Water Resource Management

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STORMWATER & DRAINAGE RESOURCES

Managing Stormwater on


​Your Property

Getting Started with Stormwater Management

• After the Storm: A Citizen's Guide
• Our Islands, Our Water, Our Future
• Living Responsibly in Your Community
• ​Solving Drainage & Erosion: Homeowners Guide
• ​Tulalip Tribes: Rainwater Management

WETLANDS, LAKES & STREAMS RESOURCES

So You Have a Wetland...

Getting Started with Wetlands on Your Property

• ​Island County Planning Wetlands Resources
• ​Island County Planning Dept. Contact Us
• ​Types of Wetlands in Island County
• ​​WA Dept. of Ecology At Home with Wetlands​
• WA Dept. of Ecology Hiring a Wetland Professional
• ​Society of Wetland Scientists Database

Resources on Native Wetland Plants

• Wet Site Planting List
• Wetland Planting List
• ​WA DOE Aquatic Plant Manual
• ​Common Emergent Plant Species
• More Emergent Plant Species
• ​​Ponds & Aquariums Plant List
• ​Aquatic Vegetation Management & Control
• ​Common Emergent Plant Species
• More Emergent Plant Species​

If you need assistance in selecting native plant species specific to the wetland on your property, please contact Kelsi Mottet at (888) 678-4922.

BLUFF & SHORELINE RESOURCES

Got Waterfront Property?

Resources for High Bank & Bluff Properties

• Island County Shore Friendly Program
• ​Island County Planning Dept. Contact Us
• ​WSU Island County Shore Stewards Program
• Vegetation Management for Bluffs
• ​Role of Vegetation in Slope Stability
• ​Trees & Shrubs for Erosion Control OSU​​
• Native Plants for Soil Stabilization
• ​Sample Planting Plans
• ​Erosion Control Fabric​

Resources for Lowbank & Shoreline Properties

• Island County Shore Friendly Program
• ​Island County Planning Dept. Contact Us
• ​WSU Island County Shore Stewards Program
• Sound Water Stewards 
• NW Straits Shoreline Landowner Resources
• ​​Shore Stewards Guide to Shoreline Living​
• Your Marine Waterfront
• ​WA DOE Aquatic Plant Manual
• ​Soft Shoreline Stabilization
• ​Salt-Spray Tolerant Landscaping​
• Marine Shoreline Plant Species
• ​Marine Planting List​
• Sample Planting Plans
• ​​​Aquatic Vegetation Management & Control

If you need assistance in selecting native plant species specific to your high bank, bluff, or shoreline property, please contact Kelsi Mottet at (888) 678-4922.

LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES

Understanding "L.I.D."

An Introduction to Low Impact Development

• Stormwater Best Management Practices
• ​​​​​Tulalip Tribes: Rainwater Management

Rain Garden Basics

• Rain Garden Handbook of Western WA
• ​WSU Rain Garden Basics
• ​​Native Plants for Rain Gardens

Rain Water Collection

• ​Rainwater Collection - WA DOE
• ​Rainwater Use It or Lose It

EXAMPLES IN ACTION

Whidbey Island Conservation District staff can assist you with questions you have regarding water resource management, with specific emphasis on alternative stormwater management (ASM) - sometimes referred to as Low Impact Development or "LID." ASM emphasizes on-site treatment and infiltration of storm water as an alternative to conventional storm water controls. ASM practices encompass a variety of storm water management techniques, including bioswales, rain gardens, green streets, and permeable paving. These practices mimic the hydrology of the original, natural landscape, which allows rainfall to soak into the ground. These techniques also reduce the runoff of storm water into nearby water bodies, providing filtration of the water and recharge of ground water supplies.

Alternative stormwater management practices applicable to Island County include retaining native vegetation, minimizing clearing and grading, reducing impervious surfaces, infiltration of storm water using rain gardens and bioswales, and the use of native plants for residential and large-scale landscaping projects.

An important part of Whidbey Island Conservation District's mission is to continue to educate and provide outreach on the subject of Alternative Stormwater Management, with the goal that eventually Whidbey Island builders, planners, permitting agencies, and residents all consider incorporating ASM practices into every project in the early stages of development. To service this mission, Whidbey Island Conservation District offers an abundance of ASM-focused resources. To learn more, contact us at (888) 678-4922 and ask for Matt.