NORTH COAST INTEGRATED REGIONAL WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN

Transcription

1 NORTH COAST INTEGRATED REGIONAL WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN Integrated Coastal Watershed Management Plan IMPLEMENTATION PROPOSAL, ROUND 2, STEP 2 ATTACHMENT 13: LETTERS OF SUPPORT OR OPPOSITION Integrated Regional Water Management Program Applicant: Humboldt County PIN #13113

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4 January 23, 2008 To: RE: Mr. Scott Couch State Water Resources Control Board Division of Financial Assistance 1001 I Street, 16th Floor Sacramento, CA North Coast IRWMP Proposal Dear Mr. Couch, Ocean Science Applications (OSA) strongly endorsed the North Coast IRWMP proposal. This proposal provides important local and regional benefits to the entire North Coast as well as contributing state wide contributions to a number of issues. The North Coast IRWMP application for Proposition 50 funds to implement Integrated Coastal Watershed Management Plans in the Mattole, Russian, Big Rivers and Salmon Creek are critical steps in incrementally creating an ecosystem perspective to salmon recovery. The ecosystem based management approach is endorsed by the West Coast Governor s Agreement as well as the Ocean Protection Council. The ongoing development of the NC IRWMP will assist in a number of EBM case studies while creating new collaborative funding opportunities. The proposed projects will reduce sediment to salmonid bearing streams, remove invasive species, and restore riparian habitats in critical ecosystems in the North Coast. These projects address key coastal issues that are important to California Ocean Science Applications as we assess approaches to provide useful tools for ecological and economic recovery. Assessing wave energy technologies is one example of an emerging north coast issue for which NC IRWMP can provide significant integration and leadership. California Ocean Science Applications is committed to gathering data about the marine environment that will benefit the NCIRWMP via better forecasting related to salmonid populations and other physical and biotic factors. The NCIRWMP, and these projects specifically, offer an opportunity for California Ocean Science Applications to better understand the relationship between coastal watersheds and marine environments. California Ocean Science Application is working collaboratively with the NCIRWMP to develop regional assessment, monitoring and forecasting approaches that benefit salmonids and coastal communities. Paul Siri Executive Director Ocean Science Applications State Coastal Conservancy paulsiri@calosap.org

5 January 23, 2008 To: Ms.Tracie Billington Department of Water Resources Division of Planning and Local Assistance P.O. Box Sacramento, CA RE: North Coast IRWMP Proposal Dear Ms. Billington, Ocean Science Applications (OSA) strongly endorsed the North Coast IRWMP proposal. This proposal provides important local and regional benefits to the entire North Coast as well as contributing state wide contributions to a number of issues. The North Coast IRWMP application for Proposition 50 funds to implement Integrated Coastal Watershed Management Plans in the Mattole, Russian, Big Rivers and Salmon Creek are critical steps in incrementally creating an ecosystem perspective to salmon recovery. The ecosystem based management approach is endorsed by the West Coast Governor s Agreement as well as the Ocean Protection Council. The ongoing development of the NC IRWMP will assist in a number of EBM case studies while creating new collaborative funding opportunities. The proposed projects will reduce sediment to salmonid bearing streams, remove invasive species, and restore riparian habitats in critical ecosystems in the North Coast. These projects address key coastal issues that are important to California Ocean Science Applications as we assess approaches to provide useful tools for ecological and economic recovery. Assessing wave energy technologies is one example of an emerging north coast issue for which NC IRWMP can provide significant integration and leadership. California Ocean Science Applications is committed to gathering data about the marine environment that will benefit the NCIRWMP via better forecasting related to salmonid populations and other physical and biotic factors. The NCIRWMP, and these projects specifically, offer an opportunity for California Ocean Science Applications to better understand the relationship between coastal watersheds and marine environments. California Ocean Science Application is working collaboratively with the NCIRWMP to develop regional assessment, monitoring and forecasting approaches that benefit salmonids and coastal communities. Paul Siri Executive Director Ocean Science Applications State Coastal Conservancy paulsiri@calosap.org

6 January 15, 2008 Ms. Tracie Billington Department of Water Resources Division of Planning and Local Assistance P.O. Box Sacramento, CA Mr. Scott Couch State Water Resources Control Board Division of Financial Assistance 1001 I Street, 16 th Floor Sacramento, CA Dear Ms. Billington and Mr. Couch, Bodega Water Company (BWC) is writing to express our support for the North Coast Integrated Regional Watershed Management Program and in particular, the Salmon Creek Sediment Reduction and Water Conservation Program proposal. The NCIRWMP, submitted to the State Water Resources Control Board, demonstrates a regionally-focused effort to protect and enhance salmonid habitat and community water supply through water quality improvements and water conservation. The collaborative effort by various stake holders in the Salmon Creek Community Water Conservation program is inspiring and productive. The BWC board is committed to providing a reliable and safe water supply to the rural economically-disadvantaged town of Bodega. With the help of this grant we can move on with plans for a more efficient storage and distribution system, as well as perform community outreach with demonstrations of water catchment systems. This project will address our critical challenges that relate to our water supply, water quality, and ecosystem protection. Clearly the project addresses the critical issues of public health and the economic viability of the town of Bodega. Bodega is well suited for a Pilot Study for water conservation because of its size and existing infrastructure. Cooperation among community members to install water catchment systems is now getting underway with excellent models in place and imaginative innovation at hand. We urge you to give this application your full consideration and support. Sincerely, Karl Andersen Secretary to the Board of Directors Bodega Water Company PO Box 87 Bodega, California 94922

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24 State of California The Resources Agency DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION Mendocino District P.O. Box 440 Mendocino, CA Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor Ruth Coleman, Director January 22, 2008 Mr. Scott Couch State Water Resources Control Board Division of Financial Assistance 1001 I Street, 16th Floor Sacramento, CA Dear Mr. Couch, Please accept this letter of support for the Mendocino Land Trust s application for the Big River Lower Main Stem Restoration Project. This project offers significant environmental benefits to the Big River Estuary. Big River is a 303(d) listed watershed for sediment and temperature. This project helps to meet the goals of the Big River TMDL by eliminating potential sediment loading of 17,400 tons of sediment from degrading water quality in the lower portion of the Big River Estuary (2.4 river miles) and negatively impacting near shore habitats and water quality in designated Critical Coastal Areas (Noyo and Big River estuaries), Marine Protected Areas, and Areas of Special Biological Significance (Pygmy Forest Ecological Staircase). The Big River Lower Mainstem Restoration project will enhance water quality within the Big River Estuary whose mainstem and headwater tributaries provide habitat for native Coho salmon which are federally and state listed as endangered, and steelhead trout which are federally listed as threatened. Big River has been identified as an integral component in the Recovery Strategy for California Coho Salmon Report by the California Fish and Game Commission. This project is critical to the future restoration efforts and recreational uses at California s Department of Parks and Recreation - Mendocino District s Big River Unit by helping to ensure access to the interior portion of the property. We strongly endorse the big River Lower Mainstem Restoration Project and hope that it is one of many to follow that will help to restore the Big River watershed to a sustainable and biological diverse ecosystem. Sincerely, Marilyn Murphy District Superintendent

25 STATE OF CALIFORNIA THE RESOURCES AGENCY ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, Governor DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION P.O. Box SACRAMENTO, CA Website: (916) January 25, 2008 Mr. Scott Couch State Water Resources Control Board Division of Financial Assistance 1001 I Street, 16th Floor Sacramento, CA Dear Mr. Couch, Please accept this letter of support for the Mendocino Land Trust s application for the Big River Lower Main Stem Restoration Project. This project offers significant environmental benefits to the Big River Estuary. Big River is a 303(d) listed watershed for sediment and temperature. This project helps to meet the goals of the Big River TMDL by eliminating potential sediment loading of 17,400 tons of sediment from degrading water quality in the lower portion of the Big River Estuary (2.4 river miles) and negatively impacting near shore habitats and water quality in designated Critical Coastal Areas (Noyo and Big River estuaries), Marine Protected Areas, and Areas of Special Biological Significance (Pygmy Forest Ecological Staircase). Additionally, the Big River Lower Mainstem Restoration project will enhance water quality within the Big River Estuary whose mainstem and headwater tributaries provide habitat for native Coho salmon which are federally and state listed as endangered, and steelhead trout which are federally listed as threatened. Big River has been identified as an integral component in the Recovery Strategy for California Coho Salmon Report by the California Fish and Game Commission. Big River is rare in terms of lack of development within its 181 square mile watershed. Its primary pollutant; sediment, comes from logging roads that have failed to be properly maintained. This project is critical to the future restoration efforts and recreational uses at California s Department of Parks and Recreation -Mendocino District s Big River Unit by helping to ensure access to the interior portion of the property. We strongly endorse the big River Lower Mainstem Restoration Project and hope that it is one of many to follow that will help to restore the Big River watershed to a sustainable and biological diverse ecosystem. Marc R. Romero Mendocino Unit Chief by Marc J. Jameson State Forest Manager CONSERVATION IS WISE-KEEP CALIFORNIA GREEN AND GOLDEN PLEASE REMEMBER TO CONSERVE ENERGY. FOR TIPS AND INFORMATION, VISIT FLEX YOUR POWER AT

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