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The Development of Watershed Groups Throughout the Eel River Basin

A directory and information packet of restoration groups and activities in the Eel River Basin.

Prepared for the Eighteenth Annual Salmonid Restoration Conference, Fortuna, California

March 2000

By: Bill Matson Watershed Coordinator Eel River Watershed Improvement Group 610 Ninth Street Fortuna, CA 95540 707-725-4317 The Development of Watershed Groups Throughout the Eel River Basin

Bill Matson Watershed Coordinator Eel River Watershed Improvement Group

Introduction:

In a recent telephone interview I was asked if landowner involvement in the restoration process was a "good thing". I quickly, and perhaps over-simplistically, said "its not only important, it's the only thing that will help the salmon come back". As residents of the watersheds and land managers of the larger holdings see the need for more responsible stewardship of the lands they control and take a pro-active approach to repairing the damage caused by past land-use practices, real restoration will begin to occur. It begins in the people.

The information in this directory emphasizes landowner and private citizen efforts in the Eel River Basin. In an effort to be inclusive I have included as many agencies and assistance groups as I could identify. If I missed some it was not intentional. The next two paragraphs illustrate how important at least one agency, DFG, feels landowner involvement is.

"The Eel River is the third largest producer of salmon and steelhead in California. Human land and resource uses during the last 150 years have created radical changes to the Eel River watershed in general, and to fish habitat in particular. Many of the most dramatic changes and watershed disturbances have occurred within the last 50 years. Since the natural resources of the Eel River basin will continue to be in demand for economic and societal utilization, it is perhaps unreasonable to presume that salmon and steelhead populations can be restored to historic levels; however, DFG feels present fishery conditions can be significantly improved and those historic populations are useful as benchmarks to work toward". (The Executive Summary of the Eel River Action Plan, California Department ofFish and Game (DFG) Inland Fisheries Division, January 28,1997.)

The "Action Plan" goes on to say, "Achieving these goals will require a massive cooperative commitment for an extended period of time, initially at least 20 years of intensive effort and high cost. Dedicated efforts should improve watershed and stream conditions to a level that can be maintained on a long-term basis, but only iftrue watershed stewardship is adopted by landowners and resource users. Ultimately, the future of the Eel River's fishery is dependent upon land-use strategies and restoration commitments made by the private landowners and managers who control 86 percent of the watershed". (Ibid.)

Landowners and resource managers appear to have been listening to these recommendations. Grass root landowner based watershed groups are common in the Eel River basin today. Each one has its own story of how it came into being and its area of focus but there is one common theme, "we want to do something to improve conditions in our watershed". This packet contains information about landowner based watershed groups that are organized in the Eel River basin. Some are well organized, some are so new they are still struggling to organize and define themselves. Some have formed official non-profit corporations but most are simply a group oflandowners meeting together to improve land-use practices in their watershed.

Every effort was made to identiry all groups, but it is very possible I missed some. For that reason the reader should not consider this list exhaustive. It does illustrate the extent of activity among landowners and offers an opportunity to learn from these groups. Each group was asked to tell their story in their own words. The biographical information on each group is included for your use and you are encouraged to contact any of them if you have questions or want more information.

Included in this packet for your information is also a list of Restoration Practitioners. These are restoration professionals who are employed through their restoration efforts. Some of these groups represent the first efforts by non-professionals to restore the salmonid runs in the Eel River. They need to be recognized and remembered. Their stories can broaden our understanding of the history of restoration in the Eel River and their continued presence offers us a resource to be utilized.

Landowner Assistance Groups represent another restoration group I have decided to include for your information. These are restoration professionals organized into a non-profit group for the purpose of assisting landowners and landowner groups in group development, watershed assessment, land use planning and project implementation. I have included the ReD's in the list because in reality they are landowner based, their Boards are composed of local resource users and serve without pay, and they offer professional land use services to landowners. Many agencies are included in the list of Assistance Groups as a reference for your use.

Bill Matson

Index ,

Landowner Groups

Willits Landowner Group ------1 2. Upper Eel Forum ------2 3. Round Valley Indian Tribes ------3 4. Woodman Creek Road Association ------3 5. Upper Eel Landowners Association ------4 6. Friends of the Eel River ------5 7. Mainstem Eel Restoration Group (MERG) ------6 8. China Creek Restoration Group ------7 9. Seely Creek Watershed Association ------8 10. Cummings Creek Watershed Advisory Council (CCWAC) ------9 11. Yager (Van Duzen) Environmental Stewards (YES) ------11

Landowner Assistance Group

12. California Coastal Conservancy------12 13. Fish Farm and Forest Communities Forum ------12 14. Humboldt Farm Bureau ------12 15. Round Valley Resource Center ------13 16. Institute for Sustainable Forestry (ISF) ------14 17. Eel River Watershed Improvement Group (ERWlG) ------15 18. Humboldt County Resource Conservation District (HCRCD) ------16 19. Mendocino County Resource Conservation District (MCRCD) ------17 20. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Coastal Calif. Fish and Wildlife ------17 21. U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) ------18 22. U.c. Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor ------18 23. U.S. Bureau of Land Management ------18

Restoration Practitioners

24. AroeriCorps Watershed Stewards ------19 25. California Conservation Corps (CCC) ------19 26. California Department ofFish and Game (DFG) ------19 27. Freshwater Farms ------20 28. Eel River Salmon Restoration Project ------20 29. Fortuna High School Creeks Club ------21 30. Coastal Stream Restoration ------21 31. Bioengineering Associates ------22 32. Jack Monschke Watershed Management ------23 33. Pacific Coast Fish, Wildlife and Wetlands Restoration Association (pCFFRW A) -----24 34. Natural Resource Management Corp. ------24 35. Pacific Watershed Associates (PWA) ------25 Landowner Groups Willits Landowner Group

The Willits Landowner Group is a landowner stewardship group. The groups purpose is, through cooperative self-help, to maintain, coordinate, and facilitate the efforts of individual landowners who are interested in protecting, managing and improving their land, their resources and the associated environment for the control of potential sources of pollution, protection of surface and groundwater quality, and the enhancement of aquatic species. The primary purpose is to be an educational source to the landowner and to keep the group informed about the legal responsibilities under various state and federal regulations, and to help landowners implement the best management practices for their individual properties.

The area of concern for the Willits Watershed Group is that area bounded on the East by that watershed draining into the Eel River North of Tomki Creek, including the Hearst area, to the North where the mouth of Outlet Creek joins the Main-stem Eel River, and those portions of Outlet Creek that drain from Little Lake Valley extending South to the Ridgewood Summit, including to the east, the Tomki Creek watershed.

We now have about 30 committed landowners who have an idea of what we hope to accomplish. We encourage participation from all residents of this diverse watershed. The association consists of all agricultural land-owners and participating registered managers wishing to participate, as well as a representative from the City of Willits, a representative from Pine Mountain proper, and one from Brooktrails subdivision.

We were formed in January of 1999, so we are very young. After attending John Harper's "Ranch Water Quality Short Course", our eyes were opened to the numerous erosion problems on our land and how it affected our neighbors. Then in November of 1998 we heard about the TMDL process. We decided at that point to be a part of the solution, not the problem.

The Willits Watershed Group can be contacted through:

Erlyne Schmidbauer, Chairman John Ford, Vice Chairman 19921 N. 101 Highway 2250 Hearst Willits Road Willits, CA 95490 Willits, CA 95490 [email protected]

1. Upper Eel Watershed Forum

"A pro-active stakeholder based and founded organization concerned with restoring the Upper Eel River Basin while improving the economic and social opportunities for all community members."

The mission of the Upper Eel Watershed Forum (FORUM) is "To protect, restore and enhance the long-term ecological, social and economic well-being of the watershed. This will be accomplished by identifYing key watershed issues, by promoting awareness and understanding, and by implementing pro-active measures".

The FORUM consists of participating members, a steering committee, issue working groups, amd a paid skeletal staff. As of Januaryl, 2000, the Uper Eel Watershed Forum Inc. a California 50 1(c)(3) non-profit corporation, was formed to manage the affairs of the FORUM.

The following is a list of active issue working groups: 1. Salmonid Restoration 2. Sustainable Forestry 3. Ranching and Farming 4. Economic Development 5. Roads 6. Watershed Education

The FORUM was organized in late 1997 by a small group of concerned local citizens. The FORUM encourages participation from all concerned citizens and residents of this diverse watershed. Since its inception, the FORUM has steadily increased in both membership and geographic area. The geographic area of the Upper Eel is defined by the flow of run-off into the North fork, Middle Fork, and the main stem of the Eel River from the confluence of the North Fork to the north and the Middle Fork to the south.

Active programs under way include: 1. Annual stream surveys and fish counts. 2. Riparian restoration projects. 3. Salmonid restoration 4.Watershed education

To learn more about the FORUM:

Visit our web-site at: www.upper-eel.org Contact: Dr. John Calaprice POBox70l Covelo, CA 95428 Phone: 707-983-8025 E-mail: [email protected] 2. Round Valley Indian Tribes

Staff Biologist Warren Mitchell says they are just getting started, but in the last 2 years they have been evaluating their streams for flows, temperature, woody debris and habitat. Work is currently ongoing in Horse Creek, Murphy Creek, Mill Creek and Short Creek.

For more information contact:

Warren Mitchell, Biologist Round Valley Indian Tribes Natural Resources Department POBox277 Covelo, CA 95428

Phone: 707-983-8341 E-mail: [email protected]

Woodman Creek Road Association

Little information available at this time. Kent Westwood, spokesman for the group, reports the folks have pulled together for a planning effort and have submitted a proposal for SB 271 funds.

For more information contact:

Kent Westwood POBox 306 Laytonville, CA 95454

Phone: 707-984-6424 Days

3. Upper Eel Landowners Association

The Upper Eel Landowners Association is a loosely organized group oflandowners concerned with flow conditions in their area. Living right at the diversion of Eel River water, every day they see the effect of the reduced flows on the mainstem and nearby tributaries. Mill Creek, a tributary right below the Dam, and diverted by the Dam, is of special concern since, in their own words, "it has good habitat and often has more spawners in it than reportedly reach the Dam counting site".

They have a core group of only 4 families, but there are about 24 other families involved at other levels and supporting their efforts. They are closely allied with Friends ofthe Eel River and support their efforts to return the water back to the Eel River. At this time they feel this is their primary goal. All other restoration efforts are on hold until the water issue is resolved.

For more information you can contact:

Stuart Smith 19301 Ridgeway Hwy. Potter Valley, CA 95469

Phone: 707-743-2018 (eves)

4. Friends of the Eel River

Friends of the Eel River has been active since 1994 and was formally established as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization in 1998. Friends of the Eel River is a membership organization. At the most recent count, the paid membership included 650 individuals and groups.

Governing the organization is an independent Board of Directors representing all the regions affected by the Eel River. For example, Board members include residents of even Sonoma and Marin Counties, where the Eel River water would be exported if it were not for our "Living Eel River" campaign.

The mission of the Friends of the Eel River is to restore the Eel River and all her tributaries to a natural state of health and abundance-"wild andfree". Nadananda, Executive Director, said recently, "We see ourselves as bringing the entire watershed together as a people who live in the watershed. We concern ourselves with the scientific and economic analysis of our watershed, taking legal action when necessary. We want to see hundreds of miles of spawner grounds opened up".

Find out more about the Eel River:

Nadananda, Executive Director Friends of the Eel River PO Box 2305 Redway, CA 95560

Phone:707-923-2146 E-mail:[email protected] Web Site:www.eelriver.org

5. Mainstem Eel Restoration Group "MERG"

MERG is the Mainstem Eel River Group. We are a community watershed council who meet monthly to discuss river health issues, to plan events, and to assist landowners in undertaking projects to restore and enhance salmonid habitat in our area. We meet and have our office at the ABC Community Center in Alderpoint, CA. We work closely with the Casterlin School to encourage young people to participate in our projects and learn about river health issues.

MERG was founded in October 1997 by George Ypsilantis as one of the activities of the new Casterlin Healthy Start Program. Healthy Start coordinator April Wilson believed that community activities such as MERG fit in appropriately with the Healthy Start philosophy of "helping the student by helping the family and community". This truly farsighted viewpoint inspired George and others to constantly combine their environmental awareness with community action and education for adults and children. The organization grew tremendously when Ruth Goodfield ofERWIG encouraged George to apply for a California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) 271 Grant. This grant enabled MERG to expand its educational activities, and to establish a special focus on assisting local landowners to apply for grants of their own to help pay for habitat restoration projects.

We believe that developing community spirit and consensus in environmental issues is crucial and essential to furthering environmental goals. The answer is not to put every tree and stream into public hands, but rather to educate private landowners in effective and cost efficient stewardship techniques, and assist fmancially where needed. Some of our landowner members have taken the initiative in organizing and collecting information about topics such as the TMDL process and the decommissioning of the Potter Valley Dam.

MERG holds a potluck meeting at 6:30 PM on the 1ih of every month at the ABC Center in Alder Point, CA. Everyone is welcome to attend.

For more information about MERG:

Ann Forest, Coordinator MERG POBox 38 Alder Point, CA 95511

Phone: 707-926-1025, Ann at work (8- noon) 926-5402 E-mail: [email protected] Web Site will be online at: hits.orglmerg sometime in April.

6. China Creek Restoration Group

China Creek, tributary to Redwood Creek, in Southern Humboldt County crosses under Shelter Cove Road just West of Briceland, CA. China Creek still has a resident Coho Salmon and Steelhead population. With the assistance of Ruth Goodfield, the China Creek Restoration Group was formed to address restoration of the creek. Erosion from China Creek Road was a serious source of sediment and had to be considered as the highest priority treatment site.

Access to their homes for the residents in China Creek was along China Creek Road. China Creek Road is a gravel road that follows China Creek for the first few miles before climbing the hill and crossing over into the upper Mattole watershed where it is commonly called the "Blue Slide Road". Heavy use by non-residents meant more damage and less accepted responsibility. Faced with the heavy use of a bad road along the creek, no money to fix it, so many non-residents presented an almost insurmountable problem.

Working with Ruth Goodfield, and with a common problem all could agree upon, the residents were able to come together and listen to possible solutions. The availability of grant funds to address road problems allowed them to look beyond their immediate problem and consider the effect on the creek. Ruth's help provided an opportunity to do something to help the fish come back as well as provide needed road repairs.

Today, when you enter the project area on China Creek Road, you are greeted by a kiosk constructed by the landowners themselves that tells the story of the China Creek Restoration Project and gives you information about the Groups future plans for restoration of the creek.

For more information:

Jerry Sevier Phone: 707-986-7252 Or: Charlie Butterworth PO Box 1695 Redway, CA 95560 Phone: 707-986-7764 E-mail: [email protected]

Ruth Goodfield Phone: 707-923-7137 E-mail: [email protected]

7. Seely Creek Watershed Association

The Seely Creek Watershed Association was formed in 1997. Ownership of the 3,808 acres in the watershed is all private non-industrial.

The focus of the group is salmon habitat restoration, road association and watershed level planning. The group is not a non-profit. Their fiscal sponsor is the Institute for Sustainable Forestry who is able to offer professional assistance in project planning and handle the project funds.

In the past, Seely Creek has received funding from SB 271 for a road rehabilitation project. They are currently funded for a watershed planning effort.

For more information:

Mike Vollmer, Forestry Program Manager Institute for Sustainable Forestry POBox 1580 Redway, CA 95560

Phone: 707-247-1101 Fax: 707-247-3555 E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: www.isf-sw.org

8. Cummings Creek Watershed Advisory Council "CCWAC"

Cummings Creek is first order stream, tributary to the Van Duzen River, whose confluence is near the town of Carlotta, California on Highway 36.

The Cummings Creek Watershed Advisory Council (CCWAC) , came together in 1996 as an ad-hoc group in response to an overwhelming amount of complicated environmental problems that stemmed from land use issues in the watershed. The organizing core group was a diverse set of neighbors living in the upper watershed. They are all stakeholders, in essence six families, each with unique independent lives that respected and relished privacy in the rural setting. With help from a non-stakeholder, a professional watershed coordinator, they were able to successfully implement an ongoing, systematic, restoration plan for the Cummings Creek watershed that is still active today, March 2000.

The most urgent problem facing us when we started revolved around the December 1995 storm that dumped more than 6 inches of rain in an 8 hour period onto our already saturated landscape. A one mile portion of the road leading to the upper watershed area, above Hwy 36, suffered eleven failures the night of December 31, 1995. In the wake oftbis storm routine lives were devestated, emergency help for families non-existent, and the residents were told by the timber interests in the area (pALCO and Eel River Sawmills) that the road was a liability to them and they no longer needed it. The conflict between landowners in the watershed was raging at that point. The residents were confused and frustrated.

The six resident landowner families from the upper watershed began to approach the problem with an array of emotions, ranging from accusations toward the timber companies to contacting again and again every landowner in the upper watershed and every agency in the county, state and federal realm that would answer the phone. The responses to these separate approaches had a negative effect on the residents as a whole. Angry accusations shut many doors and it took months of diplomacy to re-open them. The agencies were as overwhelmed and as confused by the situation as we were. The timber interests were preoccupied with liability issues and they had another road to use. They were not compassionate about the access problems faced by the year-round residents.

The Pacific Coast Fish, Wildlife and Wetlands Restoration Association (PCWWRA) was contacted and Mitch Farro and Bill Matson were invited to a public meeting that was held by CCWAC. They envisioned the future with a plan for recovery of the creek and the fish that would also benefit the people in the affected area Approximately 50 local residents attended that meeting, along with many agency representatives. After that meeting, Cummings Creek underwent the scrutiny of the scientific community and the California Salmon Stamp Committee decided to fund Bill to serve as project coordinator for the Cummings Creek watershed. As coordinator, Mr. Matson established a recovery plan for Cummings Creek. This was a monumental step for Cummings Creek and for all the stakeholders in the watershed. 9. CCWAC is still moving forward in spite of the problems normally encountered with diverse opinions. Conflict is approached with respect for every side and compromize is a key ingredient. Maria Jorgenson, Landowner

The old road has been replaced and decommissioned, old bridges replaced, culverts upgraded and an in-stream monitoring program instituted. Future projects will focus on in­ stream work and down-stream improvements (below Hwy 36).

For more information contact:

Bill Matson, Watershed Coordinator Eel River Watershed Improvement Group (ERWIG) 610 Ninth Street Fortuna, CA 95540 Phone: 707-725-4317 Fax: 707-725-0384 E-mail: [email protected]

10. Yager Environmental Stewards "YES"

The Yager Environmental Stewards (YES) are a landowner group of primarily ranchers that own property in the upper Y agerNan Duzen Watershed. The Kneeland Road from Freshwater, CA. to Bridgeville, CA. ties each family together and provides the common access route. About once a month these ranchers meet at a members home to discuss environmental issues close to them. More than 30 people attend these meetings.

These people have taken a pro-active approach to concerns for new environmental regulations, especially the development of the Van Duzen TMDL and its influence on rangeland management. They want to be sure the document focuses on sound science and decision making. To that end they were involved from the very start of the process.

For more information contact:

Dina Moore, President Lone Star Ranch 480 Butte Creek road Kneeland, CA 95549

Phone: 707-442-3878 E-mail: lonestar@humboldtl .com

11.

~~==-=~==. -- ==. Landowner Assistance Groups California Coastal Conservancy

The Coastal conservancy works with citizen groups, government, and private land owners to protect California' s coastal resources. It provides funding for local projects, including trails, marshes and dunes.

Contact: Mark Wheetley 619 Second Street Eureka, CA 95501 Phone: 707-441 -5884 Fax: 707-441-5897 or 441-5740

Fish Farm and Forest Communities Forum "FFF"

The Policy Committee of FFF seeks to develop economically beneficial and environmentally sound solutions to issues facing resource based communities. The Technical Committee has been involved in the development of assessment methodology protocols for use in monitoring North Coastal California streams.

Contact: Gary Rynearson POBox 1247 Eureka, CA 95502 Phone: 707-442-1 735 Fax: 707-442-8823

Humboldt County Farm Bureau

A voluntary, non-governmental organization ofrural ranch families, local businesses and concerned citizens seeking solutions to social and economic challenges. Assists with cooperative resources management.

Contact: Katherine Queen 5601 S. Broadway Eureka, CA 95503 Phone: 707-443-4844 Fax: 707-443-0926

12. Round Valley Resource Center

The Round Valley Resource Center (RVR) was established in 1998 as a priority of the Covelo Community Action Plan (CAP), funded through Option 9. Current funding for the RVR Center is through the US Forest Service and the California Department ofFish and Game (DFG) grants. Individual projects are funded through the project grant.

Current projects the RVR Center is working on are: I. Watershed restoration and enhancement 2. Sustainable economic development 3. Human services provided from various County Social Service agencies 4. Free public access internet stations 5. Collaboration with Round Valley Indian Tribes Natural Resources Department

For more information contact:

Brian Dick, Coordinator Round Valley Resource Center 76300 Grange Street, Suite #3 Covelo, CA 95428 Phone: 707-983-9117 Fax: 707-983-0137 E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: www.pacific.netl-rvrcenter

13 .

= . Institute for Sustainable Forestry "ISF"

The mission of the "Institute for Sustainable Forestry" is to promote forest management that contributes to the long-term ecological and economic well-being of forest based communities in northwest California and beyond.

ISF Background

ISF is a community-based organization founded in 1991 by loggers, tree planters, educators, watershed restorationists, engineers, geologists, foresters, business and conservation managers, veterans, woodworkers and environmentalists. ISF serves local rural communities and disseminates the model for our programs. ISF works in collaboration with many other non­ profits and agencies to facilitate community re-development strategies and the transition to sustainable forestry in the Pacific Northwest.

ISF Programs

ISF / Smart Wood Certification Wild Iris Forest Products Demonstration Facility Public Education and Outreach Forestry Research & Development

Since 1991 ISF has been building the capacity to effectively promote sustainable forest management and economic development. We are gaining trust and cooperation from community members from all political and social strata. Empowered by the broader community, we are moving ahead at breakneck speed to develop sustainable forest management plans, certify well­ managed forests, advise small forest product manufacturers and link them to markets, and educate the public.

For more information contact:

Mike Vollmer POBox 1580 Redway, CA 95560

Phone: 707-247-11 01 Fax: 707-247-3555 E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected] Web Site: www.isf-sw.org

14. Eel River Watershed Improvement Group "ERWIG"

The Eel River Watershed Improvement Group (ERWIG) began as an idea in February of 1997. Salmon stocks had been in serious decline for a number of years, and while several groups in the basin had been working in their own tributaries, the newly completed Eel River Salmon and Steelhead Restoration Action Plan, DFG (1997), made it clear a larger coordinated effort would be needed to affect real improvement in the basin as a whole. From the beginning the goal ofERWIG has been to coordinate efforts to improve and restore the natural resources within the Eel River Basin by providing orgaoizational and technical assistance to landowners and watershed groups, and to help them implement specific watershed action plans.

The efforts ofERWIG are intended to facilitate landowner networking, public education and private group orgaoizational formation.

To accomplish our goals, ER WIG coordinators Ruth Goodfield and Bill Matson, work to implement these basic objectives through Landowner Outreach, Technical Assistance, Project Planning and Implementation, Permit Applications, Funding Assistance though grant writing, and Educational Workshops.

Initial funding for ERWIG came through the "For the Sake of the Salmon" program out of Oregon that was initiated by Sen. Bill Bradbury in 1997. ERWIG received a start-up grant of $37,500 for its first year of operation which was July 1997- June 1998. During that first year ERWIG hired two part-time coordinators, Ruth Goodfield and Bill Matson, organized as a non­ profit organization and was able to coordinate several tree planting projects, conduct two road repair and maintenance workshops and make our presence known through our outreach efforts. The work ofERWIG staff during that first year resulted in the submission of project proposals in China Creek, Hartsook Creek, Cummings Creek, Palmer Creek and Wolverton Gulch for the next year (1998-99). Other proposals submitted included Erosion Hazard Inventory in several Van Duzen tributaries, Creek Days Educational Fair, Railroad Fish Passage Assessment and several Instructional Video proposals.

For more information contact:

Ruth Goodfield, Watershed Coordinator Bill Matson, Watershed Coordinator POBox 1314 610 Ninth Street Redway, CA 95560 Fortuna, CA 95540

Phone: 707-923-7137 Phone: 707-725-4317 Fax: Fax: 707-725-0384 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]

IS. Humboldt County Resource Conservation District "HCRCD"

The Humboldt County Resource Conservation District (HCRCD or RCD) was formed in 1987 as a special District of the County of Humboldt. The District's function is to assist private landowners and departments of government to analyze, plan, design and apply soil and water conservation practices in Humboldt County. The District's primary technical services are provided through USDA Natural Resources Service (NRCS) staff members who are assigned to assist the District.

The HCRCD's purpose is to focus attention on land, water and related resource problems, develop programs to solve those problems, and enlist and coordinate help from all public and private sources that can contribute to accomplishing the District's goals. In addition, RCD's work to further conservation education in the local community and serve as a community clearing house for information and services.

For more information contact:

Curtis Ihly POBox 397 Fields Landing, CA 95537

Phone: 707-444-9708 ext 5 Fax: 707-269-2630

16. Mendocino County Resource Conservation District "MCRCD"

The MCRCD's purpose is the same as RCD's across the nation. RCD's focus attention on land, water and related resource problems, develop programs to solve those problems, and enlist and coordinate help from all public and private sources that can contribute to accomplishing the District's goals.

The MCRCD works on a variety of watershed planning, project implementation, monitoring and educational projects in a number of basins throughout Menocino County. They work with many independent contractors and watershed groups, as well as agencies, to reach consevation objectives.

For more information contact:

Ben Monmonier Mendocino County RCD 405 So. Orchard Ave. Ukiah, CA 95482

Phone: 707-468-9223 Ext 3 Fax: 707-468-5278

u.s. Fish and Wildlife Service Coastal California Fish and Wildlife

Administrates "Jobs in the Woods" program, part of the Northwest Forest Plan. Projects are selected for funding and implementation on non-federal lands.

Contact: Paula Golightly 1125 16th Street, Room 209 Arcata, CA 95521 Phone: 707-822-7201 Ext 465 Fax: 707-822-8136

17. u.s. Natural Resources Conservation Service "NRCS"

Technical service aimed at helping land users protect, enhance and wisely use soil, water, and other natural resources. Funding, incentive programs, and education.

Contact: Tom Hedt 5630 S. Broadway Eureka, CA 95503 Phone; 707-444-9708 Ext 3 Fax; 707-442-7514

U.C. Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor

Provides technical assistance and information to land owners. Ranch Water Quality Planning Short Course water quality information.

Contact: Gary Markegard, Farm Advisor 5630 S. Broadway Eureka, CA 95503 Phone; 707-445-7351 Fax; 707-444-9334

u.S. Bureau of Land Management "BLM"

Cooperative watershed analysis, restoration planning, and project implementation on BLM lands, primarily in Mattole River, SF Eel River, and Lacks Creek basins.

Contact: Lynda Roush 1695 Heindon Road Arcata, CA 95521 Phone; 707-825-2300 707-825-2301

18. Restoration Practitioners AmeriCorps Watershed Stewards

Watershed steward program volunteers are involved in monitoring, habitat surveys, and education. AmeriCorps places volunteers with government agencies and non-profit groups.

Contact: Kris Escarda 610 Ninth Street Fortuna, CA 95540 Phone: 707-725-8601 Fax: 707-725-8602

California Conservation Corps "CCC" The Shasta Pacific center in Fortuna, California serves the Eel River Basin. Their natural resources conservation program includes riparian and instream fisheries habitat restoration, education, technical assistance, volunteer and public service.

Contact: Bob Frechou 1500 Alamar Way Fortuna, CA 95540 Phone: 707-725-5106 Fax: 707-725-1748

California Department of Fish and Game "DFG" Fishery habitat assessment and enhancement, watershed surveys in the Eel River and its tributaries. Assistance in project planning and pennitting.

Contact: Scott Downie Gary Flosi 6 \0 Ninth Street 1500 Alamar Way Fortuna, CA 95540 Fortuna, CA 95540 Phone: 707-725-0368 707-725-1912 Fax: 707-725-0384

19. Freshwater Farms

Native pant nursery focusing on wetland and riparian ecosystems. Native seed collection and seed banle Wetland education center and wetland delineation services.

Contact: Rick Storre 5851 Myrtle Av. Eureka, CA 95503 Phone: 707-444-8261 Fax: 707-442-2490 E-mail [email protected] Eel River Salmon Restoration Project

The Eel River Salmon Restoration Project is a Pacific Federation of Fisherrnan's Association (PCFFA) affiliate organization. It began in 1981 when special permission was given to Scott Downie and Dr. Derek Poon by Charlie Fullerton, then Director ofFish and Game, to trap adult spawners and rear the eggs. Scott was appointed PCFFA Habitat Consultant and the Eel River Restoration Project was born under the umbrella of PCFFA.

The Eel River Salmon Restoration Project is located on Redwood Creek in Southern Humboldt County, a tributary to the South Fork of the Eel River near Redway, CA. The project is now run by Bill Eastwood, who joined the effort soon after it was started, and Harry Vaughn and his wife Jan Duncan-Vaughn.

OUf activities include:

FISH CULTURE: Focused mainly on the Redwood Creek Watershed, we have released 997,014 salmonids to date. Of these 456,703 were marked. Marking allows us to monitor our program when marked fish return to spawn and are caught by fishermen. EDUCATION: We have an active elementary school program in which we supply eyed chinook salmon eggs for classroom incubation. In addition we lead field trips to rearing and restoration sites. Ten local schools have participated in these programs. HABITAT: To date we have completed a wide variety of instream habitat improvement structures, fish passage improvement projects and erosion control projects. We have planted thousands of trees in riparian and upslope areas. These habitat improvement projects have directly benefitted local native populations of chinook salmon, coho salmon and steelhead. MONITORING: During spawning season we conduct carcass and redd surveys. We also have an ongoing downstream migrant trapping program which is used to monitor natural salmonid populations. 20. For further information:

Visit our Web site at www.hits.org (a web site built for us by the teachers and students at the Osprey Learning Center in Garberville, CA)

Contact:

Harry Vaughn 707-943-3223 E-mail: [email protected] Jan Duncan-Vaughn 707-943-3233 E-mail: [email protected] Bill Eastwood 707-923-9109 E-mail: [email protected] Fortuna High School Creeks Club

Students are involved in removal of exotic vegetation in the Fortuna creeks, planting of native vegetation and cleanup of riparian areas. Active in public education through the posting of signs and brochures to raise awareness of the importance of the Fortuna creeks.

Contact: Pam Halstead, Advisor 379 12th Street Fortuna, CA 95540 Phone: 707-725-4461 Ext 3065 E-mail: [email protected]

Coastal Stream Restoration

Coastal Stream Restoration is a small private enterprise which has been in existence since ) 989. The owner and crew supervisor is an ex-commercial fisherman, forced out of the commercial salmon fishing industry by season closures.

Coastal Stream Restoration has been very active in the watershed and restoration fields. We continue to work extensively and cooperatively with landowners and their resource managers, all agency and local fisheries experts, as well as community and student volunteers. We consider these all integral components of a successful, long-term restoration program.

Coastal Stream Restoration can be reached at:

Curtis Thly 53 Kingston Rd. Fieldbrook, CA 95519 Phone: 707-839-8238 Cell Phone: 707 -498-7 447 21. Bioengineering Associates

My company is Bioengineering Associates. We are a licensed engineering contractor, class A license #599522. We specialize in watershed restoration using live building systems. The technology that we utilize is best explained in the masterwork by Dr. Hugo M. Schiechtl " Bioengineering for Land Reclamation and Conservation", University of Alberta Press, 1980. We have been repairing damaged rivers and streams, gullies and hillslopes since 1982.

We are based in Laytonville, northern Mendocino County. Our mailing address is P.O.Box 1554 Laytonville, CA 95454. Our phone # is 707 984-8333. Our Fax # is 984-8855. Our new email addresswillbe [email protected].

In 1994 we were awarded the United States Environmental Protection Agency Region HAL WISE AWARD, "for exceptional leadership in promoting the control of non point sources of water pollution and ecological management and restoration of watersheds". In 1998 we were asked by the California Dept. ofFish & Game to include some our bioengineering technology in their current California Salmonid Stream Habitat Restoration Manual, third edition January 1998.We are acknowledged therein for our contribution to the new manual.

I am also on the Board of Directors of the Bioengineering Institute, a California non profit corporation. Through the Institute we do slide shows, lectures, project site tours, and hands on training. We recently completed a three year program working with the Fetzer Winery doing repair work at their Hopland facility on Dooley Creek. We trained their farm workers in bioengineering streambank stabilization, as an on the job project. We also worked with Dept of Commerce funding, under the NEAP program teaching salmon trollers habitat restoration. Last fall we produced a three day course titled" Soil Bioengineering for Streambank and Floodplain Re-vegetation", for U.C.Berkeley extension.

For more information contact:

Evan Engber POBox 1554 Laytonville, CA 95454

Phone: 707-984-8333 Fax: 707-984-8855 E-mail: [email protected]

22. 'la~nke Watershed Management 3.1u~SEDI1tfENT DELIVERY SYSTEM

The De&.-ery Inventory System is a relatively simple and cost-effective method for - . prioritization, and treatment recommendations for sediment delivery sources. 1l!is s~sa:m was originally developed as a management tool for large timberland owners, to be used in conjunction with the TlIP (Timber Harvest Plans) process to reduce sedimem deIn-ery rates and to comply with TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Load) guidelines. Modifications have been made, and will continue to be made, to make it more accessible to all north-coast rural lands, including ranches and rural sub-divisions. The system grew out of years of field experience in Northern California coastal watersheds. Thorough field work is basic to its success as a sediment tool.

Used as an inventory tool for road, hillslope and riparian sites where there is potential for delivery to a class 1 stream, the following data for each site is recorded on a worksheet. General description of the site. Location of site on a map. Estimated volume of potential sediment delivery. Probability and rate of failure. Feasibility of treatment. Recommended treatment. Cost-effectiveness of treatment. A prioritization system based upon the above factors.

The worksheet also allow landowners and resource managers to document completed work sites and monitor those sites for effectiveness and implementation. In this way it becomes a tool for evaluating the success and failures of management prescriptions and restoration treatments over time.

WATERSHED ASSESSMENT PLANNING

Jack Monschke Wateshed Management has prepared watershed planning reports for the Garcia River Watershed and portions of the Gualala and Big River Watersheds. We are currently preparing a watershed assessment plan for the Salmon Creek Watershed, tributary to the South Fork Eel river. The primary goal is to develop a technically sound assessment that is both cost­ effective and encourages landowner support.

For more information contact:

Jack Monschke POBox 500 Miranda, CA 95553 Phone: 707-943-1558

23. P.mt ~lL3t Fish, Wildlife and Wetlands Restoration Association "PCFWWRA"

Fclleries, wildlife and wetlands habitat restoration throughout the Northcoast counties. Habinn typing, instream structures, hatchbox programs, road inventories and removals.

For more information contact:

Mitch Farro P o Box 4574 Arcata, CA 95518

Phone: 707-839-5664 Fax: 707-838-5664 E-mail: [email protected]

Natural Resources Management Corp.

Environmental consulting focusing on forest management. Includes fisheries, wildlife, biological surveys, watershed analysis, road inventories, and restoration plans.

For more information contact:

Dennis Halligan POBox 1247 Eureka, CA 95502

Phone: 707-442-1735 E-mail: [email protected]

24. Pacific Watershed Associates "PWA"

Pacific Watershed Associates (PWA) is a full service geological and hydrologic consulting fum that is uniquely and exceptionally well qualified to provide expertise in the development of watershed protection and restoration plans for impaired watersheds. The lead professionals within PWA have been involved in groundbreaking watershed restoration projects and planning efforts throughout the Pacific Northwest.

In 1989, PWA was fonned to bring the cumulative restoration experience on the logged lands in Redwood National Park offounders, Dr. Weaver and Mr. Hagans, to bear on managed lands in the private sector, including small private landowners, industrial forest lands, tribal lands and federally owned watersheds. Since then, we have incorporated existing, tested restoration strategies and practices developed in Northern California and elsewhere into an overall strategy for managing forest lands, emphasizing protection of biological resources, attainment of water quality objectives and improved land stewardship practices.

PWA offers a wealth of experience to landowners and land managers that include: Restoration planning. Sediment source assessment. Cost-effectiveness evaluation. The development, and routine implementation of specific techniques for controlling wild-land erosion. Effectiveness monitoring. Oversight Contracting and administration of restoration projects.

For more information contact:

Dr. William Weaver or Mr. Danny Hagans POBox 4433 Arcata, CA 95518

Phone: 707-839-5130 E-mail: [email protected]

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