WaQSP HABITAT PLANNING ELEMENT
After three years, 125 stakeholder meetings, 200 individual comments, and numerous unofficial discussions, the final Salt Lake Countywide Water Quality Stewardship Plan (WaQSP) was published in August of 2008. The FINAL WaQSP Habitat Planning Element is now available for public use. Please let us know if there are any comments or suggestions (801.468.2711).
BACKGROUND
The physical habitat in the Salt Lake Countywide Watershed has been degraded by various activities in the past, including: encroachment and modification by development, hydraulic alteration for flood control, increased runoff, and sediment loads from land use changes. The WaQSP Habitat Planning Element considers the quantity and quality of aquatic, riparian and wetland habitat along the stream corridors in the Salt Lake Countywide Watershed.
SCOPE
1. Document and assess existing aquatic, terrestrial and wetland
habitat conditions of watersheds within Salt Lake County.
2. Review anticipated future aquatic, terrestrial and wetland habitat
conditions of watersheds within Salt Lake County.
3. Identify habitat deficiency types.
4. Review mechanisms to preserve, conserve, and restore streams.
MAJOR RECOMMENDATIONS
Develop wetland mapping that goes beyond existing data (NWI, SAMP, Jordan River WAIDS, Albion and Brighton Basins data).
Develop a watershed-wide inventory and functional analysis of stream segments and/or riparian corridors that are interrupted or disconnected.
Develop a comprehensive inventory of fish and eventually macroinvertebrates in County streams.
Develop a staged, comprehensive geomophological assessment of County streams and rivers.
Conduct a Countywide mapping of past and current riparian corridors.
Work with established programs to acquire easements and parcels adjacent to Salt Lake County streams and river.
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