Watersheds—they are a topographic product of the hand of time. They are characterized by complicated interrelationships between biotic, physical, and social communities. And they are the source—and the filter—for most of the water supply that has shaped the history and economic development of California. It is the health of our watersheds that ultimately will support the incredible diversity of life and culture that sets California apart.

Our system of laws, overlapping government jurisdictions, and technical disciplines builds ever-greater complexity in the task of managing the environment. Social management has emerged around concepts and principles of watershed management and restoration. The foundation of watershed management lies in principles of local involvement, integrated science and coordination of multiple jurisdictions and plans to restore watershed health.

Today, the need to look at watersheds as diverse and variable living landscapes in their entirety has never been greater. Doing so raises a host of new and important questions. What are the factors that continue to shape and determine the future of these critical areas? What land use patterns, geological forces, seasonal stream flows diminish the health of our watersheds? Nature’s creativity is irrevocably changed by these factors. It is up to us to be aware of the watershed system as a whole, and determine how we can preserve the natural diversity while continuing to use these areas as places where people build their homes, and their lives. Ultimately, that means all of us; every one of us has a watershed address.

The California Biodiversity Council recognized the critical and timely need to rise to this challenge and has formed the CBC Watershed Work Group (WWG). The WWG is a forum for an inclusive representation of watershed interests to develop creative solutions to crosscutting issues. The interactive discussions highlight the full potential of a broad spectrum of perspectives. Because California does not have a statewide legislative framework for watershed management, this CBC workgroup serves a critical function to coordinating initiatives and programs across agencies and with local watershed groups.

Increasing effectiveness of watershed funding
Since the realm of watershed management is very broad, the WWG is focusing initially on funding. As state and federal agencies receive increased and disparate watershed project funds, coordinating funding programs and ensuring the combined pools are effectively spent has become a critical need. The group is meeting approximately every 6 weeks and will produce an issue paper with specific recommendations to present to the Biodiversity Council at the December 2000 meeting.

Some of the issues to date are:

• Multiple application procedures: Many funding sources require extensive yet similar application procedures. The WWG is examining methods of identifying common factors and streamlining this process when possible to make the process more user friendly for the applicant.
• Extensive time delay in applicant receiving funds: It is important for the successful applicant to receive funds in a timely manner to meet a schedule dictated by seasonal work, subcontractor commitments, etc.
• Potential landowner liability: There is reluctance by some landowners to apply for funding due to a perception that the resulting documentation and restoration projects may result in liability for regulatory actions.
• Reporting: Contract requirements ensure fiscal accountability but the state has not overarching performance measures that allow us to track progress for the Legislature or the public.

The group is working with agency representatives as well as the Information Center for the Environment and the California State University System to examine existing funding processes (request of proposals, pre-proposals, grants, etc.) to identify commonalties and legal parameters for a potential for streamlining. The council at the meeting in Fort Bragg adopted a set of watershed principles.

Membership
Direction for the WWG is provided by the two co-chairs, Maria Rea (Assistant Secretary for Salmon and Watersheds in the Resources Agency) and Diane Holcomb, (State Resource Conservationist) with the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Nina Gordon, Special Assistant for Watershed and Biodiversity Programs at the Resources Agency serves as facilitator and coordinator.

Representation on the WWG includes federal and state agencies, counties, resource conservation districts, regional and local watershed groups, special interest groups and other stakeholders. All meetings are open to the public and participation and comments are welcome.

For more information on the CBC WWG and/or to be placed on the distribution list, please contact Nina Gordon at nina@resources.ca.gov, or (916) 653-9205.