Marin Coastal Permit Coordination Program North Bay Watershed

Marin Coastal Permit Coordination Program North Bay Watershed Association January 18, 2011

Why do we need a program? • Called for in 6 watershed plans. • As many as 8 permits/ approvals to consider for restoration. • Can cost thousands in hard cash and countless hours of learning the system. • Can take years before permits are received while regulations and land ownership changes occur. • Landowners risk fines. • Creek work is avoided.

Why do we need a program? 1989 1993 1994 1999 2003 2004 2005 RCD repairs 1, 100 ft gully with rock structure at a cost of $65, 000 Site shows signs of unraveling and is maintained by landowner Wildlife flourishes at site Sign of instability showing again prompting RCD to address problem Funding is found to repair site but problem has grown, requiring redesign plus endangered species are found Permits are secured but not in time for construction Construction completed at a cost of $130, 000

Program Structure U. S. Army Corps of Engineers 404 Permit California Department of Fish and Game Streambed Alteration Agreement California Coastal Commission Coastal Zone Review U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Section 7 Consultation NRCS / RCD Conservation Plan Marin County Community Development Regional Water Quality Control Board 401 Certification

Program Development 1. Developed list of 17 commonly used rangeland practices from USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Field Office Tech Guide. 2. Held tour with regulatory agencies to showcase practices. 3. Developed practice conditions, grading and volume limits based on regulatory input. (i. e. Livestock crossings can be no greater than 15 ft wide, . 125 acres, 250 cu yds) 4. Held public meeting and responded to public comment.

Animal Trail Before After Wet crossing funded by State Coastal Conservancy in 1989.

Grade Stabilization Structure Before After Loose-rock headcut repair funded by State Coastal Conservancy, State Water Resources Control Board, CA Department of Fish and Game and Students and Teachers Restoring a Watershed in 2002

Grade Stabilization Structure Before After Willow wattle headcut repair funded by CA Department of Fish and Game in 2002

Grassed Waterway Before After Funded by CA Department of Fish and Game and Students and Teachers Restoring A Watershed (STRAW) in 2000

Sediment Basin Before After Funded by Marin Municipal Water District in 1994.

Structure for Water Control Before After Funded by USDA – Natural Resources Conservation Service in 2002.

Lined Waterway Before After Rock-lined step channel funded by Wildlife Conservation Board, Students and Teachers Restoring A Watershed (STRAW), and Ameri. Corps in 1999

Pipeline for alternative water source funded by State Water Resources Control Board in 2002.

Fish Stream Improvement Boulder cross log structure funded and managed by Marin Municipal Water District.

Stream Channel Stabilization 1 2 3 4 J-hook boulder vanes funded by State Coastal Conservancy, CA Department of Fish and Game and Students and Teachers Restoring A Watershed (STRAW) in 2002.

Stream Bank Protection Before After Willow wattle streambank repair funded by CA Department of Fish and Game and Ameri. Corps in 2002.

Stream Bank Protection Before After Willow revetment funded by State Coastal Conservancy in 1990.

Access Road Funded by State Coastal Conservancy in 2002.

Water & Sediment Control Basin Before After Basin and grade control structures funded by State Coastal Conservancy in 1996.

Critical Area Planting Before After Stream restoration funded by State Coastal Conservancy in 1996.

How the program works November December-January February Landowner applies for funding and opts for coverage. Project is evaluated and ranked by RCD Advisory Group. Project is approved by RCD Board for design and cost estimation services.

How the program works May June-July October 15 th Project is approved by RCD Board into permit program. 60 day agency comment period. Agencies visit sites. Permits received! Project is complete!

Benefits • Landowners are engaged and want to implement environmentally sensitive projects (40 person waiting list). • Expands funding opportunities. • Higher caliber of project - Project designs are vetted and refined in concept stage with a technical team. • No permit cost to landowners - Landowners avoid permit fees and agony of making beaurocratic sausage. • Restoration is cost effective - Saves taxpayer $$$. • Efficiency - Implementation schedule is reduced from 3 years to 1. • Restoration happens - Over 130 management practices completed. 10 mi of stream, 22 grade control structures, 2, 500 trees) • Fish and wildlife populations are increasing.

Discoveries • Can’t use a template. • Not all agencies think alike and folks within a single agency may not think alike. • You can count on laws changing • It takes time to learn the program. • Scheduling is critical, accommodate for growth • Prepare for publicity.

Thanks to our Partners • • • Landowners CA Coastal Commission CA Dept of Fish and Game Marin County National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association RCD Advisory Groups San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board Sustainable Conservation US Army Corps of Engineers US Fish and Wildlife Service USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service