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<br />URBAN STREAM RESTORATION PROGRAMS <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />For some communities in California, local and state agencies have """H7M the need <br /> <br />for a program to mitigate the adverse affects of flooding, erosion and bank instability. <br />California's Department of Water Resources (DWR) initiated the Urban Stream Restoration <br />Program in 1985 to assist communities in reducing damages from flooding and stream bank <br />instability as well as to restore environmental and aesthetic values of urban stream channels. <br />By encouraging the involvement of local agencies and citizens' groups, both paid and <br />volunteer, the DWR hopes to promote stewardship and maintenance of streams by <br /> <br />community members. <br /> <br />An urban stream restoration program can result in a variety of benefits, both to <br />individual property owners and to communities as a whole. These can be grouped into two <br />broad categories: reduction in property damages, and restoration of the natural values of the . <br />stream itself. <br />Damages to adjacent properties can be reduced by mitigating the effects of flooding, <br />erosion and stream bank instability through various restoration measures. The benefits <br />accruing to property owners are intact yards, minimal damages to trees, structures, and <br />landscaping, and healthier streamside parks. <br />Benefits of returning a stream to its more natural state are more stable stream banks, <br />restoration of the riffle-pool sequences enhancing fish habitat and other aquatic habitats, and <br />a more aesthetically pleasing ecosystem with riparian vegetation restored and wildlife habitats <br />protected. These benefits are identifiable yet difficult to quantify in dollar terms comparable <br /> <br />to the cost. Measuring homeowners' value of such benefits is important in documenting the <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />2 <br />