Tomales Bay Rangeland Best Management Practices (BMPs) Pathogen Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Implementation Project

SWRCB Agreement # 05-129-552-0

FINAL REPORT

Prepared for California State Water Resources Control Board

Prepared By John DiGregoria, Range Management Specialist Beth Eisenberg, Range Technician Point Reyes National Seashore National Park Service U.S. Department of Interior

December 2008

AR 18853 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008

Contents

CONTENTS...... II LIST OF TABLES ...... IV LIST OF FIGURES ...... VII EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... X INTRODUCTION...... 1 Background ...... 1 Project Goals ...... 1 Best Management Practices (BMPs) ...... 2 PROJECTS ...... 3 Administration and Combined Costs ...... 3 Compliance ...... 4 Genazzi Ranch Riparian Exclusion Fencing ...... 5 Giacomini Ranch riparian exclusion fencing ...... 6 E. Gallager Ranch Seasonal Exclusion Fencing ...... 6 Stewart Ranch Seasonal Exclusion Fencing ...... 7 J Ranch (Kehoe) Spring Development ...... 8 McIsaac Ranch Spring Development...... 10 Rogers Ranch Headcut Repair ...... 11 Truttman Ranch Headcut Repair ...... 12 Truttman Ranch Road Repair ...... 14 Lupton Ranch Road Decommission/Creek Stabilization ...... 15 BUDGET ...... 17 OUTREACH ...... 18 WATER QUALITY MONITORING ...... 21 Introduction ...... 21 Objectives ...... 21 Standards and Water Quality Criteria ...... 21 Clean Water Act Section 303d Listed Waters ...... 23 Methods...... 23 Overall Results/Characterization of the Watershed ...... 28 Results by Individual BMP Project...... 32 Discussion ...... 61 PHOTO AND SITE CONDITION ASSESSMENT MONITORING ...... 63 Genazzi Ranch Riparian Exclusion Fencing ...... 63 Giacomini Ranch Riparian Exclusion Fencing ...... 64 E. Gallager Ranch Seasonal Exclusion Fencing ...... 64 Stewart Ranch Seasonal Exclusion Fencing ...... 65 J Ranch (Kehoe) Spring Development ...... 66

ii AR 18854 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008

McIsaac Ranch Spring Development...... 67 Rogers Ranch Headcut Repair ...... 68 Truttman Ranch Headcut Repair ...... 69 Truttman Ranch Road Repair ...... 70 Lupton Ranch Road Decommission/Creek Stabilization ...... 70 DISCUSSION ...... 72 Lessons Learned...... 72 Recommendations: ...... 76 LITERATURE CITED ...... 77

APPENDICES in accompanying binder

iii AR 18855 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008

List of Tables

Table 1. Funding sources for project activities not directly associated with a specific project...... 4

Table 2. Cost associated with the Stewart fence project...... 8

Table 3. Project costs for implementing the J Ranch Spring project...... 10

Table 4. Project costs associated with the McIsaac Spring project...... 11

Table 5. Project costs associated with the Rogers Headcut project...... 12

Table 6. Project costs associated with the Truttman Headcut project...... 14

Table 7. Project costs associated with the Truttman Road project...... 15

Table 8. Project costs associated with the Lupton Road project...... 16

Table 9. Total costs associated with implementing the grant...... 17

Table 10. General numeric objectives for physical parameters in surface waters in the San Francisco Bay Area (RWQCB, 1995)...... 21

Table 11. Recommended criteria for nutrients and sediment...... 22

Table 12a. General numeric objectives for select beneficial uses in surface waters in the San Francisco Bay Area...... 22

Table 12b. The EPA bateriological criteria for contact recreation (REC 1) in colonies per 100ml (modified from RWQCB, 1995)...... 23

Table 13. Water quality parameter collection and laboratory methods...... 26

Table 14. Substitute values used to graph censored data...... 27

Table 15. Lupton Road project bacteria results...... 32

Table 16. Lupton Road project sediment results ...... 33

Table 17. Lupton Road project nutrient results...... 34

Table 18. Lupton Road project core parameter results...... 35

Table 19. Truttman Headcut project bacteria results...... 35

Table 20. Truttman Headcut project sediment results...... 36

Table 21. Truttman Headcut project nutrient results...... 37

iv AR 18856 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008

Table 22. Truttman Headcut project core parameter results...... 38

Table 23. Truttman Road project bacteria results...... 39

Table 24. Truttman Road project sediment results...... 40

Table 25. Truttman Road project nutrient results...... 41

Table 26. Truttman Road project core parameter results...... 42

Table 27. Rogers Headcut project bacteria results...... 43

Table 28. Rogers Headcut project sediment results...... 44

Table 29. Rogers Headcut project nutrient results...... 45

Table 30. Rogers Headcut project core parameter results...... 46

Table 31. J Ranch (Kehoe) Spring project bacteria results...... 46

Table 32. J Ranch (Kehoe) Spring project sediment results...... 47

Table 33. J Ranch (Kehoe) Spring project nutrient results...... 48

Table 34. J Ranch (Kehoe) Spring project core parameter results...... 49

Table 35. McIsaac Spring project bacteria results...... 49

Table 36. McIsaac Spring project sediment results...... 50

Table 37. McIsaac Spring project nutrient results...... 50

Table 38. McIsaac Spring project core parameter results...... 51

Table 39. Giacomini fence project bacteria results...... 52

Table 40. Giacomini fence project sediment results...... 53

Table 41. Giacomini fence project nutrient results...... 53

Table 42. Giacomini fence project core parameter results...... 54

Table 43. E. Gallager fence project bacteria results...... 55

Table 44. E. Gallager fence project sediment results...... 56

Table 45. E. Gallager fence project nutrient results...... 57

Table 46. E. Gallager fence project core parameter results...... 58

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Table 47. Stewart fence project bacteria results...... 58

Table 48. Stewart fence project sediment results...... 59

Table 49. Stewart fence project nutrient results...... 60

Table 50. Stewart fence project core parameter results...... 61

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List of Figures

Figure 1. Daily Rainfall and Water Quality Sampling dates for October-April of the 2006-2007 Rainyear...... 25

Figure 2. Daily Rainfall and Water Quality Sampling dates for October-April of the 2007-2008 Rainyear...... 25

Figure 3. Fecal coliform results for all sampling events plotted as a function of cumulative precipitation...... 29

Figure 4. Fecal coliform results for all sampling events plotted as a function of the amount of precipitation that fell in the twenty-four hours before each sampling event...... 29

Figure 5. TSS results for all sampling events plotted as a function of cumulative precipitation. ...30

Figure 6. TSS results for all sampling events plotted as a function of the amount of precipitation that fell in the twenty-four hours before each sampling event...... 30

Figure 7. Nitrate results for all sampling events plotted as a function of cumulative precipitation.31

Figure 8. Nitrate results for all sampling events plotted as a function of the amount of precipitation that fell in the twenty-four hours before each sampling event...... 31

Figure 9. Lupton Road project fecal coliform results...... 32

Figure 10. Lupton Road project TSS results...... 33

Figure 11. Lupton Road project nitrate results...... 34

Figure 12. Truttman Headcut project fecal coliform results...... 36

Figure 13. Truttman Headcut project TSS results...... 37

Figure 14. Truttman Headcut project nitrate results...... 38

Figure 15. Truttman Road project fecal coliform results...... 39

Figure 16. Truttman Road project TSS results...... 41

Figure 17. Truttman Road project nitrate results...... 42

Figure 18. Rogers Headcut project fecal coliform results...... 43

Figure 19. Rogers Headcut project TSS results...... 44

Figure 20. Rogers Headcut project nitrate results...... 45

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Figure 21. J Ranch (Kehoe) Spring project fecal coliform results...... 47

Figure 22. J Ranch (Kehoe) Spring project TSS results...... 47

Figure 23. J Ranch (Kehoe) Spring project nitrate results...... 48

Figure 24. McIsaac Spring project fecal coliform results...... 49

Figure 25. McIsaac Spring project TSS results...... 50

Figure 26. McIsaac Spring project nitrate results...... 51

Figure 27. Giacomini fence project fecal coliform results...... 52

Figure 28. Giacomini fence project TSS results...... 53

Figure 29. E. Gallager fence project fecal coliform results...... 55

Figure 30. E. Gallager fence project TSS results...... 56

Figure 31. E. Gallager fence project nitrate results...... 57

Figure 32. Stewart fence project fecal coliform results...... 59

Figure 33. Stewart fence project nitrate results...... 60

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Tomales Bay Rangeland Best Management Practices (BMPs) Pathogen Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Implementation Project (Project) received support through a grant from the California State Water Resources Control Board with funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Federal Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Program (Clean Water Act Section 319). Support was also received through matching funds from the Point Reyes National Seashore (PRNS), Point Reyes National Seashore Association (PRNSA), and the Marin Resource Conservation District (Marin RCD).

The purpose of the Project was to study the effectiveness of ten demonstration BMPs at reducing non-point source pollutant delivery from pastoral lands within PRNS and the North District of Golden Gate National Recreation Area to the Tomales Bay Watershed. Project actions were to: 1) identify persistent nonpoint sources of pollution from pastoral lands; 2) implement ten demonstration BMPs to reduce pollutant loading to waterways in the Tomales Bay Watershed; and 3) monitor water quality pre-and post-BMP implementation to establish baseline data and quantify reductions achieved through the performance of the BMPs. Delivery from non-point source areas of multiple pollutant parameters including pathogens, sediment, and nutrients was analyzed to evaluate BMP effectiveness. The results of the Project may be used to develop a model for the future implementation of TMDL programs on park and/or private lands within the Tomales Bay Watershed, and to guide PRNS with future rangeland management.

During the spring and summer of 2006, PRNS staff conducted pasture assessments of all pastures within the Tomales Bay Watershed. Staff walked all pastures and recorded features that have the potential to contribute pathogen, nutrient, or sediment pollutants to surface water runoff. The findings of these pasture assessments were used to select the ten demonstration projects and continue to be used to plan future projects in the Tomales Bay Watershed.

The ten demonstration BMPs constructed during 2007 and 2008 include two each of five standard Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) practices; riparian exclusion fencing, seasonal grazing fencing, spring development, headcut repair, and road repair/decommission. Two of these practices have a stream restoration component. Permitting and regulatory compliance was conducted through the Marin Coastal Watersheds Permit Coordination Program and PRNS. Construction of BMPs was implemented by private contractors, Marin Conservation Corps (MCC), PRNS staff, and ranch operators.

BMP Projects Implemented

Genazzi Ranch Riparian Exclusion Fencing This project prevents livestock access to Lagunitas Creek and allows for the natural revegetation of impacted riparian area/historic floodplain. During the fall of 2007, 3,577 feet of fence was installed.

Giacomini Ranch Riparian Exclusion Fencing This project prevents livestock access to the headwater reach of Olema Creek. During the Spring of 2008, 1,747 ft. of riparian exclusion fencing was installed.

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E. Gallager Ranch Seasonal Exclusion Fencing This project facilitates a seasonal grazing system that will prevent winter access to a riparian area and tributary discharging to the lower reaches of Olema Creek. During the spring of 2008, 1,917 ft. of fence was installed.

Stewart Ranch Seasonal Exclusion Fencing Fencing has been installed to facilitate a seasonal grazing system that will prevent winter access to a riparian lowland area and highly eroded crossing. During the spring of 2008, 1088 ft. of seasonal exclusion fence was constructed. The crossing area has been relocated to an upland location with previous use.

J Ranch (Kehoe) Spring Development This project prevents cattle access to the three degraded springs, provides an alternate water source (watering area) for the cattle, and allows for the revegetation and stabilization of the area around the springs and the eroded trailing system leading to the abandoned stock pond. The northern spring is now piped and water gravity feeds to a trough on a flat, stable watering area. The installation of 1,950 feet of fence now excludes cattle from the springs and slip area.

McIsaac Ranch Spring Development This project prevents cattle access to what was a developed spring with a water trough, provides an alternate water source (watering area) for the cattle, and allows for revegetation and stabilization of the area around the spring. The impacted spring, located on a steep slope above a stream, is now fenced and a new trough is located on a flat, stable watering area.

Rogers Ranch Headcut Repair This project stabilized several active headcuts within a 250-foot vegetated swale that drains to an incised channel. The headcut repairs entailed constructing willow walls at several headcuts within the swale, revegetating the impacted area with native plants, and fencing the area to prevent livestock access.

Truttman Ranch Headcut Repair This project restored a bottomland alluvial stream channel by installing two grade control structures, filling the gully above and between the two grade control structures, restoring the historic stream channel (intermittent) and floodplain, and fencing the area to prevent livestock access.

Truttman Ranch Road Repair This project entailed regrading, surfacing and installing water bars along 375 ft. of an existing ranch access road to reduce sediment from being delivered directly to a tributary of Olema Creek.

Lupton Ranch Road Decommission/ Creek Stabilization This project decommissioned approximately 825 ft. of an existing ranch road, restored 450 ft. of the historic stream channel and floodplain, and rehabilitated 40 ft. of an existing ranch road that branches off of the former main ranch road.

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The implementation of the ten projects resulted in the construction of 14,640 feet (ft.) of new fencing; the development of two watering facilities in flat upland areas, the repair of 375 ft. of sloping road surface; decommissioning 825 ft. of roadbed and the restoration of two stream reaches, 450 ft. at Lupton Road and 250 ft. at Truttman Headcut; and the stabilization of headcuts within a 250-foot vegetated swale. New fencing will permanently exclude cattle from 3900 ft. of Lagunitas Creek and 1440 ft. of the primary headwater of Olema Creek. Fencing will also protect 900 ft. of stream reach at Lupton Road, 400 ft. of stream reach at Truttman Headcut, and 250 ft. of vegetated swale at Rogers headcut. An additional 390 ft. of stream at Stewart seasonal exclosure and 1415 ft. of stream at Gallagher season exclosure will be protected from livestock during winter months.

Water Quality Monitoring In order to assess the performance of the BMPs in reducing pollutant loading, the Project had substantial water quality monitoring component. All measurements and sampling associated with monitoring activities were conducted in accordance with the detailed Monitoring Plan (MP) and Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) prepared for the Project.

Storm-event based sampling was conducted in close proximity BMP implementation sites. Where appropriate, sampling took place at locations immediately upstream and downstream of the project. Field parameters measured included temperature, conductivity, salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH, flow/discharge, and turbidity. Grab samples were analyzed in a laboratory for the following constituents: total/fecal coliforms, nitrate, ammonia, and total suspended solids (TSS).

While results from this monitoring effort provide information on non-point source pollutant levels at project sites before and after BMP implementation, the sample size is too small to make definitive statements regarding pollutant reductions or BMP effectiveness. The schedule of water quality monitoring and BMP implementation also limits the conclusions that can be made. For example, BMP implementation continued into the 2007-2008 rainyear, during which post- implementation monitoring was conducted. Post-implementation data, therefore, does not represent water quality conditions associated with a fully stabilized project. In addition, the small dataset cannot adequately represent this inherent variability of non-point source pollution on rangeland watersheds.

Given these limitations, the results for each project can still give insight into water quality conditions during storm events at BMP project sites. Pre and post implementation data available suggests a reduction in pathogen, sediment and nutrient delivery at the Lupton Road and McIsaac Spring projects. The data for the Truttman Headcut and Truttman Road projects suggests reductions in sediment delivery from both these sites. Rogers Headcut project data suggests a reduction in pathogens and sediment and Giacomini fence project data suggests a reduction in pathogen delivery. As these projects continue to stabilize over the next several years, it is expected that their performance will improve.

In addition to water quality monitoring, fixed photo-point monitoring was conducted quarterly at each project site. To accompany quarterly photo-monitoring, Site Condition Assessment forms,

xii AR 18864 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008 which further documented observed changes in vegetation and livestock utilization, were also completed.

This pilot project developed and demonstrated a framework on public lands for TMDL implementation that also may be applied to private lands in the watershed. Cooperation between PRNS, partner agencies, and ranch operators has demonstrated a method of field assessment, prioritization, and implementation of practices that is consistent with the Tomales Bay TMDL implementation process. In addition, involvement of community volunteers increased public awareness regarding purposes, goals, and implementation of BMP projects on rangelands. Ultimately, the information and lessons learned from these projects will be utilized to continue to build excellent stewardship into the daily management of livestock operations to improve water quality in Tomales Bay Watershed.

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Acknowledgements

This project would not have been possible without the support and assistance of the individuals and partner organizations listed below.

Marin Resource Conservation District Nancy Scolari, Executive Director

Natural Resources Conservation Service Kristan Flynn

Point Reyes National Seashore Brannon Ketcham, Hydrologist Rob Carson, Water Quality Specialist (now with Tomales Bay Watershed Council) Sarah Carlisle, Biological Science Technician

Point Reyes National Seashore Association

Prunuske Chatham, Inc. Mike Jensen, Landscape Architect

Regional Water Quality Control Board Leslie Ferguson, Grant Manager

University of California Cooperative Extension David Lewis, Watershed Management Advisor

Thanks also to the staff members and volunteers of Point Reyes National Seashore who gave time to help implement the projects.

xiv AR 18866 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008

INTRODUCTION

The Tomales Bay Rangeland BMP Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project (Project) received support through a grant from the California State Water Resources Control Board with funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Federal Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Program (Clean Water Act Section 319). Support was also received through matching funds from the Point Reyes National Seashore (PRNS), Point Reyes National Seashore Association (PRNSA), and the Marin Resource Conservation District (Marin RCD).

Background

Beneficial uses of Tomales Bay and its tributary watersheds include recreation, shellfish production, cold water fishery, spawning waters, migration waters, navigable waters, rare species and wildlife habitat. These watersheds support a variety of federally protected species including coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch), steelhead (O. mykiss), California freshwater shrimp (Syncharis pacifica), and California red-legged frog (Rana aurora draytonii).

Because of identified water quality impacts to ecological and commercial values, Tomales Bay is currently listed as impaired by the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) for pathogens, sediment, nutrients, and mercury. The Tomales Bay Pathogen TMDL, completed by the RWQCB in March 2004, establishes timelines and performance measures that should be met in order to accomplish the proposed ambient water quality objectives.

The TMDL and the National Park Service (NPS): Approximately 10,000 acres of NPS pastoral lands lie within the Tomales Bay watershed, including Olema and Lagunitas creeks. These lands, while public owned, are leased to private tenants operating various agricultural activities, such as livestock grazing, dairy farming, and horse ranching. These operations have potential to deliver pollutants to the aforementioned waterways. Under the Tomales Bay Pathogen TMDL, the NPS is expected to conduct site- specific ranchland assessments to identify and address persistent nonpoint sources of pollution to the Tomales Bay watershed.

Project Goals The purpose of the Project was to study the effectiveness of ten demonstration Best Management Practices (BMPs) at reducing non-point source pollutant delivery from pastoral lands within PRNS and the North District of Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) to the Tomales Bay Watershed. Project actions were to: 1) identify persistent nonpoint sources of pollution from pastoral lands; 2) implement ten demonstration BMPs to reduce pollutant loading to waterways in the Tomales Bay Watershed; and 3) monitor water quality pre-and post-BMP implementation to establish baseline data and quantify reductions achieved through the performance of the BMPs. Delivery from non-point source areas of multiple pollutant parameters including pathogens, sediment, and nutrients was analyzed to evaluate BMP effectiveness. The results of the Project may be used to develop a model for the future implementation of Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) programs on park and/or private lands within the Tomales Bay Watershed, and to guide PRNS with future rangeland management.

AR 18867 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008

BMPs The ten demonstration BMPs constructed during 2007 and 2008 include two each of five standard Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) practices; riparian exclusion fencing, seasonal grazing fencing, spring development, headcut repair, and road repair/decommission. Two of these practices have a stream restoration component. Permitting and regulatory compliance was conducted through the Marin Coastal Watersheds Permit Coordination Program and PRNS. Construction of BMPs was implemented by private contractors, Marin Conservation Corps (MCC), PRNS staff, and ranch operators.

The implementation of the ten projects resulted in the construction of 14,640 feet (ft.) of new fencing; the development of two watering facilities in flat upland areas, the repair of 375 ft. of sloping road surface; decommissioning 825 ft. of roadbed and the restoration of two stream reaches, 450 ft. at Lupton Road and 250 ft. at Truttman Headcut; and the stabilization of headcuts within a 250-foot vegetated swale. New fencing will permanently exclude cattle from 3900 ft. of Lagunitas Creek and 1440 ft. of the primary headwater of Olema Creek. Fencing will also protect 900 ft. of stream reach at Lupton Road, 400 ft. of stream reach at Truttman Headcut, and 250 ft. of vegetated swale at Rogers headcut. An additional 390 ft. of stream at Stewart seasonal exclosure and 1415 ft. of stream at Gallagher season exclosure will be protected from livestock during winter months.

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PROJECTS

During the spring and summer of 2006, PRNS staff conducted pasture assessments of all pastures within the Tomales Bay Watershed. Staff walked all pastures and recorded features that have the potential to contribute pathogen, nutrient, or sediment pollutants to surface water runoff. At each feature, a GPS position was recorded, photos were taken, and information about the feature, GPS position, and photo number were recorded on a data form. The feature was also recorded on a field map. The information was input into an access database. Range staff met with each ranch operator to review the findings from the pasture assessment.

PRNS staff used the pasture assessments to select the ten demonstration projects described below. PRNS staff continue to use the pasture assessments to plan future projects in the Tomales Bay Watershed.

Administration and Combined Costs

The following project descriptions with budgets only include activities and costs that were directly attributable to the project. Administrative costs, planning and compliance costs, PRNS staff time, volunteer time and other actions not included in specific project descriptions and the budget (Table 1) for these activities are discussed here. PRNS staff time is not broken into specific categories. Range Technician time was spent on all aspects of the project and was not recorded for any specific activity. All Range Technician time is presented as Personnel Services in the Budget section of this report.

The Marin RCD provided major assistance to project planning and implementation through a grant from the California Coastal Conservancy. Administrative costs are strictly Marin RCD costs for administering the grant for PRNS projects. Planning and compliance was implemented by Prunuske Chatham, Inc. (PCI) under contract with the Marin RCD. PCI provided a project overview plan with preliminary costs per project. PRNS staff time includes technical assistance from PRNS Hydrologist and all time for project management from PRNS Range Manager. Volunteer time was various and includes plant salvaging and propagation, project implementation, and seed collection.

Other actions include the planning and first year implementation of a western dog violet study, final inspections, government vehicle, and miscellaneous supplies. The western dog violet study is directly associated with the Fish and Wildlife Service biological opinion for impacts to the Myrtle’s silverspot butterfly at the J Ranch Spring Development Project. Final inspections were conducted by PCI with staff from Marin RCD, the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB), and PRNS. A government vehicle was necessary for the fall and winter following initial project implementation for erosion control, planting, and first year monitoring and maintenance. Miscellaneous supplies include soil for salvaged plants, paper bags for seed collection and a seeder.

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Table 1. Funding sources for project activities not directly associated with a specific project. 319(h) grant Marin RCD PRNS Total Administrative RCD Time $0 $15,986.50 $0 $15,986.50 Planning and Compliance $0 $63,861.63 $0 $63,861.63 PRNS Staff Time $86,827.12 Hydrologist $0 $0 $9,019.92 Range Manager $0 $0 $77,807.20 Volunteer time $6,698.44 $6,698.44 Other Actions $4,488.50 Viola Study Plan $1,300.00 $0 $0 PCI Final Inspections $1,188.50 $0 $0 GSA Vehicle (6 mos) $1,879.83 $0 $0 Miscellaneous Supplies $120.17 $0 $0 Total $4,488.50 $79,848.13 $93,525.56 $177,862.19

Compliance

The ten demonstration projects required compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), sections 401 and 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA), and section 7 of the Endangered Species Act. The Marin RCD developed a streamlining process with regulatory agencies to process multiple projects. All ten projects were evaluated in the field by PRNS staff to determine whether a project would impact PRNS biological or cultural resources (See Appendix 2.2).

PRNS staff determined that the J Ranch Spring Project may affect the federally threatened Myrtle’s silverspot butterfly (Speyeria zerene myrtleae). A biological assessment was submitted to initiate section 7 consultation with the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) on March 27, 2008. The FWS issued a biological opinion for the project on May 12, 2008.

PRNS staff determined that the Lupton Road project and the Truttman Headcut Repair Project would impact “waters of the US.” A Joint Aquatic Resources Permits Application was submitted through the RCD streamlining process to all appropriate regulatory agencies. Separate Nation Wide Permits were issued for the impacts to 0.04 acre of wetland impact at Lupton Road and the construction of grade control structures and filling of the gully at Truttman headcut repair.

All projects except the Lupton Road, Truttman Headcut Repair, and J Ranch Spring Development projects were categorically exempt from CEQA. Lupton Road, Truttman Headcut Repair, and J Ranch Spring Development projects were reviewed through the Streamlining Process and Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Streamlining Process. All projects were categorically excluded from NEPA by PRNS. All projects were reviewed by the State Water Resources Control Board to ensure that grant implementation was consistent with CEQA. All projects received the necessary agency approval prior to implementation (Appendix 2.2, 6.0).

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Genazzi Ranch Riparian Exclusion Fencing (GEN_RE)

Site Description

Genazzi Ranch is located at 10900 State Route (SR) 1, just southeast of Point Reyes Station and is operated by the Genazzi family. Lagunitas Creek delineates the northern and western boundary of the NPS owned portion of the ranch. The riparian exclusion fencing project is located at the northwestern corner of PRNS lands on the ranch, approximately one-half mile (mi.) northwest of the ranch compound. An existing fence runs south to north along an old railroad bed at the western edge of the ranch, 200 to 500 ft. inland of Lagunitas Creek. About one-quarter of a mi. north on the main ranch, this fenceline ended, thereby allowing cattle direct access to the riparian area, historic floodplain, and Lagunitas Creek. Approximately 2 acres of flat open area adjacent to Lagunitas creek occurs just north of where the old fenceline ended. As a cattle loafing area with easy creek access, this area received especially heavy impact. The flat pasture is vegetated mostly with non-native forbs and grasses such as filaree (Erodium botrys) and annual bluegrass (Poa annua). However, some native sedges (Carex sp.) and spike rushes (Eleocharis sp.) are found closer to the banks of Lagunitas Creek. There are cattle trails through the area leading to flat sandy sections of floodplain. Riparian shrubs/trees occur on the banks of the creek and between the flat pasture area and the fenceline to the east. These species include willow (Salix sp.), red alder (Alnus rubra), and trailing blackberry (Rubus ursinus).

Project Description

This project prevents livestock access to Lagunitas Creek and allows for the natural revegetation of impacted riparian area/historic floodplain. During the fall of 2007, 3,577 ft. of fence was installed in the northwestern section of the ranch, 200 to 650 ft. inland of Lagunitas Creek. The new fence begins where the existing fence along the old railroad grade ends and continues along the old railroad grade for approximately 800 ft. The fence turns east and continues uphill along the edge of the pasture and forested area. A metal gate was installed where the fence line departs from the old railroad grade and heads uphill to the east. A wire gate was installed along the upper portion of the fence to allow access to move cattle that slipped through or around the fenceline to be brought back into pasture. A small section of fence and two gates were installed next to the ranch compound around a new watering facility to allow cattle on PRNS land to access the water.

Budget

The 3,577 ft. of new fence cost $16,854.70. The grant paid $3,680.30 and matching funds from PRNSA paid $13,174.40.

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Giacomini Ranch Riparian Exclusion Fencing (GIA_RE)

Site Description

Giacomini Ranch is located along SR 1 approximately three and one-half mi. south of Sir Frances Drake Boulevard and is operated by the Giacomini family. The riparian exclusion fencing project is located on the east side of SR 1 at the very southwest corner of the ranch, approximately six and one-half mi. south of Sir Francis Drake Blvd. (or approximately three mi. south of the ranch house/compound). The headwater reach of Olema Creek flows through this southwestern corner of the ranch before passing through a culvert under SR 1. The headwater reach of Olema Creek starts on Bolinas Ridge and flows down through a forested drainage and then to a large, flat bottomland pasture where cattle had direct access to the water. There were signs of stream bank erosion at cattle access points within the pasture. The old fence along the southeast side of the stream was in poor condition and allowed cattle to enter parklands outside the ranch boundary. While the bottomland is mostly vegetated with non-native grasses and forbs, there is a significant component of native forbs, rushes, and sedges, including suncup (Camissonia ovata), western rush (Juncus occidentalis), and spikerush. Coyote brush (Baccharis pilularis) and trailing blackberry dominate the streamside vegetation in the southern end of the project area.

Project Description

This project prevents livestock access to the headwater reach of Olema Creek. During the Spring of 2008, 1,747 ft. of riparian exclusion fencing was installed in the southwestern corner of the ranch. The fence begins approximately 225 ft. north of Olema Creek and ties into the existing hedgerow of native shrubs running parallel to SR 1. The fence then heads northeast through both open and shrubby areas until it ties into an intact portion of the fence delineating the southern boundary of the ranch. Some brushcutting of coyote brush and poison oak and minor limbing of Douglas fir (Pseudostuga menziesii) and coast live oak occurred during installation to facilitate fence construction.

Budget

The 1,747 ft. of new fence cost $8,392.10. The grant paid the entire amount for the new fence.

E. Gallager Ranch Seasonal Exclusion Fencing (GAL_SG)

Site Description

E. Gallager Ranch is located along SR 1 approximately one mi. southeast of Point Reyes Station and is operated by Bob Giacomini. The seasonal exclusion fencing project is located at the northwestern corner of the ranch, which is adjacent to SR 1. An unnamed tributary of Olema Creek flows east to west through flat bottomland pasture at the base of several hills in this section of the ranch. Cattle congregate in this area with direct and easy access to the creek. Pre- project impacts include streambank erosion at cattle access points, cattle waste directly to the

6 AR 18872 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008 stream, and trailing with a denuded understory within the wooded riparian corridor. The bottomland area is mostly vegetated with a mixture of non-native grasses and forbs, such as soft brome (Bromus hordeaceus) and poison hemlock (Conium maculatum). Native slough sedge (Carex obnupta) is found throughout the area. Shrubs and trees in the riparian area include coast live oak, (Quercus agrifolia), willow, and California bay (Umbellularia californica). Approximately 400 ft. before entering a roadside ditch leading to a culvert under SR 1, the main tributary is joined from the southeast by a second tributary. Two stock ponds are located in the upper portion of this second drainage, approximately one-tenth of a mi. from the confluence and outside of the exclusion fence.

Project Description

This project facilitates a seasonal grazing system that will prevent winter access to a riparian area and tributary discharging to the lower reaches of Olema Creek. During the spring of 2008, 1,917 ft. of fence was installed in the northwestern corner of the ranch. The new fence begins 160 ft. south of the main tributary and ties into the existing boundary fence line running parallel to SR 1. From this point the fence heads southeast and uphill toward the stock pond area. A wire gate was installed to allow access during the dry season. The fence turns northeast, crosses the southern drainage below the lower stock pond, and continues up and over a hilltop pasture. A wire gate was installed on this hilltop to allow cattle access to the pasture during the dry season. Finally, the fence heads northwest, crossing the main tributary, and tying into the boundary fence running perpendicular to SR 1. A swing gate was installed over the stream within the fenceline.

Budget

The 1,917 ft. of new fence cost $12,962.25. The grant paid the entire amount for the new fence.

Stewart Ranch Seasonal Exclusion Fencing (STE_SG)

Site Description

Stewart Ranch is located along SR 1 approximately two and one-half mi. south of Sir Francis Drake Blvd. and is operated by the Stewart family. The seasonal exclusion fencing project is located on the east side of SR 1 approximately one and eight-tenths of a mi. south of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard (or approximately seven-tenths of a mi. north of the ranch compound). In this section of the ranch, an unnamed intermittent tributary to Olema Creek flows east to west first through a forested, moderately steep-sided drainage then through a small, flat bottomland pasture. As it enters the flat pasture, the creek splits into two sections, which, after approximately 350 ft., join together again just before entering a culvert under SR 1. This culvert is not currently functioning properly and a preliminary survey for repair has been conducted by the California Department of Transportation. There is some evidence of pooling behind the culvert. While the bottomland area is vegetated heavily with pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) and other non-native forbs and grasses, patches of spreading rush (Juncus patens) and other native rushes and sedges are also found here. Species in the surrounding riparian zone include California bay, coast live oak, and trailing blackberry. Prior to project implementation, the

7 AR 18873 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008 bottomland area and north/south adjacent slopes served as a main cattle crossing. As a result, parts of the slope on the north side of the tributary were denuded of understory vegetation and highly eroded. During rain events, sediment delivered from this eroded slope directly into the creek below. While the slope on the south side is covered with herbaceous vegetation, there is considerable trailing here as well. As cattle have direct access to water, shade, and forage in the lowland area, they tend to linger, thus increasing impacts. An alternative crossing area exists three-tenths of a mi. upstream along an old roadbed.

Project Description

This project facilitates a seasonal grazing system that prevents winter access to a riparian lowland area and highly eroded crossing. Cattle stream crossing will occur upstream at an existing crossing, approximately three-tenths of a mi. upstream. During the spring of 2008, 1088 ft. of seasonal exclusion fence was constructed around the lower floodplain of the unnamed tributary. A swing gate was installed across the stream channel to allow debris during flood stage to pass through the fenceline. Two wire gates were installed to allow the ranch operators to pass through the seasonal exclusion zone when traveling across the lower slopes of Bolinas ridge on All-Terrain-Vehicles. Cattle will only have access to the seasonal exclusion zone from the south. The slopes along the north side of the drainage were seeded with native grass seed and covered with rice straw. A small temporary fence was installed around the seeded area to prevent cattle from trampling the seeded area the first few yeas following project implementation.

Budget

The total cost associated with this project was $8,629.26 (Table 2). Matching funds were provided by PRNSA and PRNS.

Table 2. Cost associated with the Stewart fence project. 319(h) grant PRNSA PRNS Total Fence $1,176.06 $6,249.20 $200.00* $7,625.26 Erosion Control $1,004.00 Seed $616.00 $0 $308.00 Rice Straw $80.00 $0 $0 Total $1,872.06 $6,249.20 $508.00 $8,629.26 * Small temporary fence installation

J Ranch (Kehoe) Spring Development (KEH_SD)

Site Description

J Ranch is located at 6150 Pierce Point Road on the northern end of PRNS and is operated by the Kehoe Family. The spring development project is located to the east of Pierce Point Road approximately one-quarter mi. from the entrance to the Tomales Point Elk Reserve. The spring development project protects three springs (northern, southern, and eastern) on steep slopes that comprise the headwaters of an unnamed stream that drains directly to Tomales Bay. The

8 AR 18874 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008 northern and southern springs drain to a historic stock pond that has a failed dam where sediment concentrates from extensive cattle trailing. The northern spring was heavily trampled but has high vegetative cover of native wetland grasses and forbs, including western mannagrass (Glyceria occidentalis) and water pennywort (Hydrocotyle ranunculoides). This area appears to be slumping with seams where the slump is pulling away from the hillside. The southern spring is stable with an overstory of native shrubs, such as wax-myrtle (Myrica californica) and salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis), and some emergent vegetation. This area has numerous springs emerging from the hillside. The springs are impacted with many cattle trails and areas denuded of vegetation. The eastern spring is a small area that is the most stable, has high vegetative cover, and has the least animal impact. Shrubs such as evergreen huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum) and elderberry (Sambucus spp.) surround the eastern spring. Western dog violet (Viola adunca) is present in some of the pasture area surrounding the springs.

Project Description

This project prevents cattle access to the three degraded springs, provides an alternate water source (watering area) for the cattle, and allows for the revegetation and stabilization of the area around the springs and the eroded trailing system leading to the abandoned stock pond. During the summer of 2008, Petersen Environmental Engineering & Excavation horizontally drilled 40 ft. into the hillside at two locations in the northern spring to tap into the water source. The more productive drill hole was piped and cased and attached to the main pipeline. From the source, 450 ft. of polyethylene pipe was laid on the surface downslope across the wetland and across bedrock to a location where an additional 475 f.t of pipeline was buried in a one-foot deep trench. The pipeline surfaced and connected to a 400 gallon concrete water trough that was placed on a one and one-half in. roadbase pad. Minor excavation was necessary to flatten the area beneath the pad. Pacific Fence Company installed a 1,950-foot fenceline around the three springs and the aboveground pipeline.

During the fall of 2008, a Conservation Corps North Bay (CCNB: formerly MCC) crew assisted PRNS staff in implementing erosion control of the trailing area to the south of the wetlands down to the remnant stockpond dam. Erosion control included recontouring deep trailing, ruts and small headcuts; constructing water bars at appropriate locations; seeding with native grass seed, and covering denuded areas with coir erosion control fabric and rice straw. Areas along the edges of the northern spring were planted with native shrubs species including evergreen huckleberry and salmonberry in an attempt to stabilize slip areas of the wetland.

Budget

The total cost associated with this project was $34,398.82 (Table 3). Matching funds were provided by Marin RCD, the Kehoe family, and PRNS.

9 AR 18875 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008

Table 3. Project costs for implementing the J Ranch Spring project. 319(h) grant Marin RCD Kehoe PRNS Total Spring $0 $14,000.00 $0 $0 $14,000.00 Development Fence $0 $14,190.00 $0 $0 $14,190.00 Watering facility $1,837.32 Rock $657.32 $0 $0 $0 Trough $0 $0 $1,180.00 $0 Erosion Control $4,371.50 CCNP $0 $0 $0 $2,190.00 Fabric and Pins $530.00 $0 Seed $0 $1,155.00 Plants $455.87 $18.63 Rice Straw $22.00 $0 Total $1,665.19 $28,190.00 $1,180.00 $3,363.63 $34,398.82

McIsaac Ranch Spring Development (MCI_SD)

Site Description

McIsaac Ranch is located at the intersection of Sir Francis Drake Blvd. and Platform Bridge Road and is operated by the McIsaac family. The spring development project is located approximately 500 ft. to the south of Sir Francis Drake Highway, three-quarters mi. from the intersection of Sir Francis Drake Highway and SR 1. The spring had a pipe inserted into the hillside that piped water into a water trough. The water trough sat in the spring along the toe of slope where the water emerges. The spring also fed a small ponded area that was heavily trampled by cattle when watering. There were numerous trails leading to the spring. The ponded area is open water with numerous clumps of native and non-native grasses and forbs, including western managrass and poison hemlock. A small shrub component consisting mostly of poison oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum) and trailing blackberry covers the south side of the spring area.

Project Description

This project prevents cattle access to what was a developed spring with a water trough, provides an alternate water source (watering area) for the cattle, and allows for revegetation and stabilization of the area around the spring. Rossini Construction implemented all aspects of the project except erosion control which was completed by PRNS staff. The old water trough was removed from the spring and placed a short distance down slope from its former location. This trough is connected to the gravity fed system and is available only when the pump is down and the holding tank above the new watering facility is dry. A cover was placed over the old trough to prevent cattle from using the trough.

A new pipe was connected to the pipe already inserted into the hillside. The new pipe was buried in a one-foot deep trench and gravity feeds water 170 ft. downslope to a 1,500 gallon water tank. A solar panel powers a pump at the lower water tank that pumps water up slope. A pipeline with conduit was placed in a trench for 685 ft. to lift the water to a 1,200 gallon water tank on the hill. An additional 115 ft. of pipeline was trenched between the water tank and a 400

10 AR 18876 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008 gallon water trough that was placed on a rock pad. The spring, solar panels, and lower water tank are enclosed in 365 ft. of new barbed wire fencing and the upper water tank is enclosed by an additional 65 ft. of new fencing. All new fencing is tied into existing boundary fencing. All areas disturbed by construction were seeded with native grass seed and covered with rice straw.

Budget

The total cost associated with this project was $30,842.15 (Table 4). Matching funds were provided by Marin RCD and PRNS.

Table 4. Project costs associated with the McIsaac Spring project. McIsaac 319(h) grant Marin RCD PRNS Total Spring Development with $0 $29,838.15 $0 $29,838.15 fence and watering facility Erosion Control $1,004.00 Seed $616.00 $0 $308.00 Rice Straw $80.00 $0 $0 Total $696.00 $29,838.15 $308.00 $30,842.15

Rogers Ranch Headcut Repair (ROG_HC)

Site Description

Rogers Ranch is located along SR 1 on the hill across the street from St. Jeromes Catholic Church in Olema, California and is operated by the Rogers family. The headcut repair project is located approximately one-quarter of a mi. east of SR 1 and seven-tenths of a mi. north of the intersection of SR 1 and Sir Francis Drake Blvd. Multiple headcuts were within a swale that drains to a small tributary of an unnamed stream that drains to Olema Creek. Two of the headcuts were approximately five ft. high and between five and eight ft. wide. The smaller headcuts were up to one-foot high and mainly created by cattle trampling. The swale has no defined bank and bed, and is typically dry except following rain events when water puddles in the low areas created by cattle trampling. The vegetation is mainly upland annual grasses and forbs with occasional bunches of purple needle grass (Nassella pulchra). Below the downstream headcut the drainage is an incised channel with riparian vegetation providing shade and bank stability. Riparian species include trailing blackberry, coyote brush, and coast live oak.

Project Description

This project stabilized several active headcuts within a 250-foot vegetated swale that drains to an incised channel. The headcut repairs entailed bioengineering several headcuts within the swale and upper end of the incised channel, revegetating the impacted area with native plants, and preventing livestock access. Bioengineering design was completed by PCI. No fill was placed within the incised channel below the lower headcut. During the fall of 2007, MCC assisted PRNS staff with the construction of nine willow walls. The main lower headcut and a headcut at the upper end of the project were approximately four and a half ft. high and were stabilized with the construction of two willow walls at each headcut. PCI provided training, project oversite, and inspection of the project during construction of the willow walls and fascines. All

11 AR 18877 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008 constructed willow walls were lined with erosion control fabric and then backfilled with willow brush and soil that was relocated on site. The erosion control fabric that was wrapped along the inside of the willow wall was pinned into place. The soil was compacted as it was placed behind each willow wall. Backfilling was completed when the soil behind the willow walls was higher than the willow wall. All bare ground was seeded with native grass seed. Native graminoids were planted above each willow wall and coyote brush container plants were planted in select locations near willow wall keys and other sensitive locations.

During the winter of 2008, PRNS staff revisited the project site numerous times to repair and modify the willow walls and fascines to stabilize the structures following significant precipitation events. A couple of willow walls were undercut by small migrating headcuts and piping from above the walls within the swale. Rock, willow stakes and fascines were installed at the base of problem areas to prevent undercutting of willow walls. Areas where piping occurred were filled with soil and compacted. Erosion control fabric was installed over repaired areas and PRNS staff continued to monitor the site throughout the winter months.

Budget

The total cost associated with this project was $24,999.00 (Table 5). Matching funds were provided by PRNS.

Table 5. Project costs associated with the Rogers Headcut project. Rogers 319(h) grant PRNS Total PCI Design $4,918.00 $0 $4,918.00 PCI Training $2,936.50 $2,936.50 MCC $10,950.00 $10,950.00 Erosion Control $803.00 Seed $23.00 $23.00 Plants $653.00 $0 Rice Straw $4.00 $0 Fabric and pins $100.00 $0 Fence $5,391.50 $0 $5,391.50 Total $24,976.00 $23.00 $24,999.00

Truttman Ranch Headcut Repair (TRU_HC)

Site Description

Truttman Ranch is located along SR 1 approximately one and one-quarter mi. south of the intersection of Sir Francis Drake Blvd. and is operated by the Stewart family. The project is located approximately one-half mi. south of Sir Francis Drake Blvd. along the east side of SR 1. The headcut repair project occurred within a 250-foot long gully that down-cut as deep as five ft. Approximately 6 years ago, the operator attempted to fix the headcut by placing fill in the stream channel without compliance with the regulatory agencies. PRNS staff shut the project down and the headcut has since migrated upstream. Pre-fix conditions included steep gully walls with a flat bottom. There were non-native grasses and some native sedges, such as tall flatsedge (Cyperus eragrostis), growing in the gully bottom. The headcut did not headcut in the technical

12 AR 18878 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008 sense, but down cut at the head of the gully through historically deposited alluvium. The gully ended at a downcutting wall. The gully is fed by an intermittent stream that has a small channel with a two to five-foot wide floodplain, populated by grasses and the occasional spreading rush. There were signs that the channel historically migrated across a bottomland prairie between the lower reaches of Bolinas Ridge before draining into Olema Creek. The gully ended at a constructed rock grade control structure before draining to a culvert under SR 1. There is evidence of ponding behind the culvert.

Project Description

This project restored a bottomland alluvial stream channel by installing two grade control structures, filling the gully above and between the two grade control structures, restoring the historic stream channel (intermittent) and floodplain, and temporarily preventing livestock access. PCI designed the headcut repair. PRNS roads staff implemented the design by constructing two grade control structures with rock according to design. Native clean fill was placed above the upper grade control structure and between the two structures. The area was graded to create a swale like shape with thalweg and floodplain between the two rock structures. Berms were installed perpendicular to the stream channel at the lower structure to direct high flows into the constructed channel. The oversteepened channel banks below the lower structure was laid back to reduce slope.

The thalweg and floodplain of the stream channel were seeded and covered by two layers of coir erosion control fabric. A light soil stabilizing material was placed under a coarse and heavy blanket. The upper edges of the material were buried and pinned into four in. deep trenches. The areas adjacent to and away from the channel were seeded and covered with the lighter erosion control fabric which was also pinned and trenched in place. The recontoured channel banks below the lower grade control structure were seeded and covered with light erosion control fabric which was pinned and trenched in place. All areas covered with fabric were planted with native graminoids. Disturbed areas away from the channel were seeded with native grass seed and covered with rice straw. A 1,169-foot fence with a single wire gate was installed around the project perimeter. During fall of 2008, PRNS staff implemented a repair above the upper grade control structure where the heavy erosion control fabric was trenched into the stream channel. Stream flow hitting the heavy erosion fabric created a whirling effect which started a small gully above the project. During final site inspections with PCI and the RWQCB, we determined that reburying the fabric and rocking the new gully could stabilize the feature. PRNS staff implemented the follow-up treatment in November, 2008.

Budget

The total cost associated with this project was $62,591.32 (Table 6). Matching funds were provided by Marin RCD and PRNS.

13 AR 18879 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008

Table 6. Project costs associated with the Truttman Headcut project. Truttman HC 319(h) grant Marin RCD PRNS Total PCI Design $0 $14,838.00 $0 $14,838.00 PRNS Roads Crew $10,419.00 $0 $0 $10,419.00 Equipment $1,481.50 $0 $12,375.00 $13,856.50 Erosion Control $5,193.47 Seed $611.00 $0 $406.00 Plants $1,008.00 $0 $0 Fabric and pins $3,088.47 $0 $0 Rice Straw $80.00 $0 $0 Rock $8,628.35 $0 $0 $8,628.35 Fence $7,466.00 $0 $0 $7,466.00 MCC $2,190.00 $0 $0 $2,190.00 Total $34,972.32 $14,838.00 $12,781.00 $62,591.32

Truttman Ranch Road Repair (TRU_RR)

Site Description

The Truttman Ranch Road Repair is within the Truttman Ranch and located approximately one mi. south of Sir Francis Drakes Blvd. and immediately to the east of SR 1. The ranch road crosses a small unnamed tributary to Olema Creek before traversing up the lower slopes of Bolinas Ridge. There is a small drainage with numerous headcuts immediately to the south of the ranch road on the east side of the unnamed creek. The road dips down to cross the stream before rising up the slopes of Bolinas Ridge. After crossing the stream and rising up onto a flatter area, the road winds up the ridge on slopes over six percent. Sediment was delivered in surface runoff directly to both the adjacent small drainage and the unnamed tributary. Upstream of the intersection with the road, the banks of the tributary are vegetated with coast live oak, California bay, and willow. Downstream of this intersection, the stream winds through flat pasture vegetated with mostly non-native grasses and forbs common throughout the project area. Some natives, such as western mannagrass and spreading rush, grow along the stream channel. While the upland vegetation surrounding the road consists mostly of non-native grass and forb species, there are some native rushes, such as toad rush (Juncus bufonius), and western rush growing in the vicinity.

Project Description

This project entailed regrading, surfacing and installing water bars along 375 ft. of an existing ranch access road to reduce sediment from being delivered directly to a tributary of Olema Creek. The road was shaped with a grader to drain water towards vegetated areas. Four water bars were installed with ditchouts to direct water onto vegetated areas. The road was resurfaced with 6 in. of compacted one and one-half inch road base. Oversize drain rock was installed where the road meets the creek on both sides of the creek crossing and above the ordinary high water mark. No fill material was placed below the ordinary high water mark. Disturbed areas outside of the road were seeded and mulched where necessary.

14 AR 18880 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008

During the fall of 2008, an additional water bar was installed 15 ft. above the project immediately before the road steepens to direct flow from the uphill roadway away from the steeper rehabilitated area. The work was performed by PRNS Road Crew.

Budget

The total cost associated with this project was $12,976.63 (Table 7). Matching funds were provided by PRNS.

Table 7. Project costs associated with the Truttman Road project. 319(h) grant PRNS Total PRNS Roads Crew $3,668.00 $0 $3,668.00 PRNS Equipment $0 $5,250.00 $5,250.00 Rock $2,095.25 $0 $2,095.25 Seed $31.00 $15.00 $46.00 Repair $1,917.38 Rock $328.66 288.72 PRNS Roads Crew $0 $1,300.00 Total $6,122.91 $6,565.00 $12,976.63

Lupton Ranch Road Decommission/ Creek Stabilization (LUP_RR)

Site Description

Lupton Ranch is located approximately 3.5 mi. south of Sir Francis Drakes Blvd. to the east of SR 1 and is operated by the Stewarts. The road decommissioning project is located approximately one-half mi. up the historic main ranch road. The ranch road passes through a gate into an active pasture. Just through the gate was a fork in the road. The existing ranch road to the right quickly rises up the slope to the top of a flat ridge following the ridge east for approximately 1,000 ft. before curving to the left along a gradual slope and rejoining the main ranch road. Before project implementation, the main ranch road continued east from the fork. The first 450 ft. were constructed by cut and fill with a ditch on the inside. There were two culverts draining the ditch, one at the fork in the road and the other approximately 150 ft. to the east. At the 450-foot mark, the road was bulldozed between two slopes where approximately 400 ft. of a small intermittent stream historically meandered. The stream was placed in the road ditch on the north side of the road. The ditch had two headcuts and a small vegetated floodplain in a few locations. Drainage from the hill to the south of the road ran down the road in small gullies and road ruts. The road varied in slope from less than one percent slope to greater than six percent slope. The majority of the stream’s floodplain was the road surface. The stream channel and areas of intact floodplain were vegetated by nutsedge (Cyperus spp.), rushes, and spike rushes. The rest of the project area was dominated by non-native annual grassland with limited forbs (mostly non-natives).

Project Description

This project decommissioned approximately 825 ft. of an existing ranch road, restored 450 ft. of the historic stream channel and floodplain, and rehabilitated 40 ft. of an existing ranch road that

15 AR 18881 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008 branches off of the former main ranch road. Road decommissioning design and inspection was provided by PCI. Construction of rock grade control structures and all grading was completed according to design by Cerrudo Services. The upper 450 ft. of road was decommissioned by installing four rock grade control structures to recreate a stream channel and floodplain along the old main ranch road. The areas between the grade control structures were contoured to recreate a thalweg and floodplain. The thalweg and floodplain were seeded and covered by two layers of coir erosion control fabric. A light soil stabilizing material was placed under a coarse and heavy blanket. The upper edges of the material were buried and pinned into four inch deep trenches. The areas adjacent to and away from the channel were seeded and covered with the lighter erosion control fabric which was also pinned and trenched in place. The recontoured channel banks below the lower grade control structure were seeded and covered with light erosion control fabric which was pinned and trenched in place. All areas covered with fabric were planted with native graminoids. Disturbed areas away from the channel were seeded with native grass seed and covered with rice straw.

The lower 375 ft. of decommissioned road was outsloped by pulling back road fill and contouring to existing topography. A culvert was removed and the former outfall channel was rocked with one to two-foot boulders. A 2,108-foot fence was constructed around the project site. The lower 40 ft. of the current ranch road was rehabilitated by installing drain pipe and rocking the road surface on the sloping area immediately adjacent to the old fork in the road. Drainage pipe was installed to move water to the existing culvert that drains the inside of the old roadway to the creek. During the fall of 2008, PRNS roads crew rocked the area between below the stabilized road from the gate to the new fence to reduce the potential for sediment to move into the culvert at the base of the stabilized road.

Budget

The total cost associated with this project was $132,494.66 (Table 8). Matching funds were provided by Marin RCD and PRNS.

Table 8. Project costs associated with the Lupton Road project. Lupton 319(h) grant Marin RCD PRNS Total Cerrudo Services $85,805.00 $0 $0 $85,805.00 PCI Design $0 $20,600.00 $0 $20,600.00 Erosion Control $10,232.61 Seed $1,540.00 $0 $446.61 Plants $1,758.80 $0 $52.20 Fabric and pins $6,270.00 $0 $0 Rice Straw $165.00 $0 $0 Rental Equipment $356.00 $0 $0 $356.00 MCC $4,380.00 $0 $0 $4,380.00 Fence $9,864.00 $0 $0 $9,864.00 Follow-up Treatment $1,257.05 PRNS Roads Crew $0 $0 $639.68 Rock $328.66 $0 $288.71 Total $110,467.46 $20,600.00 $1,138.49 $132,494.66

16 AR 18882 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008

BUDGET

This section reviews the overall budget (Table 9) for the implementation of all aspects of the grant including personnel services, operating expenses, professional services, and construction costs. Specific detail for project construction is outlined in the Project section of this report. Specific budget items listed under projects section may have been billed as professional services, operating expenses or construction costs. Therefore, actual costs between the below budget and the above project costs may vary.

Table 9. Total costs associated with implementing the grant. 319 (h) funds Match Total Personnel Services $91,170.00 $135,597.24 $226,767.24 319 (h) grant hours Range Technician GS-06 3,666 Range Technician GS-04 320

Match Water Quality Technician 98 Hydrologist 302 Range Manager 1,776 Range Intern 496 Volunteers 329

Marin RCD $15,986.50 Operating Expenses (grant) (match) $11,000.00 $7,084.34 $18,084.34 Startup Equipment $1,553.35 $2,000.00 Office supplies $ 600.00 $ 900.00 Materials $6,958.00 Misc supplies $ 93.16 $ 200.00 GSA vehicle $1,795.49 $3,984.34 Professional and Consultant Services $27,700.00 $99,351.83 $127,051.83 (grant) (match) PCI Services $ 9,043.00 $99,299.63 Plants $ 3,419.80 $ 52.20 Water Lab $12,450.00 $ 0 Viola Study $ 1,300.00 $ 0 Seed collection $ 1,487.20 $ 0 Construction $185,130.00 $103,904.10 $289,034.10 (grant) (match) Construction $100,141.27 $46,987.83 Fencing* $ 48,933.01 $33,813.60 Erosion Cont. $ 3,432.47 $ 0 Rock $12,103.88 $ 607.43 Equipment $ 1,837.50 $ 17,625.00 MCC $15,330.00 $ 2,190.00 Seed $ 2,896.00 $ 2,661.61 Plants $ 455.87 $ 18.63 General Overhead (10%) $35,000.00 $0 $35,000.00 Total $350,000.00 345,937.51 $695,937.51 * McIsaac Spring Project total cost included fencing as part of the project. The cost of the fencing at McIsaac is not included in fencing here, but under construction.

17 AR 18883 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008

OUTREACH

The outreach goal of the Project was to inform, update, and cooperate with local watershed stakeholders, Marin RCD, and ranch operators on BMP implementation projects on PRNS and GGNRA rangelands as well as to educate the broader public about the purpose and scope of these projects. This goal was achieved through reports and presentations at regular group meetings, direct meetings with the ranch operators, articles in local newspapers and/or newsletters, volunteer involvement in project revegetation, and a project site review tour for cooperators.

The Range Manager gave reports regarding the Project at several local group meetings over the duration of the project. During each quarter, he attended regular meetings of the Marin RCD, with participants from the NRCS, PCI, and other watershed stakeholders. As the Marin RCD was a major project partner, these meetings provided a forum to address the compliance process, matching funds, and the general status of project planning, design, and implementation. In addition to Marin RCD meetings, PRNS staff also gave project updates at meetings of the Point Reyes National Seashore Rancher Association (PRNSRA), the Tomales Bay Watershed Council (TBWC), and the Tomales Bay Watershed Advisory Group (WAG). Slideshow presentations of the projects were given twice to the Marin RCD and once to the WAG in order to inform members and participants about the proposed projects and to request approval of matching funds needed for project completion. After construction of several projects, the Range Management Specialist attended a meeting with Marin RCD and PCI staff to discuss lessons learned from the coordination and implementation of the 2007 projects. After completion of the grant, PRNS staff plans to give a final slideshow presentation to the MRCD board detailing project implementation and results of monitoring.

The Project was featured in several local media and/ or park publications. An official press release entitled “Water Quality Improvement Projects at Point Reyes National Seashore” was released from the park to various media contacts on June 1, 2007. On Sunday June 10, an article “Effort to clean Tomales Bay starts” appeared in the Marin Independent Journal. Andrew Shaw of local radio station KWMR interviewed John DiGregoria regarding the Project on June 11, 2007. PRNS range staff also worked with the park’s Fire Education and Information Specialist, Jennifer Chapman, to include a piece about the BMP projects in the Native Grassland Restoration News. In addition to explaining the basics of the Project, this newsletter also detailed volunteer opportunities (native seed collection, planting in fall) to help achieve Project goals.

A reporter from the West Marin Citizen visited the Truttman Headcut project and wrote an article which appeared in the July 26, 2007 edition. Despite efforts by PRNS staff to include mention of funding sources, partners, and the water quality monitoring component, these were not emphasized in the article. However, the article provided overall positive publicity for the projects which were underway. Later in the year, the West Marin Citizen also printed photos from a December volunteer planting event at the Lupton Road project. In addition to the articles mentioned above, a science communication intern from the park’s Pacific Coast Science and Learning Center began a “project summary” for park publication. When finished, this publication

18 AR 18884 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008 will provide information to interested members of the public about project purposes, processes, and results.

In order to further educate and involve the public and achieve project goals, PRNS staff recruited volunteers to help with the revegetation components of the projects. During the spring and summer of 2007, volunteers helped to collect native grass seed that would be utilized at project sites. Volunteers also assisted with the salvage of native plants from construction areas as well as dividing and maintaining these plants in the nursery. Volunteer planting events at the Lupton Road project were held on December 9, 2007 and January 20, 2008. During these events, participants helped plant native grasses, sedges, and rushes in the restored floodplain. Before the planting, PRNS staff discussed the Project’s overall purpose and scope, the design and specifics of the Lupton Road project, and the role of riparian vegetation in stabilizing the project. Volunteers and PRNS staff from other divisions also helped with planting and the installation of erosion control fabric at the Truttman and Lupton projects and the building of willow walls at the Rogers Headcut project. A total of 329 volunteer hours were spent on the revegetation components of the Project. Volunteer participation was not only crucial to each project’s successful completion, but also expanded the public’s knowledge, understanding, and support of water quality improvement projects on rangelands.

An additional outreach/education component of the project took place through the park’s relationship with the MCC. Crews from the MCC assisted with the Truttman Headcut, Lupton Road, Rogers Headcut, and Kehoe Spring projects. As MCC leaders and crewmembers desire to expand their skill set, their involvement in the Rogers Headcut Repair provided such an opportunity. During the construction of the Rogers project, a professional from PCI was on site for three days to provide specific training and guidance on construction of the willow walls used for the headcut repair. This training proved valuable to not only to MCC, but also to park staff, both of which will undertake similar biotechnical repair projects on rangelands in the future.

Throughout the duration of the project, PRNS staff and ranch operators met at specific project sites to discuss project needs, design, techniques used, and ongoing maintenance requirements. During June of 2008, PRNS staff hosted a site tour and project review with the RWQCB grant manager and staff from MRCD and PCI. This site tour provided an opportunity for PRNS staff and project partners to identify any remaining project maintenance and repair work to be completed, as well as to discuss individual project successes and lessons learned from implementation.

Results of the project have already been used to leverage funding for additional implementation of BMP projects on parklands. For example, staff from the Coastal Conservancy toured several of the completed projects to become acquainted with the issues, techniques used to address them, and implementation costs. The park received funding from the Coastal Conservancy to implement riparian exclosure fencing and headcut repairs that were originally identified during the 2006 pasture assessments. The park hopes to continue the relationship with this and other organizations to help fund and implement further projects addressing water quality.

This pilot project developed and demonstrated a framework on public lands for TMDL implementation that also may be applied to private lands in the watershed. Cooperation between

19 AR 18885 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008 agencies (RWQCB, NPS, MRCD, NRCS), ranch operators, and outreach organizations (UCCE) has demonstrated a method of field assessment, prioritization, and implementation of practices that is consistent with the Tomales Bay TMDL implementation process. In addition, involvement of community members increased public awareness regarding purposes, goals, and implementation of BMP projects on rangelands. Ultimately, the information and lessons learned from these projects will be utilized to continue to build excellent stewardship into the daily management of livestock operations to improve water quality in Tomales Bay Watershed.

20 AR 18886 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008

WATER QUALITY MONITORING

Introduction

A major component of the overall Project was water quality monitoring. For nine of the ten projects, pre- and post- water quality monitoring was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the BMPs associated with each of the ten projects to reduce pollutant loading into surface water runoff. .

Objectives

The objectives of water quality monitoring at the selected locations in the watershed are to: 1) Determine pre-and post-implementation levels of pathogen, sediment, and/or nutrient delivery at project site locations. 2) Quantify reductions of pollutant loading after implementation of BMPs at project sites 3) Assess the effectiveness of the implemented BMP in locally reducing pathogen, sediment and/or nutrient delivery to adjacent waterway.

Standards and Water Quality Criteria

While the data collected in this project will not be used for regulatory purposes, it is important to take account of regional water quality objectives in the data analysis process. These objectives provide standards to utilize when interpreting data and relating results to the broader regional framework. The results from this monitoring effort were examined using the criteria listed in the tables below. Table 10 lists the general numeric objectives for physical and chemical parameters in surface waters of this area, as established by the San Francisco Bay RWQCB.

Table 10. General numeric objectives for physical parameters in surface waters in the San Francisco Bay Area (RWQCB, 1995). Parameter Water Quality Objective Dissolved oxygen Cold water habitat 7.0 mg/L minimum (non-tidal waters) Warm water habitat 5.0 mg/L minimum pH Less than 8.5 and greater than 6.5 Un-ionized ammonia Annual Median 0.025 mg/L as nitrogen (N) (freshwater)

For chemical and physical parameters where numeric objectives are not established by the RWQCB, collected data will be compared to various criteria and standards suggested by the EPA, or from the primary literature relating to regional surface waters. There are also various criteria recommendations for nutrient and sediment parameters (Table 11). Nitrate, total suspended solids, and turbidity levels can be compared to several different thresholds until targets or TMDLs are set. We have utilized this “multiple thresholds” concept for data analysis.

The criteria are based on both human health criteria and overall aquatic health. Chronic human toxicity for nitrate occurs at 10 mg/L (RWQCB, 1995). However, this may not be stringent

21 AR 18887 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008 enough for aquatic life (RWQCB, 2003b). Chronic toxicity to aquatic life, especially fish and amphibian eggs, can occur at 1.1 mg/L (Kincheloe et al., 1979; Crunkilton, 2000).

Recent EPA criteria are based on Ambient Water Quality Criteria Recommendations for Ecoregions across the country (EPA, 2000). Ecoregion II (Western Forested Mountains) covers PORE and GOGA. The listed criteria are not regulations but are intended to be “starting points” for states and tribes developing water quality standards (EPA, 2000a).

Table 11. Recommended criteria for nutrients and sediment Parameter EPA Quality EPA Kincheloe et Sigler et Newcomb and Criteria for Aggregate al., 1979; al., 1984 Jensen, 1996 Water (1986) Ecoregion II Crunkilton, Criteria 2000 (2000b /2003) Nitrate (as N) 10 mg/L 1.1 mg/L Acute Total > 50 mg/L Suspended Solids Turbidity 1.30 NTU 25 NTU Total suspended solids are listed in milligrams per liter (mg/L) Turbidity is listed as nephelometric turbidity units (NTU)

The RWQCB has established criteria for pathogen parameters as they relate to three activities: contact recreation, non-contact recreation, and shellfish harvesting (Table 12a). While the intention of this monitoring effort was to document the efficacy of BMPs in reducing pollutant loading to Tomales Bay tributaries and not to determine local site suitability for these particular beneficial uses, these criteria served as helpful guidelines with which to compare results and give them context.

Table 12a. General numeric objectives for select beneficial uses in surface waters in the San Francisco Bay Area Beneficial Use Fecal Coliform (MPN/100mL) Total Coliform (MPN/100mL) Contact recreation Log mean < 200 Median < 240 90th percentile < 400 No sample > 10,000 Non-contact recreation Mean < 2000 90th percentile < 4000 Shellfish harvesting Median < 14 Median < 70 90th percentile < 43 90th percentile < 230

Additional bacteriological criteria for contact recreation are listed in Table 12b. Because of the small data set, bacteria results for individual sampling events were compared to individual criteria values instead of using the mean or only 90th percentile values. The criteria used for contact recreation was the single day sample value of 400 MPN/100ml; the criteria used for non- contact recreation was 4000 MPN/100 ml.

22 AR 18888 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008

Table 12b. The EPA bacteriological criteria for contact recreation (REC1) in colonies per 100mL (modified from RWQCB, 1995). Fecal Indicator Bacteria Bacterial Colonies/100mL (MPN) Total Coliform Single Day Sample 10,000 *30 Day Geometric Mean 1,000 Fecal coliform Single Day Sample 400 *30 Day Geometric Mean 200 * Geometric mean of five consecutive weeks

Clean Water Act Section 303d Listed Waters

Tomales Bay is listed under Section 303(d) for not meeting defined beneficial uses. With the State as the lead in development of TMDLs, the NPS is participating as an active stakeholder, along with other stakeholders, to support development and implementation of water quality monitoring and enhancement efforts to address water quality pollution issues.

The RWQCB recently completed a Pathogens TMDL project plan for the Tomales Bay Watershed (RWQCB 2007). Within the Tomales Bay watershed, the TMDL set forth water quality targets for the Bay and its tributaries, including:

 Zero discharge of human waste  Tomales Bay Shellfish Harvest Closure <30 days per year  Coliform Bacteria Levels (in MPN/100 ml) o Tomales Bay . Median < 14 and 90th percentile < 43 o Tomales Bay Tributaries (Walker Creek, Lagunitas Creek, Olema Creek) . Log mean < 200 and 90th percentile < 400

Tomales Bay and its tributaries (Lagunitas Creek and Walker Creek) as are also 303(d) listed for sediment, and nutrients. However, TMDL development for sediment or nutrients in this watershed is not yet complete.

The rangeland BMPs implemented in this project aim to reduce pollutant loading to Tomales Bay and its tributaries. Results from monitoring at project sites were not expected to achieve water quality targets set for the main tributaries, but to determine pollutant levels contributing from discrete sites within the watershed during storm events. In addition, this water quality data will help to measure the effectiveness of management activities, and to identify areas that require additional management attention.

Methods

Water quality monitoring was conducted in accordance with the detailed Monitoring Plan (MP) and Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) prepared for this project. All measurements and sampling associated with monitoring activities adhered to the approved protocols and Standard

23 AR 18889 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008

Operating Procedures (SOPs) outlined in the San Francisco Area Network (SFAN) Freshwater Quality Monitoring Protocol (Cooprider and Carson, 2006).

Sampling Locations

Sampling was conducted in close proximity to nine out of ten BMP implementation sites. Where appropriate, sampling took place at locations immediately upstream and downstream of the project, with upstream sites visited first. A few additional sampling sites were established as capture site-specific and/ or pasture related impacts. The number and locations of sample sites per project is included in the Water Quality Sampling Station Location/ Access Table in Appendix 2.4.

The same sites were visited for both pre- and post- project implementation monitoring. Sites were selected by project staff through field visits and consultation with the University of California Cooperative Extension Watershed Management Advisor. Maps of each project and its associated sampling locations are included in Appendix 2.3.

Sampling Frequency

Sampling was storm-event based with the intention of collecting samples during three to five storms, spanning winter and spring. It typically required three field days to visit all 19 sampling stations. Sampling did not begin until after the approval of the project QAPP in January 2007. During the 2007 rain year, 17 of 19 stations were sampled twice, with two stations sampled three times. During the 2008 rain year, all 19 stations were sampled three times. Figures 1 and 2 illustrate the timing of sampling events during each year of monitoring (daily rainfall graphs).

24 AR 18890 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008

2006-2007 Rainyear

4 □ Water Quality Sampling date 3.5

3

2.5 2/9

2

1.5 2/22

24 hr.Precipitation 24 (in.) 1

2/8 2/13 2/26 0.5 4/11 2/27 0

2006 Oct 01 2006 Nov 01 2006 Dec 02 2007 Jan 02 2007 Feb 02 2007 Mar 05 2007 Apr 05

Figure 1. Daily Rainfall and Water Quality Sampling dates for October-April of the 2006-2007 Rainyear. Amount of rainfall is measured from 1pm of the previous day to 1 pm on the day of record. Data is from Bear Valley weather station, maintained through the Western Regional Climate Center.

2007-2008 Rainyear

4 □ Water Quality 1/4 Sampling date 3.5

3

2.5

2

1.5

24 hr Precipitation hr 24 (in.) 1

1/8 0.5 1/24 1/28 2/20 2/22 1/10 1/29 2/21 0

2007 Oct 01 2007 Nov 01 2007 Dec 02 2008 Jan 02 2008 Feb 02 2008 Mar 04 2008 Apr 04

Figure 2. Daily Rainfall and Water Quality Sampling dates for October-April of the 2007-2008 Rainyear. Amount of rainfall is measured from 1pm of the previous day to 1 pm on the day of record. Data is from Bear Valley weather station, maintained through the Western Regional Climate Center.

AR 18891 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008

Most water-quality parameters are subject to significant seasonal and diurnal variability. In order to provide comparable data from visit to visit, staff attempted to visit stations at approximately the same time of day for each visit. As sites were sampled during storm events, effort were made to monitor the same general storm events (mid or late season storms, 3rd storm event etc.) for pre-and post-implementation monitoring While the objective was to sample sites on the rising limb of the hydrograph, the flashy nature of these systems precluded that in most cases.

Sample Parameters

During site visits field staff measured field parameters and collected a grab sample for laboratory analysis. Field parameters measured included temperature (air and water), conductivity, salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH, flow/discharge, and turbidity (Table 13). Grab samples were analyzed for the following constituents: total/fecal coliforms, nitrate, ammonia, and total suspended solids (TSS). Laboratory analyses were performed by Analytical Sciences of Petaluma, CA, a company certified by the California State Department of Health Services (DHS certification #2303) using National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (NELAP) requirements.

Table 13. Water quality parameter collection and laboratory methods. Parameter Parameter Method Group Core Water Temperature, Sp.Conductivity, Instantaneous reading taken with a YSI 85 and Salinity, Dissolved Oxygen, pH Oakton pH meter Bacteria Total coliform bacteria Fecal SM 9221: Standard Multi-tube Fermentation coliform bacteria Technique Sediment TSS SM 2540 D Turbidity 8195: Turbidity w/ Hach2100 Nutrients Nitrate EPA method 300 Ammonia SM 4500-NH3 F Discharge Discharge Following USGS Measurement of Stream Discharge by Wading (2000) using Marsh- McBirney Flowmate or Swoffer or Pygmy propeller

Detailed information for each group of parameters (including specific field techniques for collection, preservation and analysis) is available in the following SOP’s, which are located in the Appendix C of the QAPP. SOPs for Field, Sampling and Laboratory Activities: SOP #3: Equipment and Field Preparations SOP #5: Field Methods for Measurement of Core Parameters SOP #6: Field and Laboratory Methods for Fecal Indicator Bacteria SOP #7: Field and Laboratory Methods for Sampling Nutrients SOP #8: Field and Laboratory Methods for Sediment SOP #9: Field and Laboratory Methods for Flow Measurements

AR 18892 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008

Data Handling and Analysis

Because an objective of this monitoring effort was to determine pre- and post-implementation levels of pathogen, sediment, and nutrient delivery at project sites, data has been reviewed and presented with this focus. All data was entered in NPStoret, the database created and provided by the National Park Service Water Resources Division. Ammonia and nitrate data were reported from the laboratory as NH3 and NO3. These results were converted to ammonia (as N) and nitrate (as N) for reporting consistency. Precipitation data (accumulated rainfall and prior 24 hour and 48 hour amounts) from Bear Valley and Point Reyes RCA weather stations were also entered into NPStoret with accompanying station visits. Data was exported to Microsoft Excel to create the graphs associated with results tables. While NPStoret has the ability to generate summary statistics, sample size (n) was generally too small to generate percentiles and/or other statistics that would hold meaning or significance for the dataset of individual projects.

Handling of censored data

Censored data includes data values which fall above or below quantification limits (Q.L.), or below detection limits (non-detects) for a particular water quality parameter. For example, the Multitube Fermentation technique of bacteria analysis requires that dilutions of the samples be used in order to obtain results above 1600 MPN/100mL, the upper quantification limit for undiluted samples. Commonly, 10X or 100X dilutions will be used for samples which are known to have high levels of bacteria. Occasionally, there were total and fecal coliform results which were above or below the quantification limits because the dilution was not high enough or vice versa.

While censored data values are included in the tables and general body of this report, they have not been used to generate descriptive statistics (mean etc.) and have been given substitute values for graphic representation. The default substitutions for censored data set in the NPSTORET water quality database utilized to graph data are presented below in Table 14.

Table 14. Substitute values used to graph censored data.

Censored data value Substitution Present > Q.L. 1.1 x upper Q.L. Present < Q.L. 0.5 x lower Q.L. Non-detect 0.5 x detection limit

Limitations of the Dataset

Although efforts were made to sample during as many storms as possible, the size of the dataset for each BMP project is limited. For most projects, sample size (n) =2 for pre-implementation data and n=3 for post-implementation data. As implementation of certain BMP projects continued into 2008, the data collected during the second year of monitoring at these projects cannot be considered “post”. Therefore, for three of the BMP projects, water quality data collected during both years is considered pre-implementation data. Data was considered “post” if the majority of construction had been completed prior to the start of second year sampling, even if planting components were not fully complete. Thus, this “post” data does not represent water quality conditions associated with a fully stabilized project. The small sample size,

27 AR 18893 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008 inherent variability of data, and stage of project stabilization make the dataset unsuitable for the utilization of a t-test or regression analysis to detect a statistically significant change in water quality parameters before and after BMP implementation.

Quality Assurance/ Quality Control (QA/QC)

In order to assess precision, duplicate measurements were made for field measurements and a duplicate grab sample was taken for laboratory parameters. Approximately one duplicate was collected/ read for every 10 sampling events. When necessary, the same default substitutions used for censored data were used to perform a precision analysis of duplicate measurements and samples as part of the QA/QC process. The Measurement Quality Objectives (MQOs) set forth in this project’s accompanying QAPP were utilized as QC criteria. However, for the total and fecal coliform precision analysis, additional criteria from the SFAN were also utilized. Because the small dataset may have limited the functionality of the method for TC/FC precision originally used, the SFAN MQO was added as a more concrete and stringent criteria. Data that exceeded QC criteria are identified in Appendix 2.4. These data values were still presented and graphed as part of the dataset.

In addition to duplicate samples, one field blank was also collected and submitted for laboratory analysis during each sampling day in order to assess possible contamination. Laboratory QC measures included matrix spikes, method blanks, and calibration standards. Field equipment calibration and data entry/verification was performed in accordance with the QAPP for this project.

Overall Results/Characterization of the Watershed

The Mediterranean climate of the San Francisco Bay Region sustains wet winters followed by dry summer months. The hydrologic systems are very flashy, with high runoff in the winter, and very low to no flow dominating summer conditions. In this system, it is common for the majority of yearly stream discharge, and associated non-point source pollutant loading, to occur during storm events after soil saturation. The summer drought creates a long period for pollutant build-up. This leads to the seasonal first flush phenomenon, in which the initial storms of season usually have higher pollutant concentrations than storms later in the season (Lee et al., 2004.).

In this water quality monitoring effort, the majority of sampling took place in ephemeral/ intermittent streams running directly through pastureland. As the streams are dry throughout the summer, it usually took several precipitation events to create any measurable stream flow at the sites. Some sampling sights would also “dry up” in winter if there were long periods between significant rainfalls. The two sites associated with spring projects usually had some level of flow throughout the year.

While results from monitoring have been primarily examined on an individual project basis, the dataset as a whole can also be reviewed to determine if results are consistent with the concept of seasonal first flush and how pollutant loads have been generally regulated by the amount of precipitation and corresponding runoff.

28 AR 18894 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008

In the following figures, data points for fecal coliform, total suspended solids, and nitrate levels at all sampling stations have been plotted as a function of cumulative precipitation and amount of precipitation that fell in the twenty-four hours before each sampling event.

Fecal coliform (all sites/samples) 1000000

100000

10000 Fecal 1000 Coliform 100 Linear 10 (Fecal

Fecal coliform (MPN/100ml) coliform Fecal Coliform) Linear 1 (Fecal 0 10 20 30 40 Coliform) Cumulative precipitation (in.)

Figure 3. Fecal coliform results for all sampling events plotted as a function of cumulative precipitation.

Fecal coliform (all sites/samples)

1000000

100000

10000 Fecal Coliform 1000 Linear 100 (Fecal Coliform) 10 Fecal coliform (MPN/100ml) coliform Fecal 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Precipitation Prior 24 hr. (in.)

Figure 4. Fecal coliform results for all sampling events plotted as a function of the amount of precipitation that fell in the twenty-four hours before each sampling event. .

The trendlines in Figures 3 and 4 suggest that fecal coliform levels observed were generally lower as more precipitation accumulated over the rain year and that higher fecal coliform values coincide with greater amount of prior 24 hour rainfall. With greater than three inches of rainfall in 24 hours, the fecal coliform values in this dataset start to lower again.

29 AR 18895 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008

Total Suspended Solids (all sites/samples)

1000

800 TSS 600 Linear 400 (TSS )

200

0 Total Suspended Solids (mg/L) Solids Suspended Total 0 10 20 30 40 Cumulative precipitation (in.)

Figure 5. TSS results for all sampling events plotted as a function of cumulative precipitation.

Total Suspended Solids (all sites/samples)

1000

800

600 TSS

400 Linear (TSS ) 200

Total Suspended Solids (mg/L) Solids Suspended Total 0 0 1 2 3 4 Precipitation Prior 24 hr. (in.)

Figure 6. TSS results for all sampling events plotted as a function of the amount of precipitation that fell in the twenty-four hours before each sampling event.

The trend-lines in this TSS dataset (Figures 5, 6) also suggest a general decrease in TSS delivery in later season storms and higher TSS values corresponding to rainfall amount prior to the sampling event.

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Nitrate as N (all sites/samples)

4 3.5 3 2.5 Nitrate 2 as N

1.5 Linear 1 (Nitrate Nitrate as (mg/L) N Nitrate 0.5 as N ) 0 0 10 20 30 40 Cumulative precipitation (in.)

Figure 7. Nitrate results for all sampling events plotted as a function of cumulative precipitation.

Nitrate as N (all sites/samples)

4 3.5 3 2.5 Nitrate as N 2 1.5 Linear (Nitrate Nitrate as (mg/L) N Nitrate 1 as N ) 0.5 0 0 1 2 3 4 Precipitation Prior 24-hr. (in.)

Figure 8. Nitrate results for all sampling events plotted as a function of the amount of precipitation that fell in the twenty-four hours before each sampling event.

Nitrate values follow a similar pattern to both the fecal coliform and TSS levels. However, nitrate levels in this dataset do not appear to increase as much with greater amount of rainfall prior to sampling.

While there is large variability in the bacteria, sediment, and nutrient values observed at sampling events at project sites, the overall results support the watershed characteristics of seasonal first flush and an increase in concentrations of non-point source pollutants with an increase in precipitation and storm flow.

31 AR 18897 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008

Results by Individual BMP Project

Lupton Ranch Road Realignment/ Creek Stabilization

Bacteria Analysis

As expected during storm sampling in this rangeland watershed, pre and post fecal coliform levels at both upstream and downstream sites exceeded EPA bacteriological criteria for contact recreation. All but two fecal coliform values, observed upstream on January 4 and 24, 2008, also exceeded criteria for non-contact recreation. Fecal coliform levels were above the quantification limit at both upstream and downstream sites during the first pre-project sampling event February 9, 2007. During the last post project sampling event, the downstream fecal coliform level was approximately 57% lower than upstream. This may indicate the beginning of reductions expected with the performance of a fenced, stabilizing project.

Table 15. Lupton Road project bacteria results. Pre or Total Coliform Fecal Coliform Instantaneous Load Date Location post (MPN/100 ml) (MPN/100 ml) Fecal Coliform (MPN/sec) 2/9/2007 upstream pre >160,000 >160,000 N/A downstream pre >160,000 >160,000 N/A 2/22/2007 upstream pre 160,000 160,000 N/A downstream pre 160,000 160,000 17,672,047.58 1/4/2008 upstream post 35,000 2300 N/A downstream post 90,000 7000 8,956,669.50 1/24/2008 upstream post 160,000 800 N/A downstream post 160,000 8000 N/A 2/22/2008 upstream post 50,000 30,000 N/A downstream post >160,000 13,000 257,717.36

Lupton Road Decommissioning/Creek Stabilization

1,000,000 Pre Post 100,000 10,000 Upstream 1,000 Dow nstream 100 10

Fecal coliform (MPN/100ml) (MPN/100ml) coliform Fecal 1

2/9/2007 1/4/2008 2/22/2007 1/24/2008 2/22/2008 Sample date

Figure 9. Lupton Road project fecal coliform results.

32 AR 18898 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008

Sediment Analysis

Only one TSS value, observed downstream on February 9, 2007, exceeded the recommended criteria (50 mg/L) for acute sediment delivery (Newcomb and Jensen, 1996). The sampling event during which this value occurred coincided with the storm event which produced the greatest 24 hour precipitation amount of the 2007 rain year (Fig 1.) It is interesting to note that similar TSS levels were not observed post project during the corresponding storm event (January 4, 2008) of the 2008 rain year (Fig 2). All turbidity values exceeded EPA Aggregate Ecoregion II criteria (2003), and all but two values, observed upstream on January 24, 2008 and February 22, 2008, exceeded additional recommended criteria (Sigler et al., 1984).

Table 16. Lupton Road project sediment results. Pre or Total Suspended Turbidity Instantaneous Load Date Location post Solids (mg/L) (NTU) TSS (mg/sec) 2/9/2007 upstream pre 34 81.2 N/A downstream pre 110 164 N/A 2/22/2007 upstream pre 12 56.3 N/A downstream pre 17 70 187.77 1/4/2008 upstream post 18 42.3 N/A downstream post 26 60.3 3326.76 1/24/2008 upstream post 5 13.8 N/A downstream post 20 72.5 N/A 2/22/2008 upstream post ND* 16.1 N/A downstream post ND 25.3 N/A *Non-detect (ND)

Lupton Road Decommissioning/ Creek Stabilization

300 Pre Post 250 200 Upstream 150 Dow nstream 100 50 0 Total Suspended Solids (mg/L) Solids Suspended Total

2/9/2007 1/4/2008 2/22/2007 1/24/2008 2/22/2008 Sample date

Figure 10. Lupton Road project TSS results.

Nutrient Analysis

None of the nitrate values exceeded the EPA quality criteria (10mg/L) for water (1986), but two values, observed downstream on February 9 and 22, 2007, exceeded additional recommended criteria (1.1 mg/L) for nutrients (Kincheloe et al., 1979; Crunkilton, 2000). There was one detection of ammonia, which occurred at the downstream site on 1/4/08.

33 AR 18899 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008

Table 17. Lupton Road project nutrient results. Pre or Nitrate as N Ammonia as N Instantaneous Load Date Location post (mg/L) (mg/L) Nitrate as N (mg/sec) 2/9/2007 upstream pre 0.72 ND N/A downstream pre 1.67 ND N/A 2/22/2007 upstream pre 0.21 ND N/A downstream pre 1.4 ND 15.463 1/4/2008 upstream post 0.27 ND N/A downstream post 0.36 0.12 46.063 1/24/2008 upstream post ND ND N/A downstream post 0.27 ND N/A 2/22/2008 upstream post ND ND N/A downstream post 0.17 ND 0.337

Lupton Road Decommissioning/Creek Stabilization

4 Pre Post 3.5 3 2.5 Upstream 2 1.5 Dow nstream 1 Nitrate as (mg/L) N Nitrate 0.5 0

2/9/2007 1/4/2008 2/22/2007 1/24/2008 2/22/2008 Sample date

Figure 11. Lupton Road project nitrate results.

Core Parameter Analysis

Values for dissolved oxygen did not fall below 7 mg/L, the RWQCB criteria. Seven pH results fell below the lower criteria limit of 6.5 (RWQCB, 1995). The lowest pH measurement was 5.14, recorded upstream on January 4. 2008. Specific conductance measurements ranged from 31.6 µS/cm, observed upstream on January 4, 2008, to 111.5 µS/cm, observed upstream on February 22, 2008. Salinity measured 0.1 ppt at both stations on February 22, 2008; all other salinity values were 0.0 ppt. Water temperature was within the optimal growth temperature for rearing juvenile coho salmon (10-15.6˚C) at all but two sampling events. Temperature fell below this range at upstream and downstream sites on January 24, 2008. The highest instantaneous discharge measurement during a water quality monitoring visit to the Lupton project site was 4.52 cfs, recorded downstream on January 4, 2008.

34 AR 18900 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008

Table 18. Lupton Road project core parameter results.

Pre or Sp. Conductance Dissolved H20 Temp Discharge Date Location post (µS/cm) Oxygen (mg/l) pH (˚C) (cfs) 2/9/2007 upstream pre 40.9 9.7 5.76 12.3 N/A downstream pre 49.1 10.31 6.14 12.2 N/A 2/22/2007 upstream pre 63.3 8.91 7.08 13.4 N/A downstream pre 81.5 9.82 6.93 14.7 0.39 1/4/2008 upstream post 31.6 9.33 5.14 10.9 N/A downstream post 34.9 10.47 5.37 10.9 4.52 1/24/2008 upstream post 65 9.25 6.05 8 N/A downstream post 95.1 10.92 6.78 8.2 N/A 2/22/2008 upstream post 111.5 7.23 6 13.4 N/A downstream post 105 9.53 6.45 13.7 0.07

Truttman Ranch Headcut Repair

Bacteria Analysis

All but two fecal coliform values, observed upstream on January 24, 2008 and February 22, 2008, exceeded EPA bacteriological criteria for contact recreation. Fecal coliform values also exceeded non-contact recreation criteria at upstream and downstream locations on February 9 and 22, 2007, and January 2, 2008. Fecal coliform levels were above the quantification limit at both upstream and downstream sites during the first pre project sampling event, as well as upstream on February 22, 2007. One value, observed upstream on January 24, 2008, fell below the quantification limit. While the project is fenced, cattle still have access to the area immediately below the fence where downstream monitoring took place. This may explain why fecal coliform levels are greater downstream than upstream post project.

Table 19. Truttman Headcut project bacteria results. Pre or Total Coliform Fecal Coliform Instantaneous Load Date Location post (MPN/100 ml) (MPN/100 ml) Fecal Coliform (MPN/sec) 2/9/2007 upstream pre >160,000 >160,000 N/A downstream pre >160,000 >160,000 N/A 2/22/2007 upstream pre >160,000 >160,000 N/A downstream pre >160,000 5900 3,007,646.56 1/4/2008 upstream post >160,000 24,000 105,359,388.3 downstream post 160,000 30,000 118,309,261 1/24/2008 upstream post 700 <200 N/A downstream post 13,000 2300 73,605.21 2/22/2008 upstream post 3,000 400 16,992.35 downstream post 8000 1300 50,438.97

35 AR 18901 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008

Truttman Headcut Repair

1,000,000 Pre Post 100,000 10,000 Upstream 1,000 Dow nstream 100 10

Fecal coliform (MPN/100ml) coliform Fecal 1

2/9/2007 1/4/2008 2/22/2007 1/24/2008 2/22/2008 Sample date

Figure 12. Truttman Headcut project fecal coliform results.

Sediment Analysis

Both upstream and downstream TSS values observed during the January 4, 2008 sampling event exceeded the recommended criteria (50 mg/L) for acute sediment delivery (Newcomb and Jensen, 1996). These samples were collected during the storm event that produced the greatest 24 hour precipitation amount of the 2008 rain year. In the 24 hour period preceding the sampling event, the site received 3.36 inches of rain (BV weather station data) and downstream discharge was calculated to be 15.5 cfs at the time of sampling. Downstream TSS during this sampling event was 29% less than the upstream value. All turbidity values exceeded EPA Aggregate Ecoregion II criteria (2003), and all pre-project turbidity values exceeded additional recommended criteria (Sigler et al., 1984). In the post-project data, turbidity exceedances were observed only on January 4, 2008.

Table 20. Truttman Headcut project sediment results. Pre or Total Suspended Turbidity Instantaneous Load Date Location post Solids (mg/L) (NTU) TSS (mg/sec) 2/9/2007 upstream pre 46 97.4 4142.74 downstream pre 48 93.3 4458.79 2/22/2007 upstream pre 14 51.1 555.08 downstream pre 13 50.2 662.70 1/4/2008 upstream post 170 246 74,629.57 downstream post 120 207 47,323.70 1/24/2008 upstream post ND 5.6 N/A downstream post 5.5 6.93 17.60 2/22/2008 upstream post ND 14.7 N/A downstream post ND 13.8 N/A

36 AR 18902 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008

Truttman Headcut Repair

300 Pre Post 250

200 Upstream

150 Dow nstream

100

50

Total Suspended Solids (mg/L) Solids Suspended Total 0

2/9/2007 1/4/2008 2/22/2007 1/24/2008 2/22/2008 Sample Date

Figure 13. Truttman Headcut project TSS results.

Nutrient Analysis

None of the nitrate values exceeded the EPA quality criteria (10mg/L) for water (1986) or the additional recommended criteria (1.1 mg/L) for nutrients (Kincheloe et al., 1979; Crunkilton, 2000). There were no ammonia detections.

Table 21. Truttman Headcut project nutrient results. Pre or Nitrate as N Ammonia as N Instantaneous Load Date Location post (mg/L) (mg/L) Nitrate as N (mg/sec) 2/9/2007 upstream pre 0.9 ND 81.05 downstream pre 0.95 ND 88.25 2/22/2007 upstream pre 0.29 ND 11.50 downstream pre 0.32 ND 16.31 1/4/2008 upstream post 0.86 ND 377.54 downstream post 0.93 ND 366.76 1/24/2008 upstream post 0.12 ND N/A downstream post 0.21 ND 0.67 2/22/2008 upstream post ND ND N/A downstream post ND ND N/A

37 AR 18903 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008

Truttman Headcut Repair

4 Pre Post 3.5 3 2.5 Upstream 2 Dow nstream 1.5 1 Nitrate as (mg/L) N Nitrate 0.5 0

2/9/2007 1/4/2008 2/22/2007 1/24/2008 2/22/2008 Sample date

Figure 14. Truttman Headcut project nitrate results.

Core Parameter Analysis

Values for dissolved oxygen did not fall below 7 mg/L, the RWQCB criteria. Three pH results fell below the lower criteria limit of 6.5 (RWQCB, 1995). The lowest pH measurement at the site was 5.4, recorded upsteam on January 4, 2008. Specific conductance measurements ranged from 55 µS/cm, observed downstream on January 4, 2008, to 150.9 µS/cm, observed downstream on January 24, 2008. Salinity measured 0.1 ppt at both stations on January 24, 2008 and February 22, 2008; all other salinity values were 0.0 ppt. Water temperature was within the optimal growth temperature for rearing juvenile coho salmon (10-15.6˚C) at all but two sampling events. Temperature fell below this range at upstream and downstream sites on January 24, 2008. The highest instantaneous discharge measurement during a water quality monitoring visit to the Truttman Headcut project site was 15.50 cfs, recorded upstream on January 4, 2008.

Table 22. Truttman Headcut project core parameter results.

Pre or Sp. Conductance Dissolved H20 Temp Discharge Date Location post (µS/cm) Oxygen (mg/l) pH (˚C) (cfs) 2/9/2007 upstream pre 77.3 10.53 6.65 11.5 3.18 downstream pre 80.3 10.62 6.6 11.5 3.28 2/22/2007 upstream pre 73.3 10.77 6.68 10.2 1.4 downstream pre 77.4 10.82 6.66 10.5 1.8 1/4/2008 upstream post 55.1 10.03 5.4 10.7 15.50 downstream post 55 9.9 5.52 10.9 13.93 1/24/2008 upstream post 107 11.74 6.9 7.0 N/A downstream post 150.9 12.45 6.93 7.9 0.11 2/22/2008 upstream post 110.4 11.23 6.62 10.4 0.15 downstream post 120.8 11.08 6.4 11.8 0.14

38 AR 18904 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008

Truttman Ranch Road Repair

Bacteria Analysis

All pre project fecal coliform values exceeded EPA bacteriological criteria for contact recreation. In the post implementation samples, there were five criteria exceedances, which occurred at all sampling stations on 1/4/08 and at the upstream and headcut locations on February 22, 2008. All but one pre-project fecal coliform value, observed downstream on February 22, 2007, also exceeded non-contact recreation criteria. Post project fecal coliform values exceeded non- contact criteria at all sampling sites on January 4, 2008. Fecal coliform levels were above the quantification limit at all sampling locations on February 9, 2007. Downstream fecal coliform values were less than or equal to upstream values during all post-implementation sampling events.

Table 23. Truttman Road project bacteria results. Pre or Total Coliform Fecal Coliform Instantaneous Load Date Location post (MPN/100 ml) (MPN/100 ml) Fecal Coliform (MPN/sec) 2/9/2007 upstream pre >160,000 >160,000 N/A headcut pre >160,000 >160,000 N/A downstream pre >160,000 >160,000 N/A 2/22/2007 upstream pre 90,000 90,000 48,428,207.31 headcut pre 50,000 50,000 N/A downstream pre 30,000 2700 1,705,182.67 1/4/2008 upstream post 80,000 23,000 136,267,346.40 headcut post 240,000 50,000 21,665,250.64 downstream post 130,000 8000 56,799,773.44 1/24/2008 upstream post 3000 400 16,312.66 headcut post 1400 200 N/A downstream post 1700 400 14,386.86 2/22/2008 upstream post 3000 1700 139,620.50 headcut post 2100 1300 13,990.37 downstream post 400 200 20,390.82

Truttman Road Repair

1,000,000 Pre Post 100,000 10,000 1,000 100 10

Fecal coliform (MPN/100ml) coliform Fecal 1

Upstream 2/9/2007 1/4/2008 2/22/2007 1/24/2008 2/22/2008 Headcut Sample date Dow nstream

Figure 15. Truttman Road project fecal coliform results.

39 AR 18905 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008

Sediment Analysis

All turbidity values exceeded EPA Aggregate Ecoregion II criteria (2003), and all pre-project turbidity values exceeded additional recommended criteria (Sigler et al., 1984). In the post- project data, turbidity exceedances were observed at upstream and downstream sites on January 4, 2008 and at the headcut location on January 4, 2008 and February 22, 2008. TSS values observed at all sampling stations on February 9, 2007 and January 4, 2008 exceeded the recommended criteria (50 mg/L) for acute sediment delivery (Newcomb and Jensen, 1996). These two sampling events took place during storm events that yielded the maximum 24 hour rainfall amount of their respective rain years (Fig. 1 & 2). During the pre project sampling event on February 9, 2007, downstream TSS levels were higher than upstream. Post project implementation sampling on January 4, 2008 showed downstream TSS levels to be lower than upstream. While sediment delivery from the ranch road (before repair) likely contributed to the higher pre-project downstream TSS level, TSS values observed at the headcut location indicate this area could be an additional source to watch.

Table 24. Truttman Road project sediment results. Pre or Total Suspended Turbidity Instantaneous Load Date Location post Solids (mg/L) (NTU) TSS (mg/sec) 2/9/2007 Upstream pre 390 431 N/A Headcut pre 670 886 N/A Downstream pre 900 544* 329,566.70 2/22/2007 Upstream pre 9.1 47.5 489.66 Headcut pre 18 78.7 N/A Downstream pre 6.9 43.7 435.77 1/4/2008 Upstream post 740 715 438,425.38 Headcut post 200 214 8666.10 Downstream post 700 536 496,998.02 1/24/2008 Upstream post ND 6.04 N/A Headcut post ND 15.7 N/A Downstream post ND 6.88 N/A 2/22/2008 Upstream post ND 17.1 N/A Headcut post 5.3 40.8 5.70 Downstream post ND 19.1 N/A *Value when sample diluted 50%

40 AR 18906 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008

Truttman Road Repair

1000 Pre Post 800 Upstream 600 Headcut 400 Dow nstream

200

0 Total Suspended Solids (mg/L) Solids Suspended Total

2/9/2007 1/4/2008 2/22/2007 1/24/2008 2/22/2008 Sample date

Figure 16. Truttman Road project TSS results.

Nutrient Analysis

None of the nitrate values exceeded the EPA quality criteria (10mg/L) for water (1986), but five values exceeded additional recommended criteria (1.1 mg/L) for nutrients (Kincheloe et al., 1979; Crunkilton, 2000). Four of these exceedances occurred at the headcut sampling site and one occurred at the downstream site on January 24, 2008. Nitrate values were highest in samples collected at the headcut station during all sample events. There were no ammonia detections.

Table 25. Truttman Road project nutrient results. Pre or Nitrate as N Ammonia as Instantaneous Load Date Location post (mg/L) N (mg/L) Nitrate as N (mg/sec) 2/9/2007 Upstream pre 0.65 ND N/A Headcut pre 0.9 ND N/A Downstream pre 0.65 ND 238.02 2/22/2007 Upstream pre 0.47 ND 25.29 headcut pre 1.4 ND N/A downstream pre 0.56 ND 35.37 1/4/2008 upstream post 0.95 ND 562.84 headcut post 1.67 ND 72.36 downstream post 1.06 ND 752.60 1/24/2008 upstream post 1.08 ND 4.40 headcut post 3.61 ND N/A downstream post 1.29 ND 4.64 2/22/2008 upstream post 0.52 ND 4.27 headcut post 1.58 ND 1.70 downstream post 0.61 ND 6.22

41 AR 18907 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008

Truttman Road Repair

4 Pre Post 3.5 3 2.5 Upstream 2 Headcut 1.5 Dow nstream 1 Nitrate as (mg/L) N Nitrate 0.5 0

2/9/2007 1/4/2008 2/22/2007 1/24/2008 2/22/2008 Sample date

Figure 17. Truttman Road project nitrate results.

Core Parameter Analysis

Values for dissolved oxygen did not fall below 7 mg/L, the RWQCB criteria. Eight pH results fell below the lower criteria limit of 6.5 (SFBRWQCB, 1995). The lowest pH measurement was 5.64, recorded at the headcut station on January 4, 2008. Specific conductance measurements ranged from 47.5 µS/cm, observed at the headcut station on February 9, 2007, to 158.5 µS/cm, observed upstream on January 24, 2008. Salinity measured 0.1 ppt at upstream and downstream stations on February 22, 2007, January 24, 2008 and February 22, 2008; all other salinity values were 0.0 ppt. Water temperature was within the optimal growth temperature for rearing juvenile coho salmon (10-15.6˚C) at all but four sampling events. Temperature fell below this range at all three stations on January 24, 2008 and upstream on February 22, 2008. The highest instantaneous discharge measurement during a water quality monitoring visit to the Truttman Road project site was 25.07 cfs , recorded downstream on January 4, 2008.

Table 26. Truttman Road project core parameter results.

Pre or Sp. Conductance Dissolved H20 Temp Discharge Date Location post (µS/cm) Oxygen (mg/l) pH (˚C) (cfs) 2/9/2007 upstream pre 97.2 10.78 6.58 10.9 N/A headcut pre 47.5 10.22 6.13 12 N/A downstream pre 78.7 10.6 6.53 11.2 12.93 2/22/2007 upstream pre 111.2 10.21 7.12 10.3 1.9 headcut pre 70.9 9.62 6.25 12.7 N/A downstream pre 112.2 10.25 6.51 11 2.23 1/4/2008 upstream post 72.2 9.85 5.73 10.5 20.92 headcut post 54.4 9.53 5.64 11.4 1.53 downstream post 73.1 9.64 5.81 10.7 25.07 1/24/2008 upstream post 158.5 10.3 6.79 7.5 0.14 headcut post 93 9.84 6.52 8.3 N/A downstream post 151 10.86 6.81 7.5 0.13 2/22/2008 upstream post 140.7 9.94 6.48 9.5 0.29 headcut post 75.2 9.27 6.15 11.7 0.04 downstream post 134.8 10.43 6.43 10.7 0.36

42 AR 18908 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008

Rogers Ranch Headcut Repair

Bacteria Analysis

All pre-project fecal coliform values exceeded EPA bacteriological criteria for contact recreation. In the post implementation samples, there were four REC 1 criteria exceedances, three of which occurred at the sampling station in the main tributary and one which was observed immediately downstream of the project on January 8, 2008. Non-contact recreation criteria was also exceeded in all pre-project samples. Post project non-contact exceedances occurred at both sampling locations on January 8, 2008 and downstream in the main tributary on February 20, 2008. The fecal coliform level immediately downstream of the project was above the quantification limit during the first pre-project sampling event on February 8, 2007. The lowest values for fecal coliform were observed immediately downstream of the project after project implementation. While the data suggests a stabilization/reduction in fecal coliform delivery from the project site after implementation, levels are still high downstream in the main tributary.

Table 27. Rogers Headcut project bacteria results. Pre or Total Coliform Fecal Coliform Instantaneous Load Date Location post (MPN/100 ml) (MPN/100 ml) Fecal Coliform (MPN/sec) 2/8/2007 downstream project pre >160,000 >160,000 N/A 2/13/2007 downstream main trib. pre 30,000 30,000 21,835,174.17 2/26/2007 downstream project pre 170,000 80,000 17,468,139.34 downstream main trib. pre 240,000 50,000 207,731,520.8 1/8/2008 downstream project post 160,000 28,000 1,617,672.05 downstream main trib. post 30,000 30,000 44,876,805.44 1/28/2008 downstream project post 17,000 400 11,441.52 downstream main trib. post 17,000 1400 1,321,098.84 2/20/2008 downstream project post 5000 400 N/A downstream main trib. post 160,000 13,000 1,064,004.53

Rogers Headcut Repair

1,000,000 Pre Post 100,000 Immediate dow nstream 10,000 of project 1,000 100 Dow nstream in main 10 tributary

Fecal coliform (MPN/100ml) coliform Fecal 1

2/8/2007 1/8/2008 2/13/2007 2/26/2007 1/28/2008 2/20/2008 Sample date

Figure 18. Rogers Headcut project fecal coliform results.

43 AR 18909 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008

Sediment Analysis

All turbidity values exceeded EPA Aggregate Ecoregion II criteria (2003), and all pre-project turbidity values exceeded additional recommended criteria (Sigler et al., 1984). In the post- project data, turbidity exceedances were observed downstream in the main tributary January 8 and 28, 2008 and immediately downstream of the project on January 8, 2008. Three TSS values, all of which were observed before project implementation, exceeded the recommended criteria (50 mg/L) for acute sediment delivery (Newcomb and Jensen, 1996). These exceedances occurred immediately downstream of the project on February 8, 2007 and at both sampling locations on February 26, 2007. All of the post-project TSS values fell within the recommended criteria.

Table 28. Rogers Headcut project sediment results. Pre or Total Suspended Turbidity Instantaneous Load TSS Date Location post Solids (mg/L) (NTU) (mg/sec) 2/8/2007 downstream project pre 67 179 N/A 2/13/2007 downstream main trib. pre 8.6 27.4 625.94 2/26/2007 downstream project pre 88 161 1921.50 downstream main trib. pre 290 366 120,484.3 1/8/2008 downstream project post 10 29.1 57.77 downstream main trib. post 23 57.9 3440.56 1/28/2008 downstream project post ND 15.5 N/A downstream main trib. post 6.5 26.4 613.37 2/20/2008 downstream project post ND 2.89 N/A downstream main trib. post 5 13.9 40.92

Rogers Headcut Repair

300 Pre Post 250 Immediate 200 dow nstream of project 150 Dow nstream in 100 main tributary 50 0 Total Suspended Solids (mg/L) Solids Suspended Total

2/8/2007 1/8/2008 2/13/2007 2/26/2007 1/28/2008 2/20/2008 Sample date

Figure 19. Rogers Headcut project TSS results.

Nutrient Analysis

None of the nitrate values exceeded the EPA quality criteria (10mg/L) for water (1986), but four values, observed immediately downstream of the project, exceeded additional recommended criteria (1.1 mg/L) for nutrients (Kincheloe et al., 1979; Crunkilton, 2000). While nitrate levels

44 AR 18910 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008 are relatively high right below the project site, levels downstream in the main tributary still remain low. Ammonia was detected downstream of the project on January 8, 2008 and downstream in the main tributary on February 13, 2007.

Table 29. Rogers Headcut project nutrient results. Pre or Nitrate as N Ammonia Instantaneous Load Date Location post (mg/L) as N (mg/L) Nitrate as N (mg/sec) 2/8/2007 downstream project pre 2.71 ND N/A 2/13/2007 downstream main trib. pre ND .08 N/A 2/26/2007 downstream project pre 0.29 ND 6.33 downstream main trib. pre 0.21 ND 87.25 1/8/2008 downstream project post 2.01 0.14 11.61 downstream main trib. post 0.77 ND 115.2 1/28/2008 downstream project post 1.45 ND 4.15 downstream main trib. post 0.47 ND 44.35 2/20/2008 downstream project post 2.12 ND N/A downstream main trib. post 0.47 ND 3.85

Rogers Headcut Repair

4 Pre Post 3.5 3 Immediate 2.5 dow nstream 2 of project 1.5 Dow nstream in 1 main tributary Nitrate as (mg/L) N Nitrate 0.5 0

2/8/2007 1/8/2008 2/13/2007 2/26/2007 1/28/2008 2/20/2008 Sample date

Figure 20. Rogers Headcut project nitrate results.

Core Parameter Analysis

One dissolved oxygen value, recorded immediately downstream of the project on February 20, 2008, fell below 7 mg/L, the RWQCB criteria. Five pH results fell below the lower criteria limit of 6.5 (RWQCB, 1995). The lowest pH measurement at the site was 5.93, recorded right below the project on February 20, 2008. Specific conductance measurements ranged from 57.3 µS/cm, observed directly below the project on February 26, 2007, to 172.4 µS/cm, observed in the main tributary on February 20, 2008. Salinity measured 0.1 ppt at both stations on February 20, 2008 and in just the main tributary on February 13, 2007 and January 8, 2008; all other salinity values were 0.0 ppt. Temperature fell below the 10-15.6˚C range in the main tributary on January 8, 2008 and right below the project on January 28, 2008. The highest instantaneous discharge measurement recorded in the main tributary was 14.67 cfs on February 26, 2007; the highest recorded discharge immediately downstream of the project was 0.77 cfs on February 26, 2007.

45 AR 18911 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008

Table 30. Rogers Headcut project core parameter results.

Pre or Sp. Conductance Dissolved H20 Temp Discharge Date Location post (µS/cm) Oxygen (mg/l) pH (˚C) (cfs) 2/8/2007 downstream project pre 66.1 9.89 6.85 11.8 N/A 2/13/2007 downstream main trib. pre 117.4 10.03 6.87 11.6 2.57 2/26/2007 downstream project pre 57.3 10.41 6.32 11.2 0.77 downstream main trib. pre 70.3 10.06 6.57 11 14.67 1/8/2008 downstream project post 97.1 10.34 5.98 10.1 0.20 downstream main trib. post 105 10.33 6.22 9.6 5.28 1/28/2008 downstream project post 99.8 9.84 6.3 7 0.10 downstream main trib. post 103.1 10.88 6.67 10.1 3.33 2/20/2008 downstream project post 147.1 6.0 5.93 11.3 N/A downstream main trib. post 172.4 12.27 6.69 12.8 0.29

J Ranch (Kehoe) Spring Development

Bacteria Analysis

All but one fecal coliform value, observed on January 28, 2008, exceeded EPA bacteriological criteria for contact recreation. All but two fecal coliform values, observed on February 8, 2007 and January 28, 2008, also exceeded criteria for non-contact recreation. The fecal coliform level was above the quantification limit on April 11, 2007. The fecal coliform value on January 8, 2008 (240,000) was the highest quantified value observed out of all sampling events at all BMP project sites.

Table 31. J Ranch (Kehoe) Spring project bacteria results. Pre or Total Coliform Fecal Coliform Instantaneous Load Date Location post (MPN/100 ml) (MPN/100 ml) Fecal Coliform (MPN/sec) 2/8/2007 downstream pre 1700 1700 1924.80 2/27/2007 downstream pre 30,000 5000 28,320.59 4/11/2007 downstream pre >160,000 >160,000 N/A 1/8/2008 downstream pre 240,000 240,000 7,000,849.6 1/28/2008 downstream pre 3000 400 8382.89 2/20/08 downstream pre 17,000 13,000 36,816.77

46 AR 18912 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008

Kehoe Spring Development

1,000,000 100,000 10,000 Immediate 1,000 dow nstream 100 of project 10

Fecal coliform (MPN/100ml) coliform Fecal 1

2/8/2007 1/8/2008 2/27/2007 4/11/2007 1/28/2008 2/20/2008 Sample date

Figure 21. J Ranch (Kehoe) Spring project fecal coliform results.

Sediment Analysis

All turbidity values exceeded both the EPA Aggregate Ecoregion II criteria (2003) and the additional recommended criteria (Sigler et al., 1984). Two TSS values, observed on April 11, 2007 and January 8, 2008, exceeded the recommended criteria (50 mg/L) for acute sediment delivery (Newcomb and Jensen, 1996). The TSS value on January 8, 2008 (1000) represented the highest value observed at any BMP project sampling event.

Table 32. J Ranch (Kehoe) Spring project sediment results. Pre or Total Suspended Turbidity Instantaneous Load TSS Date Location post Solids (mg/L) (NTU) (mg/sec) 2/8/2007 downstream pre 36 36.3 4.08 2/27/2007 downstream pre 50 56.8 28.32 4/11/2007 downstream pre 350 377 118.95 1/8/2008 downstream pre 1000 689 2917.02 1/28/2008 downstream pre 14 35.5 29.34 2/20/08 downstream pre 20 25.6 5.66

Kehoe Spring Development

1000

800

600 Immediate 400 dow nstream of project 200

0 Total Suspended Solids (mg/L) Solids Suspended Total

2/8/2007 1/8/2008 2/27/2007 4/11/2007 1/28/2008 2/20/2008 Sample date

Figure 22. J Ranch (Kehoe) Spring project TSS results.

AR 18913 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008

Nutrient Analysis

None of the nitrate values exceeded the EPA quality criteria (10mg/L) for water (1986), but two values, observed on January 8 and 28, 2008, exceeded additional recommended criteria (1.1 mg/L) for nutrients (Kincheloe et al., 1979; Crunkilton, 2000). Ammonia was detected on April 11, 2007 and January 8, 2008.

Table 33. J Ranch (Kehoe) Spring project nutrient results. Pre or Nitrate as N Ammonia Instantaneous Load Date Location post (mg/L) as N (mg/L) Nitrate as N (mg/sec) 2/8/2007 downstream pre 0.81 ND 0.09 2/27/2007 downstream pre 0.79 ND 0.45 4/11/2007 downstream pre 0.77 0.75 0.26 1/8/2008 downstream pre 1.29 0.2 3.76 1/28/2008 downstream pre 1.31 ND 2.75 2/20/08 downstream pre 0.54 ND 0.15

Kehoe Spring Development

4 3.5 3 2.5 Immediate 2 dow nstream 1.5 of project 1 Nitrate as (mg/L) N Nitrate 0.5 0

2/8/2007 1/8/2008 2/27/2007 4/11/2007 1/28/2008 2/20/2008 Sample date

Figure 23. J Ranch (Kehoe) Spring project nitrate results.

Core Parameter Analysis

Values for dissolved oxygen did not fall below 7 mg/L, the San Francisco Bay Area RWQCB criteria. All pH results fell within the criteria range of 6.5- 8.5 (SFBRWQCB, 1995). Specific conductance measurements ranged from 211.8 µS/cm, observed on January 28, 2008, to 308.1 µS/cm, observed on February 20, 2008. Salinity measured 0.1 ppt during all sampling events. Temperature fell below the 10-15.6˚C range during the first two sampling events of each year. The highest instantaneous discharge measurement during a water quality monitoring visit to the Kehoe project site was 0.103 cfs on January 8, 2008.

AR 18914 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008

Table 34. J Ranch (Kehoe) Spring project core parameter results.

Pre or Sp. Conductance Dissolved H20 Temp Discharge Date Location post (µS/cm) Oxygen (mg/l) pH (˚C) (cfs) 2/8/2007 downstream pre 237 10.63 7.65 9.8 0.004 2/27/2007 downstream pre 266 10.47 7.54 9.9 0.02 4/11/2007 downstream pre 292.1 9.56 7.6 13.2 0.012 1/8/2008 downstream pre 221.5 11.31 6.6 8 0.103 1/28/2008 downstream pre 211.8 10.82 7.17 9 0.074 2/20/2008 downstream pre 308.1 10.26 7.54 10.9 0.01

McIsaac Ranch Spring Development

Bacteria Analysis

All fecal coliform values exceeded EPA bacteriological criteria for contact recreation and all but one value, observed on February 21, 2008, also exceeded criteria for non-contact recreation. The fecal coliform level was above the quantification limit during the first pre-project sampling event on February 8, 2007.

Table 35. McIsaac Spring project bacteria results. Pre or Total Coliform Fecal Coliform Date Location post (MPN/100 ml) (MPN/100 ml) 2/8/2007 downstream pre >160,000 >160,000 2/27/2007 downstream pre 23,000 23,000 4/11/2007 downstream pre 220,000 33,000 1/8/2008 downstream post 90,000 90,000 1/29/2008 downstream post 30,000 24,000 2/21/2008 downstream post 7000 1300

McIsaac Spring Development

1,000,000 Pre Post 100,000 10,000 Spring area 1,000 outflow 100 10

Fecal coliform (MPN/100ml) coliform Fecal 1

2/8/2007 1/8/2008 2/27/2007 4/11/2007 1/29/2008 2/21/2008 Sample date

Figure 24. McIsaac Spring project fecal coliform results.

Sediment Analysis

All turbidity values exceeded both the EPA Aggregate Ecoregion II criteria (2003) and the additional recommended criteria (Sigler et al., 1984). All pre-project implementation TSS values

49 AR 18915 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008 exceeded the recommended criteria (50 mg/L) for acute sediment delivery (Newcomb and Jensen, 1996). One exceedance occurred post project on January 8, 2008.

Table 36. McIsaac Spring project sediment results. Pre or Total Suspended Turbidity Date Location post Solids (mg/L) (NTU) 2/8/2007 downstream pre 580 869* 2/27/2007 downstream pre 240 344 4/11/2007 downstream pre 54 101 1/8/2008 downstream post 140 335 1/29/2008 downstream post 36 55.9 2/21/2008 downstream post 8 25.4 *Value when sample diluted 50%

McIsaac Spring Development

1000 Pre Post 800

600 Spring area outflow 400

200

Total Suspended Solids (mg/L) Solids Suspended Total 0

2/8/2007 1/8/2008 2/27/2007 4/11/2007 1/29/2008 2/21/2008 Sample date

Figure 25. McIsaac Spring project TSS results.

Nutrient Analysis

All pre-project nitrate values exceeded the recommended criteria (1.1 mg/L) for nutrients (Kincheloe et al., 1979; Crunkilton, 2000). One exceedance occurred post-project on February 21, 2008. None of the nitrate values exceeded the EPA quality criteria (10mg/L) for water (1986). Ammonia was detected in all pre-project samples. The median of these ammonia values exceeds the general numeric objectives for un-ionized ammonia in the San Francisco Bay Area (RWQCB, 1995). There were no ammonia detections post-project.

Table 37. McIsaac Spring project nutrient results. Pre or Nitrate as N Ammonia as Date Location post (mg/L) N (mg/L) 2/8/2007 downstream pre 1.54 0.3 2/27/2007 downstream pre 1.35 0.11 4/11/2007 downstream pre 2.71 0.72 1/8/2008 downstream post 0.45 ND 1/29/2008 downstream post 1.04 ND 2/21/2008 downstream post 1.51 ND

50 AR 18916 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008

McIsaac Spring Development

4 Pre Post 3.5 3 2.5 2 Spring area 1.5 outflow 1 Nitrate as (mg/L) N Nitrate 0.5 0

2/8/2007 1/8/2008 2/27/2007 4/11/2007 1/29/2008 2/21/2008 Sample date

Figure 26. McIsaac Spring project nitrate results.

Core Parameter Analysis

Values for dissolved oxygen did not fall below 7 mg/L, the San Francisco Bay Area RWQCB criteria. One pH result exceeded the upper criteria limit of 8.5 (RWQCB, 1995). Specific conductance measurements ranged from 83.4 µS/cm, observed on January 8, 2008, to 209.5 µS/cm, observed on March 11, 2007. Salinity measured 0.1 ppt during all sampling events except for January 8, 2008, which salinity was 0.0 ppt. Temperature fell within the 10-15.6˚C range during all sampling events.

Table 38. McIsaac Spring project core parameter results.

Pre or Sp. Conductance Dissolved H20 Temp Date Location post (µS/cm) Oxygen (mg/l) pH (˚C) 2/8/2007 downstream pre 193.3 8.35 7.08 12.2 2/27/2007 downstream pre 133.5 9.71 6.5 12.1 4/11/2007 downstream pre 209.5 8.93 7.13 15.3 1/8/2008 downstream post 83.4 10.99 6.78 10.1 1/29/2008 downstream post 121.5 10.5 8.33 11 2/21/2008 downstream post 151.2 11.78 8.77 15.2

Giacomini Ranch Riparian Exclusion Fence

Bacteria Analysis

In the pre-project samples, both downstream fecal coliform values exceeded EPA bacteriological criteria for contact recreation. In the post implementation samples, exceedances were observed at upstream and downstream sampling stations on January 4, 20 2008 and downstream on February 20, 2008. Fecal coliform values exceeded criteria for non-contact recreation at both sampling locations on January 4, 2008. The fecal coliform level was below the quantification limit at the upstream location on February 13, 2007 and January 28, 2008.

51 AR 18917 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008

Table 39. Giacomini fence project bacteria results. Pre or Total Coliform Fecal Coliform Instantaneous Load Date Location post (MPN/100 ml) (MPN/100 ml) Fecal Coliform (MPN/sec) 2/13/2007 upstream pre <200 <200 N/A downstream pre 7000 2200 2,336,448.6 2/26/2007 upstream pre 1600 11 9953.27 downstream pre 1300 800 946,813.93 1/4/2008 upstream post 13,000 8000 83,436,986.7 downstream post 13,000 5000 52,272,727.3 1/28/2008 upstream post <200 <200 N/A downstream post 400 400 515,434.72 2/20/2008 upstream post 400 400 36,363.64 downstream post 1,100 700 76,720.48

Giacomini Riparian Exclusion Fence

1,000,000 Pre Post 100,000 10,000 Upstream 1,000 Dow nstream 100 10

Fecal coliform (MPN/100ml) coliform Fecal 1

1/4/2008 2/13/2007 2/26/2007 1/28/2008 2/20/2008 Sample date

Figure 27. Giacomini fence project fecal coliform results.

Sediment Analysis

All turbidity values exceeded EPA Aggregate Ecoregion II criteria (2003), but only the upstream and downstream values observed on January 4, 2008 exceeded additional recommended criteria (Sigler et al., 1984). Both upstream and downstream TSS values observed during the January 4, 2008 sampling event exceeded the recommended criteria (50 mg/L) for acute sediment delivery (Newcomb and Jensen, 1996). These samples were collected during the storm event that produced the greatest 24 hour precipitation amount of the 2008 rain year. In the 24 hour period preceding the sampling event, the site received 3.55 inches of rain (BV weather station data) and discharge was calculated to be 36.8 cfs at the time of sampling. Downstream TSS during this sampling event was 12.5% less than the upstream value. TSS was not detected during any of the other sampling events.

52 AR 18918 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008

Table 40. Giacomini fence project sediment results. Pre or Total Suspended Turbidity Instantaneous Load Date Location post Solids (mg/L) (NTU) TSS (mg/sec) 2/13/2007 upstream pre ND 10.7 N/A downstream pre ND 11.3 N/A 2/26/2007 upstream pre ND 9.65 N/A downstream pre ND 11.6 N/A 1/4/2008 upstream post 160 119 166,873.97 downstream post 140 94.1 146,363.64 1/28/2008 upstream post ND 9.91 N/A downstream post ND 10.7 N/A 2/20/2008 upstream post ND 3.27 N/A downstream post ND 3.95 N/A

Giacomini Riparian Exclusion Fence

300 Pre Post 250

200 Upstream

150 Dow nstream 100

50

Total Suspended Solids (mg/L) Solids Suspended Total 0

1/4/2008 2/13/2007 2/26/2007 1/28/2008 2/20/2008 Sample date

Figure 28. Giacomini fence project TSS results.

Nutrient Analysis

There was only one detection of nitrate on February 20, 2008, which did not exceed the recommended criteria (1.1 mg/L) for nutrients (Kincheloe et al., 1979; Crunkilton, 2000). Ammonia was detected at both upstream and downstream sites on January 4, 2008.

Table 41. Giacomini fence project nutrient results. Pre or Nitrate as N Ammonia Instantaneous Load Date Location post (mg/L) as N (mg/L) Nitrate as N (mg/sec) 2/13/2007 upstream pre ND ND N/A downstream pre ND ND N/A 2/26/2007 upstream pre ND ND N/A downstream pre ND ND N/A 1/4/2008 upstream post ND 0.11 N/A downstream post ND 0.1 N/A 1/28/2008 upstream post ND ND N/A downstream post ND ND N/A 2/20/2008 upstream post 0.17 ND 1.55 downstream post ND ND N/A

53 AR 18919 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008

Core Parameter Analysis

Values for dissolved oxygen did not fall below 7 mg/L, the San Francisco Bay Area RWQCB criteria. Six pH results fell below the lower criteria limit of 6.5 (RWQCB, 1995). The lowest pH measurement at the site was 5.95, recorded upstream on January 4, 2008. Specific conductance measurements ranged from 68 µS/cm, observed upstream on January 4, 2008, to 100.5 µS/cm, observed upstream on February 20, 2008. Salinity measured 0.0 ppt during all sampling events. Temperature fell below the 10-15.6˚C range at upstream and downstream sites on January 28, 2008 and upstream on February 20, 2008. The highest instantaneous discharge measurement during a water quality monitoring visit to the Giacomini fence project site was 36.92 cfs, recorded downstream on January 4, 2008.

Table 42. Giacomini fence project core parameter results.

Pre or Sp. Conductance Dissolved H20 Temp Discharge Date Location post (µS/cm) Oxygen (mg/l) pH (˚C) (cfs) 2/13/2007 upstream pre 85.2 10.18 6.6 10.3 3.77 downstream pre 89.8 10.03 6.16 10.6 3.75 2/26/2007 upstream pre 95.4 10.38 6.67 10.3 3.2 downstream pre 94.7 10.08 6.34 10.2 4.18 1/4/2008 upstream post 68 10.55 5.95 10.5 36.83 downstream post 72.4 10.33 6.07 10.4 36.92 1/28/2008 upstream post 86.4 10.9 6.74 9.7 4.12 downstream post 86.5 10.53 6.67 9.8 4.55 2/20/2008 upstream post 100.5 10.62 6.38 9.2 0.32 downstream post 97.3 9.74 6.19 10.7 0.39

E. Gallager Ranch Seasonal Exclusion Fence

Bacteria Analysis

All but two fecal coliform values, observed downstream on February 8, 2007 and at the upstream pond location on January 29, 2008, exceeded EPA bacteriological criteria for contact recreation. Fecal coliform values also exceeded criteria for non-contact recreation at all sampling sites on February 27, 2007, at the upstream pond and downstream sites on January 10, 2008, and at the upstream pond site on February 21, 2008. Fecal coliform levels were above the quantification limit (16,000 w/ 10x dilution) downstream on February 27, 2007 and below the quantification limit downstream on February 8, 2007 and at the upstream pond site on January 29, 2008.

54 AR 18920 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008

Table 43. E.Gallager fence project bacteria results. Pre or Total Coliform Fecal Coliform Instantaneous Load Date Location post (MPN/100 ml) (MPN/100 ml) Fecal Coliform (MPN/sec) 2/8/2007 upstream main pre 1700 1100 N/A upstream pond pre 14,000 3400 N/A downstream pre <200 <200 N/A 2/27/2007 upstream main pre 30,000 30,000 23,432,455.4 upstream pond pre 30,000 24,000 454,375.53 downstream pre >16,000 >16,000 N/A 1/10/2008 upstream main pre 8000 1400 641,914.47 upstream pond pre 50,000 24,000 358,878.50 downstream pre 24,000 24,000 17,597,281.22 1/29/2008 upstream main pre 24,000 1300 N/A upstream pond pre 2200 <200 N/A downstream pre 24,000 2300 1,507,278.39 2/21/2008 upstream main pre 3000 2300 93,797.79 upstream pond pre 30,000 8000 27,187.77 downstream pre 8000 1300 99,773.44

Gallager Seasonal Exclusion Fence

1,000,000 100,000 10,000

1,000 100 10

Fecal coliform (MPN/100ml) coliform Fecal 1

Upstream main 2/8/2007 2/27/2007 1/10/2008 1/29/2008 2/21/2008 Upstream pond Sample date Dow nstream

Figure 29. E.Gallager fence project fecal coliform results.

Sediment Analysis

All turbidity values exceeded the EPA Aggregate Ecoregion II criteria (2003) and six values exceeded the additional recommended criteria (Sigler et al., 1984). None of the TSS values exceeded the recommended criteria (50 mg/L) for acute sediment delivery (Newcomb and Jensen, 1996). These exceedances occurred at the upstream main and downstream sites on February 27, 2007 and during all but the last sampling event at the upstream pond location.

55 AR 18921 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008

Table 44. E.Gallager fence project sediment results. Pre or Total Suspended Turbidity Instantaneous Load Date Location post Solids (mg/L) (NTU) TSS (mg/sec) 2/8/2007 upstream main pre ND 3.3 N/A upstream pond pre 32 25.6 N/A downstream pre ND 3.03 N/A 2/27/2007 upstream main pre 16 50.5 1249.73 upstream pond pre 30 82.8 56.80 downstream pre 14 47.1 1499.92 1/10/2008 upstream main pre ND 16.3 N/A upstream pond pre 5.2 28.7 7.78 downstream pre ND 16.6 N/A 1/29/2008 upstream main pre ND 19.4 N/A upstream pond pre 5 40.2 8.35 downstream pre ND 21.5 N/A 2/21/2008 upstream main pre ND 7.59 N/A upstream pond pre 23 6.53 7.82 downstream pre 11 6.25 84.42

Gallager Seasonal Exclusion Fence

300

250

200 Upstream main Upstream pond 150 Dow nstream 100

50

Total Suspended Solids (mg/L) Solids Suspended Total 0

2/8/2007 2/27/2007 1/10/2008 1/29/2008 2/21/2008 Sample date

Figure 30. E.Gallager fence project TSS results.

Nutrient Analysis

None of the nitrate values exceeded the EPA quality criteria (10mg/L) for water (1986) or the additional recommended criteria (1.1 mg/L) for nutrients (Kincheloe et al., 1979; Crunkilton, 2000). There were no ammonia detections.

56 AR 18922 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008

Table 45. E.Gallager fence project nutrient results. Pre or Nitrate as N Ammonia Instantaneous Load Date Location post (mg/L) as N (mg/L) Nitrate as N (mg/sec) 2/8/2007 upstream main pre 0.19 ND N/A upstream pond pre ND ND N/A downstream pre 0.15 ND 0.51 2/27/2007 upstream main pre 0.25 ND 19.53 upstream pond pre ND ND N/A downstream pre 0.27 ND 28.93 1/10/2008 upstream main pre 0.5 ND 22.93 upstream pond pre 0.2 ND 0.30 downstream pre 0.52 ND 38.13 1/29/2008 upstream main pre 0.36 ND N/A upstream pond pre ND ND N/A downstream pre 0.36 ND 23.59 2/21/2008 upstream main pre 0.12 ND 0.49 upstream pond pre ND ND N/A downstream pre 0.12 ND 0.92

Gallager Seasonal Exclusion Fence

4 3.5 3 Upstream main 2.5 2 Upstream pond 1.5 Dow nstream 1 Nitrate as (mg/L) N Nitrate 0.5 0

2/8/2007 2/27/2007 1/10/2008 1/29/2008 2/21/2008 Sample date

Figure 31. E.Gallager fence project nitrate results.

Core Parameter Analysis

Values for dissolved oxygen did not fall below 7 mg/L, the San Francisco Bay Area RWQCB criteria. Three pH results fell below the lower criteria limit of 6.5 (RWQCB, 1995). The lowest pH measurement was 5.74, recorded at the upstream pond station on January 10, 2008. Specific conductance measurements ranged from 69.5 µS/cm, observed at the upstream pond location on January 29, 2008, to 187.3 µS/cm, observed upstream in the main drainage on February 8, 2007. Salinity measured 0.1 ppt at upstream main and downstream stations on February 27, 2007, January 10, 2008 and February 21, 2008 and at all three stations on February 8, 2007; all other salinity values were 0.0 ppt. Temperature fell below the 10-15.6˚C range at all three stations on January 29, 2008 and at upstream main and downstream locations on February 8, 2007. The highest instantaneous discharge measurement during a water quality monitoring visit to the Gallager fence project site was 3.78 cfs , recorded downstream on February 27, 2007.

57 AR 18923 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008

Table 46. E.Gallager fence project core parameter results.

Pre or Sp. Conductance Dissolved H20 Temp Discharge Date Location post (µS/cm) Oxygen (mg/l) pH (˚C) (cfs) 2/8/2007 upstream main pre 187.3 8.87 7.03 9.8 N/A upstream pond pre 112 9.98 6.87 11.8 N/A downstream pre 171.1 10.03 6.93 9.7 0.12 2/27/2007 upstream main pre 107.9 10.6 6.86 10.3 2.76 upstream pond pre 87 8.8 6.35 10.7 0.07 downstream pre 108.5 10.17 6.67 10.5 3.78 1/10/2008 upstream main pre 108.6 10.67 6.66 10.6 1.62 upstream pond pre 72.8 9.5 5.74 10.4 0.05 downstream pre 110.8 10.13 6.51 10.6 2.59 1/29/2008 upstream main pre 96.9 10.85 6.93 9.2 N/A upstream pond pre 69.5 8.88 6.2 9.1 0.06 downstream pre 98.5 10.59 6.75 9.2 2.31 2/21/2008 upstream main pre 158.7 10.37 6.94 10 0.14 upstream pond pre 91.2 10.57 6.63 12.4 0.01 downstream pre 147.2 10.38 6.82 10.6 0.27

Stewart Ranch Seasonal Exclusion Fencing

Bacteria analysis

All but four fecal coliform values, observed at the upstream and downstream N locations on January 29, 2008 and February 21, 2008 exceeded EPA bacteriological criteria for contact recreation. Fecal coliform values also exceeded criteria for non-contact recreation at both downstream locations on January 10, 2008 and at the downstream S site on February 21, 2008. The highest fecal coliform values have occurred at the downstream S sampling location.

Table 47. Stewart fence project bacteria results. Pre or Total Coliform Fecal Coliform Instantaneous Load Date Location post (MPN/100 ml) (MPN/100 ml) Fecal Coliform (MPN/sec) 2/13/2007 upstream pre 2000 2000 1,115,831.2 downstream S pre 3300 3300 1,878,504.7 downstream N pre 1700 1700 96,290 2/26/2007 upstream pre 2300 1300 388,785.05 downstream S pre 2700 2200 843,613.71 downstream N pre 3000 2300 122,458.23 1/10/2008 upstream pre 3000 2300 707,391.67 downstream S pre 24,000 24,000 367,034.83 downstream N pre 5000 5000 2,002,265.6 1/29/2008 upstream pre 2200 200 69,385.44 downstream S pre 9000 2300 7816.48 downstream N pre 3000 400 166,638.35 2/21/2008 upstream pre 900 400 5550.84 downstream S pre 90,000 13,000 51,543.47 downstream N pre 1700 400 18,125.18

58 AR 18924 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008

Stew art Seasonal Exclusion Fence

1,000,000 100,000 10,000 Upstream 1,000 Dow nstream S 100 Dow nstream N 10 1 Fecalcoliform (MPN/100ml)

2/13/2007 2/26/2007 1/10/2008 1/29/2008 2/21/2008 Sample date

Figure 32. Stewart fence project fecal coliform results.

Sediment Analysis

All turbidity values exceeded the EPA Aggregate Ecoregion II criteria (2003) and four values exceeded the additional recommended criteria (Sigler et al., 1984). These exceedances occurred at the upstream and downstream S sites on February 13, 2007 and at both downstream locations on February 21, 2008.

There were only two TSS detections, both of which occurred at the downstream S sampling station. The TSS value observed on February 21, 2008 exceeded the recommended criteria (50 mg/L) for acute sediment delivery (Newcomb and Jensen, 1996). Data was not graphed because the majority of samples were non-detects.

Table 48. Stewart fence project sediment results. Pre or Total Suspended Turbidity Instantaneous Load Date Location post Solids (mg/L) (NTU) TSS (mg/sec) 2/13/2007 upstream pre ND 28.2 N/A downstream S pre ND 30.7 N/A downstream N pre ND 22.1 N/A 2/26/2007 upstream pre ND 20.4 N/A downstream S pre ND 20.6 N/A downstream N pre ND 24.6 N/A 1/10/2008 upstream pre ND 14.5 N/A downstream S pre ND 10.8 N/A downstream N pre ND 19 N/A 1/29/2008 upstream pre ND 17.2 N/A downstream S pre 8.3 18.8 2.82 downstream N pre ND 15.3 N/A 2/21/2008 upstream pre ND 8.98 N/A downstream S pre 82 99.9 32.51 downstream N pre ND 27.5 N/A

59 AR 18925 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008

Nutrient Analysis

One nitrate value, observed at the downstream S location on February 10, 2008, exceeded the recommended criteria (1.1 mg/L) for nutrients (Kincheloe et al., 1979; Crunkilton, 2000). None of the nitrate values exceeded the EPA quality criteria (10mg/L) for water (1986). There were no ammonia detections.

Table 49. Stewart fence project nutrient results. Pre or Nitrate as N Ammonia Instantaneous Load Date Location post (mg/L) as N (mg/L) Nitrate as N (mg/sec) 2/13/2007 upstream pre 0.43 ND 23.99 downstream S pre 0.43 ND 24.48 downstream N pre 0.36 ND 2.039 2/26/2007 upstream pre 0.36 ND 10.77 downstream S pre 0.36 ND 13.81 downstream N pre 0.27 ND 1.44 1/10/2008 upstream pre 0.54 ND 16.61 downstream S pre 1.72 ND 2.63 downstream N pre 0.59 ND 23.63 1/29/2008 upstream pre 0.43 ND 14.92 downstream S pre 1.06 ND 0.36 downstream N pre 0.45 ND 18.75 2/21/2008 upstream pre 0.27 ND 0.37 downstream S pre 0.34 ND 0.13 downstream N pre 0.23 ND 1.04

Stew art Seasonal Exclusion Fence

4 3.5 3 2.5 Upstream 2 Dow nstream S 1.5 Dow nstream N 1 Nitrate as (mg/L) N Nitrate 0.5 0

2/13/2007 2/26/2007 1/10/2008 1/29/2008 2/21/2008 Sample date

Figure 33. Stewart fence project nitrate results.

Core Parameter Analysis

Values for dissolved oxygen did not fall below 7 mg/L, the San Francisco Bay Area RWQCB criteria. Seven pH results fell below the lower criteria limit of 6.5 (RWQCB, 1995). The lowest pH measurement was 5.67, recorded at the downstream S station on January 10, 2008. Specific conductance measurements ranged from 87.7 µS/cm, observed at the downstream S location on

60 AR 18926 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008

February 13, 2007, to 116.2 µS/cm, observed at the downstream N station on February 21, 2008. Salinity measured 0.1 ppt at upstream main and downstream N stations on February 21, 2008, at the downstream N station on February 26, 2007 and at the downstream S location on January 10, 2008; all other salinity values were 0.0 ppt. Temperature fell below the 10-15.6˚C range at all but five sampling events. The highest instantaneous discharge measurement during a water quality monitoring visit to the Stewart fence project site was 2.01 cfs, recorded at the downstream S station on February 13, 2007.

Table 50. Stewart fence project core parameter results.

Pre or Sp. Conductance Dissolved H20 Temp Discharge Date Location post (µS/cm) Oxygen (mg/l) pH (˚C) (cfs) 2/13/2007 upstream pre 89.4 11.58 6.98 10 1.97 downstream S pre 87.7 11.56 6.74 9.9 2.01 downstream N pre 101.9 9.71 6.41 9.7 0.2 2/26/2007 upstream pre 99.2 11.09 7.11 10.1 1.06 downstream S pre 99.8 10.67 6.93 10.3 1.35 downstream N pre 108.9 9.35 6.53 10.2 0.19 1/10/2008 upstream pre 95.7 11.7 6.44 9.9 1.09 downstream S pre 110.1 9.36 5.67 10.4 0.05 downstream N pre 95.8 11.16 6.31 9.9 1.41 1/29/2008 upstream pre 88.7 11.43 6.87 8.3 1.23 downstream S pre 102.6 7.84 6.02 8.6 0.01 downstream N pre 88.8 11.08 6.76 8.5 1.47 2/21/2008 upstream pre 113.5 10.92 6.72 8.8 0.05 downstream S pre 94.6 7.32 5.79 9.4 0.01 downstream N pre 116.2 8.8 6.22 9.2 0.16

Discussion

While results from this monitoring effort provide information on non-point source pollutant levels at project sites before and after BMP implementation, the sample size is too small to make definitive statements regarding pollutant reductions or BMP effectiveness. The schedule of water quality monitoring and BMP implementation also limits the conclusions that can be made. For example, BMP implementation continued into the 2007-2008 rainyear, during which post- implementation monitoring was conducted. Post-implementation data, therefore, does not represent water quality conditions associated with a fully stabilized project. In addition, temporal variability of pollutant constituent concentrations from annual rangeland watersheds is substantial and occurs at the storm event, seasonal, and annual time scales (Tate et al., 1999). One year of pre and one year of post data yields a small dataset which cannot adequately represent this inherent variability of non-point source pollution on rangeland watersheds.

Given these limitations, the results for each project can still give insight into water quality conditions during storm events at BMP project sites. Pre and post implementation data available for six of the projects can help to assess the beginning performance of each BMP in locally reducing pollutant delivery to the adjacent waterway.

For the Lupton Road Decommission/Creek Stabilization project, the post-implementation data suggests a reduction of pathogens, sediment, and nutrients. For example, during the last post

61 AR 18927 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008 project sampling event, the downstream fecal coliform level was approximately 57% lower than upstream. While one pre-project downstream TSS value exceeded the recommended sediment criteria, none of the post-project TSS values exceeded this standard. Both pre-project downstream nitrate values exceeded nutrient criteria (1.1 mg/L), yet all of the post-project values fell below this number.

Data from the Truttman Headcut Repair project suggests a reduction in sediment, which was the main intent of this project. During the only post-project sampling event to produce significant TSS levels, the downstream TSS value was 29% less than the upstream value. With further project stabilization and growth of planted vegetation, it is hopeful that this project will increase its capacity to capture and retain sediment.

The results from the Truttman Road Repair also suggest a reduction in sediment. During a major storm event post-project, the downstream TSS value was lower than an upstream value. The drainage next to the road with the series of headcuts does remain a potential sediment source. While nitrate values observed at the headcut station exceeded nutrient criteria during all post- project sampling events, the nitrate values downstream still remain considerably lower.

For the Rogers Headcut Repair, the data suggests a reduction in sediment and pathogens. While nitrate levels immediately downstream of the project exceeded nutrient criteria (1.1 mg/L) during post-project sampling, nitrate values downstream in the main tributary remained below this number.

Data from the McIsaac Spring Project suggests a reduction in sediment, nutrients, and pathogens. This is especially so for ammonia, which was detected in all pre-project samples, but in none of the samples post-project.

Giacomini Riparian Exclusion Fence project data suggests a reduction in pathogen delivery. While downstream fecal coliform levels were still greater than upstream levels post-project, the difference between upstream and downstream values post project is less than this difference pre- project.

The results of this water quality monitoring effort help to demonstrate the effectiveness of rangeland BMPs at locally reducing non-point source pollutant delivery to streams. As these projects stabilize over the next several years, it is expected that their performance will improve. Each BMP project has an incremental effect on improving water quality conditions as a whole, and is a necessary component of the strategy to achieve proposed TMDL water quality objectives in the Tomales Bay watershed.

62 AR 18928 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008

PHOTO AND SITE CONDITION ASSESSMENT MONITORING

Photo monitoring and site condition assessment monitoring were conducted quarterly at all sites. This section discusses the results of monitoring at each of the ten projects sites.

Genazzi Ranch Riparian Exclusion Fencing (GEN_RE)

Photo-monitoring took place at the Genazzi Fence project site on 1/30/07, 5/10/07, 8/30/07, 11/26/07, 3/19/08, 6/10/08, and 9/5/08. Additional photos were taken during construction. Pre- project monitoring showed vegetation in the immediate riparian area to be dominated by alder (Alnus sp.), willow, trailing blackberry, and poison hemlock. In the adjacent pasture area, a mixture of non-native grasses such as barley (Hordeum sp.), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), and soft brome grow. Non-native forb species such as storksbill (Erodium sp.), clover (Trifoium sp.), dock (Rumex sp.) and plantain (Plantago lanceolata) are widespread. Isolated patches of rush and sedge are present on the west side of the pasture.

Invasive non-native plants include Italian thistle (Carduus pycnocephalus), bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare), and distaff thistle (Carthamus lanatus). Distaff thistle is a species especially concerning to park managers and the problem on this ranch extends beyond the population observed in the project area. PRNS staff may perform control efforts on the plants in the project area when a strategy is developed to address the greater population.

This riparian zone of this reach of Lagunitas Creek is impacted by cattle access to the creek. The lower branches of many trees bordering the creek are damaged and/ or broken off, with areas of bare ground below. Fresh cow pies and many tracks were observed on the sandy flats by the water. On at least one monitoring visit, approximately ten to twelve cows were counted accessing the creek from the adjacent pasture. At the southern end of this pasture, the streambank drops off steeply from the land above and is largely bare soil with areas sloughing off. While the streambank on this south end seems to be actively eroding, small willow, alder, and blackberry shrubs are colonizing the bank.

While the established photopoints focus on the section of riparian area most obviously impacted, the fence constructed actually protects a much larger portion of Lagunitas Creek from cattle access. The fence at Genazzi Ranch was completed by June of 2008. On two post-project monitoring visits, the gate on the fence was found open, thus still allowing cattle access. When the ranch operator was contacted regarding this, he explained the gate was opened during a temporary failing of their water system that is used to provide cattle with an alternate water source. On the monitoring visit in September 2008, the fence was again open and recent cattle utilization of the riparian pasture was obvious. Many fresh cow pies dotted the pasture and streambank and the area had very little vegetative cover. PRNS staff made signs to post on the gate to remind ranch staff and alert members of the public who may utilize an informal trail in the area to close the gate after use. With compliance from the ranch operator, the constructed fence will prevent direct pathogen delivery to this stretch of Lagunitas creek while allowing the riparian area to recover and expand.

63 AR 18929 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008

Giacomini Ranch Riparian Exclusion Fencing (GIA_RE)

Photo-monitoring took place at the Giacomini Fence project site on 1/22/07, 5/9/07, 8/30/07, 11/27/07, 3/18/08, 6/4/08, and 9/4/08. Pre-project monitoring showed vegetation on the immediate riparian area be dominated largely by coyotebrush (Baccharis pilularis), poison oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum), and California blackberry (Rubus ursinus). A few live oaks (Quercus agrifolia) and California bay laurel (Umbellularia californica) trees are also present in the riparian zone of the project area. Non-native plants near or in the channel included poison hemlock (Conium maculatum), teasel (Dipsacus sp.), and pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium). While most of the streambanks had a heavy amount of vegetation, banks were sparsely vegetated and eroding at cattle access points.

The bottomland grassland adjacent to the riparian area is dominated by the suite of non-native annual and perennial grasses such as perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), wild oat grass (Avena sp.), soft brome (Bromus hordeaceus), and dogtail grass (Cynosurus echinatus). A variety of rush species (Juncus sp.) also exist in patches throughout the area. Non-native forb species such as storksbill (Erodium sp.), cats-ear (Hypochaeris sp.), and plantain (Plantago lanceolata) are widespread. Invasive non-native plants included Italian thistle (Carduus pycnocephalus) and bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare). While cows were not present on site during most pre-project photo-monitoring visits, on at least one occasion fresh cow patties served as evidence of recent livestock utilization.

After the fence was constructed from the riparian area and adjacent buffer, areas once impacted by cattle were allowed to recover. Post-project monitoring showed tall flatsedge (Cyperus eragrostis), purple needlegrass (Nassella pulchra), and California oatgrass (Danthonia californica) growing on streambanks at former cattle access points. At least one coyotebrush seedling was also observed growing in this area. Later in the season, perennial ryegrass, bentgrass (Agrostis sp.), and Mediterranean barley (Hordeum marinum) were observed growing in the dry channel bottom.

The bottomland grassland area, now ungrazed, has greater biomass to increase its function as a riparian buffer. No real change in vegetative composition has yet been observed, but certain species, such as California blackberry have resprouted in the grazing exclosure and started to expand. The protection of the stream channel and bottomland area, and the diversity of species that occupy it, will improve its performance as a healthy riparian reach.

E. Gallager Ranch Seasonal Exclusion Fencing (GAL_SG)

Photo-monitoring took place at the E. Gallager Fence project site on 1/8/07, 5/8/07, 8/27/07, 11/27/07, 3/20/08, 6/10/08, and 9/5/08. Pre-project monitoring showed vegetation in the immediate riparian area to be dominated largely by live oak (Quercus agrifolia) and willow (Salix sp.). Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium), mannagrass (Glyceria occidentalis), and dock (Rumex sp.) grows in and/or on the sides of the channel. Spiny cocklebur (Xanthium spinosum), an invasive non-native, was found growing in the channel bottom when dry.

64 AR 18930 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008

A distinct portion of the floodplain north of the channel is dominated by a combination of native slough sedge (Carex obnupta) and poison hemlock (Conium maculatum). The remainder of the bottomland area is populated with non-native grasses such as perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), soft brome (Bromus hordeaceus), barley (Hordeum sp.), and velvetgrass (Holcus lanatus). Invasive non-native plants in the bottomland area include Italian thistle (Carduus pycnocephalus), milk thistle (Silybum marianum), and bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare).

Stream channel conditions pre-project were degraded by erosion at cattle access points. Several areas under trees in the riparian area were impacted by cattle as they congregate there for shade and rest. In these locations, the ground was bare and lower branches damaged and/ or broken off. In three of five pre-project monitoring visits, fresh cow pies and tracks served as evidence of recent livestock utilization.

The E. Gallager Seasonal Exclusion fence project was completed by June of 2008. The area will be seasonally excluded for the first time during the wet season of 2008-2009. Therefore, post- project monitoring visits have not really documented vegetative recovery or changes that might occur as a result of the seasonal exclusion. While the main intent of the project is to reduce pathogen delivery to the stream dissecting this pasture, seasonal exclusion of cattle could also help some of the impacted spots recover and stabilize.

Stewart Ranch Seasonal Exclusion Fencing (STE_SG)

Photo-monitoring took place at the project site on 1/22/07, 5/9/07, 8/29/07, 11/27/07, 3/18/08, 6/5/08, and 9/5/08. For the purposes of site condition assessment, the area was divided into two sections: the bottomland pasture area and the eroded crossing area.

Pre-project monitoring showed vegetation in the eroded crossing/ riparian area to be dominated by live oak (Quercus agrifolia), California bay laurel (Umbellularia californica), California blackberry (Rubus ursinus), and poison oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum). Non-natives in the area include Italian thistle (Carduus pycnocephalus), bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare) milk thistle (Silybum marianum), pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium), and poison hemlock (Conium maculatum). Almost half of the area consists of bare ground, much of which has severely eroded through use as a cattle crossing area. Sediment that erodes from this slope delivers directly into the stream below.

Vegetation in the bottomland pasture area is dominated by non-native grasses such as perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and barley (Hordeum sp.). Patches of spreading rush (Juncus patens), dock (Rumex sp.), pennyroyal, and tarweed (Madia sp.) are also common in the area. The same invasive non-natives present in the eroded crossing area also grow in the bottomland area, with the addition of spiny cocklebur (Xanthium spinosum) and rosy sandcrocus (Romulea rosea).

The stream channel proved to be dynamic even over the course of pre-project monitoring. During the winter of 2007, as the stream entered the bottomland pasture, it split into two defined channels that bordered the pasture then joined together again before entering a culvert under

65 AR 18931 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008

Highway 1. During monitoring in spring of 2008, there was a noticeable change in which all or the majority of flow entering the bottomland stayed in the north channel which runs below the eroded crossing. In addition, the north channel had noticeably downcut during the 2008 season. In some places, the downcut distance from bed to top of bank was measured at two feet. Downstream of the bottomland pasture, a small channel still existed on the south side, but it seemed to be mostly fed by runoff from trailing leading into the area. The south channel also caught some diffuse drainage from the bottomland. It is unclear whether these hydrologic changes were confounded by the fact that the culvert under Highway 1 is in disrepair.

The Stewart Ranch Seasonal Exclusion fence project was completed by June of 2008. The area will be seasonally excluded for the first time during the wet season of 2008-2009. Revegetation components of the project, such as seeding and mulching bare areas, were implemented with the onset of rains in fall of 2008. Additional photos were taken at the completion of these components. Therefore, up to this point, post-project monitoring visits have not really documented vegetative recovery or changes that might occur as a result of seasonal exclusion. While the area will no longer be utilized as a main cattle crossing, ranch staff will still use a path down the slope for occasional ATV crossing. By changing the use pattern and seasonally excluding cattle, sediment and pathogen delivery to the stream dissecting this pasture will be reduced.

J Ranch (Kehoe) Spring Development (KEH_SD)

Photo-monitoring took place at the J Ranch Spring Development project site on 12/28/06, 2/2/07, 5/8/07, 8/27/07, 11/27/07, 3/20/08, 6/10/08, and 9/26/08. Some additional photos were taken during construction. For the purposes of site condition assessment, the area was divided into three separate sections: the north spring/slump area, the south spring, and the trailing area between the east and south spring.

Pre-project monitoring showed vegetation in the north spring/ slump area to be dominated by mannagrass (Glyceria occidentalis), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), rushes (Juncus sp.), and clover (Trifolium sp.). Floating marshpennywort (Hydrocotyle ranunculoides) occupies large areas of standing water. Invasive non-native plants include Italian thistle (Carduus pycnocephalus), milk thistle (Silybum marianum), and bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare). Occasional shrub seedlings or reprouts of California blackberry (Rubus ursinus) and coyotebrush (Baccharis pilularis) were observed in the area. One small currant (Ribes sp.) shrub was also found on the border of the wet area.

In contrast, the south spring is dominated by shrub species such as California wax myrtle (Myrica californica), and salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis). There is some evidence of hedging/ highlining of shrubs, with lower branches sparse or damaged and the plant resprouting from the base. Understory species are similar to the north spring, and also include species such as watercress (Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum), nettle (Urtica sp.), and poison hemlock (Conium maculatum).

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Both the north and south spring/ drainage areas are eroded at cattle access points and impacted by extensive cattle trailing. Active slumping is especially apparent on the east side of the north spring drainage. In both springs, relatively wide seep areas drain into narrow channels (< 3 ft.). These two drainages join in the old stockpond area, forming a small perennial stream which then travels down a section of channel consisting largely of bedrock.

Clearly evident in the photos, the trailing area between the east and south spring is largely bare and severely eroded. A series of ruts have eroded into deeper gullies, with erosion starting to extend up sidehills. Species that do occupy some of the impacted area include perennial ryegrass, dogtail grass (Cynosurus echinatus), cats-ear (Hypochaeris sp.), and plantain (Plantago lanceolata).

Some species of concern to park managers also exist at the overall site. Two plants on the park’s rare plant list occur: Franciscan thistle (Cirsium andrewsii) and rosy linanthus (Linanthus rosaceus). Western dog violet (Viola adunca), the host plant for the endangered Myrtle’s Silverspot Butterfly also exists in the project area. These populations have been mapped and documented. Plots have been installed to study the effect of grazing exclosure on the violet.

The spring development project was completed in September of 2008. While post-project monitoring documents the constructed infrastructure such as fence and water pipeline, it is too early to detect a change in vegetative cover through photos. Revegetation components of the project such as seeding and mulching bare areas were implemented in late November of 2008. Additional photos were taken at the completion of these components. The project will continue to be monitored for any changes that would warrant repair or additional management attention. The exclusion of cattle from the spring areas and revegetation efforts should stabilize the site and prevent direct pathogen delivery into the stream below.

McIsaac Ranch Spring Development (MCI_SD)

Photo-monitoring took place at the McIsaac Spring Development project site on 1/24/07, 5/10/07, 8/30/07, 11/20/07, 3/19/08, 6/5/08, and 9/5/08. Additional photos were taken during construction. Pre-project monitoring showed a highly impacted muddy area where cattle accessed the old water trough. The impacted area is on a steep slope above a stream. California blackberry (Rubus ursinus) and poison oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum) occupy the slope on the immediate southeast side of the piped spring. Mannagrass (Glyceria occidentalis) and rabbitfoot grass (Polypogon monospeliensis) grow in the wet ponding areas. Patches of rush (Juncus effuses) dot the wet area. The outer edges of the spring area are occupied by velvetgrass (Holcus lanatus), dogtail grass (Cynosurus echinatus), and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne). Invasive non-native plants included Italian thistle (Carduus pycnocephalus), milk thistle (Silybum marianum), and poison hemlock (Conium maculatum). The impacted spring area had several cattle trails leading to it from the pasture area. Cattle accessing the trough would sink deep in the muddy area and/or trample the surrounding vegetation.

After the constructed fence excluded cattle from the spring area, the area stabilized fairly quickly. During post-project monitoring in spring 2008, the once muddy impacted area was

67 AR 18933 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008 covered with native mannagrass (Glyceria occidentalis). Later in the season, rabbitfoot grass (Polypogon monospeliensis) dominated this area. During construction additional photopoints were established to document the installation of water tanks, troughs, and trenched pipeline. Areas disturbed during construction were seeded and mulched. Post- project photos show the areas disturbed during construction to be revegetating nicely with mixture of non-native and native grasses. The project will continue to be monitored for any changes that would warrant repair or additional management attention.

Rogers Ranch Headcut Repair (ROG_HC)

Photo-monitoring took place at the Rogers Headcut Repair project site on 1/5/07, 5/10/07, 8/27/07, 3/20/08, 6/5/08, and 9/4/08. Additional photos were taken during construction.

Pre-project monitoring showed vegetation in the swale to be dominated largely by perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), barley (Hordeum sp.), and pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium). Patches of non-native velvetgrass (Holcus lanatus), native sedge (Carex sp.) and irisleaf rush (Juncus xiphiodes) were also found in the swale. While mostly non-native grasses grew in areas upland of the swale, a fair amount of native grasses, such as purple needlegrass (Nassella pulchra) and California oatgrass (Danthonia californica) were also present.

Invasive non-native plants included bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare), Italian thistle (Carduus pycnocephalus), rigput brome (Bromus diandrus), and rosy sandcrocus (Romulea rosea). No shrub or tree seedlings were present in the swale, yet some existed between the lower headcut and the forested riparian area. The pre-project vegetated swale was degraded by a series of eroding headcuts and additional erosion at cattle access points.

After construction of the willow walls to stabilize the headcuts, monitoring visits allowed staff to identify areas that needed repair and/or reinforcement. During winter of 2008, additional willow brush and waddles were installed at each wall to help dissipate energy of water moving through the swale. Non-native thistles which invaded planted areas were removed and native plantings were watered when necessary. During post-project monitoring in spring 2008, planted species such as spreading rush (Juncus patens), meadow barley (Hordem brachyantherum), and coyotebrush (Baccharis pilularis) were doing well. Native mannagrass (Glyceria occidentalis) was also observed in the swale. Willow posts, stakes, weavers, and brush layers in the constructed walls were leafing out.

Later in the season, planted natives had high survivorship even as perennial ryegrass, velvetgrass, and pennyroyal still dominated in the overall swale area. Fewer sedge and irisleaf juncus were observed post-project. While this may be part of the site’s response to an extremely dry spring, the lack of grazing may have allowed non-native grasses suppress these other species. PRNS staff will continue to monitor the site for performance and vegetative cover.

68 AR 18934 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008

Truttman Ranch Headcut Repair (TRU_HC)

Photo-monitoring took place at the Truttman Headcut Repair project site on 1/25/07, 5/11/07, 8/20/07, 11/20/07, 3/18/08, 6/5/08, and 9/4/08. Additional photos were taken during construction. Pre-project monitoring showed vegetation in areas adjacent to the incised channel to be dominated largely by non-native grasses such as perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), wild oat grass (Avena sp.) and soft brome (Bromus hordeaceus). Some native tall flatsedge (Cyperus eragrostis) was growing in the lower part of the channel and isolated patches of California blackberry (Rubus ursinus) and poison oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum) were observed on the sides and tops of the steep downcut banks. Invasive non-native plants in the area included Italian thistle (Carduus pycnocephalus), milk thistle (Silybum marianum), bulbous canarygrass (Phalaris aquatica), and rigput brome (Bromus diandrus).

Stream channel conditions pre-project consisted of steep gully walls and a flat bottom, with an actively eroding head at the eastern end of the project area. With these conditions, the stream was disconnected from its historical floodplain area. At the western end of the gully, erosion was exacerbated by cattle access and wallowing areas.

Structural modifications to the project site, such as the construction of new rock grade control structures, are evident from photo-monitoring. With the gully filled and graded and the low flow channel restored, water can now spread out over both sides of the floodplain. During post- project monitoring in spring 2008, planted rush (Juncus sp.), tall flatsedge, and native grasses such as California brome (Bromus carinatus) and meadow barley (Hordem brachyantherum) were doing well in the channel. Grass seedlings (species unidentifiable at this time) were growing through the erosion control fabric.

A small area of concern at the top of the eastern rock structure was identified by park staff during monitoring. Thick erosion control fabric laid here is the seam joining the existing low flow channel above the project with the constructed area. While fabric here was installed according to specification in the design, some agitation must have occurred at this spot causing a small pooled area to form. Repair work was discussed with designers and the grant manager during the project site tour in June of 2008.

Later in the season, which was especially dry during spring/ summer of 2008, some of the planted rush species looked stressed and the channel was also populating with regular group of non-native grasses such as perennial ryegrass and soft brome. During monitoring in fall of 2008, non-native black mustard (Brassica nigra), horseweed (Conyza canadensis), and corn spurry (Spergula arvensis) seemed to be dominating growth on the shaped berm areas. While these weeds are fairly ubiquitous near roadsides throughout the park, an additional non-native especially concerning to park managers, maltese star thistle (Centaurea melitensis), was found on the berm south of the channel. All specimens of maltese star thistle found at the site were removed and the site will be monitored to ensure that this species does not establish itself within the fenced project area.

PRNS staff planted supplemental coyotebrush around rock structures early December of 2008. The project will continue to be monitored to ensure performance under storm conditions.

69 AR 18935 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008

Truttman Ranch Road Repair (TRU_RR)

Photo-monitoring took place at the Truttman Road project site on 1/25/07, 5/14/07, 8/1/07, 11/26/07, 3/18/08, 6/5/08, and 9/5/08. Additional photos were taken during construction.

Pre-project monitoring showed vegetation to be dominated largely by non-native grasses such as rigput brome (Bromus diandrus), barley (Hordeum sp.), soft brome (Bromus hordeaceus), wild oat grass (Avena sp.), and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne). Vegetation in the stream channel which the road dissects also consists of pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium), various docks (Rumex sp.), and occasional patches of rush (Juncus sp.) and tall flatsedge (Cyperus eragrostis). Immediately downstream of where the ranch road crosses the stream, there is lateral erosion on the west side streambank with deposition on the eastern side. This deposition site is colonized largely by non-native Italian thistle (Carduus pycnocephalus), milk thistle (Silybum marianum). A few woody seedlings were established on the sand/gravel bed and lower in the channel.

A small population of distaff thistle (Carthamus lanatus), a species especially concerning to park managers, was found on the sides on the ranch road in the project area. PRNS staff has performed control efforts on this population and will continue to monitor and remove plants as needed.

While the eroded ranch road which crosses the stream was a main contributor of sediment, a drainage on the south side of the road has a series of headcuts that may also deliver sediment to the main stream.

After grading and construction of four waterbar/ ditchout features, the road was rocked and compacted. Water now is transported off the road before it enters the stream channel. During post-project monitoring in spring 2008, some minor erosion features were identified in the project area. About 15 ft above the top waterbar, a four to six inch deep ditch crossed the roadbed and emptied into the top ditchout area. Also, some of the roadbase in the area where the insloped section of road meets adjacent pasture was transported and deposited in the ditchout for the largest waterbar at the base of the slope. Repair on these features of the road, including the addition of another waterbar at the top of the road slope was completed in November 2008.

As there is no fence associated with this project, cattle still have access to the stream in the project area and it is not expected that any major shifts will occur in vegetative cover. The project will continue to be monitored for any changes that would warrant repair or additional management attention.

Lupton Ranch Road Realignment/ Creek Stabilization (LUP_RR)

Photo-monitoring took place at the Lupton Road project site on 1/22/07, 5/9/07, 8/30/07, 11/26/07, 3/18/08, 6/4/08, and 9/4/08. Additional photos were taken during construction. Pre-project monitoring showed vegetation on the immediate north side of the lower channel to be dominated largely by spikerush (Eleocharis sp.). Tall flatsedge (Cyperus eragrostis), pennyroyal

70 AR 18936 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008

(Mentha pulegium), soft brome (Bromus hordeaceus), and various docks (Rumex sp.) were also co- dominants in the channel. Eroded areas of the channel and adjacent/overlapping road were largely bare, and outer areas were dominated by the suite of non-native annual and perennial grasses such as perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), wild oat grass (Avena sp.)

Invasive non-native plants included Italian thistle (Carduus pycnocephalus) and milk thistle (Silybum marianum). A small population of invasive distaff thistle (Carthamus lanatus), a species especially concerning to park managers, was found on the hill directly south of the project. PRNS staff has performed control efforts on the population that exists within the fenced project area. No distaff thistle was found in the area during the monitoring visit on 9/4/08.

Stream channel conditions pre-project were degraded by erosion at cattle access points and in the area where the deeply rutted road traveled through the channel/ floodplain area. Erosion was most severe in the area of the channel with the steepest gradient. A narrow, intermittent strip of vegetated floodplain existed only on the north side of the channel.

Obvious landscape shifts in the project site after construction are evident from photo-monitoring. With the road decommissioned and low flow channel restored, water can now spread out over both sides of the developing floodplain. During post-project monitoring in spring 2008, mannagrass (Glyceria occidentalis) and spikerush dominated channel/ floodplain vegetation followed by planted species such as meadow barley (Hordem brachyantherum), spreading rush (Juncus patens), and tall flatsedge. Meadow barley was doing especially well in the channel floodplain area below the fourth rock structure. Grass seedlings (species unidentifiable at this time) were growing through the erosion control fabric. Willow stakes planted around the pools below rock structures were sprouting.

While there was still a good representation of planted, seeded, and self-established natives later in the season, non-native grasses did move into the channel/floodplain area. Perennial ryegrass and rabbitfoot grass (Polypogon monospeliensis) were especially dominant. Bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare) and hyssop loosestrife (Lythrum hyssopifolia) were additional non-natives observed in bordering areas. A positive addition of coyotebrush (Baccharis pilularis) seedlings were observed on the slope below the western section of decommissioned road. PRNS staff planted supplemental coyotebrush around rock structures during December of 2008. The project will continue to be monitored for any changes that would warrant repair or additional management attention.

71 AR 18937 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008

DISCUSSION

The Project was a great success with the completion of ten demonstration BMPs intended to reduce non-point source pollution into surface water from the pastoral zone of PRNS and GGNRA in the Tomales Bay Watershed. The Project was successful primarily due to the collaboration between PRNS staff and the stakeholders within the watershed and the effort undertaken by PRNS staff. This section discusses lessons learned and provides recommendations for future actions to reduce nonpoint source pollution from actively grazed pasture.

Lessons Learned

Through the planning and implementation of the Project, PRNS staff and partners gained valuable knowledge that will help guide and improve efficiency and success of future efforts. Important lessons include those regarding costs, permitting, project follow-up maintenance, revegetation, construction impacts, and water quality monitoring.

Cost Savings

Due to funding limitations compared to the actual costs of implementing all phases of each project with private contractors, PRNS staff and volunteers implemented major components of the larger projects. This resulted in cost savings for the Project, but required extensive time from the Range Management Specialist which took away from time required to manage the range program.

The use of the PRNS road crew to implement the earthwork at Truttman Headcut, Truttman Road, and follow-up treatment at Lupton Road resulted in significant cost savings. Cost savings are based on: 1) the use of PRNS equipment such as a loader, dump trucks and grader; 2) the direct purchase of rock from a supplier; and 3) no overhead, profit, or other costs associated with the private sector. Significant cost saving occurred by having PRNS staff and volunteers implement all phases of erosion control and revegetation.

We used three different approaches for seed procurement; direct purchase of native grass seed from a grower, hiring a contractor to collect native seed from park lands, and having volunteers collect seed from park land. The price of native seed is extremely high compared to nonnative grass seed and the direct purchase of seed comes with significant costs. The use of a contractor to collect seed was also a significant cost for the quantity of seed collected. Having volunteers collect seed was very cost effective, but resulted in limited quantities of seed. The use of native grass seed in BMP implementation needs to be taken into consideration during grant proposal development and project design.

Project Follow-up

Three of the projects required design specifications: Lupton Road, Truttman Headcut, and Rogers Headcut. All three projects were built to specification and signed off by an independent inspector. All three projects required follow-up treatment following the first significant rains.

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The design for the stream restoration section of the Lupton Road decommissioning process placed the thalweg of the stream to be a couple of feet from the edge of coir blanket to reduce impacts to wetlands. The specifications required trenching and pinning the edge of blanket. The first significant flow was high enough to erode the fill within the trench. To fix this problem, staff placed clumps of spikerush and cobbles into the trench. Following rain events washed over the trench, but did not cause erosion. Future stream designs need to consider the effects of high flows that occur in the first few years following project implementation and include specifications to ensure that high flow does not result in erosion.

The design for the Truttman Headcut tied the coir fabric into the natural stream channel at the upper end of the project. The Truttman Headcut is not a typical headcut where turbulence at the base of the feature erodes the bottom of the headcut resulting the collapse of the upper part of the feature and sedimentation of downstream runoff. The Truttman Headcut was actually downcutting through alluvium resulting in a five foot deep gully. In-stream flow hitting the fabric resulted in turbulence that eroded the alluvium upstream of the fabric. A splash pool formed and a small gully formed above the project. During final inspection with PCI and the grant manager, potential fixes for the problem were discussed. The fix agreed upon was to slope the fabric under the alluvium in the upstream direction and to place one foot minus cobble in the newly forming gully. The intent of this approach is to eliminate the resistance from the keyed in fabric and to slow flow enough to allow deposition of sediment into the gully eliminating the gully. This project will continue to be monitored and if the fix does not heal the new gully, a different approach will be used to correct the problem.

The design for the splash zone below the willow walls included willow whips placed under the wall protruding out into the gully at the base of the wall to dissipate energy in the flowing water as it falls over the wall. The placement of the energy dissipaters was based on the presumed flow location over the walls. Once the winter rains came the water flowed in the lowest areas and over the walls. The energy dissipaters were not necessarily located where the overflow occurred resulting in the creation of a small splash pool which undercut the willow wall and piped material from behind the willow wall. In addition, the extensive work in the headcut bottom during construction may have created lower areas in the channel that resulted in small headcuts migrating under the willow walls eroding material behind the walls creating piping. PRNS staff rectified the problems by filling all splash pools with rock and soil, reinforcing the brush dissipater layers, and staking willow wattles at the base of each willow wall. All areas where piping occurred were filled with soil, seeded, and covered with coir fabric. The structures withstood all precipitation events following this fix.

Water Availability

The spring of 2008 was a record dry spring. No rain fell during the months of March, April, and May. In fact, the first rains after February occurred in October resulting in no natural watering of the projects during critical growing periods. Budget limitations did not allow for an irrigation system at any of the project sites. Irrigation systems can cost tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars and is often the most expensive part of revegetation projects. Revegetation with native grass plugs had limited success due to lack of spring rains and an irrigation system. Supplemental watering did occur during the spring. However, supplemental watering was

73 AR 18939 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008 implemented with a 3 gallon backpack sprayer. This is a slow methodical process that can consume days watering small areas. We will continue to monitor the revegetation component of projects to ensure that vegetation stabilizes project sites.

The restored channel at Truttman Headcut was revegetated with both upland and wetland plant species. During initial discussions with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), we concluded that the alluvium at the project location did not hold sufficient subsurface water to support wetland species. In response to this, we did not plant willows at the project site. The majority of wetland species planted within the restored channel did not survive the first year after planting/seeding. In the future we will not attempt to establish wetland plant species on deep alluvial fans.

Habitat

The successful implementation of the Project resulted in the establishment of habitat for a variety of species. The splash pools below the grade control structures at the Lupton Road Project were inhabited by both Pacific tree frogs and California red-legged frogs. The Pacific tree frogs successfully bred in two of the pools. The riparian exclosure projects including the headcuts and spring created tall grass prairies within the adjacent short grass grazed pastures. This diversity of habitat across the landscape provides habitat for differing avian species. The ground disturbance at Truttman Headcut created denuded areas that were quickly colonized by pocket gophers. Over time, all project sites should stabilize and habitat should develop for a variety of species.

Fence Length

Preliminary fence length estimates were made based on available funding and the landscape where the fence was to be installed. During the layout of the fence on the Genazzi Ranch, it was determined that the fence needed to be larger than anticipated. Once in the field with a measuring wheel and layout stakes, it was determined that the fence would need to be longer in order to end the fence at a location where cattle could not walk around the fence and down to Lagunitas Creek.

The layout for the fence at Stewart Ranch was modified based on available funding at the point in time we went to construction. We implemented this project as the last grant funded project. We used this approach to accommodate true costs for implementing the other projects. Once we were ready to build the fence, remaining funds were not sufficient to build the estimated length of fence. We modified the design to meet project goals. An additional small temporary fence was installed by PRNS staff during the fall of 2008 to protect the seeded slopes above the stream.

Construction Impacts

Construction activities at Lupton Road and Rogers Headcut resulted in soil erosion during storm events. The section of Lupton Road below the project site was modified to allow access for the equipment required to implement the project and for rock delivery trucks. The modifications and use by heavy equipment resulted in extensive erosion during the winter of 2007/2008. We are in

74 AR 18940 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008 the planning process with PRNS road crew and the Coastal Conservancy to implement a road stabilization project at this location during the summer of 2009.

Construction activities at Rogers headcut could have resulted in the undercutting willow walls. This is discussed in the section under Project Follow-up.

Biological Opinion

The J Ranch Spring project required section 7 consultation with the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) because of the potential affects to Myrtle’s silverspot butterfly. Initially PRNS requested reinitiation of consultation under our existing grazing biological opinion to include range improvements. FWS did not respond to this request for an extended period of time. To move the project along, we requested initiation of consultation only for the J Ranch Spring project and quickly received a biological opinion for the project. In the future, PRNS will consult with FWS only on specific projects if we do not receive an amended grazing biological opinion.

A bright spot in the delay in project implementation was we had the opportunity to establish a long term study of the butterflies host plant; western dog violet. The delay allowed one year of baseline surveys prior to the construction of the exclusion fence around the springs. The study will compare impacts from non-native plant species on the western dog violet in grazed areas on F Ranch with the ungrazed area within the exclusion fence on J Ranch. If it is determined that the population of western dog violet is not reproducing and/or is declining in numbers/extent, we will allow some short term grazing within the exclusion zone.

Water Quality Monitoring

The water quality monitoring component of the Project did not provide sufficient data to analyze the effectiveness of the ten demonstration projects. A few things created this situation.

PRNS staff began implementing the grant in September of 2006. We hired a Range Technician to implement the water quality monitoring component of the grant and to assist the Range Manager with all other aspects of Project implementation. The initial tasks required to be completed prior to actually sampling water included the development and approval of a PAEP, MP, and QAPP. The PAEP and MP were written and approved in a timely fashion, but the QAPP required extensive time before final approval. As a result, no monitoring was conducted until January of 2007. This resulted in missing numerous precipitation events prior to January of 2007. The month of January 2007 was fairly dry. The first year of monitoring only captured two full rounds of pre-construction monitoring. The second year was very dry and resulted in only three full rounds of monitoring.

A second factor in insufficient data was written into the grant itself. An oversite resulted in the grant terminating at the end of December 2008. This only allowed for one season of pre- construction monitoring and one season of post-construction monitoring. The grant language called for one season of pre-construction monitoring and two seasons of post-construction monitoring. In addition, the grant also accommodated two seasons of construction. This

75 AR 18941 Tomales Bay Rangeland BMPs Pathogen TMDL Implementation Project Final Report December 31, 2008 resulted in some projects having two seasons of pre-construction monitoring and no post construction monitoring.

Recommendations

The implementation of projects of this size and nature provide opportunities for staff to learn and grow. The insight developed through collaboration, discussion among staff, and revisiting projects over time provide insight into approaches for implanting similar projects in the future.

Large and expensive projects, such as Lupton Road may be better implemented by fully developing the project plan prior to requesting funding. The Lupton Road project used a significant portion of the available construction funds allocated in the grant. This required PRNS staff to approach the Marin RCD to request additional funding through their grant with the Coastal Conservancy. Fortunately, funding became available to implement the two spring projects with additional funding. In the future, funded grant proposals that do not identify specific projects should focus on small low cost projects to ensure that the required number of projects can be completed.

When PRNS receives future grant funding that includes a major water quality component, PRNS should ensure that the required approval of the PAEP, MP, and QAPP are in place prior to the first fall rains. This will ensure that PRNS staff can monitor all storm events that create sufficient instream flows for monitoring.

To reduce the amount of time that permanent PRNS staff (Range Manager) spend on project implementation, project planning and budgeting should include contractors implementing all aspects of project implementation. This will allow the Range Manager the opportunity to coordinate all aspects of project implementation while providing sufficient time to regular required duties.

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quality criteria recommendations: Rivers and streams in nutrient ecoregion II (western forested).Washington, D.C. http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/criteria/nutrient/ecoregions/ Accessed 21 July 2005

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