Meeting Water Quality Requirements with Native Plants throughout the Landscape

Workshop length: one day (six hours) - Jan 10, 2012

Presenters: Jeremy Haas, Chiara Clemente, and others

Jeremy Haas is a senior environmental scientist with the San Diego Water Board, serving as Enforcement Coordinator and supervisor of the Compliance Assurance Unit. He is a member of the executive committee of the Society of Wetland Scientists, Western Region and holds a master’s degree from the University of Maryland.
Chiara Clemente is a senior environmental scientist with the San Diego Water Board, serving as supervisor of the watershed unit. She oversees many programs, including Clean Water Act section 401 water quality certifications, storm water, nonpoint source pollution management, CEQA review, and dredging. She holds a master’s degree from San Diego State University.
Other Presenters TBD

Workshop goal(s) and target audience

The goals of the workshop are to learn the benefits and importance of using native plants to (1) fulfill California Water Quality Board requirements; and (2) protect and restore water resources. In addition, we will provide an overview of water quality standards. The target audience includes planners, water resource and landscape professionals, and community representatives.

Workshop content

he workshop will include classroom presentations from agency staff and private sector professionals structured around current and emerging water quality priorities. Presenters will describe how using non-native plants in projects from pollution prevention to cleanups increases risks to downstream water quality and beneficial uses of recreation, domestic and agricultural water supply, wildlife habitat, and fishing.
Presenters will describe ways to evaluate native plants for use in meeting water quality requirements. Workshop participants will receive summary materials.

Major topics

Major workshop topics will include water quality standards and current and emerging water quality priorities, such as low-impact development, storm water treatment, water resource restoration, cleanup of contaminated sediments, and water supply.