PART A - COVER PAGE

STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD

SFY 2001 Costa-Machado Water Act of 2000

Chapter 6, Article 2, Watershed Protection Program

APPLICANT:

Salmon Creek Watershed Council

ADDRESS:	Post Office Box 125
	Bodega, CA 94922

PROJECT DIRECTOR:

Kathleen Kraft

E-MAIL ADDRESS:

kkkraft@yahoo.com

FAX NO.:

(707) 876-1806

PHONE NO.:

(707) 874-2014

FEDERAL TAX I.D. NO.:

94-3175306

PROJECT TITLE:

Salmon to Salmon Creek

PROBLEM(S) BEING ADDRESSED:

Decline in suitable habitat for aquatic life resulting in federal and state listings of endangered species, reduced water quality and quantity, increased sedimentation in creek, loss of riparian habitat.

WATERBODY/WATERSHED:

Salmon Creek Watershed

FISCAL SUMMARY:

Prop 13 Funds Requested

$200,000

(minimum [$50,000]/maximum [$5,000,000])

PROJECT SUMMARY:

The Category 1 Salmon Creek Watershed drains directly into the Pacific Ocean just north of Bodega Bay, a true coastal watershed. Once an excellent steelhead trout and coho salmon stream, the fishery has seriously declined. The last coho was observed in 1996. Land uses in the 34.5 square miles of watershed are a mix of rural residential and agriculture, primarily grazing with a small but expanding number of vineyards. In addition to an entirely wild population of steelhead, the watershed is home to a number of listed aquatic species including the California freshwater shrimp, western pond turtle, and red-legged frog. The watershed has no large dams or urban centers, and retains significant areas of vigorous native riparian habitat, especially below the town of Bodega. Salmon Creek ends in a magnificent estuary, which provides vital habitat for migrating waterfowl and shorebirds.

Many members of the community, from long-time ranchers and Bodega Bay fishermen to newcomers, have expressed their support of seeing the return of a strong salmonid run. The first Salmon Creek Watershed Day in 1998 attracted over 300 people; another is planned for the summer of 2001. The Salmon Creek Watershed Council with its partners, the Bodega Land Trust and Gold Ridge RCD, is committed to developing a watershed plan that protects the beauty and integrity of the watershed while supporting a healthy, sustainable local economy.

The three primary goals of the proposed project are to: 1) Develop an overview of the condition of the watershed through assessments of land use, sediment sources, instream habitat, riparian condition, and water quality, and create a Watershed Management Plan: 2) Increase public awareness and stewardship of the watershed’s natural resources: 3) Strengthen the young network of watershed councils working in western Sonoma County.

PART B - BUDGET SUMMARY SHEET

STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD

APPLICANT:	Salmon Creek Watershed Council
PROJECT TITLE:	Salmon to Salmon Creek

	Total Budget	Matching Funds*	Prop 13 SWRCB Share
1. Personnel Services	$133,440	$63,440	$70,000**
2. Operating Expenses			$5,000***
3. Property Acquisitions
a. Equipment	$6,000	$1,000	$5,000
(Digital camera, laptop computer, software)
b. Furniture	$250	$ 250
c. Portable assets
d. Electronic data
e. Processing equipment
f. Miscellaneous (monitoring supplies and equipment)			$8,000
g. Real Estate easements
h. Real Estate
4. Professional and Consulting Services	$111,500	$6,500	$92,000
5. Construction Expenses
6. CEQA/NEPA
7. Overhead (10%)	$20,000		$20,000
TOTAL BUDGET	$271,190	$71,190	$200,000

* Includes in-kind support from local community in planning, outreach, office management, and creation and maintenance of two websites.

** Includes Watershed Council staff plus trained community field assistants.

*** Includes production of outreach materials and final watershed plan.

Note: The SWRCB reserves the right to adjust project awards. Applicants may be asked to reduce their project budgets. Applicants should be prepared to provide detailed justification of costs by task for their project.

PART C - PROJECT QUESTIONNAIRE

1. PROJECT TITLE:

Salmon to Salmon Creek

2. LEAD AGENCY:

Bodega Land Trust a 501c3 California Not for Profit

ADDRESS:	Post Office Box 254
	Bodega, California 94922

PROJECT DIRECTOR:

Kathleen Kraft

E-MAIL ADDRESS:

kkkraft@yahoo.com

FAX NO.:

707-876-1806

PHONE NO.

707-874-2104

3a. WATERSHED IN WHICH THE PROJECT WILL BE UNDERTAKEN: Salmon Creek Watershed

3b. COUNTY IN WHICH THE PROJECT WILL BE UNDERTAKEN: Sonoma

3c. IS THE PROPOSED PROJECT WITHIN THE CALFED SOLUTION AREA? _____ yes X no

3d. Do you want your project forwarded to CALFED to alert CALFED to your need for funding? yes X no

4. IDENTIFY THE MAJOR SOURCES OF NPS POLLUTION THAT WILL BE ADDRESSED BY THE PROPOSED PROJECT (CHECK ALL APPROPRIATE SOURCES).

X Agriculture X Forestry X Urban (Construction, Roads, Septic Systems) X Stormwater/Urban Runoff

____Marinas and Boating Activities X Hydromodification

____Resource Extraction Other: X Ranch and Rural Residential Roads

5. PROPOSAL DESCRIPTION

a. PROBLEM STATEMENT

The problems facing the Salmon Creek Watershed include loss of salmonid habitat, as well as general habitat loss and degradation. The Region 1 Watershed Management Initiative states that in Salmon Creek, “[C]oncerns have been raised by the public regarding increased sedimentation, water temperature, nutrients and salmonid habitat values.” Problems are attributed to the detrimental effects of roads, grazing, vineyard conversions, confined animal wastes, domestic septic system failures, timber harvests, loss of riparian habitat, residential pressures, and reduced flows in tributaries and the mainstem. Salmon Creek is a Category 1 watershed and is considered degraded because of sediment. According to Michael Banks of the Bodega Marine Lab, the last coho was sighted in 1996. The return of salmon is a goal strongly supported by residents of the watershed.

The Salmon Creek Watershed Council is one of many proactive citizen, environmental, and industry groups committed to establishing a watershed plan to restore the watershed, water quality, and endangered species plus other aquatic and terrestrial life. Gold Ridge RCD, Fish and Game, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Fish and Wildlife Service have funded conservation measures and outreach activities. U.C. Cooperative Extension has helped agricultural producers formulate individual conservation plans to protect natural resources. A prioritized and organized restoration program developed by community members will provide a vision to direct continued conservation efforts over the next 20 years and beyond. Baseline data gathered in the assessment, coupled with monitoring, will allow progress to be gauged and adaptations incorporated.

People are drawn to this area by the health and beauty of the natural environment. Since the 1890s, annual July 4^th celebrations have been held in an old growth redwood grove on the banks of Tannery Creek, a tributary of Salmon Creek. This community strength can be called upon to support efforts to bring back the once plentiful coho and steelhead. There are many residents who remember them with great emotion. Despite ongoing projects, riparian revegetation, outreach, and education programs, there is a great need to have a comprehensive watershed plan to look holistically at the health of the system.

b. SPECIFIC WATER QUALITY GOALS INVOLVED

Goal 9 in the Watershed Management Initiative for the Russian River/Bodega area is the “Assessment of Salmon Creek and other tributaries.” Goal 3 is “Protect and enhance coldwater fisheries.” Steelhead trout and coho salmon are federally listed as threatened species, and Salmon Creek is identified as critical habitat. With the last official coho sighting in 1996, time is of the essence in identifying and implementing restoration measures.

This project will focus on collecting basic streamflow data, water quality data (pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, temperature, nutrients, conductivity and bacteria) and assessing sediment delivery, instream habitat, and riparian habitat. The collected data can be used to help assess the current conditions of Salmon Creek’s aquatic habitat for anadromous fish and other aquatic species (including the red-legged frog, western pond turtle, and endangered California freshwater shrimp), domestic water, agricultural and recreational uses. The Watershed Plan produced from the assessment and community goals will guide implementation to achieve water quality sufficient to support a healthy aquatic ecosystem. The Plan will also identify possible additional assessment and outreach needs, such as a water budget, and provide the foundation for the Salmon Creek Watershed Council to effectively seek more grant funds and continue to galvanize strong community support.

c. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Our project is to complete a management plan of the entire watershed as part of a regional watershed planning effort. This process will have three major components:

A) Develop an overview of the condition of the watershed to formulate a Watershed Management Plan. Key partners include Gold Ridge RCD (GRRCD), local landowners, DFG, NMFS, NRCS, Point Reyes Bird Observatory (PRBO), Harmony Union School District, Bodega Marine Lab, and the West County Watershed Network. Prop. 13:79080j requirements addressed in this component are listed below following each project element.

1. Sediment source inventory (including roads) with predicted sediment delivery loads, prescribed treatments, and list of potential projects (requirements 1, 2, 5, 7, 8 and 10).

2. Riparian habitat assessment and list of potential projects (requirements 1, 2, 5, 7, 8 and 10).

3. Land use inventory summary and mapping (requirements 1, 2, 5, 7, and 8).

4. In stream habitat typing to be completed by DFG in 2001 (requirements 1, 2, 5, 7, 8 and 10).

5. Landowner outreach and watershed community meetings (requirements 1, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 9).

6. Community training for erosion and riparian habitat assessments and for bird monitoring (requirements 1, 3, 4, 5, 8 and 9).

7. Water quality monitoring training for community members, related data collection and summary (requirements 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, and 10).

8. Watershed Plan that includes goals, potential projects, and assessment data (requirements 1 through 10).

9. Watershed maps showing information collected in assessments. Mapping will be done using AutoCAD™, and will be readily transferable to a GIS.

10. Periodic reporting to SWRCB/RWQCB.

B) Increase public awareness.

The assessment process provides an opportunity to involve the public and increase awareness of the importance of water quality by demonstrating how their lives collectively and directly influence the watershed. This will be done through a series of workshops and meetings targeting different segments of the community. There will also be opportunities for residents to receive training in assessment and monitoring procedures. This strategy will have a three-fold effect: public recognition of problems in the watershed; a local ecological knowledge base; and development of a community sense of responsibility. Ultimately, increased public awareness will result in improved habitat as well as local economic development that sustains the natural environment. This component addresses Prop. 13: 7908j requirements 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9.

C) Strengthen the network of watershed councils within the Gold Ridge RCD and contribute to regional watershed planning.

This effort includes: (1) participation in regular West County Watershed Network meetings as part of an ongoing effort to coordinate watershed activities with other watershed groups and to share knowledge, resources, and research efforts; (2) participation in “Basins of Relations,” an annual, week-long workshop designed to disseminate information on all aspects of the watershed and develop the organizational capacities of watershed groups in the Gold Ridge RCD; and (3) representation of watershed concerns at “Blue Circle” meetings with agency representatives. This component addresses Prop. 13: 7908j requirements 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9.

d. WORK TO BE PERFORMED/PROPOSED ACTIONS

i. ITEMIZED TASKS AND MILESTONES

Task	Completion Date	Methods and Milestones
1. Assessment.
1.1 Compile existing information	June, 2002
1.2 Prepare land use history	March, 2002	· Interview current and past residents. · Research historic photos, reports, and other archives.
1.3 Complete sediment survey	March, 2003	· Review existing past and current aerial photographs. · Interview residents. · Conduct a field inventory to check the most significant sites and determine sediment delivery rates. The inventory will include a photograph of each site, a sketch with rough measurements, landowner name, an activity rating (i.e., low, medium, high), possible repairs, and a priority rating. Unsurfaced roads will be surveyed using the PWA methodolgy. · Train community assistants. · Indicate prioritized erosion sites on a digititized watershed map. · Compile the inventory information into a written report. · Present the erosion information at a community meeting.

1.4 Complete riparian habitat survey	March, 2003	· Analyze existing information, including aerial photographs and landowner interviews, and perform field reconnaissance to characterize historic and present riparian plant communities. Characterization will include density, species composition, and stand condition. · Train community assistants. · Develop a list of priority sites and restoration recommendations. · Summarize information into a written report with a discussion on the potential to enhance and protect the existing plant communities. · Produce a digitized map showing known historic and existing riparian habitat. · Present the riparian habitat information at a community meeting.
1.5 Complete in stream habitat inventory	December, 2001	To be completed by DFG in 2001. This inventory includes embeddedness and substrate composition; presence of woody debris, undercut banks and other cover; pool riffle ratios; flow; water temperatures; canopy density; bank composition; and channel typing according to Rosgen (1996).
1.6 Develop a citizen-based monitoring program for water quality and flow	Year 1 October, 2002 Year 2 October, 2003 Year 3 October, 2004	YEAR 1 · Determine monitoring sites (including stream reference reach and water quality monitoring station). · Develop monitoring plan based on current SWRCB protocols. · Establish monitoring sites (survey reference reach, set staff plate and crest gauge). · Identify community volunteers/ staff. · Purchase monitoring equipment. YEAR 2 · Water monitoring training for community volunteers/ staff. · Begin community monitoring program w/ professional supervision. · Seek funding to complete 10 years of stream monitoring. YEAR 3 · Community volunteers/staff monitoring. · Professional staff provide on going monitoring assistance. · Summarize data and include in watershed plan.
1.7 Develop a citizen-based bird monitoring program	Training completed by July, 2002 Monitoring ongoing	· Select best indicators for Salmon Creek riparian health based on Riparian Bird Conservation Plan. · Determine monitoring sites with PRBO. · PRBO training of community volunteers. · Monitor each spring with area searches, point counts, territory mapping, nest monitoring to establish reproductive success, diversity and abundance.
2. Landowner/Resident Outreach and Community Education.
2.1 Salmon Creek Watershed Day	May 19, 2001, and then regularly thereafter	· Day-long celebration in the process of being organized by the Salmon Creek Watershed Council. Includes lectures, exhibits, and children’s school projects.
2.2 Mailings and newsletters	Ongoing	· Coordinate with RCD, Sonoma Land Trust, Joy Road Neighborhood Association, Bodega Land Trust. Notify as per Section 79080 (h). · Use to solicit involvement in the Management Plan, provide information on assessment and results, invite residents to meetings and events.
2.3 One-on-one outreach	Ongoing	· Coordinate with Gold Ridge RCD, NRCS.
2.4 Public Meetings	Ongoing	· Cooperate with Gold Ridge RCD and other watershed groups. · Hold small, targeted meetings designed for maximum participation with emphasis on information.
2.5 Public review of completed assessments	April, 2004	· Series of meetings with targeted groups (i.e., ranchers, vineyard owners, rural residents, townspeople). These meetings will review results of various assessments with landowners and residents.
2.6 Community meetings to develop a watershed management plan	August, 2004	· Facilitate a series of at least three public meetings based on consensus process to develop overall management strategy inclusive of all stakeholder interests.
3. Strengthen network of watershed councils.
3.1 “Basins of Relations” course	Yearly in the summer	Sponsored by DFG and Occidental Arts and Ecology Center. A comprehensive course put on by Brock Dolman for watershed groups that gives a thorough grounding in watershed management and helps watershed group development
3.2 Regular Watershed Network meetings	Ongoing	Regular meetings to share information, work on common problems, share success stories, and coordinate regional watershed efforts.
3.3 Coordination with Gold Ridge RCD	Ongoing	Formation of steering committee with participation of watershed groups, RCD, NRCS, and DFG. Attendance at monthly RCD meetings by representatives of the watershed group.
4. Reporting & Mgt Plan Preparation
4.1 Quarterly reports	Quarterly
4.2 Final Report	October, 2004
4.3 Watershed Management Plan	October, 2004	· Compile existing information, collected assessment and monitoring data, prioritized restoration recommendations, and community goals into a draft management plan. · Review draft at community meetings. Make draft available to all stakeholders. · Complete final Watershed Management Plan.

ii. METHODS AND MATERIALS TO BE USED IN PERFORMING THE WORK

Methods are described above in Question 5(d)(i). Materials include a digital camera, laptop computer, water monitoring supplies, and postage and printing for outreach materials. Flow will be measured with a staf plate and crest guage.

iii. REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS TO ASSURE A MINIMUM STANDARD OF QUALITY, REGULATORY COMPLIANCE, AND PRODUCT ACCEPTABILITY. THIS INCLUDES CEQA/NEPA, AS NOTED ON PAGE I-6 OF THIS RFP.

Not applicable since this is an assessment and plan.

e. STARTING AND ENDING DATES FOR THE ACTIVITIES PROPOSED FOR FUNDING UNDER THIS GRANT

Project Start date: November 2, 2001 End date: November 1, 2004

(after November 1, 2001) (no later than November 1, 2004)

Is this a phased project or part of a larger project effort? Y X N __

The Watershed Management Plan is the beginning of a long-term outreach and implementation effort.

f. MONITORING AND REPORTING PLAN

If the project is selected, funded projects must submit to the SWRCB a monitoring and reporting plan consistent with the provisions of this RFP and requirements of the subaccount. If water quality sampling (chemistry) or other environmental measurements are undertaken, the applicant will be required to prepare and maintain a Quality Assurance Plan (QAP). The QAP shall be approved by the RWQCB Quality Assurance Officer, Peter Otis (707) 576-2662, or the SWRCB Quality Assurance Officer, Bill Ray (916/341-5583), or the Contract Manager prior to the implementation of any sampling or monitoring activities. Describe any monitoring or reporting that will be necessary to satisfy this requirement

Water quality will be monitored according to a prepared QAP that has been approved by the SWRCB quality assurance officer.

i. Does your project include any type of monitoring activity? If so, will at least a portion of that monitoring be considered Citizen Monitoring? For purposes of this RFP, Citizen Monitoring is defined as any monitoring activity that relies in whole or in part on participation by volunteers, students, or non-paid staff.

Yes. We will use volunteers and paid staff for monitoring.

ii. What type of monitoring is proposed? For example, types of monitoring activities could include photo-documentation, water quality monitoring, benthic macroinvertebrate bioassessment, or fluvial geomorphological measurements. Will your monitoring be oriented toward ambient water or habitat quality, or will it be used to determine the effectiveness of restoration or management measures?

A long-term community stream monitoring program will be developed and implemented over a three-year period. The program will focus on collecting basic water quality, channel geometry, and flow data. The collected data can be used to help assess the current conditions of Salmon Creek for fisheries, aquatic habitat, domestic water, and recreational use. The information will also help evaluate land use changes and development in the watershed and how it affects Salmon Creek and its tributaries.

At least six monitoring sites will be established throughout the watershed in locations that represent various channel types, drainage areas and land uses; including the main stem and selected tributaries. Monitoring sites will include a reference reach study area, 20-30 channel widths long, that will be used to evaluate channel geometries and features such as dimension (cross section), profile and pattern (plan form). A staff plate and crest gauge will be installed and used in conjunction with velocity measurements to monitor storm flows, summer low flow regime, and annual peak flow. A water quality monitoring station will be established within each reference reach study area where data on temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, fecal coliform, pH, nutrients, and turbidity will be collected.

In Year 1, professional consultants will complete a one-time set up of all the monitoring sites and provide training to community volunteers and Salmon Creek Watershed Group staff on the various water quality monitoring and channel survey techniques. Professional staff will oversee the data collection and work with the community volunteers on the Year 2 monitoring. Community volunteers will collect data with support from professional staff as requested from Year 3 on.

Channel geometries and features will be surveyed annually. Water quality and flow measurement collection will be either bi-weekly, monthly or bi-monthly. Flow and water quality protocols will refer to the Sotoyome RCD manual “Creating a Watershed Atlas and Monitoring Program” or other EPA and SWRCB-approved volunteer monitoring protocols. Channel geometry and features monitoring will refer to Dave Rosgen Applied River Morphology and to Dunne and Leopold’s Water in Environmental Planning.

Point Reyes Bird Observatory will also be training volunteers to monitor riparian areas each spring with area searches, point counts, territory mapping and nest monitoring.

6. SWRCB or RWQCB STAFF CONTACTED REGARDING THIS PROPOSAL:

RWQCB Contact:	Janet Blake	SWRCB Contact:	Bill Ray
Phone No.:	707-576-2805	Phone No.:	916-341-5583
Dates contacted:	5/00,6/00/9/00,12/00,1/01	Dates contacted:	1/05/01

7. COOPERATING AGENCIES:

(Note any formal agreements to cooperate.)

Agency Name	Bodega Land Trust
Role/Contribution to Project:	Fiscal Sponsor, easement education and information
Contact Person:	Ann Cassidy	Phone No.:	707- 876-1806
E-mail address:	alistair@sonic.net
Agency Name:	Prunuske Chatham Inc.
Role/Contribution to Project:	Contractor; sediment, water quality, flow, and habitat surveys; community training
Contact Person:	Liza Prunuske	Phone No.:	707-874-0100
E-mail address:	liza@pcz.com
Agency Name:	Gold Ridge RCD
Role/Contribution to Project:	Landowner outreach; database
Contact Person:	Joe Pozzi	Phone No.:	707-823-3037
E-mail address:	JoePozzi@sonic.net

Agency Name:	California Department of Fish and Game
Role/Contribution to Project:	Instream Habitat Survey
Contact Person:	Doug Albin	Phone No.:	707- 964-7683
E-mail address:	dalbin@dfg2.ca.gov
Role/Contribution to Project:	Fishery technical information
Contact Person:	Bill Cox	Phone No.:	707-823-1001
E-mail address:	billcox@dfg2.ca.gov

Agency Name:	USDA-NRCS
Role/Contribution to Project:	Soil info, Maps, Conservation practices, technical assistance
Contact Person:	Charlette Sanders	Phone No.:	707-794-1242 x3
E-mail address:	charlette.sanders@ca.usda.gov

Agency Name:	Point Reyes Bird Observatory
Role/Contribution to Project:	Bird Survey for Riparian Health
Contact Person:	Geoff Geupel	Phone No.:	415-868-0655
E-mail address:	ggeupel@prbo.org

Agency Name:	Sonoma Land Trust
Role/Contribution to Project:	Land use summary, maps
Contact Person:	David Katz	Phone No.:	707-526-6930
E-mail address:	slt@sonic.net

Agency Name:	Surfrider Foundation
Role/Contribution to Project:	Fecal coliform data and collection
Contact Person:	Mike Jensen	Phone No.:	707- 876-1859
E-mail address:	mike@pcz.com

Agency Name:	Sonoma County Water Agency
Role/Contribution to Project:	Flood control information
Contact Person:	Renee Theriault Webber	Phone No.	707-547-1936
E-mail address:	renee@scwa.ca.gov
Agency Name:	Bodega Marine Lab
Role/Contribution to Project:	Fisheries information
Contact Person:	Paul Siri	Phone No.:	707-875-2005
E-mail address:

Agency Name:	Sonoma County Open Space District
Role/Contribution to Project:	Land Use, Easements Information
Contact Person:	Andrea McKenzie	Phone No.:	707-524-7360
E-mail address:

8. ATTACH A MAP (8 ½ X 11 is preferred) DEPICTING THE PROJECT AREA.

9. IS THE PROPOSED PROJECT PART OF AN EXISTING WATERSHED RESTORATION ACTION STRATEGY OR EQUIVALENT DOCUMENT?

Yes___ No__X_

10. DOES THE PROPOSED PROJECT ADDRESS ANY OF THE WATERBODIES LISTED AS CATEGORY 1 (IMPAIRED) WATERSHEDS IN SECTION _ IN THE ARD?

Yes_X__ No___

Salmon Creek Watershed Bodega Bay # 18010111

11. WILL THE PROPOSED PROJECT ACHIEVE MEASURABLE WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENTS?

Yes___ No_X__

Although this will be an assessment and plan with no actual implementation, future projects will be identified that will achieve measurable water quality improvements. Landowner awareness will also help water quality.

12. LIST ANY PREVIOUS PROP 13 IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS AWARDED FOR WORK IN THIS WATERSHED. None.

13. LIST GRANTS FROM OTHER AGENCIES AND OTHER FUNDING SOURCES (SUCH AS CALFED, 319[h], 205[j], PROPOSITION 204) THAT HAVE BEEN USED OR ARE CURRENTLY BEING USED TO SUPPORT WORK IN THIS WATERSHED.

A. 1987 Circuit Rider Productions, funded by a grant from the Coastal Conservancy, produced the Sonoma County Coastal Wetlands Enhancement Plan (Prop. 70 monies).

B. 1990-1993 A grant from the Coastal Conservancy to Gold Ridge RCD implemented some of the proposals identified by the above plan. The work on ranches included gully repairs, road repairs, bank repairs, sediment and grade control structures, and a lined waterway.

C. Gold Ridge RCD currently has a grant from Sonoma County Fish and Wildlife Advisory Board to install 9,000 feet of riparian fencing in Fay Creek and a DFG grant for watershed outreach and enhancement. They also have 205(j) and 319(h) grants pending for work in Salmon Creek and neighboring watersheds.

D. The Bodega Land Trust and the landowners at 710 Salmon Creek Road in Bodega received three grants for riparian restoration (1995 The Northwest Emergency Assistance Program, 1996 California Department of Fish and Game, 1995 The Rex Foundation). The restoration techniques used were biotechnical bank repair, in stream habitat enhancement, and tree and shrub planting.

E. 1998 NRCS (WHIP) and Partners for Wildlife funded a riparian forest restoration on Fay Creek. Native grasses, shrubs, and trees were planted, along with biotechnical stream bank stabilization.

F. 1974 Joy Road Study. This land use study was conducted by the Sonoma County Planning Department.

G. The Sonoma County Fish and Wildlife Advisory Board has paid for livestock exclusionary fencing.

H. STRAW (Students and Teachers Restoring a Watershed ) sponsored two classes from the Harmony United School District to plant native riparian vegetation at two watershed sites.

I. The NRCS under their EQIP program funded 5 recent watershed and stream bank protection projects in the watershed. They did similar work years ago under the Agricultural Conservation Program.

J. The Chanslor Ranch completed a wetland restoration project near the mouth of Salmon Creek.

14. SUMMARIZE ACTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN ACCOMPLISHED TO DATE TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM(S) (e.g., PAST MONITORING, PLANNING, IMPLEMENTATION PHASES).

Answers to Question 13 above list specific implementation projects.

According to the Watershed Management Initiative, “Little is known about the water quality condition of Salmon Creek and it has received little attention from a water sampling perspective.” According to Bill Cox, DFG fisheries biologist, “There have been no studies in Salmon Creek and only a few brief surveys to look at general conditions and fish presence.” The Salmon Creek Watershed Council put on the 1998 Salmon Creek Watershed Day. Many of the speakers addressed the watershed's problems. The Council built and maintains two websites that contain detailed information about the watershed (bodeganet.com/salmoncreek and freestone.com/salmoncreek). The U.C. Cooperative Extension Service has conducted ranch planning courses. The Bodega Land Trust holds educational talks and walks and publishes a regular newsletter on watershed and land management issues.

15. DESCRIBE HOW THE PROJECT WILL RESULT IN ONGOING OR WIDESPREAD IMPLEMENTATION THROUGHOUT THE PROJECT AREA, REGION, OR STATE.

The groups that have joined the West County Watershed Network are in various stages of formation. Any work we do will help those who are just beginning. Having a watershed plan with a list of prioritized projects is a huge step toward actual implementation and also an example for others that are in the planning stage. This project also serves as a model for thoughtful, well-organized grassroots watershed planning based on generous collaboration and cooperation.

16. DESCRIBE HOW THE PROJECT WILL DEMONSTRATE A CAPABILITY OF SUSTAINING WATER QUALITY BENEFITS FOR A PERIOD OF 20 YEARS AS REQUIRED BY PROP 13 (79080(d)(2)).

The Watershed Management Plan will provide a blueprint to focus and direct restoration, build community awareness, and continue water quality monitoring for the next 20 years.

17. IF THERE IS AN NPDES PERMIT REQUIRED FOR THIS PROJECT AREA (CHECK WITH YOUR RWQCB), DESCRIBE THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE PROJECT TO THE PERMIT. No

18. FOR PROP 13 PROJECTS, IDENTIFY THE NPS MANAGEMENT MEASURE(S) THAT THE PROPOSED PROJECT WILL IMPLEMENT AND DESCRIBE HOW YOU WILL BE ABLE TO TRACK OR ACCOUNT FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THESE MEASURES.

NRCS conservation practices will be incorporated into the watershed plan as well as NPS Management Measures. As this is only the planning phase, there will be no implementation.

19. WHAT CAPABILITY OR COMMITMENTS DOES THE APPLICANT HAVE TO ENSURE THAT THE PROJECT WILL BE COMPLETED?

Organized in 1997, the Salmon Creek Watershed Council has sponsored one Salmon Creek Watershed Day in 1998, a community event attended by over 300 people, and is currently planning the next in 2001. Monthly meetings are open to the public. We have a donated office, computer, website, copier, and willing volunteers.

The Bodega Land Trust, incorporated in 1993, is well respected in the community and holds 4 riparian corridor conservation easements in the watershed as well as 2 forever wild easements. Both organizations are committed to the entire watershed and its communities.

The community of people in the Salmon Creek watershed is deeply concerned about the landscape in which they live. Long time residents and newcomers alike would truly celebrate the return of the salmon. A number of conservation and forever wild easements already exist, and other parts of the watershed have been targeted for wildland protection by the Sonoma Land Trust and the Sonoma County Agricultural and Open Space District. Furthermore, Salmon Creek has been identified by the California Department of Fish and Game, National Marine Fisheries, Bodega Marine Laboratory, and fishermen’s organizations as a prime candidate for habitat restoration that will sustain wild salmon runs.

20. DESCRIBE ANTICIPATED FUTURE WORK

In the future, the Salmon Creek Watershed Council will continue outreach and education to stakeholders in the watershed in cooperation with Gold Ridge RCD, the schools, the Joy Ridge Neighborhood Association, Bodega Land Trust, and the Rancho Bodega Historical Society. We will use public meetings, newsletters, the web site, and the Salmon Creek Watershed Days to increase citizen awareness. In addition, the West County Watershed Network that grew out of last year’s “Basins of Relations” course will continue regular meetings to pool knowledge, resources, contacts, and ideas. There are also plans to form a local “Blue Circle” to streamline and maximize contacts with the various agencies. Salmon Creek Watershed Council will also work closely with Gold Ridge RCD and landowners to vigorously support implementation of the Watershed Management Plan restoration projects.

21. INDICATE IF THIS PROJECT IS IMPLEMENTING A TMDL.

Yes ___ No _X__ If yes, briefly explain.

Implementation of the watershed plan will reduce the need for watershed TMDLs.