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HISTORY |
| Precisely what is Coastal San Luis Resource Conservation District and
what are its purposes? The following is a history of Coastal San
Luis Resource Conservation District.
The devastation of the Dust Bowl in the 1930’s led to the passage of the federal Soil Conservation Act of 1935 It's purpose was to provide conservation assistance to ranchers, farmers and other private landowners. This federal legislation enabled states to act locally. Today there are nearly 3000 conservation districts nationwide to conserve land, water, forests, wildlife and related resources. The USDA Soil Conservation Service is now the Natural Resource Conservation Service and works in partnership with Conservation Districts. In California the establishment of Resource Conservation Districts (RCDs) began in 1938 under Division 9 of the California Public Resource Code. The Governor, the Resources Agency and the Department of Conservation are responsible for the administration of Division 9. The Arroyo Grande RCD was established in 1953. The AGRCD Charter Members were: Edwin M. Taylor, Manuel F, Silva, Ed. Campodonica, Keith A. Rapp and Lester Sullivan The flooding of the farmland from the Arroyo Grande Creek was a yearly occurrence and these farmers worked tirelessly to solve the problem. Under Division 9 they received technical assistance from the Soil Conservation Service (USDA). In 1961, about 205,000 acres south of the district were annexed, and in 1978, about 180,000 acres north of the district were annexed and the name of the was changed to Coastal San Luis RCD. The total land area in the district is 463,024 acres. The land ranges from Class 1 prime agriculture soils to Class VIII soils. The Directors of the Coastal San Luis RCD are elected by district voters or appointed by the County Board of Supervisors, and they are not compensated for their work. The Board of Directors can make legal agreements with county, state and federal governments for work in the district. Associate directors may be appointed by the CSLRCD to assist in special areas of interest. Consultants and other individuals with special expertise may be called upon to achieve conservation goals. A characteristic unique to Resource Conservation Districts is their ability to work directly with landowners on private lands. Coastal San Luis RCD Stewardship projects have been accomplished by grants and the tireless efforts of the unpaid directors. The Arroyo Grande Channel Flood Control was accomplished in 1958 and is in desperate need of repair. A yearly inspection is done under a Memorandum of Understanding. Pismo Lake Ecological Preserve was being destroyed from sediment resulting from housing construction east of Highway 101. The problem was brought before the CSLRCD. After eight years of effort a grant was awarded to remove sediment. It was restored in 1987 through an inter-agency agreement between the California Dept. of Fish and Game, USDA Soil Conservation Service and CSLRCD. The once dying marsh has been restored to provide habitat for waterfowl, fish and wildlife. The historic Swinging Bridge in Arroyo Grande was threatened when a large tree fell, into Arroyo Grande Creek during a storm. The City of Arroyo Grande and CSLRCD signed a Memorandum of Understanding after a grant was secured. The California Conservation Corps constructed fencing and the Soil Conservation Service engineers helped design the treatment for the critical area. The interlocking block wall construction was used for the first time in the nation by SCS. The Chorro Creek Steelhead Habitat Project was funded by a grant from the Wildlife Conservation Board. The removal of obstructions and planting of native vegetation and livestock fencing has enhanced steelhead habitat in Chorro Creek. Many landowners are working with the Morro Bay Watershed Enhancement Project to preserve valuable topsoil. Workshops have been held, educational programs are helping ranchers farmers and students understand the complexities of a watershed, grazing demonstration projects have been developed and community involvement has been part of CSLRCD since the project began. The Coastal Conservancy funded an erosion control cost sharing program, with the CSLRCD as administrator. The results are remarkable, we have 15 projects with private landowners that have reduced soil erosion by 250,000 tons and resulted in over 150,000 tons of sediment captured. The Chorro Flats Enhancement Project (CFEP) is a sediment capture, agricultural preservation habitat restoration; and education project of the Morro Bay Watershed Enhancement Project.
In the 1950’s Chorro Creek was confined to a levee in a narrow channel along the southern edge of the property. This allowed the adjacent land to be used for growing vegetables and hay crops in the rich stream deposited soils. But the sediment rich water flowing down stream was no longer able to spread out and drop its load on the flood plain as it had been doing for eons. Instead the sediment remained suspended until it reached the estuary where too much of it was trapped. The CFEP removed the levee from this section of Chorro Creek and reconnected the creek with its the flood plain. Sediment is again being captured here before it reaches the estuary. Native plants were planted on about 40 acres to restore wildlife habitat. Approximately forty-five acres will continue to be used for agriculture. This is the first prime farmland in San Luis Obispo County to be permanently preserved. Interpretive signs were installed to inform visitors of the importance of wetlands and agriculture. Chorro Flats has already caught more than 150,000 cubic yards of sediment. There was some erosion from the banks of Chorro Creeks on the site last winter during the El Nino storms. The amount of soil lost was less than ten percent of the amount captured on the site. Chorro Flats is a very successful project that will continue to be an asset to the community for many years to come. The goals for CSLRCD are: 1. Coordinate efforts to prevent and reduce soil
erosion
Coastal San Luis RCD will continue to provide technical experts from the Natural Resource Conservation Service when needed on a project. We will continue working with county officials to protect the land from erosion and deposition of sediment on sensitive sites. In addition, board members will work with private and governmental agencies to improve forest and range land habitats and to reduce soil erosion. The federal and state governments are becoming aware of the importance
of our highly productive farmlands. Funds are available for various
programs to help keep our finest soil for the production of food.
CSLRCD is helping the farmers who want to continue farming in the Arroyo
Grande Valley by holding workshops on the various programs and bringing
in the officials to explain the programs.
RESOURCES OF THE DISTRICT Land The total land area in the district is 465,024 acres. The land ranges from Class I prime agricultural soils to Class VIII land which serves as a watershed for reservoirs and streams, as well as wildlife habitat. A significant portion of the district is rangeland. However, other important resources include crops, forests, and "sensitive areas" such as sand dunes, estuaries, riparian areas, streams, lakes and reservoirs, and the Pacific coastline. Climate The climate of the district is Mediterranean with cool, moist winters and hot, dry summers. The annual rainfall averages approximately 15" along the coast and 40" at higher elevations. Coastal temperatures are moderate with occasional inland valley winter frost and at higher elevations. Summer temperatures seldom exceed 90 degrees F. Land Use Pressures As the district's population continues to grow, pressures on land use and associated resources intensify. While there is a general desire for open space, clean air and water, and retaining the natural beauty of the area, there is also a strong demand for development in rural areas. Agriculture Agriculture is an important industry in the district. The combination of a moderate climate and highly productive alluvial soils permit a wide variety of commodities to be produced. Dryland crops such as garbanzo beans, grain, hay, and annual grasses depend on natural precipitation. On the other hand, alfalfa, orchards, nurseries, vegetables, vineyards and livestock are agricultural enterprises requiring irrigation. Agricultural irrigation water is primarily drawn from ground water aquifers or private reservoirs. Protecting prime farmland from "urban development" and maintaining a supportive environment for a viable agricultural industry requires a coordinated effort from all groups and governing bodies. POWERS/AUTHORITIES/DUTIES OF
Division 9 of Public Resources Code
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