Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve Final Management Plan 2007-2011 September 29, 2006 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page No. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 5 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 6 Chapter I INTRODUCTION A. Purpose & Scope of Management Plan 23 B. Description, Mission, and Goals of the NERRS 24 C. Description & Mission of the Elkhorn Slough NERR 29 D. Description & Mission of CDFG 32 E. Description & Mission of the ESF 32 F. National Focus on Estuarine Conservation 33 G. Conservation of Elkhorn Slough 34 H. References 36 Chapter II ESNERR CONSERVATION PLANNING PROCESS A. Conservation Assessment Framework 39 B. Description of Watershed Conservation Threats 42 C. ESNERR Conservation & Organizational Goals 43 D. Prioritization of Goals & Actions 47 E. Strategic Planning & Adaptive Management 47 F. References 48 Chapter III ESNERR GOAL #1: PROTECT & RESTORE KEY ESTUARINE HABITATS A. Introduction 50 B. Objectives & Strategies 57 C. References 61 Chapter IV ESNERR GOAL #2: PROTECT & RESTORE KEY FRESHWATER HABITATS A. Introduction 63 B. Objectives & Strategies 67 C. References 71 1 Chapter V ESNERR GOAL #3: PROTECT & RESTORE KEY MARITIME CHAPARRAL HABITATS A. Introduction 73 B. Objectives & Strategies 78 C. References 82 Chapter VI ESNERR GOAL #4: PROTECT & RESTORE KEY COASTAL PRAIRIE HABITATS A. Introduction 84 B. Objectives & Strategies 89 C. References 91 Chapter VII ESNERR GOAL #5: PROTECT & RESTORE KEY COAST LIVE OAK HABITATS A. Introduction 95 B. Objectives & Strategies 98 C. References 100 Chapter VIII ESNERR GOAL #6: REDUCE POLLUTION ACROSS WATERSHED HABITATS A. Introduction 102 B. Objectives & Strategies 104 C. References 106 Chapter IX ESNERR GOAL #7: MONITOR PRIORITY HABITATS & KEY SPECIES & IDENTIFY EMERGING THREATS A. Introduction 108 B. Objectives & Strategies 112 C. References 113 D. Monitoring Table 114 Chapter X ESNERR GOAL #8: EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THE WATERSHED & INSPIRE THEM TO BECOME BETTER STEWARDS OF THE ELKHORN SLOUGH WATERSHED A. Introduction 116 B. Objectives & Strategies 118 C. References 122 2 Chapter XI ESNERR GOAL #9: MAINTAIN A VIABLE BASE FOR ESNERR PROGRAMS A. Introduction 123 B. Objectives & Strategies 123 Chapter XII PUBLIC ACCESS A. Introduction 133 B. Visitor’s Center 133 C. Reserve Trails 135 D. Reserve Regulations & Enforcement 137 E. ADA Accessibility of Reserve 137 F. Public Access Near the Reserve 138 G. Objectives & Strategies 139 Chapter XIII ACQUISITION A. Introduction 141 B. Priorities 143 C. Strategies 143 Chapter XIV ADMINISTRATION OVERVIEW A. Need for Administration Program 145 B. Program History 145 C. Program Purpose & Goals 145 D. Program Description 146 E. Program Staffing & Working Groups 153 F. Guiding Documents & References 153 Chapter XV VOLUNTEER PROGRAM OVERVIEW A. Need for Volunteer Program 155 B. Program History 155 C. Program Purpose & Goals 156 D. Program Description 157 E. Program Staffing & Working Groups 162 F. Guiding Documents & References 162 3 Chapter XVI EDUCATION PROGRAM OVERVIEW A. NERR Education Plan 163 B. Need for Education Program 165 C. Program History 167 D. Program Purpose & Goals 169 E. Program Description 172 F. Program Staffing & Working Groups 178 G. Guiding Documents & References 180 Chapter XVII RESEARCH PROGRAM OVERVIEW A. NERR Research Plan 181 B. Need for Research Program 184 C. Program History 185 D. Program Purpose & Goals 186 E. Program Description 187 F. Program Staffing & Working Groups 193 G. Guiding Documents & References 194 Chapter XVIII STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM OVERVIEW A. Need for Stewardship Program 195 B. Program History 196 C. Program Purpose & Goals 196 D. Program Description 197 E. Program Staffing & Working Groups 201 F. Guiding Documents & References 202 Chapter IXX OPERATIONS & FACILITIES PROGRAM OVERVIEW A. Need for Operations & Facilities Program 203 B. Program History 203 C. Program Purpose & Goals 204 D. Program Description 204 E. Program Staffing & Working Groups 206 F. Guiding Documents & References 207 LIST OF FIGURES 208 LIST OF TABLES 209 LIST OF ACRONYMS 210 APPENDICES 211 4 Acknowledgments The preparation of this document was funded by the California Wildlife Conservation Board and made possible through the cooperative efforts of the staff of the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Estuarine Reserves Division, and the California Department of Fish and Game. This plan was greatly strengthened by the technical expertise and insight of the following external reviewers: • The Elkhorn Slough Foundation • The Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve Advisory Committee • The Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve Volunteers • Teresa LeBlanc, California Department of Fish and Game • Betsy Bolster, California Department of Fish and Game • Diana Hickson, California Department of Fish and Game • Carl Wilcox, California Department of Fish and Game • Eric Larson, California Department of Fish and Game • Pati Delgado, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration • Erica Seiden, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration • Craig Cornu, South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve • Jeff Crooks, Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve • Ted Grosholz, University of California, Davis • Steve Lonhart, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary • Drew Talley, San Francisco National Estuarine Research Reserve • Brian Anderson, Granite Canyon Marine Laboratory & University of California, Davis • Ken Johnson, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute • Bryan Largay, Resource Conservation District of Monterey County • Marc Los Huertos, University of California, Santa Cruz • Susan J. Frankel, USDA-Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station • Jeff Kwasny, Los Padres National Forest • Douglas D. McCreary, Sierra Foothill Research and Extension Center • Sarah Davies, San Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve • Tom Gaskill, South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve • Dawn Hayes, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary • Thomas Christensen, Monterey Peninsula Water Management District • Gage Dayton, Moss Landing Marine Laboratory 5 Final ESNERR Management Plan 2007-2011 Executive Summary Executive Summary Overview This document is the second edition of the management plan for the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve (Elkhorn Sough NERR), and covers the period from 2007-2011. The plan provides an update to the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve Management Plan, 1985—the first management plan developed for the Reserve. The Elkhorn Slough NERR is an ecologically diverse 583 hectare (1,439 acre) protected area located on the eastern shore of the Elkhorn Slough, near the Monterey Bay in Central California. Elkhorn Slough is a seven-mile arm of the Monterey Bay located half way between the cities of Santa Cruz and Monterey. This arm bends as it extends inland, and at the “elbow” lies the Reserve. The Elkhorn Slough NERR is protected for long-term research, water-quality monitoring, education and coastal stewardship. The Reserve also offers opportunities for public access and is home to an award-winning visitor’s center. The property features several well-maintained hiking trails and has boardwalks, a wildlife viewing blind, and a fully- accessible scenic overlook. The Elkhorn Slough NERR, is a component of the National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS), a federal state partnership of protected research and education sites administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG). The NERRS was created in the legislation that established by the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA). As such the reserves are required by Federal regulation, 15 C.F.R. Part 921.13, to have a NOAA- approved management plan that is updated every five years. The Elkhorn Slough NERR Management Plan 2007-2011 meets the Reserve’s Federal obligation. Within the plan we describe the Reserve’s long-term conservation goals and detail the process involved in identifying those goals. We also map out the objectives and strategies that the Reserve will use over the next five years in order to move toward accomplishing our goals. Furthermore, the plan gives an overview of our research and monitoring, education, stewardship, Coastal Training, volunteer, and administration programs and describes our plans for public access, acquisition, and facilities. This plan is a significant revision of the original management plan that was approved by the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in 1985. In developing this plan the Reserve used a collaborative approach, which focused on integrating the Reserve’s programs in order to better achieve conservation success. Mission, Vision and Beliefs of the Elkhorn Slough NERR The Elkhorn Slough NERR’s Mission, Vision, and Beliefs are as follows: 6 Final ESNERR Management Plan 2007-2011 Executive Summary Mission: To improve the understanding and stewardship of Elkhorn Slough and its watershed. Vision: The Elkhorn Slough NERR is a hub of substantive research, education, and resource management which models: • biodiversity through the protection of existing native habitat and the restoration of disturbed habitat through adaptive management practices • quality, hands-on interaction with watershed habitats without significant negative impact on the environment • inspiration of diverse audiences to make personal commitments to environmental stewardship • objective