Difference between revisions of "Resource Conservation District of Monterey County (RCDMC)"
(→RCD of Monterey County) |
(→RCD of Monterey County) |
||
| Line 41: | Line 41: | ||
** Trainings and workshops (in both Spanish and English) | ** Trainings and workshops (in both Spanish and English) | ||
| − | *Current Projects | + | *Current Projects - The RCDMC has several current projects that include many voluntary landowners and are achieved in partnership with other RCDs and organizations and agencies such as [[Monterey County Water Resources Agency (MCWRA)|Monterey County Water Resources Agency]], [[The Nature Conservancy]], the [[Central Coast Wetlands Group]], [[National Marine Sanctuary Foundation]], and [[Grower Shipper Association of the Central Coast]]. |
| − | + | ||
** Salinas River Invasive Plant Control and Restoration Program - eradication of invasive, non-native plants along 90 miles of the [[Salinas]] River. As of 2019, RCDMC has successfully controlled of over 450 acres of previously infested areas. | ** Salinas River Invasive Plant Control and Restoration Program - eradication of invasive, non-native plants along 90 miles of the [[Salinas]] River. As of 2019, RCDMC has successfully controlled of over 450 acres of previously infested areas. | ||
** Salinas River Stream Maintenance Program - flood prevention and stream riparian habitat improvement | ** Salinas River Stream Maintenance Program - flood prevention and stream riparian habitat improvement | ||
** Integrated Watershed Restoration Program - addresses improvements to fish and wildlife habitat and water quality by facilitating and coordinating projects through technical and financial assistance since 2009. Several projects have been completed and even more are in the process of review or completion. | ** Integrated Watershed Restoration Program - addresses improvements to fish and wildlife habitat and water quality by facilitating and coordinating projects through technical and financial assistance since 2009. Several projects have been completed and even more are in the process of review or completion. | ||
** Nutrient Management Cooperatives Development - pilot cooperative program addressing multi-farm drainage runoff management, including water quality treatment wetlands and irrigation and nutrient management. | ** Nutrient Management Cooperatives Development - pilot cooperative program addressing multi-farm drainage runoff management, including water quality treatment wetlands and irrigation and nutrient management. | ||
| − | ** Winter Preparedness Program | + | ** Winter Preparedness Program - 20-year ongoing technical and financial assistance to growers on hilly landscapes to reduce soil erosion and non-point source pollution, resulting in an estimated 35% reduction in annual sedimentation load to [[Elkhorn Slough]]. |
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 12:27, 1 April 2019
Summary
Resource Conservation Districts (RCDs) are special districts governed by an independent Board of Directors, within boundaries set by the state. They were established by Public Resources Code Division 9 [2] and are designated to implement and monitor resource conservation projects across private and public land [3]. The mission of these locally governed special districts is to educate the public and land owners about resource conservation in each area. In doing so, they provide an integral link to conservation programs and agencies on the local, state, and federal level. RCDs engage in:
- Agricultural land conservation
- Conservation education
- Forest stewardship
- Fuels management
- Irrigation management
- Recreational land restoration
- Soil and water management on non-agricultural lands
- Urban resource conservation
- Watershed planning and management
- Water conservation
- Water quality protection and enhancement
- Wetland conservation
- Wildlife habitat enhancement
RCD of Monterey County
The RCD of Monterey County (RCDMC) was established in 1942 with the mission to conserve and improve natural resources, integrating the demand for environmental quality with the needs of agricultural and urban users [1]. The Board of Directors are appointed by the county board of supervisors and represent a wide range of experience and interests. Funding is supported solely through grants and contracts, and donations are accepted. Over 160 farmers and land managers in Monterey County have voluntarily participated in RCDMC conservation and restoration programs [1].
RCDMC provides services to farmers, ranchers, landowners and the public through four main efforts, each with distinct sub-categories in which they address conservation and land management in the region.
- Natural Resource Management - to conserve and improve natural resources, especially in consideration of production agriculture and environmental sustainability. Focus areas include:
- Soil stability and health
- Water quality management
- Water conservation
- Stream and pond management
- Livestock Areas
- Vegetation management
- Professional Services
- Irrigation efficiency evaluations
- Nutrient management assessments
- Erosion control planning
- Biological monitoring
- Vegetation management and restoration
- Project permit assistance
- USDA financial and technical assistance
- Trainings and workshops (in both Spanish and English)
- Current Projects - The RCDMC has several current projects that include many voluntary landowners and are achieved in partnership with other RCDs and organizations and agencies such as Monterey County Water Resources Agency, The Nature Conservancy, the Central Coast Wetlands Group, National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, and Grower Shipper Association of the Central Coast.
- Salinas River Invasive Plant Control and Restoration Program - eradication of invasive, non-native plants along 90 miles of the Salinas River. As of 2019, RCDMC has successfully controlled of over 450 acres of previously infested areas.
- Salinas River Stream Maintenance Program - flood prevention and stream riparian habitat improvement
- Integrated Watershed Restoration Program - addresses improvements to fish and wildlife habitat and water quality by facilitating and coordinating projects through technical and financial assistance since 2009. Several projects have been completed and even more are in the process of review or completion.
- Nutrient Management Cooperatives Development - pilot cooperative program addressing multi-farm drainage runoff management, including water quality treatment wetlands and irrigation and nutrient management.
- Winter Preparedness Program - 20-year ongoing technical and financial assistance to growers on hilly landscapes to reduce soil erosion and non-point source pollution, resulting in an estimated 35% reduction in annual sedimentation load to Elkhorn Slough.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 RCDMC (Resource Conservation District, Monterey County) Homepage
- ↑ PRC (PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE). 1975. DIVISION 9. RESOURCE CONSERVATION [9001 - 9972.
- ↑ RCD (Resource Conservation District). 2017. Resource Conservation District Assistance. State of California Department of Conservation.
Links
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.
