The Coarsegold Resource Conservation District (CRCD or District) has identified the following resource priority concerns within the district that should be addressed during this work-year if the natural resource base for sustained use is to be maintained. The person volunteering for each priority is listed under monitoring.

The District Directors are all volunteer and the district has no paid staff, therefore, not all elements of the long range plan are able to be addressed each year.

District Priorities are deemed to be of equal importance and the order listed does not imply any ranking.

Protecting and improving the Water Quality and Quantity of Madera County foothill and mountain areas is a priority concern. This Priority is a part of nearly all the other Priority areas. The District will continue to be involved with the watershed groups in the District and will be involved in the Madera County Water committees.

- Central Sierra Watershed Committee

- Chowchilla/Fresno River Watershed Committee

- Millerton/Upper Finegold Watershed Committee

- Integrated Regional Water Grant

- Madera County Water Oversight Committee

The District supports activities that will reduce soil erosion on residential, range or forested lands. The District will in all cases provide the assistance in this area as the Directors are available to help the District residents.

The District:

1. Will endeavor to provide on-site assistance to homeowners to introduce stabilization measures necessary to reduce sediment or soil loss.

2. Will work more closely with Madera County to insure that proper erosion control methods are used to reduce sediment and keep soil in place at building sites. Water runoff and soil erosion relating to local roads is also an area of concern.

3. Will encourage the use of USDA cost share programs, and state landowner programs that help to improve ranch facilities and thus improve ranch management.

4. Will encourage demonstration projects such as controlled burning and mechanical brushing on forest and range lands to encourage voluntary adoption of improve grazing and forestry practices which can improve utilization standards and reduce erosion and sedimentation in certain areas.

5. Has determined that noxious invasive native and non-native vegetation, particularly those in riparian areas are a serious concern.  Consequently the District encourages the use of herbicides to control, reduce and eliminate noxious invasive weeds wherever possible work with pubic agencies, i.e. Cal Trans, County Road Department, and U.S. Forest Service, to institute an eradication program using integrated Vegetation Management,

6. Supports activities that will reduce erosion on forest and Rangeland. Conservation measures that will reduce erosion of soils whether by wind or water are encouraged.

7. Will develop cooperative alliances to obtain technical help for landowners and land managers in ranch planning, brush control, proper grazing practices, erosion control, weed control and other optimum management practices to protect the resource base

8. Supports activities that are developed and practical for the reduction or elimination of nutrient depletion from the soils.

The issues of Forest Health, Product Utilization and Fuels Management are interrelated and a major concern of the constituents of the District; therefore, the District will :

1. Work with private citizens, CDF, USFS, NRCS, UC Cooperative Extension Service and local organizations to demonstrate how to remove brush and make homes fire safe.

2. Work with Madera County to insure that all new developments have proper ingress and egress that provide fire escape routes and access by emergency vehicles.

3. Work with U.S. Forest Service on improving silvicultural practices and forest disease and pest concerns, improving goods and services flow through emphasizing utilization management practices as well as other watershed issues affecting the forest and the local community.

4. Encourage homeowners to have water storage tanks suitably equipped to provide water for emergency fire protection.

Protecting and improving the Air Quality of Madera County foothill and mountain areas is a priority concern. The District:

2. Will review Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs) on projects that have an impact within the RCD in regards to the concerns involving ( Fugitive Dust ) and ( Smoke Management).

3. Will actively seek out funding opportunities and grants to work on air quality projects within the District, and encourage government agencies to engage sufficient quality staff to provide technical assistance to landowners that will result in improved air quality.

4. Will develop cooperative alliances to obtain technical help for landowners and land managers in ranch planning for protection and improvement of air quality and other optimum management practices to protect or enhance air related resources.

1. To work with youth, particularly with FFA Programs at the area High Schools to get students more involved with the tree sale and other District activities, and conservation education programs such as the CARCD Speak-off Contest and the Envirothon.

2. To make presentations to local schools and other groups stressing the need for wise use of natural resources and the need for conservation and replenishment measures.

3. To educate students about water quality problems, Air Quality concerns, range management, cultural resources, and other similar topics.

4. To use workshops, conservation partnerships, and the local newspapers to get out information to landowners about the need to better manage our resources and conserve our soil, water, and air.

5. To continue providing conservation education materials when finances permit, and distribute them to local elementary schools.

6. To remain involved with the state Forest Stewardship Program, California Forest Improvement Program, Rangeland Water Quality and other similar vegetative management programs. Landowners will be encouraged to participate. Such programs will enable landowners to apply conservation measures on the ground and have a positive impact on the resource base.

7. Develop workshops that enhance the adoption of best management practices.

The CRCD role is two-fold; to work with private landowners, and to work with government agencies. But the goal is always the same; to secure the voluntary adoption and implementation of Best Management Practices economically possible to conserve and protect our basic resources.

Improving district operations capacity is a priority concern. As a part of their long range plan a Funding Committee will be initiated composed of all the Directors on the Board who meet monthly. Each Director should be prepared to volunteer for activities that the Board deems suitable. Obtaining baseline funding from some source to enable an office and staff is a priority concern.

Many conservation issues and problems span the area outside the District Boundary, i.e. Forest Health, management of public lands, watershed boundaries, air resources, noxious weeds, conservation education, and must be addressed on a regional, county, state, and federal level. The CRCD has established a working relationship with Grass Root Groups to address these issues and must continue to be pro-active in resolving these activities.

Plan Monitoring:

An Annual Report will be complete, posted at the CRCD Web Site, and made available to the Madera County Board of Supervisors, DOC, and NRCS.