Upper Salinas-Las Tablas Resource Conservation District
2006-2007Annual Work Plan

The 2006-2007 Annual Work Plan establishes the anticipated programs and projects to be implemented by the Upper Salinas-Las Tablas Resource Conservation District during the coming fiscal year. The US-LT RCD has jurisdiction for the north coast, north inland and eastern portions of San Luis Obispo County as well as for the southeastern portion of Monterey County. Many programs of the District cover areas outside of the jurisdictional boundaries in cooperative efforts with other neighboring districts and other agencies. In the district's Long Range Strategic Plan (1999-2007), the US-LT RCD identified the following as priority natural resource concerns:

• Soil Resources
• Water Resources
• Vegetation and Habitat Resources

The Long Range Plan identifies the stakeholders within the RCD's jurisdiction, states goals for each resource issue, identifies certain strategies the district can undertake towards goal attainment and lists appropriate and achievable actions within this strategic framework. The actions identified in the Long Range Plan are the basis for the district's Annual Work Plan. The implementation of these actions will help achieve the goals identified within the district's Mission Statement:

"To assist landowners and resource users in creating a record on the land which will sustain present and future generations"

• Identify and monitor indicators of sustainable ecological systems and watershed health.
• Work with landowners, organizations and other agencies in implementing local, voluntary and cooperative solutions for implementation of Conservation-Best Management Practices and site-specific application.

JURISDICTIONAL BOUNDARY

The US-LT RCD has a jurisdiction covering approximately 1.5 million acres of the central coastal area of California, extending from southeastern Monterey County to northwestern, central, and eastern San Luis Obispo County. The district encompasses hundreds of separate watersheds ranging in size from a few hundred acres to several square miles along the north coast of San Luis Obispo County to the Upper Salinas River watershed, covering over 2,000 square miles. The district jurisdiction also includes the fragile Carrizo Plain in southeastern San Luis Obispo County.

The district includes 1,365,000 acres in San Luis Obispo County (about three-quarters of the county area) and 138,000 acres within Monterey County. The largest landowners are the federal government (Forest Service, BLM and U.S. Army (Camp Roberts)), Hearst Corporation (Hearst Ranch and the Jack Ranch), and the Monterey County Water Resources District (Nacimiento Lake and the lands surrounding the lake.

Approximately 90 percent of the district's watersheds directly affect the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS). The US-LT RCD jurisdiction covers approximately one-third of the watersheds that impact the quality of the marine resources within the MBNMS. The Salinas River is the largest watershed within the MBNMS. The district pledges to implement the Water Quality Protection Program for the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Action Plan IV for Agriculture and Rural Lands.

DISTRICT PARTNERS

The US-LT RCD has many agencies and organizations that we work with in the implementation of our goals and objectives:

Natural Resources Conservation Service State Water Resources Control Board Planning and Conservation League Foundation Regional Water Quality Control Board Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Nature Conservancy North Coast Small Wilderness Area Preservation Groundwater Guardian American Watersheds Central Coast RC&D Cachuma RCD Farming, Agriculture & Resource Management County of San Luis Obispo Atascadero Mutual Water Company

Department of Fish and Game California Conservation Corps Grazing Lands Coalition Initiative Farm Bureau UC Cooperative Extension Upper Salinas Watershed Coalition Greenspace Agriculture Water Quality Alliance Central Coast Vineyard Team Paso Robles Ag Foundation San Luis Coastal RCD City of Atascadero City of Paso Robles Six-County RCD Alliance

DISTRICT GOALS FOR 2006-2007

ADMINISTRATIVE AND OPERATIONAL GOALS

Goal: Maintain a staff and materials necessary to provide continued conservation assistance for property owners, agencies and organizations.

Strategies and Actions:

1. Work with Sustainable Conservation of San Francisco to initiate and facilitate "permit coordination" for the watersheds within the US-LT RCD's jurisdiction.
2. Obtain ongoing funding to provide the services necessary to implement the strategies contained in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Agriculture and Rural Lands Action Plan.
3. Obtain funding for conservation easements, provide technical assistance and other measures that assist landowners in maintaining economic uses of their land in addition to protecting and/or restoring wildlife while working to enhance good integrated resource management.
4. Continue to restructure the native plant sale to improve the program.
5. Participate in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Work Group to extend the benefits of EQIP and other Farm Bill programs through the initiation of sub-watershed projects.
6. Obtain sustainable funding to ensure the continuation of our technical services as well as the day-to-day operational needs of the agency, such as bookkeeping services, yearly audits, general and errors and omissions insurance, office supplies, equipment and furniture, financial operations, as well as the other daily administrative functions of the agency.

SOIL RESOURCES

Goal: To reduce soil erosion.

Strategies and Actions:

1. Promote the use of conservation till (high residue till) and other agriculture soil saving practices; monitor new enrollments in soil saving programs; increase number of cooperators with the district.
2. Sponsor educational workshops and meetings; Recognize and reward effective agriculture producers who reduce erosion with economic incentives.
3. Work with private landowners, county and urban governmental entities to improve land use policies and programs that reduce soil erosion and related impacts to natural resources.
4. Conduct educational outreach forums/symposiums with assistance from U.C. Cooperative Extension, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and Farm Bureau and highlight good erosion control projects.
5. Through the San Luis Obispo Pollution & Erosion Reduction Center (SLOPERC), (operated by the US-LT RCD in cooperation with NRCS and our other partners),continue implementing the Erosion Control Assistance Program (ECAP) and the Alternative Review Program (ARP) Ag grading review permit program. Continue assisting the County Planning Department and landowners in the protection of soil and reduction of erosion. Collaborate with County Planning for in-house training and workshops, dispersal of "Protecting the Soil Where You Build" brochure. Initiate meetings with municipal government entities to expand the program. Expand ECAP services to the incorporated Cities of Atascadero and Paso Robles.
6. Erosion Control Handbook. Continue to periodically update County Erosion Control Handbook and the Agriculture Management Handbook with current practices.

WATER QUALITY

Goal: To enhance and sustain the health of local watersheds for economic, social and environmental benefits.

Strategies and Actions:

1. Utilize Proposition 40 River Parkways Grant funding to develop trails and restore adjacent riparian corridors along the Salinas River and Atascadero Creek in the cities of Paso Robles and Atascadero.
2. Utilize Public Education Grant (PEG) grant funds to develop a video which can be broadcast on public television and incorporated in presentations to introduce people to the structure and mission of the US-LT RCD.
3. Provide individuals and landowner working groups with technical assistance in measures that can reduce pollutants such as: excessive sediment, chemicals, and fertilizers. The US-LT RCD will prepare proposals and assist in the preparation of management plans that reduce surface soil erosion, restore stream channels and conserve wetlands.
4. Coordinate efforts with all conservation partners and develop an outreach strategy to landowners within project areas.
5. Work with the Farm Bureau, U.C. Cooperative Extension, Monterey County RCD, NRCS, MBNMS, and other partners in the implementation of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Action Plan.
6. Conduct community outreach to various special districts and other organizations (for example: local School Boards, Community Service Districts and Advisory Groups for restoration and clean-up projects..
7. Work closely with water purveyors, cities and San Luis Obispo and Monterey Counties on measures to reduce contamination of local waters.
8. Continue to improve the annual watershed fairs, creek cleanups, and other similar outreach programs to inform the public of the benefits and involve them in protecting the watershed resources.
9. Continue to conduct water quality, vegetation, wildlife and morphological surveys with assistance from the California Conservation Corps and other willing groups.
10. Work with Regional Water Control Board (RWQCB) and County Planning to conduct in-house training for county staff. Continue dialogue on "Better Site Design" with county planning and municipal entities. Meet with Board of Supervisors and report activities. Meet with Board of Supervisors and report activities.
11. Work with State Department of Fish and Game (DF&G) staff in identifying problem areas affecting Salmonid fish habitats and create measures to rectify those problems.
12. In cooperation with U.C. Cooperative Extension and the Farm Bureau, conduct and promote ranch and farm water quality short courses short courses.
    

WATER QUANTITY

Goal: To promote, assist or initiate actions, decisions and programs which will ensure a sustainable balance between water availability and use.

Strategies and Actions:

1. Work closely with NRCS and program participants for expanded project goals, i.e. sub-watershed planning and implementation of Upper Salinas River Management Plan.
2. Work with all stakeholders and partners, including landowners, NRCS, County Water Advisory Committee, Farm Bureau, U.C. Cooperative Extension, Counties of San Luis Obispo and Monterey, City of Atascadero, City of Paso Robles, State DF&G, RWQCB, and Atascadero Mutual Water Co. and initiate within that framework educational projects, conservation programs and ground water recharge options.
3. Continue RCD representation on the Water Resources Advisory Committee and the North County Water Forum.
4. Continue mobile irrigation audits in partnership with Cachuma and San Luis Coastal RCD.
5. Continue to monitor surface flows in streams and rivers.

INTEGRATED VEGETATION RESOURCES

Goal: To promote, assist and initiate actions, decisions and programs which will ensure a sustainable balance between continued resources use and biological diversity.

Strategies and Actions:

1. Work closely with individuals, agencies and other partners to achieve improved land use practices.
2. Continue to support education and outreach regarding integrated vegetation management practices to obtain improved land use practices affecting the health of vegetation resources.
3. Promote ecological site description as a beginning vegetative benchmark.
4. Support beneficial land management practices through native seed collection and seedling propagation efforts and dispersal of seedlings to landowners.
5. Promote information handouts regarding Sudden Oak Death Syndrome, pine pitch canker and other diseases impacting the health of forests or other vegetation resources.
6. Continue to support and attend County weed management meetings concerning invasive species as defined by the California Department of Forestry.
7. Continue to support fire safe publication distribution and education.

WILDLIFE RESOURCES

Goal: To make the creation and enhancement of wildlife habitat a conservation planning priority for all agricultural and rural landowners in the district.

Strategies and Actions:

1. Promote existing programs that provide technical and financial assistance such as Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP), Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), Wetland Reserve Program (WRP), Farmland Protection Program (FPP), Partners for Wildlife Program and State DF&G technical assistance and grant programs.
2. Promote and support riparian grazing management through ranch plans; promote riparian management in orchards and vineyards through irrigated crop short courses -- help secure funding for short courses through EQIP Education funds.
3. Conduct a habitat typing study of local rivers and streams. Cooperate with the California Conservation Corps in the habitat typing study.
4. Support incentives for habitat restoration on private lands such as conservation easements, Safe Harbor, and Williamson Act programs.
5. Perform the actions described in the "Watershed Fisheries Report and Early Actions, A Study of the Upper Salinas River and Tributaries" prepared by the US-LT RCD.
6. Encourage participation by landowners in WHIP and others (see wildlife section) and begin to develop habitat corridors within the framework of future Upper Salinas Watershed Management Plan for the Upper Salinas River watersheds.
7. Sponsor wildlife workshops in the district for private landowners that incorporate the potential economic, esthetic and biological importance of wildlife to farming and ranching. Support ranch land short courses and irrigated crop courses that promote the conservation of wildlife resources.
8. Support oak woodland conservation management and regeneration efforts.
9. Invite State DF&G staff to at least one US-LT RCD meeting per year and all EQIP Work Group meetings to promote corridor habitat establishment and specie status in the county.
10. Coordinate with State DF&G, US Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service, striving toward workable solutions that are both viable and feasible.
11. Conduct and promote stream channel restoration projects which enhance wildlife resources.
12. Actively support the prohibition of unauthorized destructive vehicles in the Salinas River and tributaries.
13. Initiate research to acquire grants to purchase easements on Ag land and urban land for wildlife corridors.
14. Collaborate with the UC Cooperative Extension Service and California Fish and Game for habitat and oak woodland mapping.
15. Continue to support the FARMS education program.

AGRICULTURE, RURAL, AND URBAN LANDS

Goals: To provide education and assistance for agriculture, rural and urban landowners in the conservation of natural resources.

Strategies and Actions:

1. Work with County and City Planning Departments on the following projects:
   • Review grading and drainage plans
   • Administer the Alternative Review Program
   • Continue the Erosion Control Assistance Program (ECAP)
   • Provide erosion and sediment control training for staff
   • Production of video on natural resource values of land and how to maintain these values
2. Pursue "permit coordination" with permit agencies, including: Army Corps, State DF&G, RWQCB, Cities and Counties.
3. Organize a cooperative effort with the Farm Bureau and other organizations to highlight the importance of wildlife, livestock and crop management.
4. Promote programs that ensure the continued economic viability of agriculture while, at the same time encouraging the conservation of the natural resources.
5. Appoint a Board member to represent the US-LT RCD on the San Luis Obispo County Agriculture Liaison Committee.
6. Introduce landowners to plant materials for erosion control and wildlife habitat enhancement through annual Plants for Conservation sales.
7. Initiate Backyard Conservation to local communities.
8. Expand ECAP to the cities of Atascadero and Paso Robles.
9. Support and promote integrated vegetation management concepts for rangeland resources, including: the use of ecological site descriptions and the promotion of innovative management techniques and demonstrations.