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<br />· Increased frequency of local flooding <br />· Increased pollutant concentrations and quantities in storm water <br /> <br />Recommendations <br /> <br />In order to sustain an adequate and sufficient abundance of diverse wildlife and <br />vegetation in a watershed, the watershed must first be in good health and have an <br />adequate supply of clean water. The importance of a diverse wildlife and plant population <br />is related to the ability of a watershed to perform at an optimal level, supplying its rivers, <br />creeks, and streams with water that can be used by all. By implementing sustainable and <br />use practices, a watershed can supply and help sustain a human population with drinking <br />water even in periods of severe drought. It is important that natural resources in the <br />watershed are protected and restored if a human population wishes to use the water <br />supplied by the watershed. <br /> <br />In order to facilitate a watershed-based perspective, a habitat survey should be <br />conducted in the Alamar River Valley, with emphasis on identifying riparian and wetland <br />habitats, groundwater recharge areas, and places in which riparian habitats can be <br />restored at a minimum cost. In addition, amphibian and bird surveys should be conducted <br />in the winter and spring to identify significant bird habitats for migratory birds and <br />endangered species, such as the least bell's vireo and the arroyo toad. <br /> <br />There are low-cost landscape architecture techniques and river restoration alternatives <br />that are appropriate for application in the Alamar River and would serve multiple <br />purposes such as flood control, riparian habitat protection, recreation, retaining storm <br />water resources on site, groundwater recharge, and water quality improvement. In <br />addition to landscape architecture techniques, land use planning ordinances can be <br />designed and enforced to ensure the protection of water and biodiversity resources in the <br />Alamar River Corridor and upstream in the larger watershed. Storm Water Asset Not <br />Liability, published by the Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers Watershed Council, <br />provides an overview of landscape architecture techniques and zoning ordinances, some <br />of which may be good models for the Alamar River. A number of examples of river parks <br />with riparian habitat protection or river restoration projects are to be found in Southern <br />California and include the Santa Margarita River, San Diego River (Mission Trails Park <br />and Santee), Campo Creek, Santa Ana River, and Los Angeles River. These are relevant <br />to the Rio Alamar case due to similarities in topography, vegetation, rainfall, and <br />encroaching human uses. It is suggested that IMPlan staff and regional stakeholders <br />review river park plans, visit the river parks, and interview planning staff in these nearby <br />sites. <br /> <br />34 <br />