning rules and Benton County's Comprehensive Plan.
1. Outreach and incentives to gain project involvement from local residents and to protect and enhance riparian and wetland areas.
2. Create a Benton County Riparian and Wetland Inventory and update the Benton County Riparian and Wetlands Maps to inform program development.
3. Develop a Regulatory, Voluntary, or Alternative program for Planning Commission review and recommendation to the Board of Commissioners for improving and maintaining natural functions of riparian and wetland resources (updated goal 2012-2013).
Latest News
* Project Update (2/27/13): Project staff have reviewed community meeting participant, advisory group, and other stakeholder input provided from January through February 2013 and are updating the proposed "Benton County Voluntary Program for Riparian Corridors" based on the diverse input.
* Project Update: Community Meetings
Location: City of Philomath, City Council Chambers, 980 Applegate St., Philomath, OR 97370
Date: February 6th, 2013
Time: 6:30-8:00 pm
Purpose: Provide presentation and gain public input on the proposed non-regulatory Riparian and Wetlands Program for the Willamette Basin portion of Benton County
Location: Corvallis-Benton County Library, 645 NW Monroe Ave., Corvallis, OR 97333
Date: February 20th, 2013
Time: 6:30-8:00 pm
Purpose: Provide presentation and gain public input on the proposed non-regulatory Riparian and Wetlands Program for the Willamette Basin portion of Benton County
* Benton County and Oregon Department of Environmental Quality Willamette Basin water quality division staff have developed a non-regulatory riparian program option and will be finalized by January 2013. For more information contact Project Coordinator, Adam Stebbins; (541) 766-6085.
* Oregon Department of Agriculture released a report that details the 19-year history of the Agricultural Water Quality Program, its accomplishments, its strengths, and its current day challenges, setting the stage for a strategy aimed towards the future. From the report: "Agricultural load allocations in temperature TMDLs will be achieved when streamside vegetation conditions meet the site capability or provide water quality protection consistent with site-capable vegetation."
* Project staff is working to develop a Voluntary Stream and Riparian Corridor Protection Program that includes monitoring riparian vegetation changes over the next five years while providing outreach and education to riparian corridor landowners. Program development is being formally reviewed by Oregon Department of Environmental Quality Willamette Basin water quality division staff to ensure the compliance with State and Federal water quality regulations.
* Update Presentation provided for Soap Creek for area residents (see PDF of presentation slides); provided guest presentation to Americans for Prosperity, local residents coordinated event.
* The Alsea Basin portion of Benton County will NOT be included in any current project work. Due to the ongoing Oregon Department of Environmental Quality Total Maximum Daily Load development for the Mid-Coast Basins (including Alsea), Benton County has chosen to delay any program that would apply to the Alsea Basin.
* Benton County is finalizing the Benton County Stream and Riparian Corridor Program, including proposed code for Willamette Basin riparian vegetation protection and a countywide outreach and education program. More details will be provided as work is completed.
* Benton County held small group meetings with streamside landowners that volunteered their time to 1.) discuss draft code and provide specific recommendations for improvement, and 2.) discuss non-regulatory program concepts. Review all notes from these meetings here.
* July 19th Community Meeting held at the Corvallis-Benton County Library from 6:30-8:00 p.m. (see meeting materials); focus was on identifying specific options to meet property owners needs and meet objectives of protecting water quality and fish and wildlife. Read the Gazette-Times Article: "Benton County releases draft riparian rules." See Meetings and Events page for more
* The most current Draft Stream and Riparian Corridor Protection Overlay Zone Code is available for review on the Policy page. Updates were made based on input from additional Alsea and Corvallis community meetings, Willamette REALTORS board meeting, and other public comments with input from the Riparian and Wetlands Advisory Group.
* Benton County Riparian and Wetland Project featured on KLCC local radio (Nov. 3, 2009)
Riparian areas can improve property values, stabilize eroding banks, enhance fish and many other wildlife habitat, improve water quality by filtering runoff/contaminants, and can protect against flood damage of property.
Wetland areas can improve property values, increases water quality, store flood water, provide fish and wildlife habitat – many rare species rely on remaining wetlands for survival.
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