September_2014 - Colusa County Resource Conservation District

Colusa County
Conservation
Volume 5 | Issue 1 | September, 2014
Welcome by Mary Fahey, Projects Manager
In This Issue:
Welcome.................Pg. 1
About the
CCRCD...................Pg. 2
CCRCD Projects.....Pg. 3
CCRCD
Happenings............Pg. 4
Groundwater
Management Plan
Update....................Pg. 5
Upcoming
Meetings, Events....Pg. 6
Report Failing
Wells.......................Pg. 7
Colusa Glenn
Subwatershed Program
Update....................Pg. 8
Hedgerow Outreach
Project....................Pg. 9
One of the things that makes this area such a spectacular place to
live is our proximity to the Pacific Flyway. The Sacramento Valley is
known to be the single most important wintering area for waterfowl
along the Pacific Flyway. This time of year, we anticipate the arrival of
millions of birds.
Environmental conditions this year are causing concern over
this year’s migration, however. We’re all aware of the drought in
California, the dry conditions and reduced water supplies. But you
might not be aware that Canada and the Northern U.S. experienced
rainy conditions this year that created ideal breeding conditions for
migratory waterfowl, and record high populations of birds are headed
this way.
Conservationists are concerned there will not be enough food or water
to support these populations. There will be greatly reduced acreages
of wetlands and flooded rice fields that would normally provide
valuable waterfowl habitat. Biologists anticipate that the birds’ food
sources will run out by December, three months before they usually
leave the area.
Another concern is disease, especially Botulism. Waterfowl
populations will be more heavily concentrated in limited areas,
making disease outbreaks more likely. Botulism spreads quickly and
can kill thousands of birds in a matter of days.
Benefits of Hedgerows
Infographic..............Pg. 10
CNGA Workshop....Pg. 11
Photography Show.Pg. 11
Support your local
RCD........................Pg. 13
Photo: Mary Fahey
And, finally, if the
birds don’t leave
this area in good
condition, they will
not breed like they
normally would,
adding to the impact
on future populations
of migratory
waterfowl.
page 1
MISSION
The mission of the CCRCD is to
protect, conserve, and restore
natural resources through locally
led education and implementation
activities that supports a healthy
environment and provides economic
sustainability through wise land use.
(Adopted: August 19, 2014)
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Ben Felt, President
Beth Nall, Vice President
Robert Alvernaz, Director
Kim Gallagher, Director
Jay Dee Garr, Director
Tom Hickock, Director
Gilbert Ramos, Director
ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS
Jim Lagrande
STAFF
Patti Turner, Executive Director
Mary Fahey, Projects Manager
Liz Harper, Restoration Technician
About the Colusa County
Resource Conservation
District (CCRCD)
The CCRCD focuses their efforts on:
• Promoting resource management and conservation
practices that will improve the health of Colusa
County Watersheds
• Supporting measures that provide for the best use
of the land while sustaining our natural resources
and local economy
• Providing conservation education to ensure Colusa
County’s natural resources will be valued and
protected in the future
CCRCD’s Natural Resource Priorities:
• Identify natural resources issues and concerns
within all Colusa County Watersheds
• Reduce erosion and sedimentation
• Work with all agencies of authority to reduce and
control flooding
• Improve water quality and development
• Promote conservation practices for municipal,
industrial and residential use
• Encourage the use of native vegetation and removal
of non-native invasive species
• Improve Rangeland and Forest Resources
• Improve and Conserve wildlife and fishery habitat
• Reduce roadside pollution
• Protect agricultural viability
• Promote conservation education
• Promote director and staff development
CONTACT US
Colusa County RCD
100 Sunrise Blvd., Suite B
Colusa, California 95932
Phone: 530.458.2931
Fax: 530.458.3683
[email protected]
Visit our website:
www.colusarcd.org
page 2
Photo: Mary Fahey
A Few of CCRCD’s Projects
Colusa County Groundwater Management Plan
CCRCD staff is working under the direction of the Colusa County Agricultural
Commissioner to coordinate implementation of the Colusa County
Groundwater Management Plan. See page 5 for information and updates.
Upper Little Stony Inholder’s Alliance Fuels Treatment
Project
The Colusa County Resource Conservation District is working with the USDA,
Forest Service to implement the Upper Little Stony Inholder’s Alliance (ULSIA)
Fuels Treatment project. ULSIA is a local watershed group made up of private
landowners within the boundaries of the Mendocino National Forest. The
private lands targeted for fuels treatment are highly volatile to catastrophic
wildfire. The project will include prescribed burning, shaded fuel breaks and
thinning practices to approximately 700 acres of private lands. Project funding
will afford the hiring of local contractors to provide equipment, labor and site
supervision for the project and the Forest Service to implement prescribed
burning practices on private lands. See page 4 for more information.
Integrated Regional Water Management Planning
CCRCD staff have been assisting our local government by representing Colusa
County through participation in the Westside and Northern Sacramento Valley
Integrated Regional Water Management Planning (IRWMP) efforts. Both the
Westside IRWMP and the Northern Sacramento Valley IRWMP have been
adopted.
Audubon Partnership
Our newest staff member, Liz Harper, is working as a subcontractor with
Audubon California’s Landowner Stewardship Program implementing
hedgerow plantings at a ranch in Colusa County. This project is designed to
maintain and enhance the physical and economic conditions for agriculture,
while improving habitat for wildlife.
For more information on our projects, please visit our website at
www.colusarcd.org
page 3
Colusa County RCD Happenings
CCRCD MODIFIES MISSION STATEMENT
At the August 19th meeting of the Colusa County Resource Conservation District the Board of
Directors modified the District’s long-standing Mission Statement. The new mission statement is a
condensed and more concise version of the District’s original document. The new mission statement
reads as follows;
The mission of the CCRCD is to protect, conserve, and restore natural resources through locally led education
and implementation activities that supports a healthy environment and provides economic sustainability
through wise land use.
NRCS/RCD OFFICE GETS
FACE LIFT
Work is underway to remodel the Colusa
NRCS/RCD office. The job will include
moving walls, changing doorways, new
carpet, fresh paint, new windows (that
open!), new kitchen and a customer counter
to greet the public. While construction is
taking place staff desks will be moved to
other locations. In the short term it may be
an adventure to find us but the effort will be
well worth it! If all goes as planned we’ll be
moved back in by the first of October.
Our office during the remodel, photo: Patti Turner
UPPER LITTLE STONY INHOLDER’S ALLIANCE (ULSIA) FUELS
TREATMENT PROJECT UPDATE
With the ongoing outbreaks and threats of wildfires in California the Colusa County Resource
Conservation District is excited to begin the Infrastructure Protection phase groundwork to protect
private inholdings in the boundaries of the Mendocino National Forest. Special requirements for
this phase of the project include; removing all brush encroaching in roadways, removing no more
trees then necessary to provide adequate access for fire apparatus, cutting limbs off flush with
tree trunks and pruning overhead branches to provide adequate clearance for any equipment
the road may accommodate. This work will be completed by hand crews utilizing pole saws and
chain saws. Efforts will take approximately two weeks to complete and will take place between
September 22 and December 31, 2014. The contract to complete this work was awarded to a local
contractor in the Stonyford area. Funding is provided through a Cooperative Agreement between
the US Forest Service and the CCRCD. The CCRCD is currently soliciting bids for the Fuel
Reduction phase of the project.
page 4
Colusa County Groundwater Management Plan - Update
Here are the latest updates from the Colusa County Groundwater Team:
New Website
A new “Water Resources” section has been added to the County of Colusa’s website. We will be
adding content and updating the site regularly. Check it out at: www.countyofcolusa.org, under
“Departments” click on “Water Resource”
Groundwater Commission
The next regular meeting of the Groundwater Commission will be held September 11, 2014 at 1:30
p.m. at the Colusa County Farm Bureau. Commission meetings are held quarterly and open to the
public. Our September 11 meeting will feature a presentation on groundwater levels in the County as
well as a presentation on the new groundwater legislation.
Water Users Group
The Water Users Group (WUG) is comprised of individuals representing a cross section of
landowners and managers representing water purveyors and non-organized areas. (Colusa County
GMP, 2008). The WUG is busy reviewing the Colusa County Groundwater Ordinance and will be
working on updating that document, as they also consider what the new groundwater legislation
holds in store. Water Users Group meetings are held quarterly and open to the public. The next
meeting is November 13, 2014.
Technical Support Team
The Technical Support Team (TST) consists of five members: the Water Resources Coordinator, a
subcontracted advisor, Ag Department personnel, DWR personnel, and a hydrogeologic consultant.
The TST is responsible for supporting groundwater management decision-making. This committee is
working on development of a groundwater monitoring program which is an essential component of
groundwater management.
Groundwater Legislation
As we work towards implementing Colusa County’s GMP, we are anticipating new Statewide
groundwater legislation. A package of groundwater reform bills was sent to the Governor last
week and he has until September 30 to sign or veto the bills. If the legislative package is signed by
Governor Brown, our Groundwater Management team will address these new laws in our future
planning efforts.
If you have any questions, or if you would like to get on an email notification list for upcoming
meetings and information, please contact:
Colusa County Resource Conservation District
100 Sunrise Blvd., Suite B
Colusa, CA 95932
530.458.2931 X117
[email protected] (email)
Download the Colusa County Groundwater Management Plan here:
http://colusagroundwater.ucdavis.edu/
page 5
Upcoming Meetings, Workshops & Events
Colusa County RCD Board Meetings
Regular Board meetings are held the 3rd
Tuesday of every month at the Colusa
Industrial Park conference room, 100 Sunrise
Blvd., Colusa, CA 95932 at 5:00 p.m. The public
is welcome to attend. Our next Board meeting
is Tuesday, September 16, 2014.
For more information, visit our website:
www.colusarcd.org
Places Around the Sacramento Valley, color
photographs by Jack Alderson
September 1-28, 2014
Opening Reception, September 5, 2014,
5-7 pm
Upper Crust Bakery & Eatery
130 Main St.
Chico, CA 95928
California Native Grasslands Association
Workshop
“Convert Your Water-Hungry Lawn to a DroughtTolerant Landscape”
Thursday, September 18, 2014
8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
U.C. Davis Campus
Sites JPA Meeting
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Location TBD
www.sitesjpa.net
Arbuckle Pumpkin Festival
Saturday, October 4, 2014
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Downtown Arbuckle
Sites JPA Meeting
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Tehama Colusa Canal Authority boardroom,
5513 Highway 162, Willows
www.sitesjpa.net
U.C. Cooperative Extension Workshop
“Benefits of Hedgerows on Farms in the
Sacramento Valley”
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
8:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
Location TBD
Northern Sacramento Valley IRWMP Board
Monday, September 8, 2014
9:00 a.m.
Willows City Hall
201 North Lassen Street, Willows, CA
Northern Sacramento Valley IRWMP TAC
Thursday, October 16, 2014
9:00 a.m.
Willows City Hall
201 North Lassen Street, Willows, CA
Colusa County Groundwater Commission
Thursday, September 11, 2014
1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Colusa County Farm Bureau
520 Market Street, Colusa, CA 95932
6th Annual State of The Sacramento River
Watershed Forum
October 30, 2014
Morning reception starts at 7:30 a.m.
Sheraton Grand Hotel
11230 J Street, Sacramento, CA
Northern Sacramento Valley IRWMP TAC
Thursday, September 18, 2014
9:00 a.m.
Willows City Hall
201 North Lassen Street, Willows, CA
page 6
Report Failing Wells
As early as May of this year, unofficial reports of decreased well performance, both domestic and ag, were
coming in from landowners in Colusa County. Problems were occurring as a result of dropping groundwater
levels possibly due to drought conditions and/or increasing regional groundwater use. The Colusa County
Groundwater Commission and Technical Team is asking landowners to report any well issues they are having
this year. This information will help with efforts to analyze local conditions and gain a better understanding of
the groundwater system. If you are wary of reporting well problems on your property, you can just report the
general area of the well but specific data is always appreciated. Specific well locations will not be made public.
If you have a well in Colusa County that has gone dry or is experiencing decreased performance, you can
report it by completing the Well Reporting Form - just click on the link below:
Well Reporting Form
________________________________________________________________________________
To learn more about this year’s drought and its effects on the groundwater resource, visit these websites:
U.C. Davis Center For Watershed Science, California Water Blog: http://californiawaterblog.com
Brown and Caldwell Water News: http://www.bcwaternews.com
DWR Groundwater Information Center: http://www.water.ca.gov/groundwater
Photo: Jack Alderson
page 7
Colusa Glenn Subwatershed Update
Important Information… Please read and share…
Are you meeting Ag Water Quality Regulations?
By Kandi Manhart, Subwatershed Coordinator, CGSP
Are you an agricultural producer or have managed wetlands? Do you have the potential to discharge waste
from irrigated lands during the irrigation or storm seasons? If yes, then you are subject to the Central Valley
Regional Water Quality Control Board’s Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program (ILRP), a mandated program
that all agricultural producers must comply with. And, you should be a member within the Sacramento Valley
Water Quality Coalition (a.k.a. the Colusa Glenn Subwatershed Program, one of the 12 subwatersheds in the
Sacramento Valley).
Imposed by the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board
(Regional Board), the ILRP has changed! Now, under ORDER R5-2014-0030
adopted by the Regional Board, the new water quality regulations are defined
through the Waste Discharge Requirements General Order for “Growers within
the Sacramento River Watershed that are Members of a Third-Party Group”
effective March 12, 2014 [Rice and Dairy have their own, separate Order]. To learn details about this, visit the Glenn County Resource Conservation
District’s website: www.glenncountyrcd.org [Click: Projects – Colusa Glenn
Subwatershed Program – New ILRP] or call their office at (530) 934-8036.
If you or someone you may
know is not currently in the
Colusa Glenn Subwatershed
Program (part of the
Sacramento Valley Water
Quality Coalition), contact their
office at (530) 934-8036 to help
walk you through the process.
Summary of Long-Term Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program:
• Increased Surface Water Quality and NEW Groundwater Quality reporting requirements.
• Mandatory Farm Evaluation Survey – Members will be required to complete by January 2015. Open House/Workshop schedule in progress.
• Nitrogen Management Plan – Members will be required to complete in 2015 or early 2016.
• Sediment and Erosion Control Plan – To be determined. Tentatively scheduled for 2016.
The new ILRP applies to discharges from both surface water and, now, groundwater. The groundwater
component will address waste (e.g., salt, nitrate, or pesticides) percolating past the root zone into groundwater.
The ILRP does not regulate the pumping of groundwater or groundwater quantity.
Regional Board Enforcement:
In August/September, Regional Board will have mailed 735 letters to landowners in Colusa/Glenn Counties
who may own parcel(s) they believe should be enrolled in the ILRP. Landowners have until October 2, 2014 to
join directly through the Colusa Glenn Subwatershed Program office. However, ALL recipients of the letter are
requested to respond whether subject to the ILRP or not. After October 2, landowners subject to the ILRP will
be required to apply through the Regional Board office prior to enrolling in a Coalition. ~
Colusa County’s Management Plan Update:
Due to multiple Malathion exceedances at the Lower Colusa Basin Drain above Knights Landing sample
location, all alfalfa and walnut growers within Colusa County must implement and meet the Malathion
Management Plan requirements. A workshop was held in January 2014 and mandatory survey conducted. CGSP continues implementing the Management Plan to ensure its completion. However, REMINDS growers
to follow the label and be extra cautious when using Malathion. Contact their office at (530) 934-8036 for
more information! P.O. Box 1205, Willows, California 95988 - Phone (530) 934-8036 - Email [email protected]
page 8
Hedgerow Outreach Project Update
The U.C. Cooperative Extension office in Yolo County is wrapping up year one of a three-year Hedgerow
Outreach Project, made possible with funding from the Department of Pesticide Regulation. The goal of the
project is to educate landowners about the many benefits of hedgerows on farmland and to encourage more
hedgerow plantings throughout the Sacramento Valley. The purpose is to reduce pesticide use on farms through
education and outreach to growers and landowners about field edge management practices that minimize
herbicide use, increase beneficial insect activity, and enhance biodiversity. The project focus is on replacing
clean or semi-managed weedy field edges with hedgerows of native California perennial vegetation to help
suppress noxious weeds, plant diseases, and insect pests that thrive in residual weeds in herbicide treated field
edges.
Each year, four educational hedgerow workshops will be held throughout the region. Other project activities
include, developing outreach materials such as infographics, installing five hedgerows on farmland in different
areas of the region, and implementing surveys to gauge landowner attitudes towards hedgerows.
The next hedgerow workshop will be October 8 (location to be determined) and will feature speakers discussing
their work with hedgerows, including bird research, bee and pollinator research, integrated pest management,
hedgerow establishment and maintenance, and more. The project team will also be installing two demonstration
hedgerows this fall. And for the marketing activities, the team has developed three educational hedgerow
infographics and they are in the process of putting together a hedgerow marketing package that will be
distributed to RCD and NRCS offices throughout the Sacramento Valley region.
If you are interested in more information, you can contact Rachael Long at: [email protected]
Photos from a recent field day at Davis Ranch in Colusa
page 9
Hedgerows
Benefits on Farms
AÊhedgerowÊisÊaÊrowÊofÊtrees,Êshrubs,ÊbunchÊgrassesÊandÊforbsÊonÊfieldÊedges.
NaturalÊEnemies
Hedgerows provide habitat and
floral resources (pollen and
nectar) for parasitoid wasps, lady
beetles and other natural enemies
of crop pests.
NativeÊBees
Hedgerows provide nesting habitat
and floral resources (pollen and
nectar) for native bees. Of California’s
1,600 native bees 30% are cavity
nesters, in old logs and hollow plant
stems, and 70% nest underground.
Economics
Hedgerows enhance native bees
and natural enemies in adjacent
crops that can benefit crop
production.
WeedÊControl
Hedgerow plantings help outcompete weedy vegetation that
harbors pests and diseases.
Biodiversity
Hedgerows provide cover, nesting,
and foraging habitat for migratory
and resident birds that call the
Central Valley their home.
SoilÊ&ÊWaterÊQualityÊProtection
OtherÊBenefits
Windbreaks, living fence lines,
buffer zones, shade, farm
aesthetics
Deep roots and ground cover provided
by hedgerows help stabilize soil, reduce
erosion, filter runoff, increase water
infiltration and improve soil structure.
Design: Mary Fahey
University of California Cooperative Extension
70 Cottonwood St., Woodland, CA 95695
530-666-8734 (office) | http://ceyolo.ucdavis.edu
ForÊmoreÊinformationÊonÊhedgerowsÊsee:Ê
EstablishingÊHedgerowsÊonÊ
FarmsÊinÊCalifornia
http://anrcatalog.ucdavis.eduÊ
(publicationÊ#8390)
TheÊDepartmentÊofÊPesticideÊRegulationÊ(DPR)ÊprovidedÊpartialÊorÊfullÊfundingÊforÊthisÊprojectÊbutÊdoesÊnotÊnecessarilyÊrecommendÊorÊendorseÊanyÊopinion,ÊcommercialÊproduct,ÊorÊtradeÊnameÊused.
page
10
CNGA Workshop
The California Native Grasslands Association presents
Convert Your Water‑Hungry Lawn to a Drought‑Tolerant Landscape
Thursday, September 18, 2014 – 8 am Coffee & Networking
8:30 am to 4:00 pm
Location: UC Davis Campus, Davis, CA
Fees: $25 CNGA members/ $30 non-members | Parking is available for $9/per day.
Keynote Speaker: John Greenlee
Specialist in grass ecology and sustainable public and private spaces.
His most recent book is The American Meadow Garden: Creating a Natural Alternative to the Traditional
Lawn.
This 1-day workshop will provide participants with in-depth information for converting high-water-use
conventional lawns into beautiful low-water-use, attractive, native and climate-appropriate landscapes. This
workshop will provide a variety of landscape options for you to reimagine your lawn area in a number of
different styles. Participants will receive detailed information on various species (grasses, flowering herbaceous
plants, tress, shrubs) that work best in residential, institutional, and commercial landscapes. Participants will
also gain firsthand knowledge of the steps required to convert a traditional lawn to a low-water use landscape,
including low water use irrigation and maintenance. There will be a morning classroom session and an afternoon
walking tour to look at turf conversion, turf alternatives, and native plant gardens. Material will be relevant for
both professionals and homeowners.
For more information, visit: www.cnga.org
Photography Show, Jack Alderson, NRCS
For those of you who regularly read the CCRCD’s newsletter, you have seen many spectacular
photos of our area taken by Jack Alderson. Jack is an NRCS Area Engineer, based in the Colusa Field
Office. Staff in our office have been lucky enough to enjoy Jack’s photography over the years, and
we’re excited about his upcoming photography show in Chico:
Places Around the Sacramento Valley
One Place in the Black Rock Desert
Color Photographs by Jack Alderson
September 1-28, 2014
Opening Reception, September 5, 2014,
5-7 pm
Upper Crust Bakery & Eatery
130 Main St., Chico, CA 95928
Photo: Jack Alderson
page 11
Support Your Local RCD! (Donations are Tax Deductible)
As you are contemplating your charitable donations please consider a donation to your local
Resource Conservation District. Charitable contributions to governmental units, such as the RCD,
are tax-deductible under section 170 (c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code if made for a public
purpose.
Why support your RCD?:
(From the CARCD website)
RCDs are a leader in on-the-ground conservation efforts.
The 99 districts statewide are the center of locally led
conservation in their communities and accomplish
thousands of practical, hands-on conservation projects
every year. Often these projects involve agriculture and
private land, but we also accomplish much more.
Typical projects include:
• Water conservation
• Watershed protection
• Creek restoration
• Stream bank restoration
• Habitat improvement
• Fish passage
• Hedgerow plantings
• Community education
• Grower workshops
• Native plantings
• Creek clean-ups
• Education of agriculturists on better and new
environmental practices particularly around water
conservation and BMPs
• Classroom visits
• Fire prevention projects
• Fire prevention education
•Technical assistance to agriculturists
• Watershed Management
Watershed Education
Stream Bank Restoration &
Habitat Improvement
RCDs are special districts that are a good
example of strong local government. We are
responsive and accountable to our communities
to promote local conservation goals.
Since most RCDs do not receive tax payer
funding, we bring millions of dollars to local
communities through conservation projects funded
mainly through grants and private contributions.
We are your partner in local conservation and agriculture.
page 12
Field Days
Photo: Jack Alderson
Thanks for Reading!
100 Sunrise Boulevard, Suite B, Colusa, CA 95932 | 530.458.2931 | www.colusarcd.org
Follow us on facebook!
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