How and where land is developed has enormous implications on water quality, availability and the aquatic resources. The water quality impacts of development are regulated through various state and federal laws, including the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System. Among other things, the permits require cities and the county to address the impacts of new development projects. The Local Government Commission (LGC) developed the Ahwahnee Water Principles as guidelines for aligning water management with local land use decisions and to help communities protect valuable water resources as they grow. The “Water Principles” can be tailored to meet local needs and conditions, allowing communities to translate appropriate best management practices (BMPs) into effective land use codes and ordinances.

Now the Local Government Commission is facilitating an innovative watershed-based planning project to help implement the principles in Ventura County. This first-of-a-kind project will align land and water policies to support integration of local land use planning efforts, stormwater management, watershed planning efforts and new federal environmental requirements. This effort will include regulatory recognition of Ventura’s renowned programs related to farmland and open space preservation and urban planning.

In January 2007, the Regional Water Board released the Draft Ventura County Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System Permit for the co-permittees of the Ventura Countywide Stormwater Quality Management Program. Within Ventura County, a number of planning and resource management activities are that are highly related to the opportunities within the new permit. Moreover, several cities have been adopting new codes that promote compact development and protect open space. The project will coordinate these activities to facilitate compliance with the new stormwater permit.