Difference between revisions of "Resource Conservation District of Monterey County (RCDMC)"

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(Programs and Projects)
(Programs and Projects)
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==Programs and Projects==  
 
==Programs and Projects==  
 +
===Current Projects===
 
The RCDMC has several current (2019) projects <ref name="rcdmc"/> 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]]. These projects demonstrate the RCDMCs function to conserve and improve natural resources, especially in consideration of production agriculture and environmental sustainability in the region. Over 160 farmers and land managers in Monterey County have voluntarily participated in RCDMC conservation and restoration programs <ref name="rcdmc"/>.
 
The RCDMC has several current (2019) projects <ref name="rcdmc"/> 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]]. These projects demonstrate the RCDMCs function to conserve and improve natural resources, especially in consideration of production agriculture and environmental sustainability in the region. Over 160 farmers and land managers in Monterey County have voluntarily participated in RCDMC conservation and restoration programs <ref name="rcdmc"/>.
  
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*Santa Rita Creek Watershed Project <ref>[https://www.ccactiontracker.org/site/project/99 Conservation Action Tracker. Santa Rita Creek Watershed Project (Resource Conservation District). 2016.]</ref> - [[Integrated Regional Water Management Program]]<ref>[http://www.greatermontereyirwmp.org/projects/implementation/ Greater Monterey County Integrated Regional Water Management Program. Current Projects. 2012]</ref>  grant to address irrigation management, nutrient management, and hillside farming erosion control in the Santa Rita Creek Watershed to reduce sedimentation, non-point source pollution, and improve [[Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL)|water quality]] and [[Riparian corridors in the California Central Coast Region|riparian habitat]].
 
*Santa Rita Creek Watershed Project <ref>[https://www.ccactiontracker.org/site/project/99 Conservation Action Tracker. Santa Rita Creek Watershed Project (Resource Conservation District). 2016.]</ref> - [[Integrated Regional Water Management Program]]<ref>[http://www.greatermontereyirwmp.org/projects/implementation/ Greater Monterey County Integrated Regional Water Management Program. Current Projects. 2012]</ref>  grant to address irrigation management, nutrient management, and hillside farming erosion control in the Santa Rita Creek Watershed to reduce sedimentation, non-point source pollution, and improve [[Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL)|water quality]] and [[Riparian corridors in the California Central Coast Region|riparian habitat]].
  
Past projects include:
+
===Past Projects===
* Elkhorn Slough Watershed Permit Coordination Program (1998-2007)- collaborative project between several local, state and federal agencies with farmers and land owners in the [[Elkhorn Slough Watershed]] to address resource conservation projects on farms. RCD and NRCS assistance with the regulatory review and permitting process, as well as design and construction specifications for resource enhancing projects. From 1998-2003 the program supported 50 conservation projects with 96 conservation practices <ref>[https://www.rcdmonterey.org/images/docs/publications/elkhorn-permit-coord-report-2003.pdf Elkhorn Slough Watershed Permit Coordination Program. 2003 Implementation report. USDA, NRCS, RCD. 2003.]</ref>.
+
RCDMC has completed many other projects focused on resource conservation through collaboration with farmers and landowners in partnership with several other agencies and organizations. Some past projects are highlighted here:
* Livestock and Land Program,ref.[https://livestockandland.org/ Livestock and Land. Ecology Action, 2015]</ref> (2007-2012)- addressed water quality and animal health through education, technical and financial assistance to livestock managers.
+
* Elkhorn Slough Watershed Permit Coordination Program (1998-2007)- Included local, state and federal agencies with farmers and land owners in the [[Elkhorn Slough Watershed]] to address resource conservation projects on farms. RCD and NRCS assistance with the regulatory review and permitting process, as well as design and construction specifications for resource enhancing projects. From 1998-2003 the program supported 50 conservation projects with 96 conservation practices <ref>[https://www.rcdmonterey.org/images/docs/publications/elkhorn-permit-coord-report-2003.pdf Elkhorn Slough Watershed Permit Coordination Program. 2003 Implementation report. USDA, NRCS, RCD. 2003.]</ref>.
* Carmel River Watershed Coordination (2001-2014)- established a Carmel River Watershed Coordinator to work with various stakeholders in prioritizing critical resource issues in the in the [[Carmel River Watershed]]. The coordinator re-established regular meetings of the [[Carmel River Task Force]], created the [http://www.rcdmonterey.org/pdf/Carmel%20Watershed%20Conservation%20Manual-Final_2013.pdf Carmel River Watershed Stewardship Manual], and participated in the [https://www.rcdmonterey.org/images/docs/publications/carmel-river-watershed-assessment-action-plan-2016.pdf Carmel River Watershed Assessment and Action Plan].
+
* Livestock and Land Program,ref.[https://livestockandland.org/ Livestock and Land. Ecology Action, 2015]</ref> (2007-2012)- Addressed water quality and animal health through education, technical and financial assistance to livestock managers.
 +
* Carmel River Watershed Coordination (2001-2014)- Established a Carmel River Watershed Coordinator to work with various stakeholders in prioritizing critical resource issues in the in the [[Carmel River Watershed]]. The coordinator re-established regular meetings of the [[Carmel River Task Force]], created the [http://www.rcdmonterey.org/pdf/Carmel%20Watershed%20Conservation%20Manual-Final_2013.pdf Carmel River Watershed Stewardship Manual], and participated in the [https://www.rcdmonterey.org/images/docs/publications/carmel-river-watershed-assessment-action-plan-2016.pdf Carmel River Watershed Assessment and Action Plan].
 +
* Prop 84<ref>[https://water.ca.gov/Work-With-Us/Grants-And-Loans/IRWM-Grant-Programs/Proposition-84 California Department of Water Resources. Proposition 84, Chapter 2 Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) Grant Program. 2019.[</ref] Agricultural Water Quality Grant Projects (2013-2016)-
  
 
==Education and Outreach==  
 
==Education and Outreach==  

Revision as of 10:04, 3 April 2019

Figure 1: RCDMC. [1].
An environmental summary created by the ENVS 560/L Watershed Systems class at CSUMB.

Summary

The RCD of Monterey County (RCDMC) is one of the several Resource Conservation Districts in California's Central Coast Region. The 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].

Governance

RCDMC is governed by a Board of Directors who are appointed by the county board of supervisors and represent a wide range of experience and interests. There are seven directors, the number of which can be changed by resolution adopted by a majority of the members. Directors serve four year terms and vacancies are filled by the board of supervisors from the pool of candidates who have filed an application as specified by Division 9 of the California Public Resources Code [2].

Funding and Support

Funding is supported through grants and contracts, and donations are accepted. The RCDMC shares office space with the NRCS in the Salinas, CA.

Services

RCDMC provides services to farmers, ranchers, landowners and the public through effforts in which they address conservation and land management in the region.

Natural Resource Management

  • 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)

Programs and Projects

Current Projects

The RCDMC has several current (2019) projects [1] 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. These projects demonstrate the RCDMCs function to conserve and improve natural resources, especially in consideration of production agriculture and environmental sustainability in the region. Over 160 farmers and land managers in Monterey County have voluntarily participated in RCDMC conservation and restoration programs [1].

Figure 2: Invasive, non-native Arundo donax along the Salinas River. [1]
  • Salinas River Invasive Plant Control and Restoration Program [3] [4]- Eradication of invasive, non-native plants, including arundo donax, along 90 miles of the Salinas River. As of 2019, RCDMC has successfully controlled of over 450 acres of previously infested areas and aims to complete the project by 2030 [5].
  • 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.
  • Santa Rita Creek Watershed Project [6] - Integrated Regional Water Management Program[7] grant to address irrigation management, nutrient management, and hillside farming erosion control in the Santa Rita Creek Watershed to reduce sedimentation, non-point source pollution, and improve water quality and riparian habitat.

Past Projects

RCDMC has completed many other projects focused on resource conservation through collaboration with farmers and landowners in partnership with several other agencies and organizations. Some past projects are highlighted here:

  • Elkhorn Slough Watershed Permit Coordination Program (1998-2007)- Included local, state and federal agencies with farmers and land owners in the Elkhorn Slough Watershed to address resource conservation projects on farms. RCD and NRCS assistance with the regulatory review and permitting process, as well as design and construction specifications for resource enhancing projects. From 1998-2003 the program supported 50 conservation projects with 96 conservation practices [8].
  • Livestock and Land Program,ref.Livestock and Land. Ecology Action, 2015</ref> (2007-2012)- Addressed water quality and animal health through education, technical and financial assistance to livestock managers.
  • Carmel River Watershed Coordination (2001-2014)- Established a Carmel River Watershed Coordinator to work with various stakeholders in prioritizing critical resource issues in the in the Carmel River Watershed. The coordinator re-established regular meetings of the Carmel River Task Force, created the Carmel River Watershed Stewardship Manual, and participated in the Carmel River Watershed Assessment and Action Plan.
  • Prop 84Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag


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