12-12-10-Resolution-Supporting the Protection of the Watershed-12/06/2010I
RESOLUTION # .r 12-12-10
A RESOLUTION BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF SANGER,
RECOGNIZING THE NECESSITY OF PROTECTING OUR LIMITED
WATER SUPPLY RESOURCES FROM POLLUTION; ENDORSING
WATERSHED PROTECTION AS AN URGENT REGIONAL
PROGRAM FOR THE COUNTY, CITIES, CITYS AND UTILITIES
LOCATED IN THE WATERSHED OF LEWISVILLE LAKE; AND
EXPRESSING OUR INTENTION TO PARTICIPATE IN
WATERSHED PROTECTION STRATEGIES TO PRESERVE AND
PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT AND TO SAFEGUARD THE
WHEREAS, the City of Sanger is located in the Lewisville Lake watershed; and
WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes that in the long -run our "watershed address" could be
as significant for the well-being of our neighborhood as our "street address"; and
WHEREAS, the watershed of Lewisville Lake is an area of on -going growth and development;
and, the population in this watershed is expected to continue to increase, rapidly transforming the
upper reaches of Lewisville Lake and its watershed from a rural setting to an area with urban
characteristics; and
WHEREAS, we believe that a coordinated Watershed Protection Program will help preserve,
protect and enhance existing waterways in this vital watershed, including greenbelts, floodplains,
streams, riparian lands, and wetlands; and
Resolution No. 2010-
?age 2 of 3
WHEREAS, these waterways and environmental assets extend into and through each
community in this watershed - -thus, knitting homes, businesses and communities into a greater
neighborhood - - with shared environmental resources to sustain a high quality of life for each
community; and
WHEREAS, Upper Trinity Regional Water District, has developed a list of suggested Sty ategies
and Key Elements for watershed protection, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A; and
WHEREAS, it is advisable to advance the Lewisville Lalce Watershed Protection Program in a
cooperative manner with neighboring communities, considering appropriate policies and actions
that will help preserve and protect water resources - - right where we live.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF SANGER:
SECTION 1. That the City Council endorses the timeliness of Watershed Protection, as
outlined in the preamble of this resolution, to protect the water assets and water resources that
are essential elements of our community's health, economy and quality of life.
SECTION 2. That the City Council expresses its intention to participate in a coordinated
Lewisville Lake Watershed Protection Program - - to help protect the watershed, right where we
live, knowing that the quality of life for our people depends on preservation of these
irreplaceable water assets.
SECTION 3. That the City Council does hereby direct staff to review the attached Strategies
and Key Elements for timely recommendations and for incorporation of appropriate items into
local policies, practices and standards.
Resolution No. 2010-
?age 3 of 3
SECTION 4. That the City Council wishes to express its appreciation to the Upper Trinity
Regional Water District for serving in a continuing role as facilitator for the development and
implementation of a coordinated Watershed Protection Program with strategies and best
management practices for the protection of our watershed.
SECTION 5. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its passage.
DULY PASSED AND APPROVED THIS &7 DAY OF 2010.
The City of Sanger, Texas
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Thomas Muir, Mayor
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Attest: ` ,'
Tami Taber, City Secretary
Attachment: Exhibit A: Strategies and Key Elements of tlse Lake Lewisville Watershed Protection Program
STRATEGIES AND KEY ELEMENTS OF TIIE LEWI3VILLE LADE
WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM
Protecting our fragile watersheds a priority need for every citizen and every community. The
greenbelts and floodplains, streams and waterways, riparian lands and wetlands: all are unique and
irreplaceable. These are the important assets that a watershed protection program is designed to preserve
and safeguard. Our quality of life and safe drinking water for our families - - all depend on being
successful in watershed protection.
Strategies (the tools) for a successful Watershed Protection Program can be quite varied, but typically will
include many of the following measures and activities:
1. STRATEGIES FOR PROTECTING WATERSHEDS
• Preservation of existing natural areas, including flood plains and riparian lands.
• Enforcement of erosion control measures at consh•uction sites.
• Establishing guidelines for use of fertilizers and chemicals in landscaped areas, to minimize
runoff.
• Use of organic practices for landscape and gardening activities.
• Recycle yard clippings into organic compost.
• Improving native vegetation in buffer zones between waterways and developed areas.
• Using floodplains for parks and open space, for habitat and for utility corridors or trail
systems.
• Use of voluntary conservation easements to acquire property rights to valuable greenbelt
landI enabling the preservation of these resources for future generations.
• Conversion of braided streams and gravel its to wetlands or greenbelts.
• Using water assets and resources for community recreation; for educational purposes, and to
enhance quality of life.
• Cooperation and collaboration between communities who jointly share water resource assets
such as creeks and other elements of the common watershed.
• Promoting public education and watershed awareness programs.
• Installation of Watershed Awareness Signs in public places and along roadways.
Page 1 Exhibit A
Upper Trinit)� Regional water District o P.O. Box 305 o Lewisville, Texas 75067 0 972-219-1228 o www.utr�a�d.com
2. KEY ELEMENTS FOR A WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM
• Establishing Greenbelts. A coordinated Watershed Protection Program by the communities
located in the Lewisville/Grapevine Lake watershed will help preserve and protect existing
waterways, greenbelts, floodplams, streams, riparian lands and wetlands. These assets perform
the vital function of filtering out pollutants such as pesticides and fertilizers and other harmful
chemicals from entering the streams and waterways, thereby helping safeguard the quality of
water entering water supply lakes.
• Protecting Water Quality. We all live in a watershed, the area around our neighborhood or
community from which rainwater drains to a common waterway. A watershed includes yards,
roadways, parks, construction sites, streams, flood plains, etc.
A. Each person's individual actions in the watershed directly affect the valuable downstream
water resources. Everyday activities around homes and businesses have an impact - -
either good or bad - - on the watershed.
B. Trash left in the watershed is a common problem - - both a pollutant to the water and an
eyesore to the neighborhood. Community groups often organize volunteers to help clean-
up local waterways.
C. Overuse or improper use of fertilizer, pesticides and other chemicals in landscape
activities is a significant source of pollutants that find their way into water resources.
Therefore, key strategies to protect water quality include the development of guidelines to
educate the public about such pollutants, and encouraging the use of organic practices in
gardening and landscapes. A strong educational program in schools and for the public about
protecting watersheds and water quality is vital. A typical theme for public information can be:
'Do you know your watershed address?"
• Water Conservation. Water is a precious resource for life. In planning for adequate future water
supplies, conservation of existing resources at home and at work is a first step. Communities
working together, offering public information programs concerning earth -friendly landscape
techniques and irrigation practices can be a major strategy for water conservation. As a double
benefit, the strategies that promote water conservation also tend to protect the quality of water
resources. For example, the Texas Smartscape° program encourages the use of organic
techniques for landscaped areas (requiring less fertilizers, pesticides and other chemicals) to help
conserve water, and to protect water quality, also.
• Collection of Household Hazardous Waste. Proper disposal of Household Hazardous Waste
helps protect the watershed and our drinking water resources. Many typical household products
such as solvents, pharmaceuticals, cleaning supplies, batteries, paint, pesticides and weed killer
pose potential hazards to our drinking water sources. Working with the communities in the
watershed, Upper Trinity sponsors a program to safely collect and dispose of such leftover
hazardous materials from households.
• Education/Public Awareness. Watercourses extend into and through each community in the
watershed - -knitting neighborhoods and communities together with a shared environmental
resource. Strong public education, public awareness and outreach programs must play a major
role in the success of water quality preservation and protection measures.
Page 2 Exhibit A
Upper Trinity Regional \eater District ®P.O. Box 305 ®Lewisville, Texas 75067 ®972-219-1228 ®��ww.utrwd.com