Napa County Resource Conservation District

Transcription

1 Napa County Resource Conservation District Long Range Plan Prepared by BOARD OF DIRECTORS NAPA COUNTY RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICT Assisted by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE January 2002

2 PAGE 2 NAPA COUNTY RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICT LONG RANGE PLAN NAPA COUNTY RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICT 1303 Jefferson St., Ste. 500B Napa, California / FAX 707/ staff@naparcd.org Website: Board of Directors President: Clinton Pridmore Vice President: Mitchell Klug Members: Al Buckland Donald Gasser Raymond Reyes Associate Directors: Dennis Bowker Rainer Hoenicke Stephen Rae Pete Richmond Charles Slutzkin Bennie Troxel Margaret Woodbury NRCS District Conservationist: Phill Blake NRCS Staff: Dennis Moore, Area Resource Conservationist Bob Albers, Civil Engineer Kelly Gin, Soil Conservationist Chip Bouril, Soil Conservationist RCD District Manager: Bob Zlomke, P.E. RCD District Coordinator: Kathleen Edson RCD Staff: David Steiner, Soil Conservationist Astrid Bock-Foster, Soil Conservationist Michael Champion, Education Coordinator Blaine K. Jones, Hydrologist Leigh K. Sharp, Stewardship Facilitator Lara Hadhazy, Restoration Specialist Jonathan Koehler, Biologist Traci Knoell, District Secretary Long Range Plan Committee: Phill Blake Dennis Bowker Kathleen Edson Rainer Hoenicke Mitchell Klug Stephen Rae Leigh K. Sharp Bob Zlomke Coordinated and Edited by: Leigh K. Sharp Human vanity can best be served by the reminder that whatever his accomplishments, his sophistication and his artistic pretension, man owes his very existence to a six inch layer of top soil and the fact that it rains. - Anonymous

3 PAGE 3 NAPA COUNTY RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICT LONG RANGE PLAN DISTRICT MISSION The Napa County Resource Conservation District is a local non-regulatory agency whose mission is to promote responsible watershed management through voluntary community stewardship and technical assistance. INTRODUCTION The Napa County Resource Conservation District ("District") has identified the goals and objectives contained in this Long Range Plan to guide the direction of the District during the five-year period To achieve these goals, the District will seek funding and establish and operate programs through partnerships with landowners and land users, governmental entities, citizen groups and non-governmental organizations. District programs recognize the importance of cooperative, voluntary involvement by government and private citizens as an effective means for the communities within the District to protect their natural resources and economic well-being on an basis. Implementation of District programs will primarily be through providing education and technical assistance to the residents and landowners of the District. GOALS Promotion of watershed based land stewardship, including sustainable agriculture Protection and enhancement of waterways and water quality Reduction of soil erosion Preservation and restoration of wildlife habitat Fostering of an informed and knowledgeable community Please note that fostering an informed and knowledgeable community through education is incorporated into the objectives of all of the goals in this Plan and therefore has no objectives of its own. VALUES The District acts as an informational network to facilitate natural resource conservation through community involvement, education, technical expertise, and scientific research. The District is committed to utilizing voluntary, cooperative and scientifically sound methods to ensure that the natural resources of the watersheds within the District are sustained, restored and protected, while supporting the long-term economic and social vitality of the region.

4 PAGE 4 NAPA COUNTY RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICT LONG RANGE PLAN IMPLEMENTATION & PROGRAM DELIVERY STRATEGY Through annual work plans, the District will generate and operate programs and services that will support and carry out the Goals and Objectives of the Long Range Plan. These programs and services will be delivered in the context of the entire watershed system, will use education as the major tool for implementation, and will focus on developing partnerships and facilitating group action to help sustain, protect, restore and manage the individual watersheds of the District. The District believes that developing partnerships and facilitating group action and stewardship is the most effective way to provide long-term protection of the natural resources of the The District uses education and partnership building to help sustain, protect, restore and manage the individual watersheds watershed system in order to protect the unique qualities of the District and the communities that are heavily dependent on those resources. The District and the Natural Resources Conservation Service provide individual services and financial incentives to landowners for development of conservation plans, one-on-one consultation and referral assistance. The District will continue to provide individual services to landowners primarily through USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) staff and USDA incentive funds. These services will include development of conservation plans, one-onone consultation, and referral assistance. These services and incentives will be made available for individual farms and ranches through USDA conservation programs. Special demonstration projects, applied conservation research and general community outreach will be used by NRCS and RCD staff to introduce emerging conservation technologies to landowners and community leaders. NRCS and RCD staff and Directors will also continue to provide leadership and direct involvement in community and land management forums, to encourage formulation of effective, practical conservation policy.

5 PAGE 5 NAPA COUNTY RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICT LONG RANGE PLAN OBJECTIVES BY GOAL Goal 1: Promotion of Land Stewardship and Sustainable Agriculture Objective 1.A Identify and promote sustainable farming and other land management practices through newsletters, workshops and the web site Newsletters, workshops and web sites Objective 1.B Provide opportunities for partnerships between urban and agricultural communities to demonstrate the interdependent nature of the varied land uses present in the County Cooperative project and funding agreements, workshops, and manuals Objective 1.C Seek assistance and funding to help establish local stewardships for each of the major tributaries to the Napa River Grant applications Informal community communication about local resource issues is an important part of addressing local concerns. Sulphur Creek Watershed Task Force Objective 1.D Establish information dissemination tools and use existing ones to provide a means of information and idea exchange between local stewardship groups, the RCD, and the greater Napa River watershed community Time line: on-going Informational publications and other means, as appropriate Objective 1.E Provide continuing informal exchange among the RCD, stewardships, and local government through written and oral outreach Time line: Informational brochures, letters, workshops, and informal communications Partnerships built on communication and trust provide opportunities to demonstrate the interdependent nature of the varied land uses in the County.

6 PAGE 6 NAPA COUNTY RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICT LONG RANGE PLAN OBJECTIVES BY GOAL Goal 1: Promotion of Land Stewardship and Sustainable Agriculture (cont.) Objective 1.F Coordinate and facilitate an annual stewardship watershed planning workshop for Napa Valley Residents starting in 2003 Agendas, handouts, number of attendees, and performance evaluation questionnaires from attendees Objective 1.I Encourage the Napa Unified School District to adopt a curriculum that will encourage the stewardship land ethic for watershed management Curriculum changes Objective 1.G Assist in development and implementation of a Green Certification Program for Napa County in partnership with the Vintners Assoc., Napa Grape Growers Assoc., the Napa Farm Bureau, Sierra Club and others Completion of a Green Certification Program Manual and an implementation procedure Objective 1.H Coordinate and facilitate a cooperative annual education workshop to provide appropriate conservation information to urban and rural residential landowners. starting in 2003 Agendas, handouts, number of attendees, and performance evaluation questionnaires from attendees

7 PAGE 7 NAPA COUNTY RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICT LONG RANGE PLAN OBJECTIVES BY GOAL Goal 2: Restoration and Protection of Waterways and Water Quality Objective 2.A Expand the local system of measurement of rainfall and tributary flows and develop accurate estimates of runoff on the basis of hydrologic modeling Additional estimates of tributary runoff with field verification. Objective 2.B Estimate water budgets for the major tributary watersheds to the Napa River, for use in local and individual land use planning Estimated water budgets for no less than one major tributary Objective 2.C Carry out scientific studies of water and sediment dynamics in channels and floodplains, to assist in local planning and individual land-use management Complete and distribute (or otherwise make available) study results and reports District hydrologist installs a telemetric streamgage on Carneros Creek. Streamgages on local tributaries allow the District and volunteers to measure water flow and estimate runoff. Objective 2.D Track hydrologic changes within the Napa River watershed and consider their causes, to assist Napa County in flood and land use planning Complete and distribute or otherwise make available study results and reports Objective 2.E Improve community understanding of hydrologic issues in the Napa River watershed by means of newsletters, involvement with community stewardship groups, the RCD website, and participation in county watershed education programs Articles in the newsletter and on the website and participation in local stewardship meetings and educational programs Objective 2.F

8 PAGE 8 NAPA COUNTY RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICT LONG RANGE PLAN OBJECTIVES BY GOAL Goal 2: Restoration and Protection of Waterways and Water Quality (cont.) Continue to implement and expand volunteer citizen water quality monitoring program; compile, graph and distribute information on an annual basis. with reporting on an annual basis Graphed data and distribution material Objective 2.G Work toward establishing continuity and standardization of watershed monitoring protocols to generate monitoring data that can be widely utilized; including use with the Regional Monitoring Strategy developed for the San Francisco Bay Adoption of standardized protocols by affected agencies Objective 2.H Expand community voluntary groundwater monitoring with the assistance of local stewardship groups, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Napa County Public Works Department, the Napa County Environmental Management District, the United States Geological Survey, and other interested agencies Establishment of groundwater monitoring teams, as requested by stewardship groups Volunteers from the Carneros Creek Stewardship monitoring a well

9 PAGE 9 NAPA COUNTY RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICT LONG RANGE PLAN Goal 3: Reduction of Soil Erosion OBJECTIVES BY GOAL Objective 3.A Provide technical assistance to Napa County in updating the Conservation Regulations in an adaptive management fashion, based on historical and new information, respecting the needs of individual applicants as well as those of the larger community Adoption of improved regulations Objective 3.B Promote the appropriate use of vegetative groundcover in vineyards, orchards and other managed landscapes. Support and conduct research, demonstrations, and technology exchange to refine cover crop technology. Establishment of vegetative groundcover, results from applied research, publications and field workshops/demonstrations. In many cases, use of a cover crop reduces erosion from a site that would otherwise have bare soil. Objective 3.C Provide Erosion Control Plan review for landowners and the Napa County Conservation, Development and Planning Department Timely review and submission to the County of recommendations on Erosion Control Plans Demonstration of the proper installation and use of silt fences to control runoff. Objective 3.D Coordinate and facilitate bi-annual cooperative erosion control technical workshops in the Napa River watershed to include the Natural Resources Conservation Service, UC Cooperative Extension, trade organizations and other interested agencies and groups starting in 2003 Agendas and handouts

10 PAGE 10 NAPA COUNTY RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICT LONG RANGE PLAN OBJECTIVES BY GOAL Goal 4: Preservation and Restoration of Wildlife Habitat Objective 4.A Improve scientific understanding of fish and wildlife habitat issues in the Napa River and its tributaries through scientific study and assessment Cooperative study agreements; funding assistance; publication of results in a manner useful to landowners, agencies, and the community at large Objective 4.B Preserve and restore fish and wildlife habitat through in-stream, riparian, and upland restoration activities based on the best information available about natural processes Cooperative restoration project agreements; coordination of project volunteers; secure or assist others to secure necessary project funding Fish habitat assessments provide information such as pool depth, instream shelter and percent cover, water temperature, air temperature, presence of fish, and stream classification. Assessments also provide a good means for identifying potential restoration sites. Objective 4.C Improve community understanding of fish and wildlife habitat issues in the Napa River watershed by means of newsletters, the RCD website, demonstrations and tours of stream and riparian corridor management sites, involvement with community stewardship groups, and participation in county watershed education programs Improved consensus on the issues and facts regarding fish and wildlife habitat Installation of a willow wall revetment at this site will protect an eroding stream bank and improve wildlife habitat.

11 PAGE 11 NAPA COUNTY RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICT LONG RANGE PLAN OBJECTIVES BY GOAL Goal 4: Preservation and Restoration of Wildlife Habitat (cont.) issues Objective 4.D Establish a cooperative watershed team to classify all tributaries of the Napa River using appropriate and regionally approved classification methods. Assess habitat values and stream stability by reach for use as baseline status for trend analysis. starting 2002 Performance Measure: Cooperative mapping or watershed agreement(s) with state, federal and/or local agencies, resulting in completion of up-to-date GIS map(s) with classification information for the major tributaries to the Napa River Objective 4.E Coordinate and facilitate an annual bilingual education activity for watershed restoration and/or protection techniques annual event - Performance Measure: Agenda, handouts, number of attendees at workshop Objective 4.F Provide annual workshops for landowners, agencies, and project managers that include explanation of permit and other regulatory processes of local, state and federal governments starting 2002 Performance Measure: Agendas, handouts and number of attendees

12 PAGE 12 NAPA COUNTY RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICT LONG RANGE PLAN DISTRICT PHILOSOPHY REGARDING STAFFING The work described in this Plan requires highly trained and motivated staff. In order to get the most benefit from hiring and training staff members, the District strives to keep staff members for a period of at least three to five years. To that end, the District offers a stimulating work environment, with opportunities for both team building and individual professional development, and a competitive compensation and benefits package. FUNDRAISING STRATEGY The District will pursue a broad-based strategy to fund the activities described in this Plan. Funding will come from the following sources, listed in order of expected reliability: 1. District tax base 2. District demonstration vineyard 3. Contracts with local partners (government agencies and non-governmental entities) 4. Contracts with other partners In order to secure contracts with local and other government agencies, the District will assiduously pursue partnerships with public and private entities at the local, regional, state and national levels. These partnerships will be based on recognizing the extent of common interests and the potential for achieving common goals by pooling efforts. All District staff will be involved in developing partnerships and writing grant proposals that relate to their areas of expertise. The District is open to working with a large variety of partners, as long as the efforts contribute to the realization of this Long Range Plan. Nevertheless, partnerships with local stewardship groups and agencies are potentially the most important, since they have the best prospects for long-term commonality of interests. In order to increase the reliability of the District s funding base, an effort will be made to increase the share of our budget that comes from contracts with local partners, while making sure that the activities involved do not run counter to the District s nonregulatory position in the community.

13 # # PAGE 13 NAPA COUNTY RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICT LONG RANGE PLAN NAPA COUNTY RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICT Established: June 1945 Area: 514,000 acres Counties: Napa and portion of Solano Mission: The Napa County Resource Conservation District is a local non-regulatory agency whose mission is to promote responsible watershed management through voluntary community stewardship and technical assistance. DISTRICT BOUNDARY Napa County Resource Conservation District N W E POPE VALLEY #Y Lake Berryessa S #Y CALISTOGA #Y ANGWIN #Y ST. HELENA Napa County #Y YOUNTVILLE Solano County NAPA #Y AMERICAN CANYON #Y SOLANO COUNTY Miles Napa R.C.D. rcd_calmap.apr Napa County RCD State Location Map Napa & Solano Counties, California J. Koehler January 2002

14 NAPA COUNTY RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICT 1303 Jefferson St., Ste. 500B Napa, California Phone: 707/ Fax: 707/ Website: