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Millerton Area Watershed Coalition
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 | California Department of Parks and Recreation (Millerton Lake State Recreational Area) |
| California Department of Fish and Game |
| US Bureau of Reclamation (Millerton Lake Resource Management and Friant Operations) |
| US Bureau of Land Management (San Joaquin River Gorge Recreational Area) |
| US Forest Service (Sierra National Forest) |
| Sierra Foothill Conservancy (McKenzie and Black Mountain Preserves, Fresno County) |
| Topping Ranch, (Kennedy Table Mountain, Madera County) |
However, the vision of the
original members of the Coalition was to broaden the group and determine ways in
which to engage the local communities and others in watershed related challenges
and opportunities. With that in mind it was determined that the CALFED
Watershed Program and the availability of grants would provide for the ability
for the group to evolve into a broader community-based watershed organization.
Thus, from this initial vision, the mission of the Coalition was directed
towards understanding the Millerton watershed for its biological, recreational
and resource attributes – with community and stakeholder involvement.
Ultimately, with a better understanding of the Millerton area watershed’s
conditions – decisions and activities directed towards the future of the
watershed’s health could be undertaken with continued community and stakeholder
involvement – as well as their leadership.
Under the original CALFED Watershed Program grant, the existing Coalition during Phase 1 agreed as a new vision to organize and support a community led coalition made up of property owners and other stakeholders whose mission would be to conduct a comprehensive watershed assessment. Other activities required under the grant are the following:[3]
· Provide ongoing administrative and organizational support to the expanded community-based Coalition
· Provide training and conduct ongoing outreach
· Collaborate and coordinate with local, state and federal agencies, watershed organizations and others
· Plan for the continuance of the Coalition and development of a comprehensive Watershed Work Plan
· Provide continuous program status through monthly reports to CALFED
[3] Department of Water Resources Contract Number 4600001799 – Approval Date: March 28, 2002
Subsequent to the awarding of the CALFED Watershed Program Phase 1 grant to the Millerton Area Watershed Coalition member Sierra Foothill Conservancy, extensive preparation was conducted from June 15, 2001, through the first publicly held watershed meeting on May 23, 2002. This was an informational meeting about the watershed program under CALFED. It was conducted in the town of Friant, which adjoins the proposed watershed study area. The meeting was attended by approximately 80 individuals representing diverse interests.
On June 15, 2002, a “Visioning” Workshop was conducted for those who expressed an interest to participate in the Coalition’s future activities. In this case, approximately 25 individuals participated in five break-out groups under the facilitation of Noreen McDonald, a professional facilitator for the Central Sierra Watershed Committee, located in Oakhurst, Madera County. There were four questions presented to the break-out groups to discuss related to the following:
§ What are the challenges affecting the watershed? – (Stressors)
§ What are the opportunities to protect and enhance the watershed? – (Vision)
§ What would you like to see the Coalition do? – (Mission and Purpose)
And finally,
§
What would you like to do? – (Participation and Leadership)
Significant outcomes from the workshop included the following:
§ Restating the purpose or mission of the Coalition under the CALFED Watershed Program
§ Developing the basis for determining what aspects of the watershed will be studied based on identified or presumed stressors.
§ Determining what the approach and scope would be taken for conducting the watershed assessment.
§ Identifying who wanted to provide leadership, technical resources and other types of support to the Coalition’s efforts
On August 22, 2002 the Coalition under its new leadership adopted the following mission statement:
The Millerton Area Watershed Coalition will conduct a comprehensive assessment of our watershed to provide information to promote the protection and enhancement of the watershed including the economic and environmental well being of the communities within it
and of the downstream users
Under Phase 1, the formation of the Steering Committee, selection of their leadership, and how it would operate was completed in July and August of 2002. The Steering Committee’s composition is very diverse. Representation includes landowners within or adjoining the watershed study area, agricultural, environmental and local governmental interests.
In September of 2002, the Steering Committee made its determination of the watershed assessment’s scope and approach.
Under Phase 1, the Technical Advisory Committee evolved out of a desire by the initial Coalition Agency members to change their role from a regulatory body and become solely a technical and financial resource to the community-led Coalition as liaisons within their respective agencies. Agency participation expanded to include the California Department of Water Resources (CALFED Administration), Central Valley Regional Water Control Board, and the National Resources Conservation Service for Fresno and Madera counties. This advisory committee assists the Coalition as deemed appropriate, and based on the availability of personnel and other resources. Under Phase 2, TAC responsibilities were carried forward by the Central Sierra Watershed Committee (CSWC). The dominate membership of CSWC is local, state and Federal agencies, along with Tribal governments and NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations) that are involved in natural resources, and public health issues[1].
The Phase 1 Assessment Work Group consisted only of volunteers from the community or representing stakeholder interests. This group was initially formed in July, 2002. It conducted nearly 20 work sessions – and numerous individual sessions were conducted for the following:
§ Assessment Planning
§ Assignments, Roles and Responsibilities
§ Assessment Scope
§ Assessment Components
§ Assessment Approach
§ Data Gathering and Analysis
§ Assessment Publication – Format and Content
There were over 22 participants in the work sessions who include the following:
Terry Sandridge – Assessment Team Lead
Steve Blumenshine – California State University, Fresno
Dawn Carlton – Kings River Conservation District
Lloyd Carter – California Save Our Streams Council
David Cehrs – Hydrogeologist, Fresno County
Jed Davis – Native Earth Foundation
Karla Fullerton – land owner, Fresno County
Scott Kruse – Biophysical Geographer, Fresno County
Joe Middleton – Eastern Madera County Water Advisory Committee
Chuck Peck – Sierra Foothill Conservancy
Jeff Roberts – Millerton Lake Area Chamber of Commerce
Steve Starcher – Central High School, Fresno
Jason Thomas – ISIS Center, California State University, Fresno
Burke Zane – Tehipite Chapter, Sierra Club
Dave Hopelain – Eastern Madera County Water Advisory Committee
John Shiro – Sierra Foothill Conservancy
Bart Topping – land owner, Madera County
Tanna Boyd – Madera County Board of Supervisors
Denis Prosperi – Madera County Water Oversight Committee
Steve Ottemoeller – Madera Irrigation District
Karen Brown – California Department of Water Resources
Tracy Rowland – U.S. Bureau of Land Management
Under CALFED, there are four (4) distinct phases that watershed programs are encouraged to take:
§ Assess (Watershed Condition)
§ Plan (Recommendations)
§ Implement (Projects)
§ Manage (Monitor, Measure and Adjust)
The purpose of the original watershed assessment published and submitted in February, 2004 was to determine what the current or baseline conditions may be based-upon stakeholder concerns and the collection of existing data. The Visioning Workshop of June, 2002 was the first step in determining what the possible or perceived challenges or stressors were that could be affecting the overall condition of the watershed. The Assessment Team and Steering Committee once formed identified what conditions or attributes of the watershed would be reviewed – such as water quality, noxious weeds, fuel load and erosion. Ultimately the assessment approach, scope and content were agreed-upon by these groups and have been articulated by the prior publication of February, 2004.
For this assessment report, specifically and exclusively for the Upper Finegold Creek in eastern Madera County – this 2nd phase of the assessment is primarily based upon field investigations – not solely existing data. The field investigations – or surveys were directed by the original set of recommendations or actions proposed to be undertaken during a Phase 2 assessment of the Upper Finegold watershed. There were 32 actions proposed based upon initial findings and impressions. The following outlines those finding and actions to be taken based upon resource condition areas:
1. Continue to provide coordination and integration of watershed investigations, planning, education, remediation and other activities related within the following five areas:
· Surface/Ground water quality and quantity
· Erosion, Sediment and Soils
· Fuels Management
· Noxious Weeds
· Biodiversity and Habitat
2. Continue the Millerton Area Watershed Coalition’s involvement with the CALFED upper San Joaquin River Basin Storage Investigation to assist in providing the highest level of cooperation between the two programs – and to determine any potential impacts to the Millerton area Watershed.
1. Determine what the future impact may be for increased water demand in the Millerton area watershed – and potential supply challenges.
2. Develop an area-wide surface water quality monitoring program for the Millerton area watershed to determine if there is any level of impairment due to point/non-point sources.
3. Identify potential sources of contamination to surface and ground water resources that may occur in the future due to cars, old storage tanks and other types of items that are left in disrepair within the watershed.
1. Within the Millerton watershed, establish an area-wide groundwater monitoring program to determine the quality, quantity and recharge rate.
2. Continue to develop collaborative arrangements with groups focused on ground water such as the Eastern Madera County Water Oversight Advisory Committee and others within the Millerton area watershed to share information and resources.
3. Establish a common framework to gather, analyze watershed data based on agreed-upon protocols.
1. Continue efforts to develop an understanding of the complete hydrology of the watershed that includes ground water percolation and retention.
2. Determine to what extent – if any that non-pervious surfaces contribute to the alteration of the natural hydrology of the watershed.
3. Perform Recommendation 1-2 as an integral part of Section 3, Recommendations 1-3
1. Continue data collection to determine relevant investigations that can assist in determining what role surface soils, their composition, structure and condition may contribute towards moisture collection, retention, percolation and ground water recharge within the watershed.
2. Continue data collection to determine relevant investigations that can assist in determining what role surface soils, their composition, structure and condition may contribute towards surface and ground water quality and quantity within the watershed.
3. Continue data collection to determine relevant investigations that can assist in determining what role surface soil composition, structure and condition contribute to the diversity of flora and fauna within the watershed.
4. Continue data collection to determine relevant investigations that can assist in determining what role that surface soil composition, structure and condition contribute to vegetation – and in respect to native versus non-native species – or the proliferation of noxious weed species within the watershed.
5. Continue data collection to determine relevant investigations that can assist in determining what role that surface soil composition, structure and condition contribute to climate, carbon sequestration and overall land productivity within the watershed.
6. Continue data collection to determine relevant investigations that can assist in determining what natural and man-made influences may be contributing to erosion and sediment yield within the watershed.
7. Develop a database of erosion sources, their types and locations in contributing to sediment yields within the watershed.
8. Determine if a field investigation can be established within the Millerton area watershed such as at the San Joaquin Experimental Range in order to address Recommendations 1-5.
9. Continue collaboration with other organizations such as the California Native Grass Association, Natural Resources Conservation Service, University of California Cooperative Extension – Davis, Eastern Madera County Water Oversight Advisory Committee, local Resource Conservation Districts, and others that have an interest in soils, erosion, sediment, and water quality and quantity investigations.
10. Determine the interrelationship and contribution that soil structure, composition and health may provide towards an improved hydrological cycle.
1. Continue inventorying plant and animal species in the watershed where possible, with a goal of determining the status of some species now listed as “likely” or “possible”. Those species whose status is confirmed should be added to the California Natural Diversity Database if found on public lands, but only with the permission of the land owner if found on private lands.
2. Identify wildlife corridors within and adjoining the Millerton area watershed. Determine the watershed’s role in respect to providing a continuous corridor from the San Joaquin Valley, through the foothills and in into the National Forest lands.
3. Work with the public agencies that own property along the San Joaquin River and Millerton Lake to develop a grazing plan that supports species diversity and healthy habitat for native flora and fauna and promotes water quality.
4. Collaborate with agencies, research groups and private land owners in developing management plans that contribute to the long-term viability of the native flora and fauna in the Millerton area watershed.
1. Continue to develop collaborative arrangements with groups focused on fuels and fire such as the Eastern Madera County and Highway 168 FireSafe Councils; the California Department of Forestry and the US Forest Service within the Millerton area watershed to share information and resources.
2. Work collaboratively with these groups to establish educational programs for land owners that create firesafe conditions which will contribute towards maintaining the highest level of water quality within the Millerton area watershed.
3. Determine the condition of the interface in population clusters and work on determining approaches to protecting the watershed from catastrophic impacts – and any adverse impact to water quality.
1. Continue to develop collaborative arrangements with groups focused on noxious weeds such as the Sierra-San Joaquin Noxious Weeds Alliance and others within the Millerton area watershed to share information and resources.
2. Work collaboratively with these groups to establish educational programs for land owners that will promote conditions that will contribute towards maintaining the greatest diversity and health of rangelands and oak woodland areas within the watershed.
3. Continue the
development of the Millerton Area Weed Map for the watershed based upon a common
framework to gather, analyze watershed data based on agreed-upon protocols.
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