SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST:

Watersheds and You

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Backbone Fuelbreak

Clear Creek Gorge Overlook

ing, the Central Valley Improvement Project, restoration projects, fish identification, and a salmon lifecycle panel that explains the tile mosaic.
SignatClearCreekGorge

The Shasta Conservation Fund

Phase 3B Floodway Rehabilitation

Whole Earth and Watershed Festival

Grazing Leases

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Sulphur Creek Citizen Monitoring WSRCD Staff Clear Creek Monitoring FEMA Update Archer Fuelbreak Employee Highlight

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Recently the Clear Creek Gorge Overlook has had some exciting improvements. One of the newest additions is an educational kiosk, which includes seven interpretive panels, a tile mosaic of the salmon lifecycle, a shade canopy, three benches, and a new walkway to get from the parking lot to the overlook platform. The interpretive panels, relating to the Clear Creek watershed, include general watershed facts, Native American history, min-

The idea behind the tile mosaic was for visitors, especially kids, to be able to

EducationalKiosk

matches the color of the overlook railing. Other additions to the overlook area include two new benches with views of the creek, and three new tables on the overlook platform. The platform is now a great location to enjoy a picnic lunch with a view. Finally, a new bike rack in the shape of a salmon is being installed to enhance the fish theme at the overlook. This area has been transformed into a wonderful recreational and educational destination, so next time you get the chance, check it out!

TileMosaicofthesalmonlife cycle

BenchoverlookingClear CreekGorge

walk the salmon lifecycle while parents or teachers explain the process with detailed information from the panels. The tiles were created by local artist Palul (Paul Rideout), with bright and vivid colors that are incredible. The tiles are set in colored concrete in a 9foot diameter circle in the center of the kiosk. The kiosk is covered by a metal 21 x 21 canopy and surrounded by railing that

Salmonbikerack

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Sulphur Creek Mitigation

The WSRCD was contracted by Caltrans to undertake the mitigation for the Dana to Downtown Highway project along State Route 44. This project included new bridge construction and several road widening elements at the highways crossing of the Sacramento River, within the City of Redding. The Dana to Downtown project resulted in loss of 1.4 acres of riparian habitat and 0.4 acres of wetlands. US Army Corps of Engineers and California Department of Fish & Game permits acquired for this project specified off-site restoration for the impacted habitats. This resulted in the requirement to create 1.2 acres of wetlands and 4.2 acres of riparian habitat. The wetland mitigation site, Willow Pond, is located immediately northeast of the Turtle Bay Nursery and south of Turtle Bay School. This site originally consisted of a disturbed area of gravel quarry scars associated with the historic mining activities at Turtle Bay.

WillowPond

Benchandinterpretivedisplay

A total of 26,000 cubic yards of gravel were removed from the site.

Pond. The structure was then lined with 5,000 cubic yards of sandy loam and planted with native species. Willow Pond is being developed into a self-sustaining native wetland habitat.

A new walking bridge, trails, benches and interpretive displays While the depres- have incorporated the sion held water, its level site into the Turtle Bay varied greatly during the Arboretum. Willow Pond year. The combination is becoming a popular site of steep rocky banks and for visitors and wildlife extreme changes in water alike. level resulted in little wetland vegetation development within the site.
Gravelquarryscarring

RingneckDuckatthe wetland

A total of 26,000 cubic yards of gravel were removed from the site to build the initial wetland structure and increase the water holding capacity of Willow

CanadaGeeseatthe wetland

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Citizen Monitoring
your local streams and are willing to give up a few hours on a Friday morning, then please join us for fun and learning in the great outdoors! Aquatic Bioassessment Sampling is a great way to look at the physical features of the creek in order to gather info about the habitat that is available for fish and other aquatic organisms. In addition, we also collect benthic macroinvertebrates (creek bugs), which are sent to a certified California Department of Fish & Game laboratory to help us gauge the health of our local watersheds. We provide all the gear needed, all you need to bring is plenty of water, food, and sunscreen. Please contact our office for more details at (530) 3657332 ext. 207, and hope to see you out in the creek!

2011AquaticBioassessmentTraining

The start of the second annual Aquatic Bioassessment Sampling season is here! If you are a concerned citizen interested in learning about the health of

WSRCD TEAM
Mary Mitchell District Manager Rhonda DarlingChief Financial Officer Christy Marroquin Assistant Fiscal Officer Jack BramhallProject Manager Ryan TeubertProject Manager Maureen TeubertProject Manager Rachael AschbacherAdministrative Assistant for Grant Writing and Grant Management Ali WarrenAdministrative Assistant Lee DelaneyEastside Watershed Coordinator Leslie BryanWestside Watershed Coordinator Gretchen GarwoodProject Coordinator Jeremey KelleyLead Conservation Tech II, GIS Technician, and Project Coordinator
TheWSRCDStaffs catWillow.

Dave DeMarGIS Specialist, Archaeologist and Project Coordinator Joe AndrusLead Conservation Tech I Steve MorefieldField Supervisor Jonathan HawkinsLead Conservation Tech Billiejo Morefield Conservation Technician Benjamin NewcombConservation Technician Clark MatthewsConservation Technician Corey LewisConservation Technician

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Clear Creek Monitoring

struction, and finally, restoring flow into a section of historic stream channel diverted by aggregate extraction. The WSRCD contracted with three companies to do the monitoring. The companies were Point Reyes Bird Observatory Restoration of the (PRBO), Tehama Environchannel and floodplain in mental Solutions (TES), combination with gravel and Graham Matthews & Associates (GMA). PRBOs injections and approprimonitoring methods inate flow releases should, cluded point count surveys, in theory, initiate and sustain natural sediment species richness and bird abundance calculations, transport processes and spot mapping, adult annual channel migration; resurvival and nest monitorstore aquatic, wetland, ing. TESs monitoring and riparian habitats; methods surveyed specific improve floodplain connectivity and riparian re- transects used to measure generative processes; and survival, height, and canopy of the plantings and to restore ecological funcmeasure the density and tion to the riverine ecosystem. To evaluate pro- canopy of natural recruiting vegetation on the conject success relative to structed floodplains. GMAs anticipated ecological monitoring methods inbenefits, a monitoring cluded topographic and aeplan was developed and specific monitoring objec- rial surveying, gage installations to quantify stream tives were defined and flow, assessments of bed logically divided into three categories for evaluation (USBR et. al. 2000). The three categories developed include: avian resources, geomorphology, and riparian communities. TESMonitoring

The Lower Clear Creek Floodway Rehabilitation Project (LCCFRP) was divided PRBOMonitoring into four phases that included restoration of floodplains and upland habitats. Phase 1 of the project was completed in 1998 with funds provided through the Central Valley Project Improvement Act and included construction of a natural bar to reduce stranding of juvenile salmon and improve passage conditions for adult salmon migrating upstream. Phase 2, completed in 2000 and 2001, initiated restoration of floodplains by filling aggregate extraction pits within the stream channel and floodplain. Phase 3A, completed in 2002, was the first portion of the project to involve active stream channel rehabilitation, improving floodplain connectivity, and revegetation of natural riparian communities. Later phases of the project were planned to continue moving downstream from Phase 3A, completing channel rehabilitation, floodplain con-

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Clear Creek Monitoring Continued

less than ten percent to forty-five percent. Natural recruitment contributes six to eleven percent canopy cover. Areas of varying restoration success that are not wellexplained by hydrologic factors are likely influenced more by GrahamMatthews&Associates variations in soil texture and, perMonitoring haps, compaction. GMAs spawning gravel site results were listed texture, floodplain deposit size by priority. The top three priorianalyses and mapping the ties were: Below Dog Gulch, below movement of spawning gravel. NEED Camp, and Upper 3A. BeAt the sites that PRBO low Dog Gulch is a highly effecmonitored, their results suggest tive area where the gravel moves the effects of restoration on the out quickly and gets more ft/yr of avian community have been recharge than most injections. mixed with some sites and spe- This is the most promising method cies showing increases and oth- to recharge the reach above ers showing little response or Peltier. Below NEED Camp is even decreases. This is due pri- part of Reach Two. Reach Two is marily to each species specific habitat needs and that the floodplain vegetation will mature and change over time. The final report stated that the restoration area is functioning well, and made some suggestions on how to improve the current project area, and recommendations for future restoration projects. At the sites that TES monitored their results stated that the canopy cover on the various stages of riparian plantings ranges from the most limiting reach for achieving continuity. GMA recommended keeping Reach 2 injection area full. Upper 3A ambient rates are too low to maintain desirable channel conditions millions of dollars in restoration must be locally recharged until we achieve continuity. Injecting at the highest location provides the most benefit.

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The Shasta Conservation Fund

The Shasta Conservation Fund was formed in October 2001 as a 501C3 non-profit and is a sister organization to the RCD. Its specific purpose is to provide education, exchange scientific information, and foster the conservation or restoration of Western Shasta Countys natural resources, especially in the areas of watershed improvement, fuels and vegetation management, and erosion control. The Shasta Conservation Fund has three main goals: 1. Promote a sustainable community with clean water and healthy people for present and future generations. 2. Optimize those features of the physical and biological environment for the benefit and well being of the human community within the area covered by the Western Shasta Resource Conservation District. 3. Sustain and enhance the resource values within the Western Shasta Resource Conservation District, i.e. water quality, ranching, agriculture, hydro-power, forestry, fisheries, wildlife, recreation, wetlands, riparian areas, and historic resources by pursuing solutions to resource issues that are economically feasible, environmentally sound, and socially acceptable, while maintaining a liaison with concerned regulatory/resource agencies and landowners/ stakeholders. Also educating, informing, generating, and sharing information to promote conservation of resources within the above stated goals.

Promote a sustainable community with clean water and healthy people for present and future generations.

LowerClearCreekWatershed PaintedbyMartiWeidert

Whole Earth and Watershed Festival

Despite the weather, thousands of people attended this years festival to learn ways to live a healthier lifestyle, save money and energy, protect and restore
WATERSHEDS AND YOU

natural resources, and discover how the work of many local groups make our regions communities better places to live. Over 100 exhibitors were at the event in-

cluding government agencies, businesses, educational organizations, community groups, and local nonprofits.

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FEMA Update
RCD Project Managers, Ryan and Maureen Teubert, attended the Association of State Floodplain Managers annual conference in Louisville, Kentucky the third week of May. The conference was a great learning experience with multiple networking opportunities with FEMA Region IX collaborators, as well as agency representatives from DWR, ACOE, other FEMA contractors, Floodplain Managers, and many others. Many of the workshops they attended during the conference focused on outreach and education of flood risk. As a cooperating technical partner (CTP),WSRCD staff will be leading the FEMA outreach efforts for much of Northern California through collaboration with other RCDs. One of the highlights of the week was a course on the newly developed Floodplain Simulation System a hands-on 3-D model that can be taken to public meetings, schools, community events, and other public forums to demonstrate flood risk to communities. Ryan and Maureen will be traveling to the FEMA Emergency Management Institute in Emmitsburg, Maryland for a week in August to attend a CTP Special Topics Course. Maureen Maureen, Ryan and Dave also submitted two abstracts to DeMar are the key staff working be presented at the Annual on the CTP agreement with the Floodplain Managers Association Conference in San Diego, CaliforFEMA Regional Engineer. Recent discussions about flood risk nia, and both were accepted, so mapping focused on the develop- she and Ryan will also be attending that conference in early Sepment of a cookbook to help rural communities seek funding tember. to deal with flooding issues. The team discussed the State Water Plan and potential outreach opportunities with other RCDs in neighboring counties. One of the first activities WSRCD completed for FEMA was the Watershed University in October 2010, a training workshop on how FEMA regulations and maps are created.

Phase 3B Floodway Rehabilitation

Its that time of year again to get the irrigation system up and running out at the 3B restoration site along Clear Creek. The 11,800 plants that were planted in January 2010 did extremely well after the first summer of irrigation. Some of the willow cuttings are already over 7 feet tall. Crew member Billiejo Morefield has been working to get all of the lines flushed, emitters replaced, and weeds knocked back to allow the irrigation system to run properly this Billiejostanding nexttothewillow summer. The site is cuttings looking great and the plants are looking healthy.

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Backbone McCandless Fuelbreak

The Backbone McCandless Fuelbreak Project has a goal of reducing wildfire risk in a rural area northwest of the community of Round Mountain and north of Ingot. The project is located near the junction of Backbone and McCandless Roads and proceeds eastward along Backbone Ridge Road to Fenders Ferry Road. In 2003, the WSRCD received three grants through ShastaTrinity National Forest to create a 17-mile fuelbreak on Backbone Ridge. This project was completed in 2007. Good News: Cal Fire was able to use the fuelbreak in 2008 to halt the progression of the Pine Fire. In 2009, the WSRCD received an additional grant with federal financial assistance provided to the California Fire Safe Council from the USDA Forest Service. The grant was used to extend the fuelbreak another 7.1 miles. The project is removing mixed conifer, manzanita, and buckbrush to reduce the fire hazard in the area. The Cal Fire Sugar Pine Conservation Camp inmate crew is assisting to make this project a success. Completion of this project is expected by October 2011.

Beforeandafterphotos fromtheBackbone McCandlessFuelbreak

Archer Road Fuelbreak

The Archer Road Fuelbreak is located west of Igo, California. The projects main goals are to create a shaded fuelbreak and to provide a safer egress for residences located on a dead-end road. In 2010, the WSRCD was awarded a grant with federal financial assistance provided to the California Fire Safe Council from the US DeWATERSHEDS AND YOU

partment of Interior National Parks Service. The project is a mile long and the main fuels in the area are mixed conifer stands, manzanita, and buckbrush. The fuels are being removed through the efforts of the WSRCD crew and the Cal Fire Trinity River Conservation Camp inmate crew. This project is expected to be complete by November 2011.

Beforeandafterphotosfrom theArcherRoadFuelbreak

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Grazing Leases
certain aspects of the lands management to improve wildlife habitat. In 2009, the WSRCD created a management plan for the 148-acre parcel. The objective of the management plan is to maintain the property in its existing condition providing quality short grass habitat for Canada geese, shorebirds, and

Goatatcurrentgrazinglease

Cowsatcurrentgrazinglease

In 2004, the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) obtained 346 acres located on Balls Ferry Road, in Cottonwood, California. In 2008, DFG obtained another 148-acre parcel located in the same area. The parcels have been used for cattle grazing and hay production on an annual basis. The DFG has contracted with the WSRCD to prepare a management plan, administer the grazing contract, and oversee

Pastureaftercowshavegrazed

native plant species, protection for special-status wildlife and riparian habitat protection and restoration. Currently, 48 acres are hayed twice annually on the south side of Balls Ferry Road and grazing occurs from April through October on the north side of Balls Ferry Road. Both activities result in short grass and open areas, which are ideal for the winter foraging habitat of geese.

raptors. Currently goats and sheep are eating blackberry and other invasive species. This is helping maintain the grass habitat. In 2010, the WSRCD created a management plan for the 346-acre parcel. The objective of the management plan is to restore and maintain wintering waterfowl habitat, protection of sensitive wetland resources, control of invasive non-

Cowsatcurrentgrazinglease

Sheepatcurrentgrazinglease

Our Mission:

Collaborate with willing landowners, government agencies and

6270 Parallel Road Anderson, CA 96007 Phone: 530 365-7332 Fax: 530 365-7271 email: wsrcd@westernshastarcd.org Web: www.westernshastarcd.org

other organizations to facilitate the conservation and restoration of Western Shasta County's natural resources.

Employee Highlight
Christy Marroquin started with the Western Shasta RCD in June of 2009. She has a BA in Business Administration/Human Resource Management from Simpson College in Redding. She always has a smile on her face and is available to help anyone at any time with any accounting need. Recently Christy bought a new home in Cottonwood where she enjoys horseback riding and mountain biking in her spare time with her three children (two boys and one girl). In October Christy will begin her classes from National University, where she will be studying for her Masters Degree in Accounting.