Upper Salinas-Las Tablas Resource Conservation District's
Projects
Current and Future Efforts
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The US-LT RCD provides technical conservation assistance to other agencies and landowners
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The US-LT RCD, Coastal San Luis RCD, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Sustainable Conservation have partnered together to develop an efficient permitting process for accomplishing needed restoration work on private land through the San Luis Obispo County Partners In Restoration (PIR) Permit Coordination Program.
Below is the soil data referenced in the Coastal San Luis RCD & US-LT RCD Preliminary Draft Mitigated Negative
Declaration for San Luis Obispo County Partners In Restoration Permit Coordination Program:
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The US-LT RCD obtains funding
- NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
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SB 271 Fish and Game Steelhead Enhancement grants
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319(h) and 205(J) Clean Water Act Grants, etc.
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Grants from private foundations
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Operates Erosion Control Assistance Program (ECAP)
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Operates Alternative Review Program (ag grading/ponds)
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The US-LT RCD has an ongoing partnership with USDA NRCS
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Conducts studies and prepares plans for resource protection
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The US-LT RCD provides education (agriculture/conservation/Other)
One of the major projects currently being conducted by the US-LT RCD is the Upper Salinas Watershed Management Plan. The following is a summary description of that project:
Steelhead Monitoring, Atascadero Creek, CA Department Fish & Game and USWC.
PHASE I OF THE UPPER SALINAS RIVER WATERSHED STUDY AND WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN
A FOCUS STUDY AND RESTORATION PROJECT
FOR THE UPPER SALINAS RIVER AND TRIBUTARIES
Background:
This project is a joint conservation partnership between the Upper Salinas-Las Tablas Resource Conservation District (US-LT RCD) and American Watersheds (AW). With the funding assistance of the State Department of Fish and Game, State Water Resources Control Board and the Packard Foundation, these organizations are developing a Watershed Management Plan for the Upper Salinas River and implementing projects that enhance the health of the river. American Watersheds is a division of the Atascadero Community Services Foundation which was founded in 1993 to promote beneficial projects and practices in the area. American Watersheds is partnering with the Upper Salinas-Las Tablas Resource Conservation District to conduct this project. The project is being administered out of the US-LT RCD and USDA NRCS offices in Templeton, California by the project director, two biologists and adjunct staff from NRCS. The US-LT RCD has an ongoing operational agreement with NRCS. The mission is to assist landowners and resource users write a record on the land which will sustain present and future generations
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Identify and monitor indicators of sustainable ecological systems and watershed health
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Work toward local, voluntary and cooperative solutions for implementation of conservation - best management practices and site specific applications
The US-LT RCD and AW will coordinate the efforts with the Upper Salinas Watershed Coalition (USWC), a group of agency representatives and interested individuals who's unified interest is to improve the conditions of the Upper Salinas River and tributaries. The USWC will form the core group which will be responsible for reviewing the results of the various studies and assisting in defining the future corrective actions. A larger Task Force will be formed. This Task Force will include all of the respective stakeholders within the watershed. The Task Force will provide input to both the USWC and the US-LT RCD. It is expected that the Task Force will meet less frequently than the USWC. There may also be technical advisory committees appointed by the US-LT RCD to assist staff and the USWC. All recommendations of the USWC and the Task Force will ultimately be presented by the staff to the US-LT RCD Board of Directors.
Brief Description of Problems:
The Salinas River is impacted by decades of human use and abuse. Degrading water quality is being caused by growing urban, suburban, agricultural and industrial development. Steelhead trout populations have been decimated.
The Upper Salinas River is constrained by levees and dams. Currently there is a proposal to increase the height of the Santa Margarita Dam by approximately 19 feet and enlarge the reservoir. In addition, there are proposals to convert thousands of acres of grazing land to urban uses and vineyards. Historic mercury mines pollute Las Tablas Creek and Nacimiento Lake resulting in potentially severe health and environmental impacts.
There are proposals for sand and gravel mining operations within the Salinas and tributary channels. Four-wheel drive enthusiasts use the river during the summer as their recreational playground. Vegetation is also being removed along much of the channel, which adversely impacts water and habitat quality. Pesticides and fertilizers from urban and rural land uses impact stream habitat conditions. As a result, the State Water Resources Control Board has designated the Salinas River and its tributaries as one of the most critical watersheds in the State of California.
American Watersheds and the US-LT RCD, in cooperation with NRCS, the Department of Fish and Game and the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board, are working to improve the conditions of the Salinas River. Projects have been implemented on Atascadero and the Little Cholame Creeks to arrest erosion and improve the habitat conditions of these creeks.
Steelhead fry counted in electroshock survey of Atascadero Creek.
Fish remain unharmed, but all their vital information can be tracked in this process.
Expanded Tasks List:
The products proposed from this project are:
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Determine causes of problems and prepare a watershed management plan, beginning with a first-phase study of the watershed. This plan will address measures to protect and enhance the river and watershed resources, such as:
- Establish workable methods to improve habitat and meet total minimum daily loads (TMDL's) for sediment.
- Promote measures for improved agricultural practices.
- Provide measures for urban improvements such as reduction in impermeable surfaces, retention basins, use of planted drainage corridors, reductions in use of pesticides and fertilizers, etc.
- Recommend purchase of land and development rights in critical watershed areas.
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Expand existing local programs such as the Erosion Control Assistance Program (ECAP) and conservation cost-share assistance to eligible landowners (such as NRCS EQIP program)
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Determine acceptable alternative water resources for domestic and agricultural uses. There are several alternative water supplies being considered, including water diversions from the two large reservoirs, Santa Margarita Lake and Nacimiento Lake as well as groundwater supplies.
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Expand channel condition and water quality monitoring. This program is a cooperative effort with the Regional Water Quality Control Board, the US-LT RCD, the USWC and American Watersheds. The initial focus project areas involve Atascadero Creek and the Little Cholame Creek.
Water Quality Monitoring performed by trained USWC volunteers.
Volunteers help out at the annual Atascadero Creek Clean up Day!
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Continue the watershed educational program. Work with students both in the classroom and during field trips to the river. A large-scale working-model of the watershed is proposed to be constructed. Other school programs are proposed, including water quality monitoring conducted by high school students.
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Repair creek channel habitat. Projects are proposed along creeks, returning healthy meandering channels, establishing good pool-riffle ratios and planting of bank riparian vegetation.
Principle Staff:
The following is a summary of the personnel involved in this project:
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Project Manager and Watershed Planner: Donald J. Funk, Executive Director of the US-LT RCD and Director of American Watersheds - a river morphologist, urban and watershed planner and professional facilitator.
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Assistant Project Manager: Ellen Perryess, AmeriCorps Director and biologist for American Watersheds.
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Project Biologist: Jody Olson, American Watersheds. Biologist and Botanist.
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Adjunct staff: Margy Lindquist, District Conservationist, and Greg Norris, NRCS
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Groundwater Guardian Program: Jim Patterson, Atascadero Mutual Water Co.
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Survey Assistants: California Conservation Corps and AmeriCorps members
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Volunteers, students and others
Volunteers working with Dept. of Fish & Game on a Steelhead Survey of Atascadero Creek.
