BOOKER CREEK BOOKER CREEK WATERSHED WATERSHED

PLANPLANWATERSHED ASSESSMENT WATERSHED ASSESSMENT

WETLAND ASSESSMENTWETLAND ASSESSMENT

POLICY FRAMEWORKPOLICY FRAMEWORK

S

N

EW

Watershed size = 4098.5 acresHighest point = 622.0 ft.Lowest point = 246.3 ft.

Map 1: Geographic Context of the Booker Creek Watershed

4

Cedar ForkLake Ellen

Lower Booker CreekEastwood LakeCrow Branch

1 0 0 Y E A R F L O O D P L A I N M A P1 0 0 Y E A R F L O O D P L A I N M A P

±0.5 0 0.5 1 1.5 20.25

Miles

Legend

100 Year Floodplain

Lakes

Streams

Location of Eastgate Shopping Center

MAP 2

Cedar ForkLake Ellen

Lower Booker CreekEastwood LakeCrow Branch

0 0.5 1 1.5 20.25

Miles

Evaluation Areas

S T R E A M E V A L U A T I O N A R E A SS T R E A M E V A L U A T I O N A R E A S

¯

BMP SUITABILITYBMP SUITABILITY

Cedar ForkLake Ellen

Lower Booker CreekEastwood LakeCrow Branch

L A N D S U I T A B I L I T Y M A PL A N D S U I T A B I L I T Y M A P

0 0.5 1 1.5 20.25

Miles ±

Legend

Nonsuitable

Suitable

Lakes

Streams

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION Paradox: Development occurring in areas Paradox: Development occurring in areas

where it is least suited and where BMP’s where it is least suited and where BMP’s least feasible. least feasible.

Overall Booker Creek Watershed is in Overall Booker Creek Watershed is in mediocre condition with much to improve mediocre condition with much to improve uponupon

Capitalize on recreational opportunities and Capitalize on recreational opportunities and environmentally sensitive developmentenvironmentally sensitive development

Preserve water quality upstream and Preserve water quality upstream and mitigate stormwater impacts of mitigate stormwater impacts of development with Pond and Wetland BMP’s.development with Pond and Wetland BMP’s.

Vision for Booker Creek Vision for Booker Creek WatershedWatershed

Our vision is to maintain and promote a Our vision is to maintain and promote a healthy, functional watershed. We will healthy, functional watershed. We will keep pristine areas protected and keep pristine areas protected and maintain suitable areas for riparian maintain suitable areas for riparian vegetation and wildlife. In addition we vegetation and wildlife. In addition we will maintain high water quality and will maintain high water quality and sustainable development patterns for sustainable development patterns for residential, commercial and recreation residential, commercial and recreation areas for current and future areas for current and future generations.generations.

PLAN GOALSPLAN GOALS

G1: Clean water sufficient to support G1: Clean water sufficient to support aquatic life and human usesaquatic life and human uses

G2: Streams that are physically G2: Streams that are physically similar to pristine streamssimilar to pristine streams

G3: A watershed where flooding does G3: A watershed where flooding does not negatively impact the built not negatively impact the built environmentenvironment

G4: Environmentally sensitive land G4: Environmentally sensitive land use within the watershed use within the watershed

PLAN OBJECTIVESPLAN OBJECTIVES O1: Reduce non point pollution in the Booker Creek O1: Reduce non point pollution in the Booker Creek

Watershed 30% by the Watershed 30% by the year 2015. Related to Goal: year 2015. Related to Goal: G1G1

O2: Reduce point source pollution emitted into the O2: Reduce point source pollution emitted into the streams of Booker Creek Watershed 35% by the year streams of Booker Creek Watershed 35% by the year 2015. Related to Goal: G12015. Related to Goal: G1

O3: Restore stream beds to their natural state of O3: Restore stream beds to their natural state of equilibrium by 2050. Related to Goal: G2 equilibrium by 2050. Related to Goal: G2

O4: Reduce vulnerability of the built environment in O4: Reduce vulnerability of the built environment in Lower Booker Creek Watershed. Related to Goal: G3, Lower Booker Creek Watershed. Related to Goal: G3, G4G4

O5: Increase the amount of land zoned for high O5: Increase the amount of land zoned for high density residential development in suitable areas by density residential development in suitable areas by 25%. Related to Goal: G4 25%. Related to Goal: G4

PLAN POLICIESPLAN POLICIES P1: Establish volunteer water quality monitoring program. P1: Establish volunteer water quality monitoring program. P2: Implement Buffer of 100 feet around perennial, intermittent and P2: Implement Buffer of 100 feet around perennial, intermittent and

headwater streams.headwater streams. P3: Initiate a radio campaign educating residents about using native P3: Initiate a radio campaign educating residents about using native

plants to reduce plants to reduce fertilizer and pesticide use as well as sediment runoff.fertilizer and pesticide use as well as sediment runoff. P4: Install watertight covers or inflow guards on all sewer manholes in P4: Install watertight covers or inflow guards on all sewer manholes in

the floodplain.the floodplain. P5: Establish monitoring program for toxic waste disposal area in Crow P5: Establish monitoring program for toxic waste disposal area in Crow

Branch watershed.Branch watershed. P6: Establish a volunteer construction site monitoring program that P6: Establish a volunteer construction site monitoring program that

ensures developers are complying with construction site regulations and ensures developers are complying with construction site regulations and increase fines 25% for noncompliance.increase fines 25% for noncompliance.

P7: Implement Buffer of 35 feet around the 100 year floodplain. (See P7: Implement Buffer of 35 feet around the 100 year floodplain. (See Map A-5-1)Map A-5-1)

P8: Require all new developments over 3 acres that border or cross a P8: Require all new developments over 3 acres that border or cross a perennial stream to implement a Pond or Wetland Best Management perennial stream to implement a Pond or Wetland Best Management Practice within 500 feet of stream if land is suitable. The BMP should Practice within 500 feet of stream if land is suitable. The BMP should store water proportional to the amount of impervious surface of that store water proportional to the amount of impervious surface of that development. BMP’s at sites below 5% impervious cover are not development. BMP’s at sites below 5% impervious cover are not required. (See Maps A-2-1 and A-2-2). required. (See Maps A-2-1 and A-2-2).

P9: Install Pond or Wetland Best Management Practices within 500 feet of P9: Install Pond or Wetland Best Management Practices within 500 feet of a perennial stream on all developed city-owned property over 3 acres by a perennial stream on all developed city-owned property over 3 acres by the year 2015. BMP’s the year 2015. BMP’s

are only required where land is suitable. are only required where land is suitable. P10: Construct raingardens and stormwater catchments for existing and P10: Construct raingardens and stormwater catchments for existing and

future impervious surfaces exceeding ½ acre. future impervious surfaces exceeding ½ acre. P11: Stop construction of new sewer manholes in the floodplain. P11: Stop construction of new sewer manholes in the floodplain. P12: Undergo clearing and snagging operation in Lower Booker CreekP12: Undergo clearing and snagging operation in Lower Booker Creek P13: Encourage cluster development and new urbanist design through tax P13: Encourage cluster development and new urbanist design through tax

incentives. incentives. P14: Halt future development in the 100 year floodplainP14: Halt future development in the 100 year floodplain P15: Pervious surface cover required for 35% of new sidewalksP15: Pervious surface cover required for 35% of new sidewalks P16: Stormwater runoff from new development may not exceed P16: Stormwater runoff from new development may not exceed

predevelopment levelspredevelopment levels P17: Encourage Low Impact Development (LID) for all new development P17: Encourage Low Impact Development (LID) for all new development

proposals by decreasing impact fees for sites that integrate two or more of proposals by decreasing impact fees for sites that integrate two or more of the following LID methods: the following LID methods:

Bioretention facilityBioretention facility Grass SwalesGrass Swales Vegetative Roof CoversVegetative Roof Covers Permeable PavementPermeable Pavement Rain Barrels or CisternsRain Barrels or Cisterns No Curb and gutterNo Curb and gutter Disconnected Impervious Cover Disconnected Impervious Cover

WETLAND ASSESSMENTWETLAND ASSESSMENTField EvaluationField Evaluation

Cedar ForkLake Ellen

Lower Booker CreekEastwood LakeCrow Branch

Legend

Streams

NWI_Wetlands

Wetland Evaluation Sites

1

2

3

W E T L A N D E V A L U A T I O N S I T E SW E T L A N D E V A L U A T I O N S I T E S

0 0.5 1 1.5 20.25

Miles ±

North Carolina Field Evaluation Checklist for WetlandsNorth Carolina Field Evaluation Checklist for Wetlands

WETLAND ASSESSMENTWETLAND ASSESSMENTGIS EvaluationGIS Evaluation

Water Storage Value 0

1

3

4

5

±0 2,800 5,600 8,400 11,2001,400

Feet

Water Storage

Bank Stabilization

0

3

4

5

hydroline

0 2,500 5,000 7,500 10,0001,250Feet ±

Bank Stabilization

0 3,100 6,200 9,300 12,4001,550Feet ±

Pollution Removal

0

1

2

3

4

5

hydroline

Pollution Removal

0 2,600 5,200 7,800 10,4001,300Feet ±

Wildlife Habitat

0

1

2

3

4

5

hydroline

Wildlife Habitat

Aquatic Life Suitability

0

1

2

3

4

5

Hydroline

0 3,000 6,000 9,000 12,0001,500Feet ±

Aquatic Life Suitability

Recreational and Educational Quality

Recreational and Educational Quality

0

3

5

hydroline

0 2,700 5,400 8,100 10,8001,350Feet ±

±0 2,900 5,800 8,700 11,6001,450

Feet

Booker Creek WatershedOverall Wetland Quality

Wetland Quality

0 - 5

5 - 11

11 - 17

17 - 23

23 - 28

hydroline

VISION STATEMENTVISION STATEMENT

Our vision is that Booker Creek Watershed Our vision is that Booker Creek Watershed will host healthy, functional, clean wetlands. will host healthy, functional, clean wetlands. We will improve and sustain healthy We will improve and sustain healthy hydrological and biological characteristics hydrological and biological characteristics that create habitat for aquatic life and that create habitat for aquatic life and wildlife. In addition we will have wetlands wildlife. In addition we will have wetlands that have the capacity to prevent damaging that have the capacity to prevent damaging floods. Our wetlands will be a place for floods. Our wetlands will be a place for current and future generations to enjoy the current and future generations to enjoy the wonders of the outdoors.wonders of the outdoors.

WETLAND GOALSWETLAND GOALS

Wetlands that support a diverse Wetlands that support a diverse native plant community and healthy native plant community and healthy habitats for wildlife and aquatic lifehabitats for wildlife and aquatic life

Adequate water storage and stable Adequate water storage and stable banksbanks

Wetlands that are inviting to the Wetlands that are inviting to the community and foster educational community and foster educational programsprograms

OBJECTIVESOBJECTIVES Within ten years all wetlands in the watershed will Within ten years all wetlands in the watershed will

be 50% dominant native species be 50% dominant native species Improve wetland habitat so that at least fifteen bird Improve wetland habitat so that at least fifteen bird

species are frequenting the wetlands in five years species are frequenting the wetlands in five years Stop development in the floodplain to improve Stop development in the floodplain to improve

water storage capacity and reduce floodingwater storage capacity and reduce flooding Reduce bank slumping by 75% in five yearsReduce bank slumping by 75% in five years Ensure that twenty educational programs and civic Ensure that twenty educational programs and civic

groups will tour the wetlands within five yearsgroups will tour the wetlands within five years Create a recreational area and handicap-accessible Create a recreational area and handicap-accessible

boardwalk in the Eastwood Lake wetland within boardwalk in the Eastwood Lake wetland within two years two years

POLICIESPOLICIES All proposed developments that are on a property All proposed developments that are on a property

that contains a wetland, or that are within 100 yards that contains a wetland, or that are within 100 yards of a wetland must undergo a wetland impact of a wetland must undergo a wetland impact evaluation. evaluation.

Organize civic groups to plant native plant species Organize civic groups to plant native plant species and remove invasive species for all medium to high and remove invasive species for all medium to high quality wetlands twice a year. Medium to high quality quality wetlands twice a year. Medium to high quality wetlands are identified on Map 1 on page 6. wetlands are identified on Map 1 on page 6. APPENDIX 4 lists allowed native plant species to be APPENDIX 4 lists allowed native plant species to be planted.planted.

Appoint one person, agency, or develop a Appoint one person, agency, or develop a relationship with a nonprofit, who will be responsible relationship with a nonprofit, who will be responsible for daily maintenance of wetlands (specifically for daily maintenance of wetlands (specifically removal of invasive species removal of invasive species

Establish a 100 ft buffer around all wetlands that are of high Establish a 100 ft buffer around all wetlands that are of high valuevalue

Establish a 75 feet buffer around all medium and low rated Establish a 75 feet buffer around all medium and low rated wetlandswetlands

Install sediment detention ponds in properties that contain or are Install sediment detention ponds in properties that contain or are adjacent to a wetland adjacent to a wetland

Install bioretention cells in Eastgate Mall parking lot and other Install bioretention cells in Eastgate Mall parking lot and other impervious surfaces in Lower Booker Creek over 2 acres impervious surfaces in Lower Booker Creek over 2 acres

Start a mitigation bank for undeveloped landStart a mitigation bank for undeveloped land Create zoning ordinance:Create zoning ordinance:

No new development in the floodplainNo new development in the floodplain Downgrade density requirements in a 50 foot area around Downgrade density requirements in a 50 foot area around

the floodplainthe floodplain The Town of Chapel Hill will publish a wetland management, The Town of Chapel Hill will publish a wetland management,

restoration, and creation guide to assist developers and restoration, and creation guide to assist developers and landowners whose property contains a wetland.landowners whose property contains a wetland.

Create and erect signs in recreation areas near wetlands Create and erect signs in recreation areas near wetlands that clearly define the importance of wetlands. that clearly define the importance of wetlands.

Develop a relationship with a naturalist at a Nature Center Develop a relationship with a naturalist at a Nature Center who will lead educational programs in the wetlandswho will lead educational programs in the wetlands

Increase the recreational value of wetlands by building a Increase the recreational value of wetlands by building a greenway that extends along the sewer easement in Crow greenway that extends along the sewer easement in Crow Branch watershedBranch watershed

THANK YOUTHANK YOU