MPDP VEGETATION ADVISORY WORKGROUP WORKSHOP #1

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1 DATE: TO: LOCATION: MPDP Vegetation Advisory Workgroup SWA Group Office, 1245 West 18 th Street Meeting Purpose: Workgroup Orientation Introduce Participants to the Project Goals Develop a Statement of Purpose for the Workgroup Review Resources and Tools Review Workgroup Schedule The following summary presents the general discussion topics and proceedings from the meeting. 1. Introductions and Welcome - a. Workgroup participants made introductions and provided a brief summary of affiliations and interests related to the project. b. The Workgroup s role was reaffirmed as advising and helping to develop a revegetation plan for the Memorial Park Demonstration Project. Workgroup member are not expected to necessarily support the project or expect that it will go through the permitting hurtles. This project is separate from the Buffalo Bayou Demonstration Project in that it will be used as an opportunity to study and implement best planting practices for natural stable channel design. The Workgroup is not be associated with the Demonstration Project. Any opinions on the Demonstration Project whether pro or con will not be used by FCD to show support or opposition for this other project. c. Workgroup is being asked by FCD to take ownership of the process, not the outcome. d. City of Houston, River Oaks Country Club and HCFCD are all partners in the project, each contributing a third of the cost. e. The Workgroup is set up to assist FCD. The project presents opportunities to learn new tricks and methods from the Workgroup that can be applied to the MPDP as well as other existing and future projects. f. Success of the Memorial Park Demonstration Project hinges on vegetation establishment, development over time, and long term management. Page 1

2 g. Vegetation is one of the factors associated with this project that is most important, yet misunderstood. h. The ultimate Buffalo Bayou landscape and its development over time was least understood by the public and the project team. Workgroup will roll up its sleeves and work through the details with FCD on recommendations. i. A three-pronged process will be followed for the planting plan to reach vegetation success: i. Establish appropriate plants; ii. Monitor the establishment and succession; and, iii. Maintain the vegetation to address invasives, conveyance and access. j. An additional requirement is to communicate the proposed revegetation plan with others. k. Part of developing the revegetation plan starts with understanding the existing conditions, which is one of the agenda items. l. The Vegetation Advisory Workgroup will convene over the next few months to bring expert advice to the process. The focus at this first meeting is to set the Workgroup s goals objectives and a Statement of Purpose. 2. MPDP Goals and Objectives - a. The limits of the project were presented through images projected on a screen. b. FCD s goal for the project is to establish bankfull channel within the Buffalo Bayou corridor to transport the water and sediment delivered by its watershed in a manner that does not aggrade or degrade the channel bed over a long period of time. c. The Stream Function Pyramid diagram was presented to illustrate the feedback loop of a stream system and to identify the specific variables the project is intended to address. d. The effects of urbanization on stream stability was briefly discussed. e. One objective of the project is to demonstrate the benefits of collaborative efforts in addressing river instability. f. The project intends to establish a geomorphic foundation for healthy native riparian vegetation that will sustain the channel geometry. 3. Vegetation Advisory Workgroup Roles & Purpose Roles and responsibilities of the Workgroup were briefly described as follows: a. FCD Meeting facilitation, scheduling, agenda development. Page 2

3 b. SWA Group Technical support; capture and record decisions/successes; and, note taking to record outcomes not minutes, per se. SWA is also responsible for Planting Plan deliverable. c. Workgroup Members Bring expert knowledge; anticipate topics and possibly invite other experts to participate in specific discussions (Members are requested to come to FCD with suggestions for including others); and, to complete some homework as needed to prepare for each workshop. d. Others Contractors to participate for relevant topics. e. Resources BOX ftp site. Basic ground rules of the Workgroup were discussed, including: a. Meetings in a workshop format will support the goal of the Workgroup to complete tasks within a short timeframe. b. Everyone will come to the meetings prepared to participate and contribute. c. Everyone is to be heard. Workgroup members will be tasked to manage discussions, and possibly invite guests to speak on specific topics. d. Silence is consent. e. Potential use of straw votes and parking lots may be appropriate. As may be the need to check back home. f. The Workgroup brainstormed others ground rules and concurred that the stated ground rules are appropriate and complete. The Workgroup then discussed the content of a Statement of Purpose. The Workgroup was encouraged to think about what each participant personally brings to the table, the interests of their constituents, and the benefits anticipated from this process. After some discussion, the first statement below was drafted by the group and was then edited to the following, second paragraph: Initial Draft: Develop a model for sustainable BMPs for vegetation in riparian zone(s) that emphasizes/utilizes biodiversity and relies upon natural succession to develop native plant community whose structure promotes (given the limitations inherit within an altered, high-flow urban system) the principle function: sediment stabilization, wildlife habitat, public use, resistance to invasive species, capacity to adapt to climate change, minimizes need for external/active management, embrace property values. Revised Draft: The workgroup challenges a diverse expertise to develop a model for sustainable, best management practices for vegetation implementation in Buffalo Bayou s riparian zones. The proposed vegetation should/will emphasize biodiversity Page 3

4 while relying upon natural succession to secure a native plant community whose structure upholds the principle functions; sediment stabilization, wildlife habitat, public use, resistance to invasive species, capacity to adapt to climate change, minimizes need for external/active management, and enhances land value. 4. Public Release of Information Information provided during the project and for the benefit of the project will be as follows: a. Communication through Website link meeting notes and meeting notices and agendas. b. Workshop materials through Website link map atlas and other materials as developed for the workshop meetings. c. Final Workgroup Deliverables through Website link - to be determined. 5. Local Riparian Characteristics and Reference Areas The Workgroup reviewed historical and current reference images of the project. It also discussed the public s perceptions that is driving some of the opposition to the project as well as information on existing forest condition. These include: Common public perception of project is represented by two groups: one wants things to remain as they are ( let Nature happen ) and the other sees a problem but thinks the proposed plan is too extreme to repair the damage. Idea of untouched by man isn t accurate. Property owners have taken measures to protect their own property. Vegetation removal is a concern. The project will have an overall increase in planting area. The discussion also touched on factors influencing the existing channel and vegetation. These include: The dam at the reservoir has 2 operable gates but was designed to have 5. When it rains, gates are closed. Buffalo Bayou is then monitored until it drains out. Timing can vary and is unpredictable both in duration and frequency. 2,000 CFS is the normal, operating flow rate as measured at Piney Point Gauge Station. The water surface elevation is approximately 6.5 when gates at the dam are closed, at which time the flows in the channel are principally effluent; the water surface elevation is approximately 14 when the gates are open. Page 4

5 An 8 10 dead zone exists along the lower banks due to current USACE releases from the up-stream reservoirs. As the release rates are unlikely to change soon, the planting plan will need to respond to current conditions. The Workgroup reviewed a draft synopsis of the existing vegetation conditions and related information. This information will be up-dated over the duration of the project, and the Workgroup is invited to identify information to SWA to be recorded in the synopsis document. Information topics that are addressed include: a. The Buffalo Bayou Character past, present, future; b. Local habitat; c. Reference reaches or streams as available to model; d. Existing plant communities, species; and, e. Plant communities and missing species. 6. Review Construction Planting Sheets and Base Map for Planting Plan The Workgroup reviewed a draft base plan for the project. The plan depicts existing information including slopes and vegetation. Also illustrated are Planting Zones for Construction Plans to show contractor-responsible areas. The Workgroup discussed the anticipated process for the Planting Plan Development. 7. HCFCD Revegetation Program and Existing Term Contracts The Workgroup reviewed CMAR Responsible activities, including seasonal variability. The process / contracts to be used by FCD to revegetate and maintained typical projects was also discussed, including Turf Establishment, Tree Planting, Wetland Planting, Sensitive Habitat Maintenance, and Selective Clearing. The following points were cited: a. Wetland areas have been identified within the project scope of work. An area in excess of the mapped wetlands will be included as part of the planting plan. b. Small trees and shrubs may have been excluded from the tree survey. These serve important ecological functions. The survey only shows trees larger than 8 caliper. c. The tree survey includes additional attributes that can be reviewed with the Workgroup at the next meeting. d. Seasonal planting considerations should be used for the installation of various species. e. FCD has on-going, experimental planting plots that will be used to inform future planting work. Current results are likely to be too preliminary to have an impact on the project. Page 5

6 8. Review Project and Workgroup Schedule FCD reviewed the Construction Plan Refinement and Permitting and the anticipated Schedule for Construction. Also reviewed was future Workgroup Meetings and Topics including whether and when other, outside experts might be invited into the discussion. Suggested speakers might be: Eric Ruckstahl, TJ Marks, and others for discussions of plant materials; CMAR, Barry Ward, and others in discussions of implementation; Jay Daniel, and others in discussions of maintenance. 9. Action Items The Workgroup s next meeting on February 18 at 8:30 a.m. will be devoted to a site visit to see firsthand various locations within the project area and develop the dialogue further on local riparian characteristics. The group briefly discussed the sites to be visited, starting at the Bayou Bend parking lot. More details will be forwarded to the Workgroup later. Shared Box to be up later this week to include information presented in this meeting. Participants who took copies of the draft atlas with them were reminded to bring them back for additional inserts available at up-coming meetings: o Katy Emde o Jed Alpaca o Steve Hupp o Scott Barnes 10. Adjourn END Page 6