California Biodiversity Council
c/o CAL FIRE FRAP
PO Box 944246
Sacramento, CA 94244
(916) 445-5845
(916) 324-1180 fax lauren.mcnees@fire.ca.gov
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Watershed Work Group
History of the CBC Watershed Work Group
The California Biodiversity Council (CBC) is a forum of Federal, State, and local representatives whose purpose is to develop strategies and integrate policies for conserving biodiversity. At the March 11, 1999 meeting of the California Biodiversity Council, Secretary Nichols formed the CBC Watershed Work Group (WWG). The mission of the CBC Watershed Work Group, as charged by the CBC, is to facilitate watershed restoration and conservation through coordination of statewide projects, policies, and support of local efforts. The CBC WWG was further charged with the 1) Provide a forum for discussing trends in watershed management, exchanging information and coordinating policies; 2) Advise the Resources Agency, Cal EPA (State Water Resources Control Board) and other agencies on development of a “Watershed Agenda”; and 3) Assess and make recommendations on the following issues: coordinating watershed restoration funding, establishing points of contact between agencies and watershed groups – i.e. establish watershed teams, and addressing barriers to effective local watershed management, such as permitting and project liability.
Co-chaired by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the California Resources Agency, the WWG is a forum for an inclusive representation of watershed interests to develop creative solutions to crosscutting issues. Participants were selected to represent a broad spectrum of non-government and government entities, a widespread geographical range, and a range of participation in watershed efforts A series of interactive discussions were held to exchange perspectives and focus the issues. The Watershed Work Group initially developed a set of Watershed Principles. (see publications below).
Useful Watershed Links
In the WWG, an unusually diverse group of federal, state, and local governments as well as private interests have coalesced to improve watershed management in the State of California. One way to achieve that goal is through the efficient distribution of information. The links below help to navigate both agencies and non-government websites.
- Watershed Management Council
- State Agency Contacts Matrix (pdf document; last update: May 30, 2001)
- For the Sake of Salmon
- CALFED Watershed Program
- CA Dept. of Conservation Watershed Coordinator Grants Program
- State Water Resources Control Board Watershed Management Program
- CA Dept. of Water Resources Urban Streams Restoration Program
- California Coastal Conservancy Programs
- Best Funding Practices (pdf)
- General Watershed Principles (pdf)
Contact the WWG
Diane Holcomb (Co-Chair)
State Watershed Planning
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
430 G. Street #4164
Davis, CA 95616-4164
530.792.5667
530.792.5790 (f)
Maria Rea (Co-Chair)
Assistant Secretary for Watersheds and Salmon
CA Resources Agency
1416 Ninth Street, Room 1311
Sacramento, CA 95814
916.653.5656
916.653.8102 (f)