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LONG RANGE PLAN THE ROLE OF THE RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICT The Soil Conservation Act of 1935 was signed into law in response to national concern over mounting erosion, floods and the sky blackening dust storms that swept across the country. The Act stated a national policy to provide a permanent program for the prevention and control of erosion. The USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (then the Soil Conservation Service) was established to implement this policy. The Act also provided for a cooperative agreement between the USDA and state governments for the formation of local conservation districts to enlist the cooperation of landowners in carrying out the programs authorized by the Act and safeguard their results. RCDs are organized as non regulatory special districts charged with assisting public agencies and individuals with resource management. There are currently 108 RCDs serving over 80% of California's land area. Their enabling legislation is derived from California Public Resources Code #9001: Legislative Declaration of Policy and Purposes: The Legislature hereby declares that resource conservation is of fundamental importance to the prosperity and welfare of the people of this state. The Legislature believes that the state must assume leadership in formulating and putting into effect a statewide program of soil and water conservation and related natural resource conservation, and hereby declares that the provisions of this division are enacted to accomplish the following purposes:
MEMORANDUM BETWEEN THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE (USDA) AND THE DISTRICT. Recognizes the RCD as a local governing body responsible for conservation activities and directs the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service personnel to provide technical assistance to the District. MEMORANDUM ON COORDINATED RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLANNING. Agreement between 19 state and federal agencies concerning methodology and mutual support for watershed management activities; utilized RCDs as local agency responsible for coordination and program implementation. MEMORANDUM CREATING EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ON BIODIVERSITY. Agreement between 22 state and federal agencies, responsible for various aspects of resource conservation and management, to facilitate policies that will enhance biodiversity throughout California. RCDs, and some regional councils of County Supervisors, are local agencies that are signatory to agreement and responsible for program implementation. MEMORANDUM between CARCD and EPA. Allows for state and local program development to meet the requirements of the Clean Water Act and voluntary reductions of NPSP. For more than 50 years resource conservation districts and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service have been working together to provide technical and financial assistance to help landowners and resource users develop locally driven solutions to address natural resource concerns, including watershed management and protection of water quality. We help land users and communities approach conservation planning and application of conservation programs with an understanding of how natural resources relate to each other and to all of us and how our activities affect those resources. ABOUT THE STRATEGIC PLAN The Strategic Plan is a management tool to help the Upper Salinas/Las Tablas RCD prioritize and address resource issues facing the District. It is based on the Districts 47 years of experience in resource program delivery, various public planning documents, discussions with local agency partners and interest groups and strategic planning meetings by the current Board of Directors. The Strategic Plan contains three sections: (1) District Description, (2) Strategic Issues, and (3) an Appendix. The District Description portion describes the geographic area, identifies trends affecting our programs, provides an overview of the role of the RCD and identifies potential opportunities for partnerships. The second section, Strategic Issues, identifies priority resource problems in the District and how they affect our resource base and its sustainability over time. It identifies the Districts goals, objectives, and strategies to help overcome resource needs. The third section, an Appendix, contains national and local data on resource need and the monitoring or tracking of strategies which will indicate progress toward goal attainment. DISTRICT DESCRIPTION Over 1,100,000 acres of the District are agricultural; of which about 700,000 acres are grazing lands and 400,000 are cropland. In recent years significant increases in grapevine plantings have converted previously undeveloped land and cropland to that use. Livestock production, followed by dry farmed grains and hay remain as major income for large landowners. The climate of the District is Mediterranean, typically dry summers and wet winters. The average annual rainfall averages from 50 inches in the Santa Lucia Mountains to 8 inches in the Carrizo Plains. Temperature along the coast remains cool in the summer and moderate in the winter; inland summer days are hot with cool nights and winters are temperate. The average relative humidity is low throughout the year. There are 4 major mountain ranges traversing the District, generally running from the north in a southeasterly direction. The topography ranges from steep, rugged ridges and mountains dropping to rolling hills, stream terraces and gently sloping valley floors. The Salinas River and its tributaries drain approximately 75% of the area. Elevations range from sea level on the coast to 600 feet in the Salinas River Valley to 4,300 feet in the northeast boundary. The large Carrizo Plains Valley, consisting of gently sloping alluvial soils, drains to an inland body of water known as Soda Lake. The Paso Robles ground water basin, connected to the Salinas River under ground flow, is the major source for agricultural and urban water needs. The basin is estimated to be in overdraft by 7 to 11 feet per year. The State Water Project of 1997 plus potential water diversion from Lake Nacimiento will meet present urban expansion needs. Extensive land and water conservation management, however, must accompany population growth and increases in irrigated agriculture to assure sustainable groundwater recharge in the future. Population increases have created pressure on farmlands and natural resources. The 1970s and 1980s saw large scale annexations and fracturing of agricultural lands into rural home sites. Efforts in better growth management during the 1990s and lower market demands have slowed those trends somewhat. Natural vegetation of the area is broadly classified into four types: grassland, wooded grassland, woodland, and brush. Grassland, once dominant perennial grasses, have been reduced to primarily annual grasses due to fire, overgrazing and drought. Woodlands consist of various hardwood trees that form fairly dense closed canopy stands. Extensive dense brush land areas provide watershed cover but present critical fire hazard during the hot, dry summer and fall months. Changes Affecting Our Customers Needs Various local, state and national trends will affect how the RCD identifies and implements programs designed to serve our customers and constituents needs. These are trends that the District must anticipate, monitor, and use to adjust strategies to remain a leader in natural resource conservation efforts. Those trends include: TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE. Technological development and improvements in scientific understanding - from agricultural management practices to morphology of river systems to habitat development and so forth - will continue to improve environmental sensitivity, efficiency of program delivery and the productivity of our natural resources. Directors, as well as staff, must stay current with technology developments and integrate these advances into program implementation. ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLEXITY. Urban consumers are more aware of and concerned about environmental issues facing agriculture and want a voice in how those issues are addressed. They seek accountability from land users for impacts on our water quality, wetlands, wildlife habitat and air quality. This interest can be an opportunity for holistic, community driven conservation goals. But without visible progress, urban consumers may demand increased regulation as an option for dealing with problems, whether real or perceived. DOWN SIZING OF GOVERNMENT. Reductions in staff and financial resources at all levels of government will reduce access for many constituent groups. RCDs have traditionally relied heavily on services provided by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Many of these resources are no longer readily available, causing difficulty with program delivery; however, new agency partners are stepping in to fill the gap. As demand continues to increase for resource conservation services and watershed programs, there are many opportunities for the District to fill this role. PRODUCTION PRESSURES. Americas role as a major food exporter will increase. American farmers will see an opportunity to meet an increased demand for food products worldwide. Demand for food products will come from continued population growth, better access to markets and possible reduction of Federal control on agricultural production. More fragile land sensitive to natural resource problems will be brought into food production. CONSOLIDATION OF AGRICULTURE. American agriculture will continue to consolidate into larger farms operated by fewer farmers. Farmers will turn to specialized production and vertical integration to meet demands of customers. More of these operators may hire natural resource expertise and not look to Federal, state and local government for assistance. FEDERAL CONSERVATION PROGRAMS. The conservation provisions of the 1996 Farm Bill simplify existing conservation programs and improve their flexibility and efficiency. The various provisions also create new programs that are better targeted to address high priority environmental protection goals. The Bill builds on the gains made by private landowners in recent years and calls for even stronger leadership at the local level as well as greatly increased cooperation between multiple partners - both public and private. Coordination of People and Partners Coordinated Resource Management Planning (CRMP): RCDs and NRCS have historically worked closely together. This partnership is being greatly expanded to agencies and interest groups through the ongoing development of nationwide Conservation Partnerships. The Upper Salinas/ Las Tablas RCD has been working closely with several of the below listed groups: SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY PLANNING DEPARTMENT - Facilitation of an agricultural grading ordinance, review and recommendations for drainage and grading plans in sensitive areas, development of educational material for erosion control in urban developments and assisting in education and training of county planning staff to advance effective erosion control practices during development. SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY U.C. COOPERATIVE EXTENSION (UCCE) - Educational outreach, joint development of public forums and educational materials, sustainable agriculture and irrigation management projects. SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY AGRICULTURAL COMMISSIONER - Control of noxious weeds, various agricultural issues and potential for joint projects in GIS and IPM grants. CENTRAL COAST REGIONAL WATER QUALITY CONTROL BOARD - Collaboration of 319 grants, facilitation of Salinas River CRMP, educational collaboration of ranch plans, review and technical assistance on projects. CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME - Provide funding and support for Toro Creek steel head enhancement project, cooperate in landowner outreach and education, potential watershed partner in Salinas River projects. CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY - Coordination of Stewardship Incentive Program, educational outreach and development of materials, joint efforts in education, potential watershed partner in Salinas River projects. USDA NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE - Set priorities for conservation planning and technical assistance to landowners, participate in priority planning of the EQIP-1996 Farm Bill provisions, promote adequate field office staff and funding. Work in close coordination with NRCS staff at the local level. USDA FARM SERVICES AGENCY - Cost sharing for implementation of approved conservation practices, collaboration on USDA conservation programs. U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY - Direct program implementations for reduction of Non-Point Source Polution (NPSP), National Polution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)S and other environmental goals. LAND CONSERVANCY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY - Technical assistance, potential for joint watershed projects, funding, etc. CALIFORNIA POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY, SAN LUIS OBISPO CENTRAL COAST RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT AMERICAN WATERSHEDS - Conservation partner providing technical assistance for stream morphological and biological analysis, stream channel and habitat restoration studies and projects, watershed studies, management plan preparation, funding, etc. UPPER SALINAS WATERSHED COALITION - Collaboration and coordination of agencies and groups, coordination of watershed studies, projects and management plan preparation. ATASCADERO MUTUAL WATER COMPANY - Cooperation with water conservation programs and stream restoration projects. GROUNDWATER GUARDIAN - Cooperation in stream clean-up. ADOPT-A-WATERSHED - Cooperation in education and outreach programs. SOIL RESOURCES The health of soil depends on attributes such as the texture, depth, permeability, biological activity, capacity to store water and nutrients, and the amount of organic matter contained in the soil (National Research Council, 1993). Soils are living, dynamic systems that are the interface between all living plants, including agricultural crops, and the environment. Healthy soils enhance agricultural productivity while helping to reduce water pollution by resisting erosion, absorbing rainfall, and degrading or immobilizing agricultural chemicals, wastes, or other potential pollutants. The health of some soils, however, is impaired because of erosion, poor tilth, compaction, salinity, alkalinity, acidity, loss of microbial activity, and other factors. The National Resources Inventory (NRI) was initiated in 1976 for the purpose of ongoing data collection on the status of the nation's natural resources and to guide conservation policy and programs. The 1992 NRI revealed that resource problems are threatening or, in some cases, have caused the loss of 233 million acres (60%) of US rangeland, which is an increase from 15 to 22 percent by 1992. 61 million acres (46%) of cropland, forest land and permanent pasture need conservation treatment. Over 200 million acres of grazing lands are being invaded by noxious weeds. An estimated 265 million tons of soil are lost to sheet and rill erosion annually. About 5.6 million acres of cropland are eroding at rates greater than soil loss tolerance (T) levels and, of these, 2.8 million acres are eroding at two times T (2T). Reducing soil erosion rates to T is essential if agricultural production is to be sustained indefinitely (NRCS, 1994a). The Food Security Act of 1985 and the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 addressed only highly erodible cropland; however, over six million acres of pasture, range, or forest land and non highly erodible cropland are eroding at rates exceeding T and not covered by either Act. Additional emphasis is needed to treat sensitive rangeland and cropping practices in the Western United States; the 1996 Farm Bill moved programs and funding in this direction. San Luis Obispo County's soils are remarkably diverse due to the varied landscapes and climates which contribute to soil formation (supporting a $1/2 billion per year in County agricultural business which, when multiplier effects are considered, accounts for more than 70% of the County's economy). There are at least 100 different soil series mapped in the County. Details on soil types and assistance to landowners are available through the NRCS. The County rates among the 10 top areas in California as having the most highly erodible soils because of steep hilly terrain, diverse soil types, a brittle environment (Mediterranean climate with only seasonal rainfall) and loss of native grasses whose extensive root system hold fragile soils in place. Sheet and rill erosion on grazing and croplands, poor grading, and development practices add to unnecessary soil losses and their off site impacts in our County. A soil conservation advisory committee was established by Governor Deukmejian in 1984. It found that neither at the State nor Federal level was soil conservation a high priority. The committee stated that conserving California's soil is not just a matter of controlling erosion, but also soil salinity and toxicity, soil contamination, loss of soil organic matter, farmland conversion, compaction, slow water infiltration, and land subsidence. To remedy this situation the Advisory Committee recommended that:
When hilly grazing land is converted to farmland, soil erosion normally increases. Soil conservation techniques, such as maintenance of cover crops between vineyard rows, are available to control erosion, but such techniques are not always effectively applied. Most soil transported off farmlands is eventually discharged into streams or lakes where it can degrade water quality and adversely affect fish. Although the contribution of sediment to area streams attributable to this type of farmland development may be relatively small, the existing quality of many such streams is so low, and some populations are under so much stress, that the cumulative impact of additional sediment discharges may be significant. The Advisory Committee advocates a voluntary approach to solving these problems by:
The NRCS soils survey mapped information provides the most valuable tool in conservation planning. Various customers are demanding increasing amounts of information on the quality and characteristics of soils and their location. The RCD must advocate that reliable soil information is available to support a variety of users. Soil survey data can allow access to physical and chemical properties, interpretations and mapped lines. The demand on NRCS resources for maintaining and assuring data quality will continue to increase. The RCD can assist this effort by forging partnerships with Department of Conservation (DOC) and other public and private partners. New data collection and publication methods to meet the changing demands of our customers will require additional data elements and ways of locating the samples, such as GPS and storage in GIS. The Resource Conservation District can also assist the County Engineering and Planning Departments by the utilization of personnel trained in soil conservation and work closely with private managers of developments, roads, and ranches to assess problems and implement solutions. SOIL RESOURCES GOAL: OBJECTIVES: OBSTACLES TO SOIL CONSERVATION:
STRATEGIES:
WATER RESOURCES Watershed Health Watersheds produce our water supply and next to land use for the production of food and fiber, healthy watersheds, today, are our second most important land resource. Regional precipitation patterns along with diverse climates and varied terrain result in complex landscapes and hydrology, and determine the carrying capacity of watershed yields. Urbanization, agriculture and the manipulation of forests, wetlands and wildlife habitat combine to influence a watershed's health. To evaluate the health of a watershed, indices should include water quality, soil erosion, soil quality, plant condition and composition, and riparian area status. Other indicators include the percent of rivers and streams with impaired quality and the amount of biological diversity. Competing land use philosophies within the watershed, and lack of communication between agencies involved in watershed management, often reduces efficient and appropriate uses of our natural resources. However, the adoption of total resource watershed management planning is increasing through greater public awareness of watershed health indicators and by developing partnerships with more stake holders in a watershed. The District should take a proactive stance by working with our partners to develop appropriate watershed health indices and promoting the public's awareness of the need for watershed health. We need to develop region wide guidelines for watershed health and to monitor current status compared to baseline information. RCDs have long led local efforts to prevent soil erosion, water degradation and encourage resource enhancement. EPA has recognized this delivery system and entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with CARCD to lend support to local RCDs for watershed projects and non point source pollution reduction activities. Water Quality New water development has been reduced due to changing societal, economic and environmental values. Current options are largely limited to managing water resources that have been developed. Expanding populations and the speculated need to triple food productions in the not too distant future, combine the urgent need for highly effective land and resource management, healthy watersheds, water conservation, maximizing utilization of reclaimed water, effective stream flow and reservoir management are needed. California is estimated to be in an overdraft of 3.5 million acre feet per year. All 9 aquifers in SLO county are estimated to be in overdraft. Effective ground water recharge from well functioning watersheds must become a priority. Background of Problems Increasing attention has been focused on non point source pollution (NPS) as a major barrier to clean water. The original Clean Water Act (1972) describes NPS and methods to control it though Best Management Practices (BMPs). The 1987 Amendment required individual States to conduct assessments and write a plan on how to control their non point source problems. The Coastal Water Resources Zone Re-authorization Amendment (CZARA), adopted in 1990, placed additional requirements on the states to address non point source in several categories, including agriculture. In California, limited water supplies heighten concerns about quality of surface and ground water. These resources are essential for sustained agricultural production, domestic uses and healthy, diverse wildlife habitat. In the National Survey of Attitudes Toward Agricultural Natural Resource Conservation more than one half of the respondents rated water quality as a major issue facing their state. Water pollution was listed by 25% of the respondents as a natural resource problem in their own community. In addition, about one third strongly disagreed that water supplies are safe. Surveys by other groups have revealed similar concerns. The most disturbing trends, which concern water managers, responsible agencies and the public, include:
The Central Coast Water Quality Control Board adopted the Watershed Management Initiative in 1997 and established a Salinas River Watershed Management Team. The Salinas River is listed as a priority impaired water body and although most efforts today are focused on resource problems in the lower Salinas, the upper reaches are listed with severe to moderate riparian and stream problems. The Regional Water Quality Control Board's (RWQCB) Salinas River Management Team released its first Draft Assessment and Actions in May of 1998. Sediment loading from erosion and potential future nitrate problems from overdrafts were cited. WATER RESOURCES GOAL: OBJECTIVE: OBSTACLES TO SUSTAINABLE SUPPLIES:
STRATEGIES:
WATER RESOURCES (Cont.) GOAL:
STRATEGIES
FORESTRY AND FUEL LOAD MANAGEMENT GOAL: OBJECTIVES: OBSTACLES TO FOREST RESOURCE SUSTAINABILITY:
STRATEGIES:
WILDLIFE RESOURCES GOAL: Specifically:
OBSTACLES:
STRATEGIES:
RURAL AND URBAN LANDS GOAL: Specifically:
OBSTACLES:
STRATEGIES:
APPENDIX SOIL RESOURCE DATA STATUS OF U.S. SOIL RESOURCES:
CONSERVATION TECHNOLOGY INFORMATION CENTER (CTIC) REPORT: U.S. Tillage Systems - Crop Residue Management
Brazil and Argentina
Goal by 2002:
WATERSHED INDICATORS
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
CONSERVATION NEEDS DATA (excerpts from 1999 NRCS Workload Analysis)
CALIFORNIA FACTS Resource Base
Ownership of Land Private Land is made up of the following
For more than 50 consecutive years, California has been the number one food and agriculture producer in the United States.
Environment Number of species in California
Number of listed state and federal species: 123 Urban California population: 33.2 million |
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