capacity building for rcds the santa cruz countywide partners in restoration (pir) permit...

Capacity Building for RCDsThe Santa Cruz Countywide

Partners in Restoration (PIR) Permit Coordination Program

Prepared for the California Association of Resource Conservation District’s Annual Conference, November 10, 2011

Purpose Seven Watershed Assessment and

Enhancement Plans developed for Santa Cruz County

Restoration of Ecosystems Fish Passage Improvement Sediment Control Wetland Enhancement Species Recovery

Landowner interest-Grant funding-Permits

PIR… What is it?

U. S. Army Corps ofEngineers

U. S. Fish and WildlifeService

California Coastal Commission

Santa Cruz County

Project

Regional Water Quality Control Board

CA Department of Fish and

GameProgram

National Marine Fisheries Service

NRCS/ RCD Roles RCD

Facilitator between landowner and agencies Compliance, monitoring

NRCS 15 Practices in PIR are based on NRCS standards

and oversight Planning is based on Conservation Planning

process Technical expertise Connection to Farm Bill/ EQIP

In-Stream Habitat Improvement: Barrier Removal

Water Quality Enhancement:Streambank Stabilization

Habitat Enhancement:Invasive Removal

Santa Cruz Countywide PIR Permit Coordination Projects | 2005-2011

Branciforte Dam Removal http://

rcdsantacruz.org/dam-removed-on-branciforte-creek

Challenges and Benefits Challenges

Funding for Program Development Funding to Manage/ Renew Program Every Project is different External Staff Turnover

Benefits Environmental Improvement Quick implementation Relationships with Regulatory Staff Fee for Service? Grant Funding

Opportunities and Values Relationships Matter

Regulators have to trust the RCD/ NRCS RCD/ NRCS cross jurisdictions and can build that trust

Changing Regulations Support Streamlining State level recognition of needing to ease permitting Need NRCS oversight Regulators have to give up control

Adaptability to Change Changing science, best practices, etc. Protocols to deal with changing staff (internal and

external) and transferability

Contact www.rdcsantacruz.org

Rich Casale richard.casale@ca.usda.gov

Stacie Ruffoni sruffoni@rcdsantacruz.org