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2006 Water Bond Needs Community-Based Watershed Management!
Governor Schwarzenegger’s Water Bond Proposal (SB1166 and AB1839) is heading for the June 2006 ballot, but unfortunately, it is lacking state support for community-based watershed partnership efforts. In an effort to rectify this and other omissions, the Legislature is investigating the Governor’s proposal and preparing recommendations for rewriting it. It is likely that additions will be made to provide for parks and habitat conservation from Senator Chesbro’s SB153 bill, but it is not clear that provisions will be included to continue the good work of the 500+ watershed partnerships around the State. Many legislators and staff are assuming that community-based watershed management is included in the “Integrated Regional Water Management Plan” sections of these bills, but that is not the case. The California Watershed Network & the Watershed Coalition have identified how they are different. This bond proposal could be the major source of funding for our local watershed management efforts for a decade or more, but only if the bills’ language is made clear that our partnerships should also be recipients (and not limited to water districts.)

What Can You Do?
Contact your local Senator and Assembly member; then Senator Perata (President pro Tem); Assembly Speaker Nunez; Senator Kuehl (Chair of Senate Natural Resources Committee); and Assembly Member Wolk (Chair of Assembly Water, Parks & Wildlife Committee). It is best to contact legislators with a written letter, mailed or faxed. Since time is short, a phone call is 2nd best. Find your legislator and get copies of bills at www.leginfo.ca.gov.

Let them know that the …
Ø Governor’s Water Bond needs a component for community-based watershed management; SB1166, AB1839, & SB153 do not now;
Ø Integrated Regional Water Management is NOT community-based watershed management (see how they’re different at: www.watershednetwork.org );
Ø Urge legislators to include a separate component for community-based watershed
management in any water infrastructure bond or funding measure they vote for;
Ø Community-based watershed management is the foundation to achieving the State’s goals for flood protection and a clean, safe, reliable water supply;
Ø Many of the volunteer workers protected in 2004’s AB 2690 efforts by the CWN are community-based watershed volunteers.
For more information on watersheds, visit our website at: http://www.watershednetwork.org/

Congressman Rob Simmons (R-CT) has sent around the attached "Dear Colleague" letter to all Members of the House seeking their support for:

1) $20 million for the Community-based Restoration Program (the administration requested $12.8m) and
2) $10 million for the Administration's NEW Open Rivers Initiative (the administration requested $6m).

We need your help.  Please call your Representative in the House and ask them to sign this letter by contacting Rep. Simmon's office.  The list of Members who signed last year is attached at the bottom of this email.  We got 26 signatures last year.  We should double that number this year!  Of particular importance will be getting more balanced support from both Republicans and Democrats in the House, or - more simply put, we need MORE Republicans on this letter.

University of California Cooperative Extension Sea Grant
Division of Agriculture & Natural Resources
Central Coast and South Region
* * * * *
POSITION VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
Marine Advisor - Coastal Community Development (#ACCSO-06-01) Ventura County (headquarters), California
(with Cross-County Assignment in Los Angeles County)
Closing Date: To assure full consideration, application packets must be received by March 15, 2006 (open until filled)
The geographic area of primary focus will be Ventura County, and portions of Los Angeles County, including the Santa Clara River and the Santa Monica Watershed. The primary office location will be at the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) office in Ventura County. The position will be administered by UCCE in collaboration with the Sea Grant Extension Program.
Coastal Communities are expanding throughout the world and this is especially true in southern California, where more than 80% of the people live in coastal counties. This creates a need to strategically plan development in a more integrated fashion to reduce adverse impacts on natural resources and protect coastal water quality. To address the issues currently faced by coastal communities, municipal officials and resource managers would benefit from the professional expertise of the Sea Grant Extension Program, in partnership with Cooperative Extension to promote solutions and policy based on the best available science.

Duration: This is a three-year position with the likelihood of continuation contingent on performance and availability of funds.
NATURE AND PURPOSE: The majority of California’s coastal dependent industries valued at more than $42 billion are located in southern California. These include coastal recreation, ports and shipping, fisheries, power generation and coastal agriculture. Natural resource concerns related to these activities and increasing urbanization abound. From coastal watersheds to beaches and offshore islands, these concerns have the potential to significantly impact agriculture, land use planning, port operations, habitat restoration, recreation and living marine resources. There is a need for expertise and resources to address these critical issues in southern California, and guidance in coastal policy is needed to assist those responsible for managing coastal and marine resources in the region.

2) Implementation of Phase II of the Clean Water Act will compound this need, as local municipalities work to more closely manage how these activities impact watersheds and coastal water quality. Southern California counties are acutely aware of the importance of improving coastal water quality, and the challenges of doing so in the face of continued population growth.
This position will address high priority issues through research and education to sustain an enduring southern California coastal ecosystem and the vibrant coastal communities that depend on it. Examples of these high priority issues include:

• Coastal water quality is so poor that many of the areas are closed to swimming and other water contact recreation much of the year. This is a huge loss to coastal businesses dependent upon tourism. State agencies and the Legislature have this as a top issue, and measures to improve water quality will effect development, agriculture, sanitation districts, and businesses.

• Together, coastal tourism and recreation are the most significant economic activities in the coastal zone and comprise the fastest growing sector of the U.S. service industry. Coastal communities depend on healthy ecosystems for their survival, but many are seeing the cumulative impacts from population growth, increasing visitations, and coastal development that threaten the very amenities that attract visitors to coastal areas.

• Coastal degradation and loss of resources can indicate a systemic underestimation of the value of coastal natural capital. Valuable goods and services – for example: fisheries, recreation, erosion and flood control, waste assimilation, and biological diversity -- flow from our natural coastal systems. The connections between the economy and the environment must be understood at a fundamental level if the protection of coastal ecosystems and the requirements of economic development are to be properly balanced.
Coastal communities are in need of sustainable development policies. Insightful planning requires awareness of a community's natural capital and a commitment to sustainability. Bridging the gaps of information and coordination among the many coastal stakeholders is daunting but essential to realizing the full economic potential of our coastal resources while maintaining or enhancing their environmental integrity.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES: The following are examples of major program responsibilities that could be addressed in this position. They include but are not limited to:

• Conduct applied research and encourage dissemination of research-based knowledge for improving watersheds that will benefit natural habitats, water quality, water conservation, and ecosystem function, and help to guide coastal community development, tourism and recreation.

• Conduct educational programs on improving ecosystem function, water quality and watershed management, including collaborations with national programs such as Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials (NEMO) and Smart Growth.

• Assist city, county, state and private agencies in developing scientifically sound environmental policies including analysis of effectiveness of policies and consideration of how to foster and implement new ones.

• Provide leadership for needs assessment, design, delivery, and evaluation of extension educational programs for private and public agencies and organizations.

• Coordinate, cooperate and network with relevant agencies and organizations including Water Conservation Districts, City and County Agencies, Resource Conservation Districts, the Farm Bureau, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Department of Fish and Game, National Marine Fisheries Service, Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, State Water Resources Control Board, local tourism boards, and other private and/or public organizations.

• Work with other Advisors and Specialists to address high priority issues related to this assignment.

• Assist or work with appropriate experts and/or agencies to ensure that the economic contributions of coastal natural resources and their utilization are recognized.

• Conduct programs for public and private agencies to promote the understanding of the complex issues surrounding water resources and the actions necessary to maintain and improve water quality and aquatic habitat.

• Work with public and private agencies to facilitate communication around issues pertinent to this position.

Academic appointees in Cooperative Extension are responsible for performance in four major areas: extending knowledge and information; applied research and creative activity, professional competence and activity; and University and Public Service, concomitantly, in accordance with applicable Federal/State laws and University policy. The Advisor is responsible for conducting an affirmative action program which encourages greater participation of minorities, women and other protected groups.

Relationships: The Advisor is administratively responsible to the Cooperative Extension County Director in Ventura County, in cooperation with the Director of the Sea Grant Extension Program, and through the County Director to the Central Coast and South Region Regional Director.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION: The Advisor will promote, in all ways consistent with other responsibilities of the position, the affirmative action goal established by the Division and the University as a contractor of the federal government. In addition, the Advisor will plan and conduct programs in such a manner as to provide equitable service to all ethnic, general, and disabled groups that comprise the potential clientele population for the program. The Advisor will establish and update statistical data pertaining to female and minority populations to be served by programs; and record, document and report outreach plans, goals, activities, progress and results, and submit required activity reports as scheduled.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: A minimum of a Master's degree in one of the sciences or disciplines relevant to the duties and responsibilities of this position such as Natural Resources Management, Environmental Education, or Public Policy or Planning.
Prior experience in extension education or outreach, and conflict resolution skills are desirable.
Must possess skills in educational and mass media outreach, public speaking, technical writing and computer use. Ability to plan, implement, evaluate and publish research results is necessary.

SALARY: Beginning annual salary will be in the Cooperative Extension Assistant rank, commensurate with applicable experience and professional qualifications. For information regarding Cooperative Extension Advisor salary scales, please refer to the University of California website: http://www.ucop.edu/acadadv/acadpers/tab0506/tabcont.html

BENEFITS: The University of California offers comprehensive benefits including two days per month paid vacation, one day per month paid sick leave, and approximately thirteen paid holidays per year. A variety of health and dental insurance plans are available, with employer contributions to the premiums. In addition, the University provides basic life and disability insurance, which may be supplemented at group rates. Workers’ Compensation Insurance is provided. An excellent UC Retirement System is coordinated with Social Security and optional tax-deferred annuity plans. For more information, refer to the UC Benefits website at:
http://www.ucop.edu/bencom

INTERVIEWS: A search committee will review all applications and associated materials, interview candidates, and recommend individuals most suitable for the position. Candidates selected will be asked to come to Ventura for an interview and seminar presentation. Travel expenses for interviews will be reimbursed according to University of California policy.

HOW TO APPLY: To be considered, applicants must submit the following four components of the Application Packet:
1. Cover Letter indicating interest in the position.
2. UC-DANR Application Form—which can be downloaded in PDF format from our
website (http://ccsr.ucdavis.edu/)
3. Brief resume.
4. College Level Transcripts (Original transcripts preferred, however, legible photocopies
of original transcripts will be accepted.)
Please do NOT send letters of reference. If you are selected for an interview, the search committee will contact the references you listed on the UC-DANR application form [a minimum of four (4) and a maximum of six (6) names, current addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses].

To request a UC-DANR application packet
(and to return completed application materials), contact:
Cheryl Gneckow, Academic Recruitment
(ccsracadrecruitment@ucdavis.edu)
(951) 827-2529; Fax (951) 827-2328
Regional website: http://ccsr.ucdavis.edu

PLEASE REFER TO POSITION #ACCSO-06-01 IN ANY CORRESPONDENCE.
The University of California, in accordance with applicable Federal and State law and University policy, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, physical or mental disability, medical condition (cancer-related), ancestry, age, marital status, citizenship, sexual orientation, or status as a Vietnam-era veteran or special disabled veteran. The University also prohibits sexual harassment.
Inquiries regarding the University’s nondiscrimination policies may be directed to the Affirmative Action Director, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 1111 Franklin St, 6th Floor, Oakland, CA 94607-5200 (510) 987-0096.