According to the city’s website, the plan will also work to use stormwater as a resource, whether that be for water supply or for the Chico environment and habitat.
This plan was developed as a way to not only protect water quality but also to open jobs for Chico residents and make open spaces in Chico safe for recreation and flood prevention
“The board has quite a bit of data regarding water quality in California," said Matt Thompson, senior civil engineer for the city. "The city does not do much in the way of assessing water quality in the local waterways."
Money to pay for the plan can only be granted if the city meets requirements under California Senate Bill 985. In addition, it must follow State Water Board guidelines. Chico hopes to apply for the grant program in 2018 to fund the plan.
“Beginning in the next few years, the city will be required to begin installing structures designed to capture trash flowing in the storm drains and keep the trash out of the waterways.
There are hundreds of storm drain outfalls within the city, and many will require the capture devices,” Thompson said.
“As you might imagine all these capture devices will require substantial funding. That is what motivated city staff to become involved in developing a stormwater resource plan. Projects included in the plan will be eligible to compete for state grant funding.”
The process, first discussed publicly in May, will have up to 50 projects including trash capture, water quality treatment for the wetlands and groundwater recharge. Chico residents can also give ideas to the City Council, which is scheduled to adopt this project by April 17.
Along with help from the community, Chico is also seeking collaboration from Butte College and Chico State, according to the California Natural Resources Agency.
A number of concerns brought up by the public regarding this plan include the speed of completion, how to identify projects, whether the public will be adequately involved and the underlying reasoning behind this plan.
According to meeting agendas for the public outreach minutes last spring, many people expressed concern that this project is only being implemented because of requirements for grants and not because of concerns for the environment and the community.
There also were concerns about how much the public will be able to offer their opinion on the plan and whether their concerns and comments will be taken seriously.
Six meetings regarding this plan have already been held, with the next one set for Jan. 4. The entire plan is estimated to be completed by July 31 and will cost $194,113, which was contributed in April by Multi-benefit Stormwater Management Projects, an administrative branch of the California Natural Resources Agency.
Community members are welcome to submit project ideas here, as well as make comments or ask questions about the project.
A public review period is open until Dec. 13 regarding the initial project. Any comments should be sent to Doug Moore at dmoore@westyost.com.
-- By Kendall George