Steve Hightower’s Post

South Central Planning and Development Commission is hosting a Louisiana Watershed Initiative Region 6 Watershed Plan Stakeholder meeting this Tuesday (10/29), focused on supporting the implementation of strategic planning projects and policies that can reduce flood risk across Region 6 (which includes Point Coupe, West Baton Rouge, Iberville, Iberia, Ascension, Assumption, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Martin, St. Mary, Terrebonne, Lafourche, St., Charles, Jefferson, Plaquemines, and Orleans parishes).     We’ll briefly review Plan development progress, but our primary focus will be to discuss, refine, and prioritize (with local Planning Directors, or staff having similar local planning functions) those mechanisms and tools that could be deployed at the regional level that would: (1) avoid increasing land management burdens on locals, (2) support future development that is sustainable, (2) clearly communicate regional and local development priorities, and (4) support local economic development through more predictable and efficient land management policies region-wide. Register for this hybrid (in person and online) event by clicking the link here: arcg.is/1L8CLr 

Restoring oxbows in Iowa is providing a very positive return on investment. Oxbows are restored by digging out the sediment, deepening the water and reconnecting it to the nearby creek. This costs about $25,000. But then a one acre oxbow can hold a million gallons of water, preventing downstream flooding and filtering 60% of the nitrogen. The nature based solution is gaining momentum. During the first 20 years of the program about 200 oxbows were restored. But 50 projects were completed over the last two years in Iowa, improving water quality in local waterways and ultimately the Mississippi River.

🇺🇸 East Texans Oppose Plan to Flood Acres of Land to Boost DFW Water Supply - The Cost of Progress - Is It Worth It, or What is the Alternative? A proposal to construct the Marvin Nichols Reservoir, which would flood nearly 70,000 acres of land in East Texas, has met with significant opposition from local residents. The reservoir is intended to address the growing water needs of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, which is projected to require an additional 1.3 million acre-feet of water annually by 2080. The project, estimated to cost around $7 billion, would involve damming the Sulphur River and creating a reservoir capable of supplying water to about 3 million people. Local residents, however, are concerned about the displacement of families, the destruction of wildlife habitats, and the impact on the timber industry. The state would also need to acquire approximately 130,000 acres of land for conservation to offset the environmental impact, potentially through eminent domain. The project has been delayed multiple times since it was first proposed in the 1950s, but upcoming deadlines may force a decision soon.

Are you leveraging federal funding opportunities available? Need help, let me know. #stantecproud #stantecwater The article states: The funding is part of the federal government’s plan to address the impacts of drought in the overstretched Colorado River Basin. The influx of money is headed for Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming and Utah, the four states in the Colorado River’s upper basin. With applications due in mid-October, many organizations are in the early stages of deciding which projects to prioritize. Funding announcements are expected in spring 2025. 

South Central Planning and Development Commission is hosting a Louisiana Watershed Initiative Region 6 Watershed Plan Stakeholder meeting this Tuesday (10/22), focused on supporting the implementation of strategic floodplain management projects and policies that can reduce flood risk across Region 6 (which includes Point Coupe, West Baton Rouge, Iberville, Iberia, Ascension, Assumption, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Martin, St. Mary, Terrebonne, Lafourche, St., Charles, Jefferson, Plaquemines, and Orleans parishes). We’ll briefly review Plan development progress, but our primary focus will be to discuss and refine with local floodplain managers and their staff (1) areas projected to experience increased flood risk and (2) the implementation of reasonable policies and higher standards related to Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs), the Community Rating System (CRS), floodplain and fill standards, and adaptive building treatments (like fortified roofs)—all in support of isolating effective and feasible regional floodplain management actions that best support communities in Region 6 in the years to come. Register for this event by clicking the link here: arcg.is/0gb1cy.

The Cameron Peak Reforestation Group (CPRG) formed in response to the Cameron Peak Fire, the largest fire in Colorado history. It burned more than 200,000 acres in northern Colorado in 2020, and more than half of that area burned at high severity. The group works collaboratively to bring resources to help landowners recover and reforest following the Cameron Peak and High Park fires.   Since 2021, CPRG has worked together with hundreds of volunteers, business partners, and donors to plant more than 35,000 trees. We would not be able to do this work without the support of our local community. And of course, with so much interest in tree planting, we get a lot of questions about our reforestation efforts. So, here are some of the most commonly asked questions. https://lnkd.in/gcBKPyaG

Unlocking the Secrets: Bringing Lake Michigan Water to Lindenhurst Discover the behind-the-scenes efforts and challenges faced in bringing Lake Michigan water to Lindenhurst. Learn about the allocation process, the role of Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and the impact on the community's water supply. Find out why this solution was necessary due to the drying up of local wells. #LakeMichiganWater #WaterSupply #LindenhurstCommunity #IllinoisWaterResources #AllocationProcess #LocalWells #WaterInfrastructure #SustainableWaterSupply #CommunityDevelopment #WaterManagement

MMSD launched its Greenseams program in 2001. "almost 5,400 acres — either in acquisitions or through land conservation easements. We estimate these lands have the capacity to store over 3 billion gallons of water". Greenseams is one of multiple strategies MMSD is using to address flood risk—for example, $400 million worth of urban projects—including massive stormwater retention and levee systems. https://lnkd.in/geXKi6h6

❓ If you’re confused about everything going on in the Latrobe Valley, and the implications for the Durt’Yowan (Latrobe River), you’re not alone. From mine rehabilitation plans, to water reallocation to developing the vision for the water future for the Latrobe Valley – there’s a lot happening. Luckily West Gippsland CMA’s Strategic Lead – Latrobe, Anthony Goode (Goodie) is here to bring us up to speed as we continue our work to restore Durt’Yowan from a working river to a river that works again. What's been happening: 👉 Public consultation on the environmental effects of the Hazelwood Rehabilitation Project will open later this year. ✍️ We’ll keep you posted on your chance to have input. 👉16 gigalitres of water 💧 (that’s 16 billion litres) previously reserved for future mine expansion will be reallocated to Traditional Owners, irrigators and the environment. 👉Organisations across Gippsland’s water sector are scoping a joint vision and plan for the water future of the Latrobe River. This is an exciting opportunity to reimagine the water future of the Latrobe for the benefit of the whole Gippsland community and environment. We’ll also keep you posted on how this partnership is progressing and how you can be involved. 🤝 👉Want to know more? Get the full update at https://bit.ly/3TSaYtL 〰️ West Gippsland CMA is working with Traditional Owners, government, community groups and partner organisations to continue the long process of restoring Durt’Yowan (Latrobe River) from a working river to a river that works again. Find out more at https://bit.ly/3Vrsc2d #CMAsGetItDone #Latrobe #DurtYowan #Gippsland #WaterWednesday

📣ICYMI: Daily Herald - Once the work is completed next year, the basin will be added to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago’s StormStore program. The $6 million flood-prevention project now underway in Wheeling should end decades of soggy suffering for residents of one neighborhood. The work targets the South Dunhurst subdivision, which is south of Dundee Road and east of Elmhurst Road. The neighborhood was built in the 1950s, and it doesn’t have a modern, underground stormwater system to keep its 183 homes dry. That program connects real estate developers who need to meet Cook County stormwater management requirements with landowners in the same watersheds whose properties have preapproved detention areas. Deals between the two parties then can be struck independently. As a result, the basin could have a positive impact for Wheeling beyond the homes that surround it. “The stormwater credits generated by the project can be used to attract and incentivize other projects that benefit our residents,” Village Manager Jon Sfondilis said. The South Dunhurst basin won’t be the village’s last flood-control project. Planning is underway for more improvements in town, including a new culvert beneath a northern stretch of Wheeling Road and bank stabilization along Buffalo Creek. And when they’re done, a new stormwater master plan will be developed, Wheeling Public Works Director Dan Kaup said. 📰 https://lnkd.in/dfpYvFgj The Daily Herald #MWRD #CookCounty #Wheeling #WheelingIllinois #StormwaterManagement #WastewaterTreatment MWRD - What We Do: https://lnkd.in/dRwC97wm