The Contra Costa Watershed Forum A Partnership Focused on the Creeks and Watersheds of Contra Costa County

1. The Contra Costa Watershed Forum A Partnership Focused on the Creeks and Watersheds of Contra Costa County John Kopchik, CCC Community Development Department Phone: 925-335-1227 / E-mail:jkopc@cd.cccounty.us www.cocowaterweb.org

2. Quick look at the Presentation History of the CCWF how it all started About the CCWF Mission, Participants, Staffing/Funding Programs of the CCWF Signage, Data Collection, Publications What Works… and what we are still working on

3. History About Watershed Activities • Contra Costa County has about 20 “community-sized” watersheds (& 2 big ones) • Grassroots interest in local creeks has been present for years • Many subregional activities – monitoring, clean-ups, env. education, restoration, native plantings, etc. Patricia Mathews

4. Watersheds of Contra Costa County

5. History Evolution of the CCWF • Fall 1998: County’s Fish & Wildlife Committee initiated planning for a county-wide creek symposium • April 1999: More than 300 people attended symposium in April of 1999 • Summer/Fall 1999: Symposium planning group evolved into the CCWF • 2000: CCC Board of Supervisors recognized the Forum and authorized staff time to support Forum activities

6. About CCWF Mission of the CCWF The mission of the Contra Costa Watershed Forum is to identify common principles among parties involved in creek and watershed issues and promote actions that transform these principles into multi-objective enhancements of creeks and watersheds throughout the county.

7. About CCWF Who is Involved • Local governments • Watershed planning groups • Friends of creek groups • Special districts • RCD • Flood Control • Water Districts • Park Districts • Sanitary Districts • Mosquito Abatement, etc. • Environmental education organizations • Private landowners • Farmers and Ranchers • Developers • Regulatory agencies

8. About CCWF Funding and Staffing • CCC Community Development Department provides most staffing within its Water Agency • One FT Volunteer Creek Monitoring Coordinator • Three additional staff FT staff work PT with CCWF • Flood Control / Public Works provide additional support and staff leadership • Some CCWF activities are managed by others • Most funding is project by project (generally) • CALFED, Prop 13/SWRCB (2), County Water Agency funds, CC Clean Water Program, GIS grant, CCC Fish and Wildlife Committee, SF Foundation…

9. Programs Activities • Regular bi-monthly meetings (+ committees) • Creek and Watershed Signage • Volunteer GPS Data Collection/ BMI Surveys • Publications: Watershed Atlas, Databook • Historical Ecology (new project) • Mitigation Coordination • Quadrennial Countywide Symposium • Periodic Regional Symposia (evenings) • Awards program • Website:www.cocowaterweb.org

10. Programs Creek Signage • RCD staff conceived of the idea of developing a countywide creek signage program • CCWF very receptive and a subcommittee was formed to brainstorm the details • RCD submitted grant application on behalf of CCWF and implemented program • Posting of signs is an on-going process that started in Winter 2003 (approx 600 signs)

11. Programs Volunteer Data CollectionGPS Mapping • In 2001, CCWF launched a creek survey program using GPS technology and volunteers • Survey focuses on physical characteristics of creeks: bank composition, substrate, shade cover, exotic plant patches, outfalls, drops, etc. • Survey developed in conjunction with agency scientists and creek group leaders • In 2004, CCWF hired a full-time Volunteer Creek Monitoring Coordinator

12. Programs GPS Mapping Creek bank composition and large erosion sites • Program benefits: • Basic data on creek locations • Growing, detailed picture of the physical vital signs of our creeks • Analysis spin-offs • Public education and outreach

13. Programs Bioassessment Surveys Aquatic benthic macroinvertebrates (bugs) are indicators of water quality and overall watershed health. By monitoring their presence (or absence) and diversity we can learn about the effectiveness of policies and programs • Clean Water Program initiated in 2001. • Partnered with CCWF in 2004. • 1st Volunteer training was Spring 2005 • In cooperation with the Clean Water Program, CCWF is continuing and expanding the bio-assessment survey program

14. Programs GPS Bioassessment - 5,000 hours - ~20 miles - 2001-2005 - 500 volunteers - 600 hours - 42 sites - 2005 and 2006 - 50 volunteers Volunteers Collect Data (and lots of it!)

15. Programs Data Compilation, Publication & Distribution

16. Programs

17. Programs

18. Programs Publications Contra Costa County Watershed Atlas A countywide reference document on creeks and watersheds filled with maps, data tables, contact information, restoration projects.

19. Overview of Atlas Programs • Chapter Overview • Creeks and Watersheds • Political Boundaries • Planned Land Use • Population • Topography • Earthquake Faults, Landslides, Flood Plains • Soils, Slope, Aspect, Land Cover • Temperature, Rainfall • Impervious Surface • Present and Historical Steelhead Population • Resources, Volunteer Opportunities

20. Overview of Atlas • Watershed Overview • Color Aerials • Creek Channel Conditions • Topography • Hydrology • Political Boundaries • Population Density • Planned Land Use • Protected Lands • Volunteer Activities & Resources

21. Overview of Atlas • Watershed Overview • Color Aerials • Creek Channel Conditions • Topography • Hydrology • Political Boundaries • Population Density • Planned Land Use • Protected Lands • Volunteer Activities & Resources

22. Overview of Atlas • Watershed Overview • Color Aerials • Creek Channel Conditions • Topography • Hydrology • Political Boundaries • Population Density • Planned Land Use • Protected Lands • Volunteer Activities & Resources

23. Overview of Atlas • Watershed Overview • Color Aerials • Creek Channel Conditions • Topography • Hydrology • Political Boundaries • Population Density • Planned Land Use • Protected Lands • Volunteer Activities & Resources

24. Overview of Atlas • Watershed Overview • Color Aerials • Creek Channel Conditions • Topography • Hydrology • Political Boundaries • Population Density • Planned Land Use • Protected Lands • Volunteer Activities & Resources

25. Overview of Atlas • Watershed Overview • Color Aerials • Creek Channel Conditions • Topography • Hydrology • Political Boundaries • Population Density • Planned Land Use • Protected Lands • Volunteer Activities & Resources

26. Programs New Project! Historical Ecology • Watershed planning and restoration tool • New (old) perspective on landscape • Lots of CCWF stakeholder interest • Looking for funding… Other regions have similar projects: Santa Clara Water District, SFEI, Sonoma Ecology Center and others

27. What’s Worked… • Committed, creative and effective volunteers and stakeholders • Decision-making by casual consensus • Committees for special projects • Good meeting attendance (daytime mtgs) • More than a “Forum” - there is always a group project (data collection, publication, study, etc.) • Buy-in from County government (wish we had more from the cities) • Not taking policy positions

28. …and what we are still working on • Not taking policy positions • Better connection to decision makers • Permanent funding • Extra-regional coordination • Mitigation coordination • Closing the gap between the amount of monitoring performed and the amount needed

29. John Kopchik CCC Community Development Department Phone: 925-335-1227 E-mail:jkopc@cd.cccounty.us www.cocowaterweb.org