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Background • <br /> The following are exerpts from the City's Stormwater Management Plan. They are stated here <br /> to help inform and clarify existing City policy and expected results of the Stormwater <br /> Management Plan. Goals 1 and 3, and their associated policies and implementation actions, <br /> provide the policy framework for managing the existing open channel and natural resource <br /> sites that perform stormwater functions. Common to each is the concept of using both built <br /> facilities as well as natural systems to meet the multiple objectives of the Stormwater <br /> Management Plan. <br /> Goal l <br /> This goal articulates the multiple objectives aspect of the Plan: <br /> "Through an interconnected system of constructed and natural facilities, provide multiple <br /> stormwater benefits to the community including: flood control and drainage services, <br /> protection and enhancement of water quality and natural resources that perform stormwater <br /> functions, recreational facilites, and education opportunities." <br /> The intent and expected results of this goal are: the City's future stormwater system will <br /> include both built and natural systems. Existing built facilities will remain and be <br /> maintained over time and, where feasible, natural systems will be protected for their <br /> stormwater functions. Existing resources are to be considered for protection for their water <br /> quality, quantity, and wildlife habitat benefits. While pipes provide needed stormwater <br /> conveyance, they provide little, if any, water quality and wildlife habitat functions. <br /> The following policies provide the direction for achieving this goal: <br /> Policy 1.1- Incorporate the beneficial functions (flood control, stormwater conveyance, water <br /> quality treatment) of natural resources into the City storm drainage system. <br /> This policy is explicit as to the expected outcome of this goal. Natural resources that perform <br /> beneficial stormwater functions are to be incorporated into the drainage system. Open <br /> channels, natural waterways, and wetlands provide stormwater treatment functions. These <br /> resources have the ability to filter and remove pollutants, slow runoff velocities, and store <br /> flows. <br /> Policy 11 - Maintain flood control, drainage, and water quality treatment capacities along the <br /> City's stormwater conveyance corridors while protecting and enhancing the health, diversity <br /> and continuity for wildlife habitat, native vegetation, and endangered species. <br /> The expected outcome of this policy is to maintain beneficial stormwater functions along <br /> conveyance corridors while protecting and enhancing other Stormwater Management Plan <br /> objectives (i.e., wildlife habitat, native vegetation, endangered species). Piping eliminates <br /> water quality treatment capabilities and, therefore, should be discouraged unless overriding <br /> reasons (public safety?) justify it. Decisions to pipe an existing resource should include <br /> replacement of lost functions. Similarly, decisions to relocate these resources should be based <br /> 2 <br />