Presentation Abstract

In 2011 the Gorst Creek Watershed Characterization Plan was published, using Puget Sound Watershed Characterization as the basis for identifying high priority areas within the watershed to protect and restore, as well as identifying those areas that are more suitable for development. During the summer of 2013, pursuant to citizen comments, Ecology updated the Watershed Characterization boundary and re-ran the model based on the new boundaries. Since that time the City of Bremerton and Kitsap County used the updated Watershed Characterization results as the basis for developing zoning options for consideration as part of the Gorst Subarea Plan. In December of 2013 Kitsap County and the City of Bremerton adopted the Gorst Watershed Plan and the Gorst Subarea Plan. This presentation will provide an overview of the process and an update on how the model results from Watershed Characterization were used as the basis for watershed-based land use zoning designations within the Gorst Creek subarea. The presentation will include an example of how specific development standards were created for buffers for the lower portion of Gorst Creek by starting with the results from the watershed characterization, and supplementing the model results with additional reach specific information. Through this process buffer standards were developed that provide incentives for increased buffer widths, increased use of native plants to enhance the buffer, and incentives to reduce impervious surface areas through redevelopment along the lower portions of Gorst Creek.

Session Title

Session S-07G: Integrating Landscape Scale Assessments Into Local Planning II

Conference Track

Planning Assessment & Communication

Conference Name

Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2014 : Seattle, Wash.)

Document Type

Event

Start Date

1-5-2014 3:30 PM

End Date

1-5-2014 5:00 PM

Location

Room 6E

Genre/Form

conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events)

Contributing Repository

Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.

Subjects – Topical (LCSH)

Wetland conservation--Washington (State)--Kitsap County; Weland ecology--Washington (State)--Kitsap County; Watershed management--Washington (State)--Gorst Creek Watershed; Regional planning--Washington (State)--Gorst Creek Watershed

Geographic Coverage

Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Kitsap County (Wash.); Gorst Creek (Wash.)

Rights

This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103, USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference Records, University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.

Type

Text

Language

English

Format

application/pdf

COinS
 
May 1st, 3:30 PM May 1st, 5:00 PM

Gorst Creek Watershed Characterization - Using Watershed Characterization to inform Development Standards

Room 6E

In 2011 the Gorst Creek Watershed Characterization Plan was published, using Puget Sound Watershed Characterization as the basis for identifying high priority areas within the watershed to protect and restore, as well as identifying those areas that are more suitable for development. During the summer of 2013, pursuant to citizen comments, Ecology updated the Watershed Characterization boundary and re-ran the model based on the new boundaries. Since that time the City of Bremerton and Kitsap County used the updated Watershed Characterization results as the basis for developing zoning options for consideration as part of the Gorst Subarea Plan. In December of 2013 Kitsap County and the City of Bremerton adopted the Gorst Watershed Plan and the Gorst Subarea Plan. This presentation will provide an overview of the process and an update on how the model results from Watershed Characterization were used as the basis for watershed-based land use zoning designations within the Gorst Creek subarea. The presentation will include an example of how specific development standards were created for buffers for the lower portion of Gorst Creek by starting with the results from the watershed characterization, and supplementing the model results with additional reach specific information. Through this process buffer standards were developed that provide incentives for increased buffer widths, increased use of native plants to enhance the buffer, and incentives to reduce impervious surface areas through redevelopment along the lower portions of Gorst Creek.