Difference between revisions of "Central Coast Water Quality Coalition"

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== Summary ==
 
== Summary ==
The [http://www.agwaterquality.org/projects-partnerships.html| Central Coast Water Quality Coalition](CCWQC) is an organization that "represents farmers and ranchers in the development and implementation of voluntary, cost-effective, producer-directed programs to protect water quality on the Central Coast." <ref> CCWQP. http://www.agwaterquality.org/projects-partnerships.html </ref>
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The [http://www.agwaterquality.org/index.html| Central Coast Water Quality Coalition](CCWQC) is an organization that "represents farmers and ranchers in the development and implementation of voluntary, cost-effective, producer-directed programs to protect water quality on the Central Coast." <ref> CCWQP. http://www.agwaterquality.org/index.html </ref>  
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*    Mission Statement
 
**    "The Central Coast Agricultural Water Quality Coalition represents farmers and ranchers in the development and implementation of voluntary, cost-effective, producer-directed programs to protect water quality on the Central Coast."
 
  
 
*    The Central Coast Water Quality Coalition Team
 
*    The Central Coast Water Quality Coalition Team

Revision as of 22:48, 11 April 2012

A watershed-related issue examined by the ENVS 560/L Watershed Systems class at CSUMB.

Summary

The Central Coast Water Quality Coalition(CCWQC) is an organization that "represents farmers and ranchers in the development and implementation of voluntary, cost-effective, producer-directed programs to protect water quality on the Central Coast." [1]


  • The Central Coast Water Quality Coalition Team
    • The Central Coast Water Quality Coalition Team is composed of professionals that are in close contact with the agricultural community.
  • The have close ties with local Farm Bureaus, commodity groups, and individual growers. We work in each of the Central Coast Counties, spanning Monterey, Northern San Luis Obispo, San Benito, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, and San Mateo.
  • The Central Coast Water Quality Coalition provides:
    • Local knowledge of water quality issues and regulations
    • Access to farm water quality educational credit opportunities
    • Links to local partners offering water quality improvement programs
    • Site visits with growers to review farm water quality management practices
    • Sources of technical and financial assistance
    • Grower outreach for meetings, field workshops, and conferences
  • History
    • The Coalition's agricultural water quality work began in 1999 with the development of a unique partnership with the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Together with the Sanctuary, environmental organizations, governmental agencies, farmers and ranchers, the Coalition launched our Agricultural Water Quality Program.
    • Through the Coalition, farmers and ranchers on the Central Coast are working to demonstrate the compatibility of environmental protection and economic viability.
  • Geography
    • The Agricultural Water Quality Program spans 7 counties, including Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Mateo, Santa Clara, San Benito, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties. There are Watershed Coordinators working to link growers with resources to improve water quality as well as Program Managers working on specific issues such as Rangeland Water Quality Education and the Co-Management of Water Quality and Food Safety.
    • Within these counties of the Central Coast are 11 major watersheds that drain into the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. This Sanctuary is the largest marine protected area in the United States, and includes over 5000 square miles of water off California's Central Coast. It spans over 400 miles of coastline and boasts the greatest biodiversity in temperate regions of the world. It is home to 28 species of marine mammals, 94 species of seabirds, and 345 species of fish. The Sanctuary also includes the waters of Elkhorn Slough, one of the largest remaining wetlands in California. The Morro Bay National Marine Estuary is also an important natural resource. It contains one of the most significant wetland systems in California and supports many species of migratory birds protected by international treaties and provides a protected harbor of off-shore marine fisheries. The Santa Maria River Watershed drains through the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes which is comprised of 18 miles of coastline and is one of the most ecologically significant and largest intact coastal dune ecosystems on earth. The beautiful Santa Ynez River and the many small creeks which drain the dramatic South Coast of Santa Barbara County are an integral part of an unique transitional ecological zone. All of the above are the sources of multiple estuaries, lagoons, saltwater marshes and vernal pools which host multiple plant, animal and fish endangered species.

References

  1. CCWQP. http://www.agwaterquality.org/index.html


Disclaimer

This page may contain student work completed as part of assigned coursework. It may not be accurate. It does not necessary reflect the opinion or policy of CSUMB, its staff, or students.