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