Long Range Plan |
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Introduction Landowners
and Managers in the eastern Madera County area are conscious of the need
for, and the benefits of, resources conservation practices for their local
and regional areas. The local communities also recognize that to be truly
effective, group participation and action involving multiple property
ownership is often necessary. Finally, it is locally acknowledged that the
Resource Conservation District (RCD) concept provides the most democratic
and the most appropriate means for implementation of natural resource
programs and practices throughout the area. They are the best local governmental
body to implement the conservation efforts demanded by the general public,
while at the same time providing protection for the interests and property
rights of the individual property owners. Purpose To accomplish the
RCD functions that meet the needs of the local land user, in 2004 the
Coarsegold RCD and the Eastern Madera County Fire Safe Council entered
into a “Joint Powers Authority” agreement which provides for greater
flexibility and greater geographic coverage for meeting the needs of the
local land users. All parties have the
common objectives of 1) improving and enhancing the land health and the
forest, land, air, and water ecosystem of Eastern Madera County and 2)
recognizing the sovereign citizens and their habitat as a
major natural environ and by assisting Eastern Madera County residents to
a better quality of life. To achieve these objectives,
the collaborating parties have agreed to combine their resources to
support “Conservation Occupations and Resource Education”, hereinafter
referred to as CORE, and other any program, grant, funding or contribution
which meets the plans and objectives of the CRCD or FSC. All parties
recognize that the collaborative project CORE will allow the
accomplishment of both objectives and that Eastern Madera County will reap
the benefits of an improved economy and environment for Eastern Madera
County residents. While each party is independent and has its own
respective responsibilities, all parties recognize the need to coordinate
as a federal/local partnership for the successful delivery of a
conservation program that will improve land health as well as the
employment health of Eastern Madera County. By having a long
range set of plans and goals, the RCD is better able to focus on achieving
those goals. This plan is reviewed and updated annually. Areas
of Emphasis The following areas
of emphasis are ones which the RCD believes need attention on a long term
basis and which we will believe will provide the most benefit to land
users within our area. -
Water The District proposes to protect and
improve the water quality and quantity of Madera County by working with
landowners and government agencies to reduce the amount of sediment,
nutrients, pathogens and other pollutants that enter Madera County’s
streams, lakes and ponds. It will encourage the U.S. Forest Service
to adopt land management practices which will increase water yields,
in direct proportion to water needs. As a part of their long range
plan, Coarsegold RCD: -Will
actively seek out funding opportunities to work on water quality and
quantity projects within the District, working closely with the current
Watershed committees. -
Will endeavor to provide
on-site assistance to homeowners to introduce stabilization measures
necessary to reduce sediment or soil loss. -Will
provide pamphlets, brochures and videotapes, as funds are available,
describing effective erosion control measures for use on developed
properties. - 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. - Will
review Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs) on projects that have an impact
within the RCD in regards to the resource base. -Will
encourage government agencies to engage sufficient quality staff to
provide technical assistance to landowners that results in improved water
management within the watershed. - Attempt
to work with the U.S. Forest Service in management practices to improve
water yields from public lands and reduce catastrophic fires. -
Soil The District
believes it is important to reduce the erosion that takes place on
residential, range and forestlands. There is a need to retain soil in
order to improve the water quality and productivity of our open lands
especially riparian areas mixed with grazed areas. As a part of the long
range plan, Coarsegold RCD: Supports
activities that will reduce erosion on forest and rangeland. Conservation
measures that will reduce sheet and rill erosion of sloped soils are
encouraged. Will
develop cooperative alliances to obtain technical help for landowners and
land managers in ranch planning, brush control, proper grazing practices,
erosion control, and other optimum management practices to protect the
resource base. Supports
activities that are developed and practical for the reduction or
elimination of nutrient depletion from the soils. Will
encourage the use of USDA cost share programs, and state landowner
programs that help to improve ranch facilities and thus improve range
management. Will
encourage demonstration projects such as controlled burning and mechanical
brushing on range and forestland to encourage voluntary adoption of
improve grazing and silvicultural practices which can reduce erosion and
sedimentation in certain areas while maintaining site utilization. -
Fuels
Management The
current system of fuel breaks will be expanded and maintained to the
extent that funding availability allows. This area is especially important
as it has a direct bearing on the health and safety of district residents. -
Conservation
Education and Outreach The
RCD will continue its presentation of the “Living Among the Oaks”
workshops. The goal is at least two workshops each year on a variety of
topics related to living in the Oak woodlands area. -
Youth
Involvement and Education The
current Fog Mountain CORE program will be expanded to the extent of the
funding available. A sustained source of funding for the CORE program is a
high priority for the RCD. -
District
Operations Funding
sources, other than taxation, will be identified which will enable the RCD
to have a permanent office location and at least one staff person. -
Inter-Agency
Co-operation and Accountability The CRCD role
is two-fold: work with private landowners and work with agencies to secure
the voluntary adoption and implementation of beneficial management
practices to conserve our basic resources. Because the federal government
manages more than ¾ of the land area of the District, CRCD will continue
to take a strong interest in the planning and implementing activities of
the government agencies managing land in the District. The CRCD and
public agencies have many success stories of working together to
accomplish much-needed goals. Realizing that no situation remains static
but rather is in a constant state of fluctuation, an updated understanding
of how public agencies function will improve CRCD/Agency accomplishments. |