9:00 AM

Coordinator/Facilitator:  Jeannie Habben

1.              Introductions 9:10

2.              Mission Statement

Read by Robyn S. 

3.              Review of Minutes/Agenda

          The minutes were accepted as presented

          Elissa B requested to add Bio-Mass Collaborative with Sierra Nevada Conservancy as a  standing project update and Steve H requested that we add San Joaquin River Stewardship Program as a standing project update.  

4.              Updates, Handouts & Extra Information for Committee

Public Comment 

-          The US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) is accepting grant applications for a total of $3.4 million in funding for environmental education projects and programs. EPA expects to award approximately 100 grants ranging from $5,000 to $200,000 and will accept applications until December 15, 2009. More information on eligibility and application materials: http://www.epa.gov/enviroed/grants.html . The US EPA Environmental Education Grant Program provides funding to local education agencies, state education or environmental agencies, colleges or universities, not-for-profit organizations, or noncommercial educational broadcasting entities. Tribal education agencies, which are controlled by an Indian tribe, band or nation, may also apply, including a school or community college. The purpose of the US EPA Environmental Education Grant Program is to promote environmental stewardship and help develop knowledgeable and responsible students, teachers and citizens. The grants provide financial support for innovative projects that design, demonstrate, or disseminate environmental education practices, methods, or techniques. Projects should involve environmental education activities that go beyond disseminating information. 

 5.       Upper Merced River Watershed Council

                Conservation Landscaping Demonstration Project

Holly W gave a little background about their organization: The Upper Merced River Watershed Council was established in 2001 through a watershed coordinator grant awarded to the Mariposa County Resource Conservation District. The Council recruited stakeholders and partners, identified Watershed needs, and formulated a work plan for the watershed.  The Conservation Landscaping Project was a thoughtfully designed yard that is attractive and inviting wile reducing erosion, conserving water, providing wildlife habitat, and promoting native vegetation.  This conservation landscaping project was developed to inspire foothill residents to create inviting landscapes that are easily maintained, provide wildlife habitat, conserve water, and hold soil in place, all considered Best Management Practices, which help reduce non-point source pollution.  The Sierra Nevada Alliance enlisted the Upper Merced River Watershed Council to work with volunteers to design and complete the project. The Sierra Nevada Conservancy and Mariposa County Fairgrounds provided the model site. 

 6.       Project Updates

       Bio-Mass Collaborative – Sierra Nevada Conservancy – Elissa Brown/Mandy Vance

There is an ample amount of bio-mass available with forest thinning projects, etc. as a viable alternative to burning.  These “burn piles” can be turned into a bio-mass resource.  We can look at replicating the project from Amador/Calaveras County and what they are doing.  The Sierra Nevada Conservancy has created a committee to research this and possibly the North Fork Mill site as the location as the focus site.  

       Chowchilla/Fresno Watershed – Jeannie Habben

Jeannie H is working with Bobby K from the SSIRWMP on a Small Farm Workshop.  This will be held on Tuesday, December 29, from 1:00 to 430 PM; for an educational program designed to help small farmers understand how to better participate in USDA – NRCS programs.  Topics will include: Water Conservation and Irrigation Technology; Organic Farming; NRCS Conservation Programs; Conservation Planning for Farms; Technical Assistance; and more.  The curriculum will include a tour of a local Madera County organic farm.  The location of the event will be at the Madera County Farm Bureau.  

Jeannie H will be working with the MC NRCS office on another Dairy Workshop for the beginning of 2010.  She has also received notice from the CA Department of Conservation that she is funded to work through June 2010. 

        Coarsegold Resource Conservation District – Larry Ballew

CRCD in partnership with the EMC Fire Safe Council is continuing to work on fuel breaks for fire safety in the foothills area.  They are currently working on nine miles (by 300 feet wide) of fuel break right above the Chukchansi Casino.  They are also working on mitigation sites through Conservation Easements. They have three in the research and contract stage that total about 1,438 acres. 

      Madera County Integrated Regional Water Management Plan –

The Board of Supervisors today, November 24, 2009, adopted the IRWMP and the agreed to sign the MOU.   The date for the signing ceremony is the 26^th of January, at 1PM in the Board Chambers.  It will be on the Board of Supervisors agenda.  Immediately following the signing ceremony the initial meeting of the RWMG will take place with the only items on the agenda being setting the date for the true first meeting, along with asking for a volunteer to bring draft bylaws and rules of procedure for consideration to that first true meeting.  Please put the date on your calendars, and make sure whoever is sent to the meeting has signatory powers for your organization.  Press will be invited, our surrounding regions invited and a notice to DWR sent regarding the event.  I look forward to seeing everyone there.  

        Madera County Water Advisory Commission – John Reed

The November and the December MC WAC meetings were cancelled.  The MOU between the Madera County Region IRWMP and the SSIRWMP Region is on the agenda and keep being pushed to the next meeting. 

       San Joaquin River Stewardship Project – Steve Haze

Funding has been received from a private foundation to complete education and outreach on the San Joaquin River.  This will integrate with the Upper San Joaquin Stewardship Project as the education and outreach or the stewardship council portion of that project. Jeannie H will be assisting with this portion of the project and has begun contacting all of the school districts with in the project area.  

      Southern Sierra Integrated Regional Water Management Plan – Elissa Brown

The committee is preparing to write the application for the IRWMP.  The guidelines are due out in January 2010 so Elissa B and Bobby K will be working with the committee to further create a management plan as well as a study by learning from the issues faced by Madera County and their process in writing their IRWMP. 

        Upper Fresno River Watershed Assessment – Elissa Brown

Elissa B announced that they have approval to re-start the Fresno River watershed assessment however they are only assured of ½ of their original funding at this time. She has re-worked the budget and has determined that they will complete the Watershed Portal; document what has been completed and archive the files; work with CSU, Fresno to complete the analysis of their studies and assist with a report and then complete one or two workshops to the public on their findings.  Steve B will be presenting a project update at the January CSWC meeting. 

       Upper Merced River Watershed – Leona Lopez

On November 14 they completed a Volunteer Water Monitoring training by Dr. Adam Burns and followed it up by applying their knowledge on the river. Sierra Nevada Conservative has given the OK to re-start the Telegraph Fire invasive management project.  She has also announced that they received notice from the CA Department of Conservation that they are funded to work through June 2010.  

       Upper San Joaquin River Stewardship Council & Assessment – Steve Haze

Steve H received the go ahead from DWR to resume work on this project.  At this time, the budget was reduced by about 1/3 of the grant amount – and there is still the plan for an April, 2010 completion date.  He will be reviewing the budget and the project deliverables to realign them with the new budget and time constraints.  He has hired back on Jeannie H for education and outreach, Brandi M to work with Wolf & Assoc. to complete the portal, and Tehema County RCD to work with GIS and other portions of the report.  They currently have been given the first set of raw data and have completed 25 maps of the watershed. 

        Yosemite/Sequoia Resource Conservation & Development – Robyn Smith

Their next meeting is on December 10 at 10:30am at the Tule Rivers Aero Industries in Porterville.  The Chipper Program is up and running and they are looking to keep busy.  Anyone who needs chipping to be completed on their property who is 62 years of age or older or disabled can have it done for free; everyone else there is a fee of $25.00. The Tribal Liaison has been hired; her name is Jennifer Stanley.  She will be working on Tribal Conservation Districts, the Seventh Generation Plan, and environmental issues and partnerships with the NF Mono Picayune, and the Tule River tribes.  The VISTAs are continuing to work on Ag-nature Tourism, outreach and sustainability of the RC & D, and moving forward on the SSIRWMP and the Bio-mass Collaborative.  Y/S RC&D is supporting and promoting the Sierra Nevada Alliance license plate campaign.  If anyone would like to order a specialized license plate, please contact their office. 

7.      Pending Grants & Grant Proposals

      See above (updates) 

8.      Legislative/Regulatory Updates

      None to report at this meeting  

  9.      Adjourn:  11:40 am

            Next Meeting: January 27, 2010; 9:00 am to 12:00 noon