Watershed presents 10-year "Rain to River" plan centered on equity, community advisory board

Jorge Morales, director of the Watershed Protection Department, told the Climate, Water, Environment & Parks Committee that Rain to River is "a strategic plan for the Austin Watershed Protection" designed to replace the department's 2001 plan and set direction for the next decade.

The plan, Morales said, establishes the department's mission, vision and values and organizes 24 strategies across four commitments: center community, innovate together, govern responsibly and enact commitments for the next 10 years. "By treating lived experience and community knowledge as essential data, we can create strategies that are both practical and responsive to our community needs," Morales said.

Nut graf: The plan emphasizes equity and community engagement as central practices rather than add-ons; staff described an extensive community process that created a Community Activation Group (CAG) and recommended creating an ongoing advisory board to hold the department accountable during implementation.

Committee members asked how the plan will translate into capital priorities and measurable progress. Erin Wood of the Watershed Planning team said staff are building an implementation plan and "moving towards an equitable decision making framework," adding the implementation work will include metrics and KPIs that feed into budgeting and annual business planning. Kelly Gagnon, interim chief strategy officer on the Rain to River team, said internal culture and clearer phasing are part of turning strategy into action.

Staff said they will continue reporting updates to this committee and the Environmental Commission. Sadiele Vernos, lead for community engagement on the planning team, described plans to "stand up an ongoing version of the community activation group" that would act as an accountability body and help implement the plan.

The chair noted staff had provided a memo and link to the full plan and that the draft is scheduled to go to council for approval around May 21. The committee approved two procedural motions earlier in the meeting (minutes and a calendar change). The Watershed team committed to return with more detailed implementation materials, including measurable KPIs, during the forthcoming rollout.

Ending: The committee did not take final action on Rain to River at the briefing; staff said a finalized implementation plan and further updates will follow the council submittal and additional engagement.