District Size: 2,141,430 acres Year Formed: 1942 Projects: Resource Conservation District of Monterey County takes in portions of the central California coast: steep mountains plunging into the Pacific Ocean; steelhead and salmon runs in sparkling creeks; lush stream valleys meandering peacefully through a checkerboard of strawberry and lettuce fields. Farmers and public agencies are making significant efforts to deal with fields and streambank erosion, sedimentation of spawning beds, degradation of riparian habitat and estuaries.
The RCD is participating in an exciting effort, called Partners in Restoration (PIR), which helps farmers and landowners to adopt conservation practices on their lands ? practices that both enhance the natural resources and help solve on-farm problems such as excessive erosion. This innovative program streamlines the permitting process for these conservation practices, essentially creating "one-stop permit shopping".
The district is partnering with Sustainable Conservation, a nonprofit environmental organization, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Water Quality Protection Program of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (WQPP) to implement the pilot program in the Elkhorn Slough Watershed in Monterey County. a program overview is located at: Coastlines.
Summer 1998 saw the implementation of 15 conservation projects initiated by farmers in that watershed. First year net environmental and economic gains are exciting. Approximately 12,024 fewer tons of valuable soils will flow from upstream fields and creeks into the Slough and, ultimately, the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary waters. A bit more than a mile of stream bank and channel were also enhanced.
After two years of design and review, watershed-based permits were issued to NRCS and the RCD of Monterey County that allow the use of ten best management practices in conservation plans prepared by them for farms in the area. The BMPs have been extensively reviewed, and conditioned by federal, state, and local agencies. When a farmer walks in the door of the NRCS Elkhorn Slough Watershed Project to request technical and cost share assistance to deal with erosion or flooding, they can implement projects under this permit umbrella. The landowner must agree to implement the project using the standards developed with the agencies. An added benefit is that all public agencies waived fees for farmers participating in this effort.
Another innovative project was "Every Picture Tells A Story". - The resource conservation district (RCD) of Monterey County, California, found a unique way to present its Hispanic farmers and ranchers in Salinas with conservation plans. 'Visual Presentation Methods to Promote Conservation Technology to Hispanic Customers' is a computer photo simulation tool used to depict what a particular conservation plan might look like on a farm or ranch. This technology allows district staff and NRCS employees in Salinas to present a 'before' and 'after' picture of a project. landowners/cooperators can see the final picture and know exactly what the plans will look like on their farm or ranch.
The RCD provides technical assistance and equipment to growers and active community members for self-monitoring of water quality. The district supports community efforts to sponsor forums such as the Monterey County Water Forum and public planning forums. The district works to strengthen awareness within the community and watershed organizations of local environmental issues and conservation land practices. Overview: The Resource Conservation District of Monterey County (RCD) is a public agency that had its beginnings in 1942. The RCD is a subdivision of the State of California. The RCD recognizes that clean water, healthy soil, vegetation and wildlife are essential to the ecological welfare of this region, its economic health and quality of life.
The Directors of the RCD serve voluntarily and are appointed by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors. The Directors represent a broad spectrum of experience including farming, ranching, biologists and planners. They are dedicated to serving both public and private conservation needs. The Directors and RCD staff work closely with the United States Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) who serve as the RCD's technical staff.
