Hayley Lovan, Jennifer Eckert, Scott E. Stonestreet, Colette Diede 1
Regulatory and floodplain agencies typically disagree on acceptable methods of flood control, appropriate levels of alternative analysis, and mitigation requirements. To ensure that alternative plans integrated engineering and environmental concerns, a new strategy was initiated for the Mojave River in 1993. The Corps of Engineers (Corps) and the San Bernardino County Flood Control District (District) developed an interim floodplain management plan (IFMP) which conserved environmental resources and protected life and property at immediate flood risk. The plan, implemented in 1994, minimally cleared the channel along the upstream urban reach and selectively removed constrictions along the downstream undeveloped reach.
We emphasize that issuance of 404 (and other) permits was a separate action from the IFMP. Consent on the plan was facilitated by closely coordinating with the resource agencies (having jurisdiction) throughout the study. We incorporated their concerns and suggestions as the plan was developed which helped facilitate a mutual trust and understanding. As a result, it was agreed to implement the IFMP and alleviate the immediate flood risk while deferring determination of mitigation relative habitat values and mitigation credits to the long-term study. This paper discusses the environmental, hydraulic, and conflict resolution techniques used.
