ATTACHMENT 1. 319(h) Project Draft Framework
Project purpose: To establish an analysis method and set of criteria for identifying and prioritizing
reach-scale sites for stream incision/erosion rehabilitation projects in the Sonoma Creek Watershed.
Analysis Method: To use a GIS-based model that (1) quantifies, integrates, and weighs selected site
prioritization criteria, (2) uses field assessments to characterize indicators of the criteria and calibrate
Site Identification and Prioritization Criteria
Criteria
Proximity of
site to highvalue aquatic
habitat
Identification
of site as
contributor of
sediment to
stream
Indicator
Fish presence
Metric
Fish counts
Watershed health in
sub-basin
--Upstream land uses (%
agriculture, impervious
surfaces)
Reach-scale, in-stream
habitat quality
--Canopy cover, bank and
LWD shelter, frequency of
primary pools
--Summer water availability
--Bank incision and erosion
measurements
Evidence of long-term
supply
Evidence of current
supply
Evidence of channel
instability
Erosion/blowout
potential
--Measurable sediment
contributions in cubic
yards/foot of stream length
--Visible or measurable
suspended sediment
contribution
--Width:depth/
entrenchment ratios
(Rosgen classes)
--Channel geo- competence
--Presence of knickpoints,
headward erosion
--Presence of culverts,
dams, other structures
Data Sources
--Snorkel fish counts
--Electro fish counts
--Fish counts during
aquatic habitat
surveys
--Other documented
counts
--NOAA fisheries
salmonid recovery
assessment
--Land uses from
sediment source
analysis
--CDFG HAB 8 data
--Dry-reach and
seepage run data
--Laurel Collins data
--SEC GIS archives
--Field assessment
reports
--Field assessments
--Regional curve
study
--Geomorphic
units/geology maps
--Geomorphic units
mapping
--Geology maps
--Field assessments
Physical evidence of instream impacts
Restoration
feasibility of
site issues
Landowner willingness
Ease of access
Solution availability
Cost of potential actions
--Presence of erodible
bedrock, fine sediment in
bed and banks, lack of
protective vegetation
--Embeddedness, pool
filling, gravel
impermeability
--Suspended sediment in
water column
--Impacted benthic
macroinvertebrates, other
aquatic species
--Working partnership in
place
--Stream Stewards group
active
--Signed landowner
agreements
--Access agreements in
place
--MOU in place for access
on public lands
--Percent success of
comparable remediation
strategies in and beyond
watershed (e.g., alluvial fan
restoration, bank
revegetation, landslide
detention)
--Limiting factors
analysis
--Sediment source
analysis
--Ongoing
monitoring
--Landowner
database of signed
agreements
--Landowner
database of signed
agreements
--Project dossiers
--US EPA/TMDL
success stories
--SEC/partner
success stories
--Cost estimate for specific
--Final
project in place
project/planning
--Cost estimate available
reports
from comparable projects
Reference: A transferable protocol to identify and prioritize sites for watershed restoration under
Clean Water Act Programs, SEC and Watershed Sciences, 2010
(http://knowledge.sonomacreek.net/TMDL_Planning)