Brush Creek Project Details

Background:

Brush Creek is a direct tributary to the Missouri River in the Kansas City region in Platte County, Missouri. Brush Creek is approximately 11 miles long; its watershed encompasses approximately 15,045 acres (or 23.5 square miles) and it is contained within the Missouri River Main-stem Basin. While still mostly undeveloped, the Brush Creek watershed is expected to experience rapid development over the next decade. The Brush Creek watershed hosts valuable natural resources, including wetlands, prairies, forests, streams, lakes and numerous tributaries.

The Brush Creek Mid-Shed is the area of focus for this project and it encompasses approximately 2,400 acres. The project area begins just north of the intersection of Highways 152 and I-435, continuing south along the I-435/Brush Creek Corridor to just south of the Highway 45 intersection (see Maps). Local and county planners are anticipating this area of the watershed to be completely developed within ten years. The rapid land-use conversion in this watershed will result in numerous road-stream crossings and land disturbance, resulting in an increase of sediment runoff from construction.

Objectives:

The primary objective of this project is to minimize the impacts of development on Brush Creek, and subsequent impacts to the Missouri River. The goal is to protect the stream habitat conditions with respect to recharge, hydrology, stream temperature, channel stability, riparian condition and sediment deposition. Plans are to implement strategies that would preserve the Brush Creek watershed natural resources, assist local government in land use planning and to educate the public about new methods that can be used to protect the stream from water quality impairments.

Structural and non-structural methods will be used such as conservation of natural sources (wetlands, streams, trees and other environmentally sensitive areas); zoning restrictions to direct and control densities and open space; and advanced structural control technologies to treat and manage runoff quantity and quality problems.

The five major goals for this project include:

1. Assess potential impacts in the watershed by: a) completing a watershed assessment and critical area protection strategy (WACAPS); and b) identifying best management practices (BMPs) that will protect the watershed
2. Plan and design a comprehensive watershed management plan that: a) involves citizens, developers, local and regional planners and other stakeholders; b) facilitates major focus groups, trainings, public meetings, design charrettes, survey analyses and planning; and c) raises public awareness through multi-media efforts and education events
3. Facilitate implementation of the plan by: a) promoting the adoption of BMPs and governing statutes; and b) providing developers with monetary and public relations incentives through a cost-share program;
4. Reduce pollutant loads based on BMPs pollution reduction data.
5. Evaluate and report project successes to watershed stakeholders, and transfer information to external stakeholders.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Grant funds will be used to minimize nonpoint source pollution in the Brush Creek watershed through the use of assessments, comprehensive planning, demonstrations, information/education and technical/monetary assistance. A Low Impact Development concept will be used to minimize pollutant loading to the stream and improve contemporary development practices to protect the natural resources within the watershed. A major area of focus is to minimize impervious surfaces, maximize contiguous green space and utilize green space for stormwater management. The principles of the nine key elements to a successful plan (under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act) will be implemented throughout this project.

• Watershed Assessment and Critical Area Protection Strategy (WACAPS)
  The WACAPS for the Project will provide for a watershed restoration and protection strategy for the purpose of offering general guidance to ongoing and future residential, commercial and industrial development.  WACAPS report 22K KB

• Watershed Planning
  Upon completion of the WACAPS, the report and recommendations will be used by the Platte Land Trust to establish BMPs that target specific water quality issues in the watershed. The Platte Land Trust plans to conduct six public meetings, two technical workshops and two design charrettes. The plan will include recommendation of covenants, easements, ordinances (including stream setback and buffer ordinances), codes and zoning requirements to protect the watershed. The principles of the nine key elements for a watershed management plan will be used.  Comprehensive Plan 69K KB

• Water Quality Monitoring
  A Water Quality Monitoring program that provides qualified measurement of physical, chemical, and biological data of Brush Creek will be developed and implemented. Contract support for various aspects of the water quality monitoring may be pursued as necessary. The physical monitoring will include measurements and discussion of the stream banks, streambed strata, stream widths, riparian covers and flow rates. Chemical monitoring is likely to include measurements of nitrates, ammonia, sediment, biochemical oxygen demand and dissolved oxygen. Biological monitoring will include sampling for macroinvertebrates and notation of other general aquatic species. To learn more about monitoring efforts, go to the Stream Team or the Water Quality Monitoring pages.

• Outreach and Education
  The Project will develop and implement outreach and education materials, including slide show, exhibit, brochure, articles and an informational website. The focus of the material will be to educate developers on the cost-benefits of low impact development, such as reduced construction costs, increased net profits and faster sales.

• Cost-Share Incentive Program
  The Project will develop an incentive program for developers and homeowners. The program will provide cost-share assistance for better construction site designs (commercial and residential subdivisions) and both erosion control and storm water BMPs. Practices, components and average costs to be offered through the program will be established.  Learn more about the Cost-Share Program.

• Conservation Demonstrations
  Three low-impact conservation developments will be demonstrated in the watershed: commercial, residential and/or mixed-use. BMPs for storm water management will be integrated throughout each site to maintain high infiltration and reduce runoff potential. The conservation site designs may include a combination of reduced road widths and lengths, increases in common green space, utilization of contiguous green space for stormwater management, retention of natural landforms, reduction of conventional commercial and multifamily parking lot area, retention of native prairies rain gardens and others. Demonstrations will target a reduction of increased imperviousness by 20%.

• Conservation Easements
  The project coordinator will develop conservation easement opportunities for set-aside lands and coordinate legal contractual services where appropriate. Covenants may incorporate wellhead protection strategies, protection of riparian stream buffers and protection of aquatic and wildlife habitats. Project will target three conservation covenants or easements by end of project.