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Clark County launches "Santa Creek Solutions" stormwater planning; invites public input through Oct. 26 survey
Summary
County outreach staff outlined a stormwater management planning effort called Santa Creek Solutions focused on Upper Sandy/Santa Creek, describing three components (site problem identification and prioritized infrastructure solutions, business pollution-prevention outreach, and storm-pipe inspection/maintenance) and asking residents to complete a
Clark County Public Works outreach staff presented "Santa Creek Solutions," a stormwater management planning effort for the Sandy/Santa Creek watershed, and asked residents to provide input via an online survey open through Oct. 26.
"Santa Creek Solutions is a campaign we got going," Eric, the county outreach manager, told the neighborhood meeting. He said the effort responds to community feedback about pollution, debris and drainage problems and will feed a stormwater management action plan under the county's Phase I stormwater permit.
Eric described three main components: (1) identify locations in Upper Santa/Sandy Creek with drainage or pollution issues and develop prioritized stormwater infrastructure solutions such as rain gardens or detention features to improve water quality and trap sediment; (2) work with businesses on pollution prevention and best management practices; and (3) review and improve inspection, maintenance and repair programs for the county's storm-pipe network.
Eric said the county is building a public survey and outreach materials and that consultants will help prioritize problem areas and develop infrastructure concepts. He encouraged residents to use a QR code or the project URL to view open-house materials and the survey and noted the survey would remain open until Oct. 26.
Residents described visible garbage, sediment and overgrowth in local creeks. One neighborhood association member said, "I have been documenting the condition of Kirkland Creek... there are several places where you can't get to the creek because it's so overgrown. And when I kinda, you know, work my way down into it, in the creek, there's so much garbage and stuff." That resident had been posting photos to the neighborhood association Facebook page and urged the county to inspect and respond.
Eric said stormwater is the primary source of water pollution in the county's urbanized watersheds and that better upstream sediment control and targeted infrastructure can help reduce pollutants reaching streams. He acknowledged the presence of anadromous fish in some streams and said some restoration work qualifies for additional resources tied to species recovery requirements.
On funding, Eric said much of the work will be supported by the county's stormwater fee; he also noted county-owned properties and the county's 500+ miles of storm pipe will factor into the plan. The county will hold public open-house materials online and seek direct feedback from neighborhoods before finalizing infrastructure priorities and recommended actions.
Ending
Eric asked attendees to fill the survey and to report specific drainage locations, habitat concerns and known problem sites so the consultant can prioritize fixes. He said the county will post open-house materials and maps, and that the draft management plan will be shared with the public once consultants complete the prioritization work.
