VOLUNTARY WATER QUALITY, GRAZING LAND, OAK WOODLAND CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES

September 26, 1996

These guidelines for the management and conservation of water quality, grazing land, and oak woodlands were developed by the Coarsegold RCD with assistance of various agencies in the State and Federal governments.  

INTRODUCTION

DISCUSSION

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

GENERAL INFORMATION

PURPOSE OF PRACTICES

APPROACH

GUIDANCE TO IMPLEMENTING COMPONENTS

GENERAL OBJECTIVE, PROTECTION, AND ENHANCEMENT

FIRE PROTECTION PURPOSES

RANGE AND WOODLAND PURPOSES

BUILDING WITHIN THE OAK WOODLAND

DISPOSAL OF UNWANTED VEGETATION

WILDLIFE NEEDS: ENHANCE AND RETAIN OTHER HABITAT COMPONENTS, I.E. WATER, COVER

EROSION REDUCTION, WATERSHED PROTECTION AND ENHANCEMENTS

COMPONENT PRACTICES

COST SHARE

PLANS

The Coarsegold Resource Conservation District (CRCD) is recognized for the leadership in protection, enhancement management, and utilization of the natural resources of Eastern Madera County. These guidelines were developed to assist landowners in the management and stewardship of their property. Madera County Board of Supervisors adopted these guidelines February 11, 1997. These guidelines are voluntary and in no way binding by law on the private landowner or abridge their private property rights.

The Coarsegold Resource Conservation District shall:

• Make available these guidelines to all landowners in the oak woodland type and grazing lands at no expense.
• The Directors shall hold one public field trip per year to evaluate the management and utilization activities of the oak woodland and prepare a report of their findings with the assistance from the "Integrated Hardwood Range Management Program [IHRMP]".
• The Directors shall coordinate with local, State, Federal governmental agencies and local private parties or organizations to offer workshops in the oak woodland management and stewardship for landowners, real estate brokers, developers, and community organizations.
• All landowners with oak woodlands and grazing lands shall be encouraged to develop forest/rangeland management plans for their holdings. Landowners are encouraged to utilize public and private expert assistance in the technical aspects of resource management and/or participate in government assistance programs to develop such plans and management activities.
• The Directors, assisted by a team of interagency, IHRMP, and private landowners, shall monitor these recommended practices as applied in the field, and prepare a report of their findings.
• The Directors shall annually assign a team to review these guidelines for any recommended additions or deletions. These modifications, if any, shall be acted upon as a resolution by the Directors, and sent to the Madera County Board of Supervisors for appropriate action.
  

These recommendations are considered to be consistent with other guidelines now in use by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection; U.S.D.A. Forest Service; Farm Service Agency;Natural Resource Conservation Service; U. C. Cooperative Extension; California Department of Fish and Game; Water Quality Control Board; and Madera County. If any conflict exists, the agency regulations and policy may prevail.

INTRODUCTION

Private landowners, producers, conservation and environmental organizations, scientific societies and USDA agency personnel are concerned about problems facing water quality, oak woodland and grazing lands in Madera County.

Increasing attention has been focused on nonpoint source pollution (NPS) as a major barrier to clean water. The original Clean Water Act (1972) describes nonpoint source pollution and methods to control it through Best Management Practices (BMP). Amendments passed in 1987 require individual States to conduct assessments and write plans to control their nonpoint source problems. In 1990, an amendment was passed placing additional requirements on the states to address nonpoint source pollution in several categories, including rangeland.

Private grazing lands provide enormous benefits to this state. Like cropland, grazing lands and oak woodlands serve as a foundation for economic activity throughout rural California. Proper grazing provides benefits such as erosion control and improved water quality, air quality and wildlife habitat. Private grazing lands have received limited attention from federal conservation programs over the last 10 years. A Water Quality, Grazing Lands, Oak Woodland Conservation Management Project could focus and revitalize USDA's ability to support the conservation efforts of private landowners and users of this valuable natural resource.

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DISCUSSION

In the winter of 1994, the Grazing Lands Conservation Management Committee (GLCMC) was formed to discuss ways of dealing with these issues. The GLCMC is composed of individuals from the California Department of Fish and Game, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF), Coarsegold Resource Conservation District, Farm Service Agency (FSA), Madera County Farm Bureau, Madera Resource Conservation District, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), United States Forest Service (USFS), University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE), Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board (CVRWQCB), Madera County Cattlemen's Association (MCCA), and private landowners. Private grazing lands encompass 353,000 acres, one fourth of the acreage in Madera County. Grazing lands/oak woodland include privately owned, state owned, tribal, and other nonfederal rangelands, pasture lands, haylands, and grazed forests. The county's private grazing lands are an important source of food and fiber. They are critically important to the quantity and quality of our water supply and provide habitat for wildlife. They also provide numerous recreational opportunities. These lands are in every county, and in some counties are the dominant land type. Production from these lands provides the economic foundation for many rural communities.

The latest National Resources Inventory shows that about 64 percent of the nation's grazing land would benefit from conservation treatments, such as improved grazing management to better protect soil and water resources and weed and brush management to restore a more productive and healthy plant community. Requests are increasing from private grazing land owners for NRCS and UCCE technical assistance in planning and implementing conservation treatments to meet environmental regulations, and to diversify enterprises and income sources.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The primary goal of the GLCMC is to maintain and improve the quality and associated beneficial uses of surface water as it passes through and out of rangeland in the county. Programmatic emphasis will be placed on a voluntary cooperative approach to water quality management, using economically and technically feasible means. This approach will include appropriate technical assistance, ranch planning and program incentives. In order to achieve this goal, the GLCMC must:

• Stress voluntary participation through education, technical assistance, program incentives, and emphasize the benefits of such an approach.
• Maintain and/or enhance the quality of water resources within Madera County.
• Provide adequate assistance, including both educational materials and program funding, to allow full participation by landowners in all aspects of rangeland water quality efforts and achievements.
• Strengthen land stewardship partnerships between grazing land managers and other groups.
• Focus programs, policies and technical assistance on encouraging local planning, implementation and monitoring at the ranch and/or watershed level.
• Allow a reasonable time frame for implementation.
• Every effort must be made to simplify the FSA, NRCS and UCCE programs on private lands. Of course, these programs must always be consistent with sound agronomic, forestry, ecological, and economic principles.
  

GENERAL INFORMATION:

Following treatment, the 'crown closure' and residual dry matter (RDM) of annual grass/forbs remaining should average the following per acre, at the various elevational zones [these are considered minimal levels under most conditions]:

< 1,000 feet - retain 25% crown closure and provide 500 lbs. RDM

1,000-2,500 feet - retain 30% crown closure (thin up to 50% of the canopy) and provide 700 lbs. RDM

>2,500 feet - retain 30% crown closure of single stemmed oaks, and 15% multi-stemmed oaks (thin up to 60% of the total canopy) and provide 1,000 lbs. RDM

Diversity of bio-mass and mosaics of plant life should be considered to include both vertical and horizontal diversity, species and age (seral to mature), and undisturbed and managed ecosystem environments.

Where soil or litter disturbance will take place or mechanical clearing/utilization, it is recommended a "Soil Erosion Hazard Rating" be conducted to insure adequate protection of the soil is considered. Use "Board Technical Rule Addendum #1, dated 2/1/90, form #1" for this rating. This form may be obtained from the CRCD or California Department of Forestry. The landowner can conduct this simple rating or use the maps of the Madera County Soil Survey [U.S.D.A. Natural Resource Conservation Service in Madera, CA. (NRCS)].

Where 50 cubic yards of earth is planned for movement, or an alteration to a water course is anticipated, a "Grading Permit" is needed from Madera County Engineering Department under "Madera County Code - Chapter 14.50 - Grading and Erosion Control".

The California Department of Fish and Game should be contacted when a wetland, riparian area, or a Class 1, 2, or 3 water course will be impacted by the operation. Refer to Fish and Game Code of California, Section 1603. "It is unlawful for any person to substantially divert or obstruct the natural flow or substantially change the bed, channel, or bank of any river, stream, or lake designated by the department, or use any material from the streambeds, without first notifying the department of such activities."

The following laws, as amended, shall be followed, where appropriate, in the management of the properties as established by the State and Federal Government:

• The Clean Water Act - Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. (U.S. Corps of Engineers and Environmental Protection Agency)
• Federal and Endangered Species Act (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, and California Department of Fish and Game)
• Sovereign Lands (California State Lands Commission)
• The Forest Practice Act (California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection)
• Water Rights (State Water Resources Control Board)
• Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act of 1990
  

For fire protection purposes, the maximum goal should be not to retain in excess of 1,600 pounds of dry grass per acre. Mowing, grazing or utilization, improves fire protection and protects many elements of the environment.

Refer to the Madera County General Plan for any other details regarding special requirements for the zoning specific to the landowner's property.
 

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PURPOSE OF PRACTICE

To meet the primary goal, a Special Practice directed to water quality, oak woodland and grazing lands conservation management would be integrated into the USDA/FSA Agricultural Conservation Program. Considerable improvements are possible in USDA/CFSA conservation programs that would give local people more control over these programs and at the same time make the programs more accountable to the taxpayer. This multiple component practice would be a coordinated technical, educational and related assistance cost-share program to help private land owners enhance their private oak woodland and grazing land resource, thereby providing multiple benefits to all citizens of Madera County and the State of California.

APPROACH

The starting point for landowners/resource managers in developing a management strategy at the ranch or watershed level is to determine the extent that the beneficial uses, related to the waters involved, are impaired. The next step is to assess the causes of identified impairments. There is a desire to guard against future degradation, thus, an individual comprehensive plan should be in place. If the property owner is involved with other planning processes where water quality management practices for the ranch or properties are being identified, then there is no need to duplicate efforts with an individual water quality plan. Such planning processes include, but are not limited to:

• NRCS Conservation Management System,
• US Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management activity plans,
• Ranch or Resource plans such as Holistic Resource Management,
• Participation in Coordinated Resource Management Planning (CRMP),
• Nonpoint Source Management plan,
• Forest Stewardship Plans (as modified)
• California Forest Improvement Plans (as modified)
• Timber Harvest Plan (THP)
  

• An inventory of resources (soils, animals, climate, water sources, vegetation, etc.),
• Problem assessment (site conditions, potential or current NPS problems),
• Statement of goals (measurable outcomes or products),
• Technical/economic feasibility existing and/or alternative management practices, desired outcome, timetable for implementation, etc., and
• Monitoring (progress toward goals, effectiveness of management decisions).
  

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GUIDANCE TO IMPLEMENTING COMPONENTS

The GLCMC would begin with grassroots local guidance and standards that reflect national priorities and would be developed through an open and inclusive process. Conservation components, as defined for water quality protection, can be any components or methods that suitably address the goal of maintaining or enhancing the beneficial uses of water. In selecting which conservation components to use, the overall management objective of the ranch/property must be taken into consideration and the conservation component should compliment the land use activity currently taking place. These practice components may come from established range/ranch management approaches, basic wildlife principles, or from the landowner's own initiative. The following practice components include most types of management activities which relate to livestock production and to water quality on rangeland and other grazing land:

• Livestock Management - Components which assist with the control, time, frequency, or intensity of grazing to maintain vegetative cover sufficient to protect the soil and maintain or improve the quantity and quality of desired vegetation (e.g., prescribed grazing, feeding and salting locations, etc.).

• Structural Improvements - Infrastructure improvements (e.g., water development, fencing, erosion control, etc.) and structures associated with normal livestock production operations (barns, sheds, corrals, shipping pens, etc.) may be used to facilitate grazing management. These practice components should be planned, constructed and utilized in a manner that enhances or maintains water quality and minimizes adverse impacts on other resources.
• Land Treatment - Land treatments (e.g., burning, mechanical manipulation, seeding, weed control, fertilization, rest-rotation, etc.) may be used to manage vegetation reduce erosion, improve rangeland or improve wildlife and fisheries habitat and watershed values.
• Livestock Health - Practices used to reduce internal/external parasites and pathogens.
• Cultural Resources - Landowners will maintain confidential files on location of cultural and historical sites, and these shall not be placed in any public records or documents. If further surveying is necessary, the GLCMC will pursue the issue with the appropriate agencies cooperating with this plan. Under no condition will the presence of cultural or historical sites permit the trespass of any private person or public official to enter the property without expressed permission of the landowner.
• Oak Woodland Management - Practices shall include those identified in the Madera County Voluntary Oak Woodland Management Guidelines and the Forest Stewardship Program.
  

GENERAL OBJECTIVE, PROTECTION, AND ENHANCEMENT:

• Retain specimen age and heritage size oaks of all species.
• Retain oaks of all size and species represented on the site.
• Reforest oak species through natural or artificial regeneration.
• Remove trees which are a fire or safety hazard.
• Retain, where possible, hollow or dead trees used for nesting, etc.
• Plan for replacement trees of all ages, species, sizes, and growth form.
  

• Reduce stocking to 15-30% crown closure in the 2,500 feet, plus, elevation zone.
• Prune branches and limbs of single stemmed oaks, conifers or other trees to 10' above groundline, near structures and fuel breaks.
• Prune lower limbs and remove dead limbs on desired brush species to reduce the "fire-ladder" effect.
• On multi-stemmed oaks, reduce the number of stems to 2-4 per clump, and prune to 10'.
• Emphasize single stemmed oak species.
• Remove brush from under the dripline of desired and residual trees.
• Remove debris from the base of the residual trees.
• Remove, push aside, burn, and pile away from desired species any unwanted plants on the fuelbreak.
• Control unwanted sprouts by manual, biological , mechanical, chemical means or burning.
  

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RANGE AND WOODLAND PURPOSES:

• Reduce stocking by thinning trees from the smallest size leaving the larger size.
• Trees of all sizes and species should be retained and represented.
• Plan on replacement trees, with emphasis on desired species, by natural or artificial regeneration.
• Leave clumps of natural undisturbed vegetation, and create permanent grass savanna-openings.
• Control unwanted sprouts with manual, biological, mechanical, chemical means or burning.
• Leave enough sprouts and seedlings to become replacement trees.
  

• Cluster improvements to preserve wildlife corridors.
• Protect existing oaks during construction, replace trees with seedlings if removal was unavoidable.
• Avoid root compaction by limiting heavy equipment in the root zone [1 1/2 times the crown width]
• Minimize cutting roots during road construction, building foundations, or septic systems.
• Avoid grade changes in the dripline zone of the trees.
• Avoid landscaping which requires or allows irrigation within the dripline of the crown of the tree.
• Reseed with grass, fertilize, and/or mulch on disturbed ground just prior to the fall rains or the first rains following disturbance.
• Treat selected diseased or mistletoe infected trees or portion thereof, where appropriate.
  

• Utilize the unwanted vegetation if at all possible for mulch, co-generation, fuelwood, etc.
• Unutilized material should be piled and burned.
• Burn dry material, with good ventilation, to reduce the smoke production.
• Burn on "burn days only" in compliance with San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District Guidelines.
• Use prescribed burning when possible. Obtain permits when necessary.
  

WILDLIFE NEEDS: ENHANCE AND RETAIN OTHER HABITAT COMPONENTS, I.E. WATER, COVER

• Diversity of plant and animal species.
• Scattered openings and undisturbed patches of plants.
• Thermal cover in the riparian system.
• Escape cover from predators.
• Scattered dead trees [and replacements] for nesting, cover and feeding purposes.
• Scattered large downed rotten logs, where appropriate.
• Scattered small brush piles, for nesting and escape, for a maximum of 3 years.
• Develop water sources where appropriate.
  

• Avoid mechanical machinery use on slopes greater than 30%, whenever possible.
• Divert water on all skid trails and temporary roads as needed to prevent gully erosion.
• Seed waterbars, as needed, or place litter on disturbed areas.
• Retain, when needed, untreated buffer strips of vegetation along all riparian areas.
• Minimize soil surface disturbance. Leave litter and debris in place if possible.
• Install properly sized culverts, where needed, in swales on permanent or semi-permanent roads.
• Rock major dry-draw crossings on roads, where needed.
• Clean undesirable man-caused debris from riparian areas.
• Minimize use of heavy equipment on saturated soils.
• Provide soil protection, and maintain forage production on rangeland by following "Residual Dry Matter (RDM)" standards for annual grasslands.
  

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COMPONENT PRACTICES

• Ranch Plan - The goal of maintaining or improving the quality of water should be included in ranch management plans for livestock operations. Ranch water quality goals need to be linked to water quality problems. Ranch plans may follow several formats: (a) Natural Resources Conservation Service Conservation Planning; (b) UCCE Ranch Planning Short Course Outline; (c) Any organized planning process conducted by the landowners, agencies, or private consultants.
• Prescribed Grazing - The controlled harvest of vegetation with grazing or browsing animals, managed with the intent to achieve a specified objective, such as: (a) Improve or maintain the health and vigor of selected plants and to maintain a stable and desired plant community; (b) Provide or maintain food, cover and shelter for animals of concern; (c) Improve or maintain animal health and productivity; (d) Maintain or improve water quality and quantity; (e) Reduce accelerated soil erosion and maintain or improve soil condition.
• Access Roads - Roads constructed to provide access to farms, ranches and fields. Used for moving livestock, fiber, produce, equipment and supplies and to provide access for management of ranch resources with erosion control measures incorporated.
• Fencing - Enclosing or dividing an area of land with suitable permanent structure that acts as a barrier to livestock, big game, or people. Fencing may protect riparian areas which act as sediment traps and filters along water channels and impoundments. Fencing shall not include the individual landowner boundary fence.
• Grade Stabilization - A structure used to stabilize the grade and control erosion in natural or artificial channels, to prevent the formation and advance of gullies, and to enhance environmental quality and reduce pollution hazards.
• Pipelines - Pipeline installed for conveying water for livestock. Pipelines may decrease sediment, nutrient, organic and bacterial pollution from livestock by providing water sources other than streams and lakes.
• Ponds - A water impoundment made by constructing a dam or an embankment or by excavation of a pit or dugout. Water rights are required prior to design and construction for any facility in which there is government assistance provided. Approval by the Department of Fish and Game, and a Grading Permit from the Madera County Engineering Department may also be required prior to construction. Ponds are often used in conjunction with pipelines and troughs and tanks. Ponds may trap nutrients and sediment which wash into basin areas. Aquatic weeds and algae may cause severe degradation of water and the environment. Control of aquatic plant life is often important to water quality and quantity.
• Sediment Basins - A basin constructed to collect and store debris or sediment. Sediment basins will remove sediment and associated materials and other debris from the water which passes downstream. Stockwater ponds often act as sediment basins.
• Vegetative Buffer Strips - To be planted, maintained, managed or enhanced with vegetation and act as sediment traps and filters. The buffer strips would be planted and managed between the source of pollution and the riparian area, i.e., between holding corral and a stream.
• Spring Development - Improving springs and seeps by excavating, cleaning, capping, or providing collection and storage facilities. There will be negligible long-term water quality impacts with spring developments. Erosion and sedimentation may occur from any disturbed areas during and immediately after construction, but should be short-lived. The spring source may be fenced.
• Stock Trails or Walkways - A livestock trail or walkway constructed to improve grazing distribution and access to forage and water. This practice may be used to reduce livestock concentrations, facilitate proper grazing use and planned grazing systems.
• Streambank Protection - Using vegetation or structures to stabilize and protect banks of streams, lakes, estuaries, or excavated channels against scour and erosion.
• Troughs and Tanks - Installation of a trough or tank may facilitate improved distribution of livestock. Troughs and tanks are often an effective means of providing stock water away from streams.
• Well - A well may be constructed or improved to provide wildlife and stockwater away from streams and other critical areas. As a new water source, it will improve livestock and wildlife distribution.
• Stream Crossing (interim) - A stabilized area to provide access across a stream for livestock and farm machinery. The purpose is to provide a controlled crossing or watering access point for livestock along with access for farm equipment. (refer Fish and Game Code 1603 regarding permits)
• Brush Management - Managing and manipulating stands of brush and/or nonmerchantable trees on forest, range or pastureland by mechanical, chemical, or biological means or by prescribed burning. The purpose of brush management is to increase ground cover, reduce fire hazard, improve water quality and available water in the long term, improve forage production and quality, increase runoff and minimize erosion, and other objectives depending on landowner goals.
• Critical Area Planting - Planting vegetation, such as trees, shrubs, grasses or legumes, on critically eroding areas (does not include tree planting on key habitats mainly for wood products). This practice component may reduce soil erosion and sediment delivery to surface waters. During grading, seedbed preparation, seeding, and mulching, sediment may impair surface water quality prior to plant establishment.
• Range Seeding - Establishing adapted plants by seeding on rangeland (range does not include pasture and hayland planting). Increased erosion and sediment yield may occur during the establishment of this practice. This is a temporary situation which diminishes when the reseeded area becomes established. Seeding may be done for wildfire and prescribed burn rehabilitation, noxious weed control, erosion control, and soil stabilization. If native plant species are used, the seed source should be as local to on-site as possible, and a plan should be developed to insure the species can successfully compete with non-native plant species, and other environmental pressures.
• Stream Corridor Improvement - Restoration of a modified or damaged stream to a more natural state using bioengineering techniques to protect the banks and to reestablish the riparian vegetation.
• Livestock Parasite Control - Herd health and other management practices used to reduce parasites and pathogens that affect water quality. Targeted pathogens and parasites are: Cryptosporidia, Giradda, and Salmonella.
• Animal Control - Large mammals and rodents are often detrimental to water storage facilities, roads and trails, transport disease, increase erosion, and decrease vegetative cover. Control of populations of these animals are often important to landowner objectives.
• Fertilization - Establishing fast dense plant growth is often necessary for the establishment of cover for soil and water protection. Fertilization is often necessary to meet plan objectives.
  

COST-SHARE

Various cost-share programs are available from both federal and state agencies. Landowners are encouraged to contact the Coarsegold RCD for assistance in applying for these programs.

As a result of the cost-sharing that is made available, resource management planning and implementation would be made possible. Water quality improvement would be realized.

Monitoring and educational workshops will continue indefinitely to assist rangeland managers as needed. The GLCMC will play a crucial role in determining the progress made and the reviewing of resource management plans. GLCMC will be available to work with the rancher, as well as the certified rangeland manager.

PLANS

Only a summary sheet of the contents of the plan, which identifies non-confidential information, shall be maintained at any public office (except those plans prepared by the NRCS shall be maintained in a confidential file by NRCS). Nothing in these plans shall be construed to be public information. The plans may be reviewed by the responsible public official at the time of application for a conservation practice to insure the practice conforms to the intent of the Plan. The responsible public agency has the right of evaluation, inspection, and monitoring as specified in the administration of any public funded conservation practice.

Neither the plan nor the completion of a public funded conservation practice shall entitle the public or agency personnel the right of trespass without expressed permission of the landowner, nor infer any rights to the property by any other party.