Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Watershed Protection topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Watershed Protection launches multi‑phase Rain to River strategic plan with focused outreach to underserved communities
Summary
Watershed Protection staff outlined Rain to River, a comprehensive strategic plan update for Austin’s creeks and communities, emphasizing inclusive community engagement, partnership with consultants and a community activation group, and a phased outreach program running through September with a draft plan this winter.
Watershed Protection presented the Rain to River strategic plan update to the Environmental Commission on July 2, 2025, describing a multi‑year effort to replace a nearly 25‑year‑old strategic plan and to center equity, climate resilience and community engagement in watershed priorities.
Erin Wood, planning team manager and lead for the Rain to River project, said the existing strategic plan dates from 2001 and the department needs an updated framework for priorities, measurable objectives and community communication. The new plan will define aspirational goals, objectives, metrics and prioritization criteria for addressing flooding, erosion and water quality across Austin’s watersheds.
The planning team emphasized outreach to communities historically excluded from watershed planning. Sari Albornoz, a senior planner and community engagement lead, described a Phase 1 engagement (2022–2023) that produced nearly 3,000 survey responses, multiple focus groups, a paid community ambassador program and six $5,000 mini‑grants to grassroots partners to bring input from priority stakeholders including communities of color, low‑income residents, non‑English speakers, disabled residents, and people experiencing homelessness. Consultants (Jordan Macklem/MEN Collaborative, Measure, NGO SynTech) are assisting with data synthesis and plan development.
The commission heard a prioritized set of community objectives distilled by a Community Activation Group (CAG). The top priorities (in CAG order) are: equity and inclusion; flood mitigation and emergency preparedness; climate resilience and sustainability; natural resource protection and restoration; trust and collaboration; accessibility and public engagement; sustainable development and growth; support for unhoused and vulnerable populations; education and youth engagement; and innovation and leadership.
Phase 2 engagement launched June 18 and runs through Sept. 15; it centers a web survey asking residents to help prioritize trade‑offs the department will face under constrained budgets. Phase 3 will seek input on a draft plan this winter, with the department aiming for City Council adoption next spring. Staff said they will continue interim actions where feasible, including adding mental health resources to flood‑safety pages, flood‑safety signage at critical drainage channels, and piloting document storage with the Austin Public Library for people at risk of losing vital records.
Commissioners asked about coordination with external partners such as LCRA, outreach to schools and youth, timeline and cadence for future plan updates, and opportunities for the commission to form a working group to review draft materials. Staff said they will share the Capital Projects Explorer link and a social media kit, and they invited commissioners to help distribute the Phase 2 survey to neighborhood networks and community events.
