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REGION:  BAY DELTA
LOCATION:  STANISLAUS COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

ADDRESS:  20 N. El Circulo, Patterson, CA 95363
PHONE:  (209) 892-3026
FAX:  (209) 892-5136

EMAIL:  N/A
WEBSITE:  N/A

DISTRICT SIZE:  380,075 acres

The West Stanislaus RCD includes the area west of the San Joaquin River to the Santa Clara County line and is bordered by San Joaquin County to the North and Merced County to the South. The communities of Newman, Crows Landing, Patterson and Westley/Grayson are included within the District. The West Stanislaus Resource Conservation District encompasses 380,075 total acres.

YEAR DISTRICT FORMED:  1980

The West Stanislaus Resource Conservation District (RCD) was formed through consolidation of the Orestimba (1952) and Patterson (1958) Soil Conservation Districts and through the annexation of adjacent lands in Stanislaus County West of the San Joaquin River (1980).

WATERSHED PROJECTS:  

Areas of the District have historically been subjected to perched high water tables, over drafting of deep water tables, irrigation induced erosion and sedimentation, soils with steep highly erosive slopes, salt buildup and slow water intake rates. During periods of heavy rain and runoffs there are also severe flooding problems along Westside creeks.

The West Stanislaus RCD has sponsored major state and federal projects that have resulted in significant funding for on-farm improvements. Economic evaluations of the benefits provided by the RCD/NRCS partnership indicate an 8:1 multiplier effect in the community and a 6:1 private investment to government incentive ratio.

Recent Projects Sponsored Include:

1. NRCS Soil Survey of Western Stanislaus County (awaiting publication).
2. West Stanislaus Hydrologic Unit Area (final report).
3. Non-point Source Pollution and Planning for Water Quality Improvements in Western Stanislaus County.
4. Spanish Grant and Crow Creek Watershed Report on Water Quality and Best Management Practices.
5. West Stanislaus Sediment Reduction Plan.
6. Diablo Grande Conservation Easement 3,500 (Stanislaus Co. vs. Dept. of Conservation).
7. Crows Landing 319 Demonstration Project: Evaluation of Best Management Practices in Controlling the Off-site Movement of Pesticides and Sediment
8. Irrigation - Drainage - Flood Control Leaders Meeting (Western Stanislaus County).
9. Mobile Irrigation Laboratory Program - Improved Irrigation/Drainage Outreach.
10. USDA Environmental Quality Incentives Program - on-farm BMP implementation.
11. A CIMIS station on the West Side.

IMPORTANT AGRICULTURE:  

The RCD sponsors various programs to insure the District growers are afforded the most current information and services available to sustain viable, economical crop production enterprises while maintaining or improving the condition of the natural resources required to produce food and fiber.

Agriculture production contribute over $1.2 billion dollars to the local economy. Top crops include: Milk, Almonds, Chickens, Cattle and Calves and Tomatoes.

DISTRICT OVERVIEW:

The RCD's mission includes the development of a Long Range Plan that prioritizes "local" resource conservation concerns and the implementation of planned activities by assisting District cooperators, land users and landowners by providing technical assistance, financial assistance such as cost-sharing, administrative assistance and representation at various workshops, meetings and public hearings. One of the most important tasks the Board under takes is to set priorities on programs and activities to be accomplished within the district and to request the assistance of the USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service and other local, state and federal cooperating agencies and groups so that these programs and activities will be completed.

Western side of Stanislaus County is located in a semi-arid region with hot summers and mild winters. During normal years, rain can be expected from mid-October through April, with an average rainfall of 10 inches. There are 295 frostfree days each year. There are twelve general soil associations in the district.

CRITICAL RESOURCE CONCERNS:  

Through a series of meetings and field tours, the East and West Stanislaus Resource Conservation Districts obtained input from over 600 persons and 300 groups for the local conservation needs assessment process. As a result of the wide input, the local conservation work group, identified six priority areas to address DDT, nitrates, dormant sprays, PM-10 air quality issues, endangered species, and ground water recharge. (from http://www.unl.edu/nac/ia/fallwinter99/page7.html)

The following areas of concern have been identified in the RCD's Long Range Plan. Many of these concerns have been chronic resource problems since the 1950s when the precursor Soil Conservation Districts were organized.

1. Reduce soil erosion through best management practices (BMPs).
2. Improve water conservation and recycling - mobile irrigation lab.
3. Improve water quantity and quality - grants/incentives/agreements.
4. Improve agricultural drainage to maintain productivity - Newman Drain.
5. Reduce sedimentation in the San Joaquin River HUAIEQIP/easements.
6. Assist agriculture to remain a viable economic engine in Stanislaus County.
   

   a. TMDLs (salt, boron, selenium, dissolved oxygen, pesticides and more).
   b. Important Farmland Series Mapping (Prime Farmland).
   c. Out of Basin Water Transfers.
   d. Critical Habitat and Endangered Species.

7. Improve rangeland productivity and reduce fuel loads - Rancher's Meeting.
8. Provide conservation education - rainfall simulator/annual farm day.
9. Coordinate with local agencies to facilitate and implement plans.
10. Funding for RCD employee(s) and projects - Crows Landing Facility/Watershed Coordinator Grant.

CRITICAL PARTNERSHIP NEEDS:  

The West Stanislaus RCD has a long history of developing partnerships with local, state and federal agencies to assist the RCD accomplish locally developed plans and priorities. The RCD has been a leader in developing voluntary implementation of conservation measures through cooperative efforts and incentives in partnership with local irrigation districts, private industry, UC Cooperative Extension and USDA's Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service NRCS).

CRITICAL OPERATIONAL NEEDS:  

The District continuously seeks sources of funds (Federal, State, and Local) to retain staffing to carry out RCD programs. The RCD annually submits requests to the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors for operating funds and/or fee for service contracts and/or in-kind service reimbursements.

 

DISTRICT MAPS:    Boundary and Topography   PLANS:    Long Range Plan    Annual Plan For full page view, use More Data

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