Comprehensive Watershed Analysis Virgin River and Tributaries Utah, Arizona, Nevada

1. Comprehensive Watershed AnalysisVirgin River and TributariesUtah, Arizona, Nevada Western States Water Council November 15, 2007

2. Virgin River Watershed 5,900 sq miles, 6 Counties ~200,000 population 85% Public land 67% BLM

3. August 2006- Study Kick Off First meeting of entire watershed ~70 Participants • Floodplain Management • Land Use Planning • Invasive Species • River Function • Water Supply Stakeholder Discussion Communication/Cooperation needs improvement. Don’t want just another report. Need useful tools and information to improve watershed management. Borders and jurisdictions are barriers to collaboration. Funding is insufficient to address issues within the watershed.

4. Study Participation

5. Study Components • Needs Analysis-identify issues with stakeholders, summarize ongoing efforts, reports. • Floodplain Management Strategy-integrated strategy, identifies priorities, tools for improved management. • Watershed Strategy-objectives and actions to address issues, includes implementation plan.

6. Floodplain Management Strategy • Formulate a Floodplain Management Strategy for implementation by stakeholders in the Virgin River watershed. • Key Characteristics • Comprehensive • Watershed-based • Coordinated • Consensus-driven • Non-structural • Implementable

7. Floodplain Issues/Tools • Technical • Floodplain delineations • Erosion hazard zone delineations • Design standards/guidelines • Regulatory • Floodplain Regulations, Drainage/Erosion hazard ordinances • Permitting/Regulatory streamlined processes • Land use planning • Communication • Contacts database • GIS database • Communication protocols/tools • Flood response plans • Environmental • Watershed/Habitat Management • Fire Management • Invasive Species Control • Environmental compliance – Regional EA/EIS • Education • GIS database • Public education informational materials • Community outreach presentations

8. Watershed Strategy Goals Established priorities for water resources planning and investment throughout the watershed. Collaboration to bring programs and resources together and provide integrated solutions.

9. Watershed Strategy Shared Objectives Actions, Tools, and Resources

10. Watershed Strategy Outline • Watershed Description • Watershed Issues • Goals/Objectives • Management • Invasive Species • Floodplain management • River Function • Land Use Planning • Water Resources (Quality/Supply) • Implementation Plan • Actions • Costs • Schedules • Funding Sources • Evaluation Criteria • Communication Plan • Tools • Floodplain Strategy • Tamarisk Toolbox • Planning Tools

11. Schedule Interim Report (USACE) – October 2007 Draft Floodplain Strategy – November 2007 Draft Watershed Strategy - December 2007 Agency Coordination –January 2008 – ? Adopt Strategy/Finalize ???? Study Completion/Final Report – June 2008

12. Questions • Point of Contact: • Scott K. Estergard • Water Resource Planner • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Los Angeles District • 3636 N. Central Ave, Suite 900 • Phoenix, AZ 85012 • Phone: 602-640-2004 ext. 242 • scott.k.estergard@usace.army.mil