Chico City Council targets Big Chico Creek water quality for future action

Chico City Council targets Big Chico Creek water quality for future actionCouncil members unanimously approved a motion to formally discuss water quality issues in Big Chico Creek, with proponents looking to revive collaborative watershed efforts from the 1990s.

Councilmember Winslow initiated the request to agendize the discussion, citing the past success of the Big Chico Creek Watershed Alliance.

The council voted 7-0 to place the water quality discussion on a future agenda.

Councilmember Van Overbeck supported the motion but highlighted jurisdictional challenges, noting that the water quality issues originate outside city limits.

In separate business, the council approved an ordinance amending the municipal code regarding the collection of delinquent sewer fees.

The Chico City Council has unanimously agreed to agendize a formal discussion regarding water quality in Big Chico Creek, setting the stage for potential new collaborative watershed management efforts. During the June 2, 2026 meeting, Councilmember Winslow requested the future agenda item, pointing to historical precedents for regional cooperation. Winslow referenced the Big Chico Creek Watershed Alliance, a broad-based collaborative effort from the 1990s, suggesting that a similar initiative is warranted to address current water quality concerns. "It's quite complicated because there's a lot of different factors," Winslow noted during the meeting, advocating for a dedicated discussion on the creek's water quality. The motion to agendize the topic passed 7-0, though it drew cautionary remarks regarding the city's regulatory reach. Councilmember Van Overbeck supported the motion but highlighted potential jurisdictional hurdles, noting that the root causes of the water quality problems are occurring outside of the city's boundaries. In other water-related business, the council passed an ordinance amending Section 15.36.072 of the Chico Municipal Code relating to the collection of delinquent sewer fees. The ordinance, along with a resolution levying assessment installments in lieu of immediate sewer system connection fee payments for a property on Bidwell Avenue, was approved unanimously as part of the consent agenda without further discussion.