Stream Team Assistance
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Participants during a site visit |
When assistance is requested, the Stream Team makes recommendations concerning methods for flood control, stream bank erosion control, stream restoration, Section 404 mitigation, and other types of stream corridor, floodplain, wetland, or stream channel projects. In its recommendations, the Team considers all stream and riparian functions such as fish and wildlife habitat, water quality, sediment transport, and surface and ground water storage, recharge, and supply.
Although a number of regulatory agencies participate in the Team, the recommendations are advisory only, not regulatory. Stream Team advice can, however, make compliance with Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and other regulations easier. Upon request, the Stream Team can:
- Help with project planning by brainstorming alternatives and making recommendations.
- Informally review project proposals and offer suggestions on alternative methods.
- Review proposed ordinances for ways to allow or promote alternative methods.
Why Consider Stream Management Alternatives
To solve stream problems such as flooding and erosion, communities and developers traditionally used concrete lining and other “structural” techniques exclusively. Such techniques typically focused on only one or two stream functions or on a narrow set of objectives.
Today, these traditional techniques form only part of a whole “palette” of methods available to a project designer or engineer. Depending on stream conditions, non-structural or softer structural alternatives may be appropriate and may actually cost less.
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