Section 10 – Upper Finegold Watershed Protection Plan Recommendations

This section consists of the Upper Finegold Watershed Protection Plan and set of recommendation of actions to be taken that were developed as an outcome of the Phase 2 assessment of the watershed.  This included review of existing data – and data collected through field-based surveys of private and public lands within the resource areas as noted in the prior sections of the Assessment Report.  This Protection Plan also carries forward many of the Phase 1 recommendations of protection measures as the underlying foundation for the Upper Finegold Watershed Phase 2 activities.  Subsequently, this Protection Plan articulates and carries forward actions to be taken within the Millerton Area Watershed for Phase 3 of the Millerton Area Watershed – as an expansion of efforts undertaken within the Upper Finegold Watershed under Phase 2.  The following illustrates this effort.

Figure  SEQ Figure \* ARABIC 52 - Illustration of Developing a Protection Plan for the Upper Finegold Watershed

Additionally, the development of the Protection Plan with Recommendations included a session with participants and community stakeholders – as well the public at large.  The final step was a review session conducted with the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) through the Central Sierra Watershed Committee (CSWC) in Oakhurst, Madera County.  CSWC is primarily composed of State, Federal and local agency representatives, elected/appointed government officials, Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) and the Public at large.

The following are the Protection Plan Recommendations of actions to be taken towards the protection and enhancement of the Upper Finegold Watershed by resource area:

Section 1 – Assessment Overview

1.      As a part of Phase 3, continue to provide and expand the coordination and integration of watershed investigations, planning, education, remediation  and other activities related within the following five areas:

·   Surface and 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.

Section 2 – Surface Water

1.      As a part of Phase 3 determine what the future impact may be for increased water demand in the Millerton area watershed – and potential supply challenges. 

2.      Under Phase 3, expand 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.  Within the Upper Finegold continue to monitor for specific constituents (Hydrocarbon and Fecal Coliform). 

3.      For Phase 3 and the Upper Finegold Watershed 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.

Section 3 – Ground Water

1.      For Phase 3, within the Millerton watershed and the Upper Finegold, 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 County Water Advisory Committees, Resource Conservation Districts, citizen groups and others within the Millerton area watershed to share information and resources. 

3.      Continue to establish a common framework to gather, analyze watershed data based on agreed-upon protocols.

Section 4 – Surface and Ground Water Hydrology

1.      Under Phase 3, continue efforts to develop an understanding of the complete hydrology of the watershed that includes ground water percolation and retention. 

2.      Continue to 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

Section 5 – Sediment, Erosion and Soils

1.      Under Phase 3 as feasible, 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, County Water Advisory Committees, 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. 

Section 6 – Biodiversity and Habitat

1.      Under Phase 3, continue efforts to inventory 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. 

Section 7 – Fuels and Fire History 

1.      Under Phase 3, 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.      Continue working 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. 

Section 8 – Invasive Vegetation and Noxious Weeds 

1.      Under Phase 3, 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.      Continue to 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.

Go to Section 11

02/15/06