For forty years the Coastal San Luis Resource Conservation District (RCD) has assisted land users and local government officials in achieving resource management objectives including:

• prevention and control of soil erosion, 
• the control of runoff. 
• the development, distribution and conservation of water and water quality, and 

the improvement of land productivity.

In addition, the board seeks external funding to help achieve the long range goals discussed in this plan.

The Coastal San Luis RCD is involved in a variety of programs such as providing technical expertise to land owners and the general public, educational programs, and coordination of local government and agencies. 

The purpose of these programs is to promote resource management protection and enhancement through the wise use of soil and water resources. 

Four major resource issues are identified in this long range plan. 

Each issue is addressed by an RCD Goal and a Plan of Action.  The Plan of Action includes an outline of the operational objectives necessary to achieve the goals.  The Coastal San Luis RCD Goals for the '90s are summarized below. 

1.  Coordinate efforts to prevent and reduce soil erosion.

2.  Improve agricultural water supply and utilization.

3.  Preserve, protect and manage prime ag land soils through conservation.

4.  Promote the conservation and protection of important natural habitats and ecosystems in the district.

Resource Issue 1: 
 

The Coastal San Luis RCD is concerned with the loss of soil and its accumulation in sensitive wetlands, streams and estuary habitats.  Los of topsoil is a serious problem for agriculture due to the potential loss of nutrient rich top soil.  Sediment deposit in unwanted areas is also of concern. 

Rangelands are the largest single use of land in the district and although the rate of erosion is relatively low, the total volume is significant.  Loss of soil from building and construction areas, and agricultural activities leads to filling of drainage ways and deposition in sensitive locations. 

A number of groups and agencies have a related interest in resource management practices in the Coastal San Luis RCD area.  Coordination, support, and communication among these groups is vital to achieve this goal. 

Goal:  Coordinate efforts to prevent and reduce soil erosion. 

Plan of Action:  The Coastal San Luis RCD will continue to support farmers, ranchers, government officials and the general public. 

The use of Best Management Practices (BMP's) on all agricultural lands is encouraged.  Workshops and demonstration projects will be sponsored to ensure greater use of BMP's. 

The RCD will provide technical expertise through communication and community involvement concerning resource management issues and practices affecting our district. 

The Coastal San Luis RCD will continue to work 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 rangeland habitats and to reduce soil erosion. 

Action is taking place in a number of ways including: 

• Memorandums of understanding with land owners to develop Conservation Plans. 
• Provide information through newsletters and news releases. 
• Providing a director to serve on the county Agricultural Liaison Board. 
• Interfacing with appropriate agencies and groups of common interests. 
• Working with appropriate San Luis Obispo County government agencies to improve the effectiveness of regulations and related to soil and water resource use. 
• Attending and supporting local, state, and national conferences that affect or influence the local community. 

Water is a scare commodity on the central coast.  The Coastal San Luis RCD area averages only about 20" of annual rainfall.  A number of years of drought has further reduced available water.  As a result, needed moisture is not available for crop use. 

However, the development of alternative water resources is costly and may be prohibitive for some landowners. 

Goal:    Improve agricultural water supply and utilization.

Plan of Action:   The Coastal San Luis RCD is developing methods to assist the general public, government officials, and land managers regarding techniques to: 

• retain soil moisture for agricultural use, 
• more effectively use natural rainfall, and 
• control runoff. 

Action is taking place in a number of ways including: 

• Publicizing workshops, field days and printed materials through the local media. 
• Seeking new methods to more efficiently use water. 
• Seeking continued funding for the mobile lab used for testing irrigation efficiency.  A $6,000 award has already been received from SLO County. 
• Continuing to support the operation and maintenance of projects that have been initiated in the past.  These include Arroyo Grande Creek channel, Swinging Bridge in Arroyo Grande, Pismo Lakes wildlife sanctuary, and the Morro Bay/Chorro Flats Project. 
• Promoting agricultural water conservation through education, technical assistance, and the use of the mobile irrigation lab. 

Prime agricultural soils are important for a high level of sustained crop productivity.  These lands must be managed and
protected for sustained yield. 

Improved land management and Best Management Practices cannot be realized simply through workshops and educational programs.  Conservation ideas must be implemented through "on the ground" projects. 

Goal:  Preserve, protect and manage prime ag land soils through conservation. 

Plan of Action:  The Coastal San Luis RCD is working with land managers in cooperation with the National Resource Conservation Service technical staff to develop Conservation Plans. 

Plans are designed to permit the highest and best agricultural utilization of the land without degradation of the soil and water resources. 

Action is taking place in a number of ways including: 

• Developing educational systems to enhance conservation of prime agricultural soils. 
• Identifying "on the ground" projects that would demonstrate Best Management Practices. 
• Encouraging land owners to develop Conservation Plans. 
• Requesting financial support for implementing conservation of prime agricultural soils. 

There is a perceived lack of public awareness about the value agricultural lands have to wildlife and native plant communities.  Agricultural lands include important natural habitats and ecosystems such as forests and woodlands, chaparral communities, riparian areas and streams, and wetlands -- all which provide valuable habitat for many plants and animals.  Loss of these habitats will have a deleterious effect on the quality of life in the district. 

Goal:  Promote the conservation and protection of important natural habitats and ecosystems in the district. 

Plan of Action:  The Coastal San Luis RCD will seek to educate government entities and land managers to the value of important natural habitats and eco systems.  The RCD board will seek out land owners whose holdings include vital habitats and encourage the preservation of these ecosystems for native plant and animal species. 

Action is taking place in a number of ways including: 

• Educational programs are being accomplished through individualized effort, general workshops, and the public media. 
• The RCD is encouraging and fostering agreements which aid in the preservation of wetland resources.  Grants and external funding are helping landowners retain these natural settings. 
• The RCD is seeking land owners whose holdings include valuable habitat and encourage the preservation of these sites for native plant and animal species. 
• The board is pursuing grants and contracts necessary to implement "on the ground" conservation projects in the district. 

The Morro Bay Watershed Enhancement Project, The Chorro Flats  Project, Pismo Lake Wetland Reserve Program, and the Chorro Creek Steelhead Enhancement Project are examples of the types of projects that will be supported.