Difference between revisions of "Potential watershed impacts on Elkhorn Slough"

Revision as of 00:44, 2 February 2011

Sedimentation and Contamination

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

Summary

Due to European settlement, the natural connectivity of both fresh and salt water has been disrupted. Development has caused major changes in water flow such as cultivation of steep slopes for agriculture and construction of paved roads that are impervious. In addition, human activities allow for input of pollution and pathogens.

• subsidence from artificial restriction of tidal exchange
• loss of brackish communities
• river diversion
• artificial river mouth for Moss Landing Harbor
• Culverts
• tidal gates
• sloughs diked and drained
• Burnett, Moro Cojo, Tembladero Sloughs disconnected
• cattle grazing, railroad, road construction, freshwater impoundments for duck hunting

residential development

• destruction and fragmentation of maritime chaparral and oak woodland habitat
• steep access driveways leads to soil erosion
• spread of invasive species
• fire suppression
• nutrient load from lawns and corrals

Location

Residential and agricultural development occurs throughout the Carneros Watershed, but sedimentation and pollution accumulates and the lower stream channels are the most impacted. The Elkhorn Slough Watershed Conservation Plan (1999) was created with intention of preserving the intact natural communities. The plan identified riparian forests in the lower Carneros Creek floodplain and upland ridges with unfragemented maritime chaparral in the Elkhorn Highlands as areas in need of protection and restoration. find out current percentage of developed/undeveloped land & land use stats ___

Resources at stake

The Carneros Creek Watershed empties into the Elkhorn Slough, a biologically rich wetland system that provides habitat for migratory birds, rare plants species, and nursery grounds for fish. Coastal estuaries and wetlands are one of California's most threatened ecosystems. In addition the watershed contains rare plant communities such as coast live oak woodlands and maritime chaparral.

 the highest priority resources are:
 * coastal marsh 
 * riparian forest
 * freshwater wetlands
 * maritime chaparral
 * oak woodlands
 * native grassland

Stakeholders

Many organizations are working to address threats to the valuable resources within the waterhshed. reverse the damage caused by development. These organizations include:

• Elkhorn Slough Foundation (ESF)
• Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve (ESNERR)
• ALBA & Triple M Ranch
• family and corporate farms
• residents
• County regulators
• US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)
  • US FWS designated Elkhorn Slough as a Critical Habitat for the threatened California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii) ^[1] (Critical habitat regulations only apply to federal agencies.. important for this issue?)
• California Department of Fish and Game
• Audubon Society
  • Elkhorn Slough is said to be an important habitat area for migratory birds along the Pacific Flyway

Laws, policies, & regulations

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Elkhorn Slough Watershed Project aids farmers in soil conservation practices to reduce erosion and subsequent sedimentation of adjacent marshlands.

Residential development is strongly discouraged due to restrictive land use regulations. The Monterey North COunty Land Use Plan (LUP) designated much of the western portion of the watershed to be used for "Agricultural Presercation" or "Scenic and Natural Resource Recreation." However, in the Carneros Creek area and the Elkhorn Highlands, land use designation only restrict residential development in wetlands, chaparral and ridge tops.

MOnterey County Regulations:

• fines for runoff from agricultural fields
• ordinances to protect ridge-tops
• grading ordinances

Systems

... What elements of the biophysical system are/were involved?...

Science

...What scientific studies are or would be relevant / already completed?...

Tools

...What analytical (e.g. modeling) tools were or could be used?...

Future research

...What knowledge gaps remain?...

...Suggest a CWSP MS thesis topic that could contribute to the issue...

...Suggest a topic for a hypothetical study that had unlimited resources...

References

• Elkhorn Slough Foundation, The Nature Conservancy. 1999. Elkhorn Slough Watershed Conservation Plan.

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.

Links

[1]

Carneros Watershed

Sedimentation and Contamination

Increase of impervious surfaces/ Habitat loss
Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found