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Everything Creeks!

Raul M. Rojas, Director, Public Works

No matter where you live, your actions influence watersheds and creeks. In Marin, all storm drains flow directly to local creeks, bays or the ocean without treatment.

Marin County has over 3000 miles of natural creeks. Some of the creeks remain relatively natural, while others have undergone many changes such as dams and channel alteration resulting from development within the watershed.

To find out about individual watersheds and the plants, animals and fish that are part of the watershed, visit the Marin Watersheds website

Learn more about how you can protect Marin’s creeks and watersheds:

 

Creek Groups in Marin County

Protect your local creek by participating in your local creek group

Group Contact Phone
Friends of Corte Madera Creek Sandy Guldman (415) 456-5052
Friends of Novato Creek Sue Lattanzio (415) 883-8339
Friends of Willow Creek (Sausalito) Steve Moore (415) 453-4482 x202
Gallinas Watershed Council Russ Greenfield (415) 578-2580
Miller Creek Watershed Stewards Ray Lorber N/A
Salmon Protection & Watershed Network Todd Steiner (415) 488-0370
Streamkeepers (Mill Valley) Joyce Britt (415) 388-4187
Tam Valley Watershed Group Elizabeth McKee (415) 381-0875
Tomales Bay Watershed Council Neysa King (415) 868-9081
Trout Unlimited Erik Young (206) 681-5148
Watershed Alliance of Marin Laura Chariton (415) 234-9007

Creek Permits

Most creek repair work requires permitting through the following agencies:

  • Your local municipality
  • The California Department of Fish and Wildlife
  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
  • The Regional Water Quality Control Board
  •  and occasionally other agencies such as the Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC)

See below for helpful guidance and resources. Also, check out the San Francisco Regional Water Board's stream maintenance and enhancement projects best management practices and permit requirements and Marin County Guide to Creek and Wetland Permits for additional information.

Note: Permitting agencies favor projects with design elements that will protect and enhance the natural environment. See our Creek Care Guide and Repairing Creekbank Erosion for more information.

Local Permits

If you're considering a project in or near a creek or other waterbody, contact your local municipality to find out if you'll need a permit and for local applications and fees. Most municipalities require a creek, building, or grading permit for construction in or near a creek or other waterway.

This creek permit check list specifies the information typically needed to evaluate a project that includes work in and around creeks. By using the checklist, your project may be reviewed more quickly because the staff reviewing the permit will have the information they need to determine the potential impacts and benefits of the proposed project.

Does Your Project Require California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Review?

Contact your local municipality to find out if local CEQA review is necessary. The main purpose of CEQA review is to identify and prevent significant potential environmental impacts from proposed projects. CEQA review is usually handled by the local Planning Department. If CEQA review is required, you'll need to complete the review before regional, state or federal permits are issued.

Marin Project Coordination (MPC) - Free Advice

MCSTOPPP holds monthly meetings to help guide potential project applicants through the environmental and regulatory permit process. Project applicants share their prospective creek projects for free input and constructive feedback from staff of the permitting agencies. These meetings are intended to provide a forum for interaction and input, not public comment or regulatory action.

For information about the MPC, or to be placed on the agenda, call MCSTOPPP staff at (415) 473-3748.

Combined Permit Application Under JARPA

In addition to local permits, you may need permits from federal, state, and regional agencies before you can begin your project. Obtaining some permits can be a lengthy process and may sometimes take up to a year depending on the complexity of your project.

Depending on the permitting agency, you may be able to save some time by using the JARPA application to apply for permits for your creek related project. The Bay Area Joint Aquatic Resources Permit Application (JARPA) is for development, construction, grading, erosion repair, dredging, or restoration activities in or near Bay Area aquatic environments. It allows applicants to fill out one application and submit copies of the same information to participating state, federal, and regional agencies involved in the permitting process; however, some of the information may be required to be formatted differently by individual agencies (e.g. one agency may need maps or plans in a size larger than another agency). Be sure you are providing a complete application by using the correct format required by each agency. Contact information for permitting agencies is provided below.

State and Federal Permitting Agencies

California Department of Fish and Wildlife
P.O. Box 47, Yountville, CA 94599
(707) 944-5520

Fish and Game Code section 1602 requires any person, state or local governmental agency, or public utility to notify DFW before beginning any activity that will substantially modify a river, stream, or lake. To obtain permission from DFW to proceed with your project you need to submit a Lake or Streambed Alteration Notification Form. For permit fees please see the DFG website.

San Francisco District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
1455 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94103-1398
(415) 503-6795

Streambank repair work often comes under Nationwide Permit 13: Bank Stabilization, and there will be no charge for the permit, although the ACOE may need advance notification of the work. If your project does not fall under Nationwide Permit 13 requirements, and depending on the details of the repair, the permit fee may be up to $100.

San Francisco Bay Area Regional Water Quality Control Board
1515 Clay Street, Suite 1400, Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 622-2300

The RWQCB issues water quality certifications for all Army Corps of Engineers permits. For permit fees please see the RWQCB permit fee schedule on the website. This agency may require some additional information that is not requested in the JARPA application. Check their website for the most recent requirements.

Other Agencies that May Be Involved in the Permitting or Permit Review Process

San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC)

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries (NOAA)

- Formerly Known as National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)

US Fish and Wildlife Service

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

California Coastal Commission

State Water Resources Control Board

Sacramento Army Corps of Engineers

Disclaimer: Every attempt has been made to assure that the information contained above is accurate. The Marin County Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program assumes no responsibility and disclaims any liability for any injury or damage resulting from the use or effect of any product or information specified above.

Creek Bank Restoration and Design Considerations

Creek Bank Restoration & Repair Guidance

Erosion

Erosion is usually the cause of most creek bank failures. Finding the cause of the erosion is essential to developing an effective solution. Erosion is caused by water from the following three possible sources or a combination thereof:

  • Surface Flow - Often the easiest to address. Water flowing over the top of the ground usually causes steep, vertical bank erosion. Common sources include culverts, driveways, ditches or drainage from roofs.
  • Ground Water - Water flowing a few inches to a few feet below the ground frequently surfaces on a streambank before reaching the creek channel. Planting these areas with native plants is a good method for controlling erosion caused by groundwater. Check to make sure you are not indirectly contributing excess subsurface flow through yard or garden irrigation.
  • Stream Dynamics - Natural changes - such as big storm events or human activities - can cause the stream channel to adjust. Removing vegetation along a creek can reduce streambank stability. This can lead to streambank failure, particularly during large storm events.

Modifications to creek flow may increase erosion both upstream and downstream - An increase in sediment from erosion in the watershed will cause alternate banks to erode in a classic "S" pattern as growing gravel bars direct stream flow into the opposite bank. A fallen tree or other obstruction can cause site specific erosion.

Not all erosion is bad - Streams need to be able to adjust to events in the watershed by changing their shape. Undercut banks and fallen trees provide important habitat for salmonid fish (salmon and steelhead) and other stream dwellers. Answering the following questions may help you to determine whether to intervene, or let nature take its course.

  1. Is the erosion threatening a structure, road, utility pole, or other important property?
  2. Is the erosion threatening riparian habitat or a significant tree?
  3. Is the erosion extremely active? Does it erode rapidly during most rainstorms?
  4. Does the erosion appear to be caused by a person-made change, such as a road, culvert or yard drainage?

Planning a Repair or Restoration Project

Documenting your site is an important first step for any creek repair project. If you are planning on repairing the site yourself, you will need the following information in order to obtain any necessary permits. If an engineer or agency is helping you repair the site, this information will save them time and therefore save you money.

  1. Photograph the site. It is a good idea to include some sort of reference object (such as a shovel, a basketball, a person in the photo, etc.) to help indicate the size of the actively eroding area.
  2. Make a sketch of the site. Include length, width and height of the eroding area. Show structures and how far away they are. Include vegetation and any biological information you know, (what kind of fish use the creek there, etc.)
  3. Walk up and down the stream if you can. Indicate on your sketch what is happening near your site. Usually something happening upstream is causing the erosion to occur, such as rock rip rap, a fallen tree, or anything that might redirect the flow of water. Are your neighbors experiencing similar erosion problems as well?
  4. Observe the water flow. Does water flow year round? Does water only flow when it rains? Does the creek dry up in the summer?

Cooperative Projects - If some of your neighbors have similar stream bank erosion problems, you might want to consider working together. Benefits include sharing the permit and planning costs, and building repairs that complement and even enhance each other. Cooperative projects, done in conjunction with a local agency or group, can also be eligible for private or government grant programs.

Design Considerations

  • Remember the needs of fish and wildlife - Does your design include native plants that will provide habitat and refuge for wildlife in the creek? Is your setback from the top of the creek bank adequate to allow appropriate riparian vegetation to grow along the creek? The extensive root systems of some native plants can help with stream bank stability. Even rock rip rap, when interplanted with willows or other trees can enhance habitat.
  • Be sure not to constrict the channel - By placing your retaining wall or rock work too close to the center of the stream you may be inadvertently reducing the space the water has to fit through the creek and you may be causing yourself more problems down the road, or causing erosion to occur on your neighbor's properties.
  • Biotechnical Restoration - Biotechnical restoration is the term used primarily for using native vegetation to secure an eroding bank. The term biotechnical is synonymous with the term "bioengineering". Generally speaking this type of work is mostly planting, and usually does not require any permits. If your erosion problem is in an early stage that might be appropriate for some biotechnical restoration, this option will be much less expensive than an engineered design that may require permits. If you have enough time and room as a first step, try a restoration approach using biotechnical techniques initially. If for some reason they fail, and you have documented your efforts, this is a good basis for supporting your need for a hard surface design (rock rip rap, retaining wall, etc.). For more information on biotechnical restoration, see Stream Corridor Restoration: Principles, Processes and Practices, or Ann Riley's primer on Stream and River Protection for the Regulator and Program Manager.
  • Engineered Solutions - Sometimes bank restorations and repairs require an engineered solution. All engineered projects should integrate river science into the design; this method is sometimes referred to as the 'Geomorphic Approach'. Projects that incorporate geomorphic principles are designed to help the stream attain an equilibrium condition so that the channel will erode and transport sediment, and incorporate features that create and sustain in-stream habitat. Your project should never impair, and where possible, should enhance the natural creek functions. Some examples of bio-engineered or biotechnical designs include restoration of a stable creek channel and floodplain, willow wall structures, installation of brush matting, and vegetated rock rip rap. These and other approaches are addressed in the manuals referenced above.
  • Permitting - Most creek bank repair projects require permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Regional Water Quality Control Board, CA Department of Fish and Game, and your local municipality. Go to our Creek Permits panel above for application forms and instructions.

Other Considerations

  • Preserve Water Quality - Be careful to protect water quality and existing habitat during construction. Proper measures should be taken to avoid muddying water in the creek. Protect existing native plants along the bank if possible, or salvage native plants prior to construction and incorporate them in the re-vegetation stage of the project. Generally, all work should be scheduled for the low flow period, usually between June and October.
  • Watering - Projects that involve planting new plants often require watering for the first few summers in order for the plants to take successfully. Many large failures are caused by small problems that could have been avoided if caught early on. Check your repair before the winter rainy season and after each storm. Take photographs after a year or two from the same point where you shot the "before" photo. It's fun to watch the sites vegetation mature and settle in, and it may also help others design effective repairs.
  • Be a Model - Share your successes with MCSTOPPP! We'd like to have a list of sites that have been repaired (especially those incorporating biotechnical designs), that we can use to recommend this approach to other property owners with similar problems. If you have photos or success stories, please email them to us.

Good luck with your restoration projects!

Creek Setback Requirements

Town Name Contact your local municipality for the most current updates.
Belvedere Not Applicable
County In accordance with the Marin Countywide Plan Policy BIO-4.1, designated Stream Conservation Area(SCA) parcels in City Center: 100'(feet) for parcels > 2 acres, 50' (feet) for parcels 0.5-2 acres, 20' (feet) for parcels < 0.5 acres; Coastal, Inland Rural, and Baylands Corridors: 50' (feet) landward from the outer edge of woody riparian vegetation associated with the stream or 100 feet landward from the top of bank, whichever is greater. For all other parcels not within an SCA, all structures shall be set back 20' (feet) from top of bank or 20' (feet) plus twice the channel depth measured from the toe of the near embankment, whichever is greater of any in accordance with MCC §24.04.560. Regardless of parcel size or location, an additional buffer may be required based on the results of a site assessment.
Corte Madera Contact Town of Corte Madera for more information.
Fairfax 20' (feet) or twice the average depth of the bank whichever is greater without authorization by variance, except for retaining walls and bulkheads which replace failing structures and which do not increase the height, width, length or configuration of the original structure. Per Town Code section 17.22.040
Larkspur Contact City of Larkspur for more information.
Mill Valley The City requires structures to be set back a minimum of 30' (feet) from the City’s principal creeks, measured from the top of the creek bank.
Novato The standards and requirements of the Stream Protection Zone shall apply to all lands adjoining or encompassing watercourses shown on EN Map 1 of the City of Novato General Plan and their significant tributaries as determined by the Director of Public Works. A stream protection zone shall be established, which shall include the stream bed, the stream banks, all riparian vegetation and an upland buffer zone at least 50' (feet) wide, measured from the top of the channel bank. The stream protection zone shall be expanded based on individual site evaluations to encompass the existing riparian vegetation and adjacent habitat areas including upland buffers, or may be reduced if physical conditions so warrant through the adoption of a Stream Management Plan (SMP).
Ross Design review is required for any construction, improvements, grading/filling or other site work within twenty-five feet of a creek, waterway or drainageway, whether or not a building permit is required. Ross design review guidelines recommend a minimum fifty-foot setback from the top of bank for all new buildings and at least twenty-five feet from the top of bank for all improvements.
San Anselmo Listed under City Code: 9-15.06 - Acts requiring a permit from Director of Public Works. It is unlawful for any person to construct or repair any pier, retaining wall, slope protection structure, dam, bulkhead, building, bridge or other structure in, over, or within fifteen (15') feet of the bank of any watercourse within the Town without first obtaining a permit therefore from the Director of Public Works. Any and all such work done under such a permit shall be subject to inspection by the Public Works Department and/or the Building Department of the Town as the work progresses. (§ 2, Ord. 1010, eff. October 28, 1999)
San Rafael

Creek setbacks should include a twenty-five foot (25') or greater setback between any structure and the high top of the creek bank. On lots two (2) or more acres in size, a twenty-five foot (25') to one hundred foot (100') setback between any structure and the high top of the creek bank shall be provided.

Adequate setback between creeks and/or drainageways and a structure shall be determined based on the following criteria:

  1. The setback provides for adequate maintenance, emergency vehicle access, adequate debris flow avalanche corridors, flood control and protection from damage due to stream bank undercutting;
  2. The setback adequately protects and preserves native riparian and wildlife habitat;
  3. The setback protects major view corridors and provides for recreation opportunities where appropriate;
  4. The setback permits provision of adequate and attractive natural landscaping.

No new building or substantial reconstruction of an existing building should be located within twenty-five feet (25') of the top of the bank or bulkhead along both sides of the San Rafael Canal between Highway 101 and the mouth of the canal. Upon adoption of a design plan for the San Rafael Canal, the design plan provisions shall control.

Pedestrian and bicycle access is encouraged along creek and drainageway corridors where feasible. However, they should be designed and located so as not to adversely affect important habitat areas. Creeks and drainageways should also be enhanced where feasible to serve as wildlife habitat as well as drainage facilities. 

Any proposed fill in a creek, drainageway or in the San Rafael Canal shall be subject to the requirements of City Code Section 14.13.040(G), Fill. A use permit for fill shall be required consistent with Sections 14.13.050 through 14.13.070. (Ord. 1625 § 1 (part), 1992).
Sausalito No structures of any kind, other than stairs and pathways on grade and/or retaining walls for slope stabilization purposes, shall be located within twenty feet (20’) of the 100-year flood elevation line of an open natural drainage way or wetland (i.e. creek) identified on Map GP-14 of the Environmental Quality Element of the General Plan. Additional setbacks from creeks and wetland areas may be required as part of the environmental review process pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act, as applicable. Also, in the course of design review, the Planning Commission may determine that additional setbacks from watercourses are necessary to ensure consistency with relevant policies contained in the Environmental Quality Element of the General Plan.
Tiburon Contact Town of Tiburon for more information.

Publications and Resources

The following list contains links to a variety of publications and resources relating to creek care.