    Demonstrate conservation practices to owners and managers of private and public land.

    Provide science-based practical information and assistance.

    Conduct credible natural resource conservation education programs.

    Provide technical, scientific, legal and professional advice to private land owners and public agencies on the social, cultural and economic impact of land use on the environment.

Introduction

Coarsegold Resource Conservation District is 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.

The following areas of emphasis are ones which the CRCD believes need attention on a long term basis and which 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 this 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.

    Endeavor to provide on-site assistance to homeowners to introduce stabilization measures necessary to reduce sediment or soil loss.

    Provide pamphlets and brochures, as funds are available, describing effective erosion control measures for use on developed properties.

    Work 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.

    Review Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs) on projects that have an impact on the resource base within the RCD.

    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 forest lands. 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 will:

    Support activities that will reduce erosion on forest and rangeland. Encourage conservation measures that will reduce sheet and rill erosion of sloped soils.

    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.

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

    Encourage the use of USDA cost share programs and state landowner programs that help to improve ranch facilities and thus improve range management.

    Encourage demonstration projects such as controlled burning and mechanical brushing on range and forestland to encourage voluntary adoption of improved grazing and silvicultural practices which can improve utilization and reduce erosion and sedimentation in certain areas.

Fuels Management

The current system of fuel breaks will be maintained and expanded 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 one workshop each year on a variety of topics related to living in the oak woodlands area.

Youth Involvement and Education

Continue to conduct and support the Natural Resources Youth Workshop.

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 75% 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.