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<br />00"2J64 <br /> <br />Water quality. By restoring riparian habitat and wetlands, water quality can be improved <br />in rivers, creeks, groundwater basins, and in the ocean. The ability of wetlands and <br />riparian areas to remove pollutants from water is well documented (Baker and Westerhoff <br />2000; Husted 1997). <br /> <br />Restoration of natural hydrology. Restoring natural stream functions and their habitat <br />also helps to provide erosion control, reduce flood events, and manage sedimentation. <br />Erosion and sedimentation are now severe problems in the Tijuana River watershed. <br /> <br />Costs. It is becoming increasingly costly to build artificial river channels or traditional <br />concrete box channels in already developed areas. This is due not only because of direct <br />costs, but also because of indirect negative impacts downstream, such as increased <br />flooding, water pollution, and erosion. New approaches that reduce the volume and <br />velocity of storm water, and improve water quality, are proving to be cost effective, <br />especially when the multiple savings add up over long periods of time. <br /> <br />Greening the urban landscape. River restoration increases property values and can <br />encourage upscale development nearby-especially for tourism and recreational <br />purposes. In Denver, Colorado, river parks for the South Platte River and Cherry Creek <br />are excellent examples of increasing property values that result from urban river <br />restoration and green area development. <br /> <br />3 <br />