2009 Conference Field Tours
Wednesday, March 4, 2009 1. Estuary Restoration Workshop Workshop Coordinators: Gillian O'Doherty and Leah Mahan, NOAA Fisheries This workshop will focus on assessment, planning, Pescadero Marsh Restoration: Identifying Problems and Exploring Solutions, Jill Marshall, P.G., San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board and Joanne Kerbavaz, California State Parks Estuary Enhancement in the Humboldt Bay Watershed-Can Adaptive Management Reduce Design and Permitting Costs?, Don Allan, Redwood Community Action Agency Water Quality Dynamics of Pescadero Lagoon and Implications for Fish Mortality, Rebecca Sloan, TRA Environmental Assessment of Hydrologic and Geomorphic Constraints on Estuarine Restoration, Conor O'Shea, USFWS Coastal Program Estuarine Enhancement Strategies that Target Nutrient Availability, Nicole Beck, 2nd Nature Restoration in a Restless Society: Working with Stakeholder Groups in Coastal California, Brannon Ketchum, Point Reyes National Seashore 2. Hang Fin! Sustainable Agriculture and Salmonids in Surf City , U.S.A. - Workshop and Tour, Workshop and Tour Coordinator: Kent Reeves Yolo County Department of Parks & Natural Resources Joe Morris, TO Cattle Company, San Juan Bautista The classroom portion of the workshop will address the challenges of sustainable agriculture with an emphasis on water quality and riparian habitat restoration in the Monterey Bay Area. Presentations: Biodiversity and Agriculture , Jo Ann Baumgartner, Wild Farm Alliance Sustainable Grazing for Improving Water Quality and Riparian Habitat, Kent Reeves, Yolo County Department of Parks & Resources Understanding the Environmental Toxicology of Pesticide Exposures to Salmon, Christopher A. Pincetich, Salmon Protection and Watershed Network (SPAWN) Hang Fin! Afternoon Field Tour: Following the morning classroom session we will visit two farms and a ranch where riparian restoration, Integrated Pest Management, hedgerow planting for insectaries and sustainable grazing practices will be viewed and discussed. The day will end at a local winery with wine tasting from area vineyards that are implementing land management that benefits fish and wildlife. 3. Southern Coho Streams: Research and Recovery Tour Leader: Sean Hayes, NOAA Fisheries This field tour will visit sites important to research and recovery of coho salmon in Santa Cruz County, which is the most southern distribution of the population on the West Coast. NOAA's Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC) in Santa Cruz CA, began a long term research project on Scotts Creek in 2002,
The SWFSC also started a captive broodstock program for Central California coho salmon in Tour sites include Scotts and Waddell Research with Sean Hayes, Research Fisheries Biologist, NOAA, Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project's Conservation Hatchery at Big Creek with Carla Moss and Dave Streig, Fisheries Biologists / Hatchery Manager, and NOAA's Santa Cruz laboratory with Research Geneticist, Carlos Garza and Research Fisheries Biologist, Erick Sturm.
4. Coho Salmon and Steelhead Enhancement Projects on Santa Cruz County's North Coast Tour Coordinator: Kristen Kittleson Fishery Resource Planner, County of Santa Cruz Tour Leader: Matt Baldzikowski, This field tour will visit a number of successful restoration and enhancement projects on the beautiful and rugged North Coast of Santa Cruz County. These projects share stream channel rehabilitation to improve stream function for steelhead and coho salmon. Sites in the Waddell, Scott and San Vicente Creek watersheds will be included in the field tour. The Wilder Creek and Queseria Creek projects included both channel rehabilitation and
5. Dams and Daylighting Francisquito Creek Field Tour Leader- Matt Stoecker, Stoecker Ecological and Beyond Searsville Dam Just over the hill from Santa Cruz, San Francisquito Creek provides critical habitat to one of the last, wild steelhead runs in the south San Francisco Bay. Over the past couple of decades watershed stakeholders have removed or modified more than a dozen fish passage barriers to improve access to once blocked steelhead habitat. We are fortunate to get Time permitting we will also take a short hike along Corte Madera Creek upstream of Searsville Dam to observe the habitat conditions where ancestral steelhead, in the form of native rainbow trout, still occur and where steelhead could once again return in the future. Thursday March 5, 2009 6. Coho Off-Channel Habitat Workshop Workshop Coordinator: Kit Crump, NOAA Restoration Center Coho use a variety of rearing habitats outside of the main channel of a stream or river. In addition to Lagoons and Estuaries, Coho use a variety of off-channel habitats as rearing habitat including side channels, ponds and wetted floodplains. These can be artificial structures such as remnant agricultural ponds or natural structures like side channels. Some of these habitats function as summer rearing habitat, winter rearing habitat or both with their function depending on their size, shape, depth and proximity to the ocean as well as the channel forming processes in the watershed. There are certain off channel habitats that are critical to the smolt life stage as they function like a lagoon or estuary in providing a deep, cool and stable environment that produces large fish that are well suited for ocean survival. Other species such as Chinook salmon and Steelhead also use off channel habitats. Currently the use of off channel habitat has been well documented for Pacific Salmonids in the northern part of their range. Even in California, there is more knowledge and recognition of the value of these habitats in the northern part of the state. Restoration of these unique habitats will require a detailed understanding of the different habitat requirements of multiple life stages of Coho as well as a detailed understanding of the fluvial geomorphic and hydrologic processes that create, support and maintain these unique habitats. The recently published State of the Salmon report by UC Davis indicated that loss of floodplain habitat has made the need for creating in-stream habitat complexity greater than ever. The same argument can be made for off-channel habitats as they also address a key limiting factor for Coho Salmon in California and elsewhere. Overview of Off-Channel Habitats and their Use by Coho Salmon, Kit Crump, NOAA Restoration Center History and Coho Use of Off-Channel Habitats on San Vicente Creek, Mike Podlech, Independent Fisheries Biologist Design Constraints of the Lower and Upper San Vicente Pond Off-Channel Habitat Projects, Brian Hastings, Balance Hydrologics Permitting Issues Associated with Off-Channel Habitat Restoration Projects, Jim Robins, Alnus Ecological Steelhead and Chinook Salmon use of Two Engineered Side Channels in the Central Valley, a Look at Pros and Cons of Design Implementation, Walter Heady, University of California Santa Cruz Fisheries Lab Coho Use of Off-channel Habitat in the Lower Klamath River, Dan Gale, Yurok Tribal Fisheries Program Visions and Goals: Tracking the Success of Off Channel Restoration for Juvenile Salmonids, Joe Merz, Cramer Fish Sciences Juvenile Salmonid Use of a New, Artificial Off-channel Pond in the Scott River, Siskiyou County, Mark Pisano and Mary Olswang, California Department of Fish and Game 7. Watershed Monitoring and Assessment Workshop Workshop Coordinators: Armand Ruby, Coastal Watershed Council Chris Choo, Marin Department of Public Works Salmonid streams are subject to a variety of stressors, from water quality impacts to loss of The morning panel will include presentations on monitoring in coastal watersheds, documenting contemporary water quality threats and impacts currently occurring in salmonid streams. The presence of toxic pollutants in these ecosystems and their effects on aquatic life will be discussed, with special focus on pesticides, trace metals, and other pollutants of concern to salmonids. The second half of the workshop will focus on efforts to assess watershed health, by better Both the morning and afternoon will include a panel discussion following the presentations, in which workshop attendees will be encouraged to participate. Presence and Impacts of Current-Use Pesticides in Coastal Watersheds, Armand Ruby, Coastal Watershed Council Legacy Pesticides in Central Coast Rivers: the Land-Sea Connection, Dane Hardin, CCLEAN/Applied Marine Sciences Using Watershed Stewardship Planning Efforts in Marin County to Inform Stormwater Program Activities, Monitoring, and Watershed Assessment, Terri Fashing, Marin County Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program Marin County Watershed Stewardship Planning: Getting to Realistic Targets and Habitat Goals, Chris Choo, Marin County Dept. of Public Works and Lauren Hammack, Prunuske Chatham, Inc. How Healthy is your Watershed? Recent Progress on Developing Indicators of Ecological Health and the Potential Applications in the San Francisco Bay Area and Beyond, Kat Ridolfi, San Francisco Estuary Institute How Monitoring Can Guide us in Urban Watershed Restoration-Developing an Improved Understanding of the Causes of Aquatic Life Use Impacts in Lower South San Francisco Bay Salmonid Streams, Chris Sommers, EOA, Inc. Towards a Comprehensive Monitoring Strategy for the Sonoma Valley Watershed, Lisa Micheli, Ph.D., Sonoma Ecology Center 8. Fish Passage at Road Stream Crossings: Design, Planning, and Implementation Session Coordinators: Michael Love Road-stream crossings are one of the most prevalent types of blockages to movement of fish and other aquatic organisms, causing population fragmentation. These blockages include low-water crossings (fords), concrete and metal culverts, and undersized bridges. The morning portion of the workshop will begin with a presentation by Michael Love on the newly completed California Department of Fish and Game Fish Passage Design Manual, which is the most recent addition to the State's Salmonid Stream Habitat Restoration Manual. Other presentations will include an overview of regional planning efforts that have addressed numerous fish passage problems in Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, and Marin Counties. These presentations will also give detailed descriptions of completed projects, with an emphasis on lessons learned. The afternoon portion of the workshop includes a field trip to four recently completed fish passage projects in Santa Cruz County. All four are retrofits of existing road-stream crossings, with each using a different approach to address passage. The projects are located on Valencia Creek, Corralitos Creek, and Shingle Mill Creek. Project types include rock weirs, culvert baffles, roughened channel, fish ladders, and modifying the floor of an existing culvert. At each site workshop participants will be provide details regarding the project objectives and constraints, the planning, engineering design, and permitting process, and lessons learned. California Department of Fish and Game Fish Passage Design Manual, Mike Love, Michael Love & Associates Restoring Steelhead in Carpinteria Creek, Santa Barbara County, Mauricio Gomez, South Coast Habitat Restoration Seasonal Juvenile Portable Fish Ladder Boxes on Zayante Creek, Felton, California—Design, Implementation, and Adaptive Operation and Management Plan, Peter Haase, P.E., Fall Creek Engineering Vanquishing Barriers in Marin County—Project Based Experience and Lessons Learned From the Field, Kallie Kull, Marin County Public Works Fish Passage Program 9. Resource Management for Steelhead and Coho Salmon Conservation in Santa Cruz CountyChris Berry – Water Resources Manager, City of Santa Cruz
In the San Lorenzo River and Soquel Creek watersheds, multiple agencies Santa Cruz County has had an long history of proactive management in their Public Works, Planning and Environmental Health operations – starting well over 100 years ago when the Board of Supervisors declared the San Lorenzo River “dead” - but in more recent times with the designation of the first State Protected Waterway (the San Lorenzo River), the founding of one of the first local water resource management offices, and implementation of many anadromous fisheries restoration projects. What is lesser-known - but perhaps has as much impact on watershed functions - are the flood control and riparian protection policies that the County has implemented over time. The County is challenged with stream corridors that had already been mostly developed at the time of the implementation of modern planning codes, as well as watersheds which were fundamentally impaired by the industrialization of the late 1800s, and the subsequent urbanization which followed that initial disturbance. The cities of Santa Cruz and Capitola have similarly challenging resource management issues. Built within the floodplains of the San Lorenzo River and Soquel Creek (respectively), and - in the case of the City of Santa Cruz - receiving the bulk of their drinking water from the San Lorenzo River, these municipalities have had complex relationships with their respective waterways over time. Due to the two municipalities being so tied to the processes at work upstream in the County jurisdiction, these are perfect examples of the importance of “thinking like a watershed”. Correspondingly, partnership amongst upper and lower watershed stakeholders – primarily between the County and cities of Capitola and Santa Cruz - is a common (and necessary) occurrence in these watersheds. In that vein, the cities and county will once again partner and lead this tour of the San Lorenzo River and Soquel Creek. Specific issues to be explored include policy and operational challenges and future planning for management of flood control and water resources; not only as they regard public health and safety, but also recovery of coho and steelhead. Particular emphasis will be placed on management of urban estuaries/lagoons, riparian corridors, large woody material, sedimentation, water quality, and instream flows. Agenda: Stop 1: San Lorenzo River (3rd Street) Chris Berry, City of Santa Cruz Stop 2: Bean Creek (or other large woody material site) Shawn Chartrand, Balance Hydrologics Stop 3: Henry Cowell State Park: Kristen Kittleson, Santa Cruz County Environmental Health Lunch at Henry Cowell Picnic Area Stop 4: Capitola - Soquel Creek Ed Morrison, City of Capitola Quick Stop 5: Soquel Drive Bridge, Soquel Village Stop 6: Soquel Creek – Bargetto Winery Santa Cruz County Public Works staff 10. Carmel River Restoration Tour Field Tour Coordinator: Michael Wellborn, President, California Watershed Network 
The tour of the Carmel River will visit the controversial and sediment-filled San Clemente Dam upstream of Carmel Valley Village where presenters will give an overview of some of the history of the San Clemente Dam and how it has affected the channel downstream. Presenters will address the issues of the seismic safety project and discuss the proposed excavation and new channel to connect with San Clemente Creek. Keith will recount the CalAm proposal for a "Super Dam" that contemplated the adjacent Cachagua Valley as a new reservoir site - and the campaign ("Frankly my dear, I don't want a dam") that voted it down. The tour will continue at Garland Park, one of the jewels of the county regional park system. Bob Curry of Watershed Systems will hold court here describing the changing watershed and the opportunities for a sustainable fishery. Bob will be joined by the other River Guides in a roundtable discussion of current river issues. We will lunch near the riparian vegetation in this reach that has been re-established primarily due to the transfer of pumping downstream and maintaining perennial flow through the reach. The next stop is the Schulte Road Cal-Am Well Field/groundwater withdrawal site. Barry Hecht of Balance Hydrologics will review episodic sedimentation and recovery in the Carmel River associated with post-fire runoff. Larry Hampson, Senior Water Resources Engineer Monterey Peninsula Water Management District will discuss the wells that use high volume irrigation to maintain vegetation and mitigate for the effects of groundwater withdrawal. The Schulte Project, which is a recent acquisition by the Big Sur Land Trust, is also of historical importance - as it's cited as a place along the river where John Steinbeck would often go to write. The final stop will highlight regulatory aspects of lagoon management, monitoring, beach Michael Wellborn, President, California Watershed Network Jeff Haltiner, Senior Principal, Philip Williams & Associates, Ltd. Donna Meyers, Director of Conservation Programs, Big Sur Land Trust Frank Emerson, Vice-President, Carmel River Steelhead Association Clive R. Sanders, President, Carmel River Watershed Conservancy Larry Hampson, Senior Water Resources Engineer, Monterey Peninsula Water Management District Monica S. Hunter, Ph.D. , Central Coast Watersheds Program Manager, Planning and Conservation League Foundation Robert Curry, Emeritus Professor, Univ. Calif. Santa Cruz and CSUMB Monterey Bay Keith Vandevere, Monterey County Planning Commissioner Barry Hecht, Senior Principal, Balance Hydrologics
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2009 ConferenceProceedings Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival FAQ including Poster Session, Facility & Lodging
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and design considerations for estuarine restoration in California. Topics covered will include site evaluation, design considerations, regulatory compliance, and public outreach. 
studying many aspects of central coast salmon biology. The watershed is inhabited by endangered southern coho salmon ( O. kisutch ), providing an excellent natural laboratory to study life history characteristics. This includes questions relating to adult return rates, juvenile production, growth and habitat use, population genetics, adult reproductive strategies, instream movements (monitored with Passive-Integrated-Transponder tags), marine survival of fish with PIT tags and archival data loggers, avian predation and interactions between naturally-spawned and hatchery-produced salmonids. The SWFSC works in collaboration with the 
2002. Populations at the southern margin of the Central California ESU (Evolutionary Significant Unit) are considered to be at high risk of extinction. All coastal streams south of the Golden Gate have lost their natural runs of coho except Scotts and Waddell Creeks in Santa Cruz County. The populations in Waddell and Scotts Creeks would be in even greater jeopardy without supplementation from artificial propagation provided by the 
improved passage. The Lower San Vicente Creek project improved passage and function into an off-channel pond that provides rearing habitat for juvenile coho salmon. On San Vicente Creek, large woody material structures were installed to improve habitat within 1 mile of stream.
permission to visit Stanford University's private Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve. At this over 1000 acre private preserve we will meet with the director and tour the over century old Searsville Dam to discuss future challenges and opportunities with the nearly sediment filled reservoir and major steelhead migration barrier. The tour will also visit a small, obsolete flashboard dam that was modified to allow upstream steelhead passage while preserving the downstream pool habitat and protecting adjacent properties. Another stop will look at a mid-1990's fish ladder modification project at Stanford University's Felt Lake Diversion Dam and hear why that design didn't work well for fish passage and water diversion and discuss what is being planned to fix it. We will visit the Town of Portola Valley's brand new LEED certified green Town Center project where we will observe the first year of flow along the newly daylighted and restored Sausal Creek, which now flows through the Town Center, instead of underneath it in a concrete culvert as it was confined to for almost 50 years. 
habitat. This workshop will focus on the methods and results of watershed monitoring and assessment, and will cover urban, agricultural and rural environments.
utilizing our monitoring resources and data to evaluate mitigation efforts and adaptively manage future projects. With increasing regulatory pressure and monitoring requirements and limited funding, resource managers need guidance to determine how to approach watershed management. Speakers will present on a number of projects to facilitate better determination and prioritization of needs in watersheds, through an approach using watershed health evaluation..jpg)
Through regional planning efforts, many of these impediments to fish movement are being addressed using a variety of approaches and funding sources. In some cases the crossings are replaced with structures that have natural stream channels running through them. In other situations crossing are retrofitted using a variety of hydraulic design approaches, such as culvert baffles, fish ladders, rock weirs, and roughened channels. This workshop will explore through both in-class presentations and a field trip the different design approaches used in recently completed fish passage projects and the planning efforts involved in brining them to fruition.
including the County of Santa Cruz, City of Santa Cruz and the City of Capitola, regulate land use and manage natural resources. The conservation and enhancement of threatened steelhead and endangered coho salmon populations will depend on addressing conflicting needs of riparian and aquatic habitat protection with existing homes and infrastructure, water use and flood control. This tour will visit and discuss efforts to balance flood control and resource management in the urban lagoons of San Lorenzo and Soquel watersheds. In addition, site visits will highlight and discuss the management of large woody material, efforts to reduce erosion from public and private roads, and polices that protect riparian corridors. 
management, and the proposal for developing a long-term management plan ; fisheries enhancement, beach management, and augmenting lagoon volume in the dry season . Jeff Haltiner from Philip Williams & Associates, Ltd., Donna Meyers, Director of Conservation Programs of the Big Sur Land Trust, will discuss planning floodplain alternatives for the lower Carmel River near Highway 1; and Clive Sanders of the Carmel River Watershed Conservancy will discuss working with local property owners to develop a solution to reduce flooding and improve the aquatic habitat for steelhead.