Resource Tools

links to tools go here

California Watershed Assessment Manual

Guidelines for assessing and monitoring conditions in a watershed.

Draft Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect our Waters

This draft handbook is intended to help agencies develop and implement watershed plans to meet water quality standards and protect water resources.

Ecosystem-Based Management Tools Network

Ecosystem-Based Management (EBM) is a management approach to address the challenges of human activities on land and in the ocean that are changing coastal and marine ecosystems. It considers all ecosystem components, including humans and the environment, rather than managing one issue or resource in isolation. EBM tools are software or other processes that can help implement EBM by: • Providing models of ecosystems or key ecosystem processes. • Generating scenarios illustrating the consequences of different management decisions on natural resources and the economy. • Facilitating stakeholder involvement in planning processes.

Green Streets: Innovative Solutions for Stormwater and Stream Crossings

Tools for designing streets.

Impervious Surface Analysis Tool

The Impervious Surface Analysis Tool (ISAT) is used to calculate the percentage of impervious surface area of user-selected geographic areas (e.g., watersheds, municipalities, subdivisions). ISAT is available as an ArcView® 3.x, ArcGIS 8.x or an ArcGIS 9.x extension.

National LID Clearinghouse

This website has been developed through a Cooperative Assistance Agreement under the US EPA Office of Water 104b(3) Program in order to provide a web-based clearinghouse that allows researchers, practitioners, and program managers to collaborate and efficiently disseminate and share information with local governments, states, builders, developers, stakeholders, and environmental groups. The administrative and technical information available through this clearinghouse will be useful to permit writers, local government officials, watershed managers, and stakeholders.

Long-Term Hydrologic Impact Assessment

Online tool to help local government planners to measure the water quality impact of land use changes.

National Menu Stormwater Best Management Practices

The Menu of BMPs is based on the Stormwater Phase II Rule's six minimum control measures.

National Stormwater Quality Database

National database of Phase 1 stormwater monitoring data.

Scenario Planning

Scenario planning is a tool to help transportation professionals analyze various forces (health, transportation, economic, environmental, lan use) that affect growth. Developed by the Federal Highway Administration.

State of California General Plan Guidelines 2003

These advisory guidelines serve as a valuable reference for cities and counties in the preparation of local general plans.

StreamStats

A web-based tool that allows users to obtain streamflow statistics, drainage basin characteristics, and other information for user-selected sites on streams.

Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program

State Water Resources Control Board program to integrate existing water quality monitoring activities with the Regional Water Quality Control Boards and to coordinate with other monitoring programs.

TERC Stormwater Management Training Module

This training module provides on-line training for personnel responsible for stormwater management.

Water Resources Protection Ordinance

In an effort to clarify and streamline local permitting for streamside activities, representatives from the Santa Clara Valley Water District, cities, the county and business, agriculture, streamside property owners and environmental interests created a partnership known as the Water Resources Protection Collaborative. Among its many accomplishments is a manual of model guidelines and standards for land-use near streams.

California Farmland Protection Guide - Institute for Local Self Government

There is a growing recognition among farmers, conservationists and business leaders that a new pattern of growth is necessary to protect the agricultural economy. Local government will be a key player in implementing programs to manage and redirect growth and protect the state’s most productive agricultural areas. This guide has been written to help local officials tailor such a program to fit their community’s needs.