CBC in Rohnert Park

By Erin Klaesius, California Biodiversity Council and

Mike Chapel, USDA Forest Service

In September 2000, the Biodiversity Council convened with the Regional Council of Rural Counties (RCRC) in Rohnert Park. These joint meetings began in 1998 when the CBC adopted the theme of Strengthening Ties with Local Government.

Mr. Wes Lujan (RCRC Governmental Affairs Director) moderated the first panel focused on off–highway vehicle (OHV) management. The panelists included Robert Ham (Imperial County Supervisor), Paul Spitler (California Wilderness Coalition President and OHV Commissioner), Ron Rodrigues (San Benito County Supervisor) and Dana Bell (National Off–Highway Vehicle Conservation Council Project Coordinator).

Mr. Ham gave a brief history of off–highway vehicle activity in California. The level of regulation and oversight of OHV activities has consistently increased since the 70s, largely to protect natural resources and private property. The State now registers vehicles every two years and the proceeds are used to manage OHV programs. However, many are concerned that license revenues are collected in county of residence rather than the actual area where the predominant use occurs.

Mr. Spitler expressed the primary environmental concerns, including direct and indirect damage to natural resources, enforcement of regulations, and monitoring of impacts. Improvements are now being made in all of these areas by cooperative efforts between users, land managers, regulators, and interested public to find equitable solutions that permit continued use while avoiding or minimizing impacts.

Supervisor Rodrigues described OHV use at the Hollister Hills State Recreation Area. Since its acquisition in 1975, Hollister Hills has become a very popular area for OHV users. Accordingly, water quality, air quality, geology/soils, transportation, and noise pollution continue to be important public issues.

Ms. Bell described the development of off–highway interests in California. She noted that the majority of OHV enthusiasts are truly interested in protecting the environment, and the only way to solve these use conflicts is with collaboration among all interested stakeholders.

After an open discussion, the group agreed that continued cooperation among agencies and the public is key to working through OHV issues in California.

Diane Holcomb (NRCS Watershed Planning Services Director) moderated the second panel on Watershed Planning and Management. When the CBC created the Watershed Work Group (WWG) in March of 1999, they charged them with facilitating watershed restoration and coordinating the funding and support for local programs. To that end, the WWG developed the Best Funding Practices document for streamlining and coordinating funding programs.

Ms. Maria Rea (Resources Agency Watershed Specialist) first explained the document. Jonathan Berkey (Elkhorn Slough watershed coordinator) emphasized the importance of keeping every aspect of the funding process simple. Watershed groups also need technical assistance to develop funding proposals. Mr. Berkey suggested a pre–proposal process to evaluate eligibility of projects requesting individual grants.

Nettie Drake (Panoche/Silver Creek Coordinated Resource Management Program Coordinator) observed that streamlined, organized, and focused funding holds the key to helping smaller watershed programs in eastern Fresno County. By making the funding process easier, project volunteers and staff can focus on accomplishing projects rather than wading through a myriad of red tape.

Mr. Dennis Bowker (Sacramento River Watershed Program Coordinator) described the need to shift from the traditional project–oriented approach to focusing on capacity building at the local level. Such work would include training, technical assistance, and basic infrastructure to help track both program funding and progress.

Ms. Martha Davis (CALFED watershed workgroup Co–chair) noted that the Best Funding Practices shaped the foundation of the watershed program recently approved by CALFED. Currently, CALFED is testing several programs including the pre–proposal strategy.

Art Baggett (State Water Resources Control Board Chairman) committed the nine regional boards and their respective watershed coordinators to work with the WWG to reach the goal of tangible results in coordinating watershed programs in California.

Secretary Nichols asked for Council's endorsement of the work to date by the WWG, which the Council gave enthusiastically.

Secretary Nichols opened the next panel, Improving Participation by Rural Counties in Public Land Use Planning, by explaining that many rural counties are predominantly owned by state and federal governments. Decisions on these ownerships can have profound effects on local governments.

Robert Meacher ( Plumas County Supervisor) described his work in various planning processes ranging from community–based groups to sub–regional and regional approaches. He noted that public land use planning can be very political at many levels, especially in California. Supervisor Meacher challenged the Council and audience members to discuss how the RCRC can work with state and federal agencies to address this issue.

Linda Arcularius ( Inyo County Supervisor) explained that over 46 percent of the state is managed by federal agencies, 11 percent is managed by the state and most of that public land lies in rural areas. Land use decisions can have considerable impact on county revenues thus impacting its citizens. Yet, with very limited staff and resources, each county must reconcile its desire to participate in agency efforts with its need to provide other services for its constituents.

Nancy Huffman (Modoc County Supervisor) noted that 70 percent of the land in her county is owned by federal and state agencies. She described several examples of local work between the county, citizens, and agencies that are leading to better land stewardship. Modoc County sacrificed other important work in order to improve coordination with agencies.

Elizabeth Martin (Nevada County Supervisor) stressed that rural communities feel they have a very good understanding of public land management, but lack the political influence to leverage decisions. Supervisor Martin noted that in most cases, rural counties do not have technical or scientific expertise necessary for effective public land use planning.

Mr. Robert Weygandt (Placer County Supervisor) summarized a collaborative land use effort in his county. The Placer Legacy Project hopes to provide habitat protection and open space while accommodating rapidly increasing development. This work–in–progress has already produced plans for protecting open space and habitats.

Secretary Nichols facilitated the subsequent discussion. In addition to a variety of suggestions for improving local government participation. The discussion concluded with the CBC and RCRC directing staff to develop proposals for improving working relationships between land management agencies and local government.

Supervisor Elizabeth Martin moderated the final panel on Methyl Mercury in Rural Northern California. Charlie Alpers (USGS) began the discussion by describing the considerable mercury contamination in the Bear River, Deer Creek, and South Yuba River. The consumption of fish presents the most dangerous human exposure risk.

Tim Snellings (Nevada County Environmental Health Department Director) described work by Nevada County in addressing mercury contamination. His department is responsible for the Mercury Assessment Project, which will evaluate and identify mercury contamination hazards in Nevada County.

Darryl Young (Department of Conservation Director) reported on his department's work related to mercury contamination in the Sierra Nevada. The Department of Conservation tracks abandoned mine sites and coordinates the clean up and restoration efforts.

Art Baggett explained a program that, in conjunction with Nevada County, has collected 243 pounds of mercury — roughly equivalent to over 40 years of discharge to local waters. Chairman Baggett noted the potential for major assistance from Congress and offered that the State Water Board would soon begin working on an offset program to look at watersheds as whole systems.

Secretary Nichols commented that this approach to the mercury contamination problem is a welcome departure from traditional methods. Historically, USGS would have released the report leaving everyone else to react in a variety of manners. However, this issue was brought to the Biodiversity Council who gathered the appropriate agencies to address it. So far, the results are superior to those from traditional methods.