2007-2008 annual report, inland empire natural resources conservation

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    To promote the understanding thatthe quality of the environmentdetermines the quality of life.

    I n l a n d E m p i r e

    R e s o u r c e C o n s e r v a t i o n D i s t r i c t

    2 0 0 7 - 2 0 0 8 A n n u a l R e p o r t

    Picture by Tim Romo

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    District Boundary 4

    Mission Statement 5

    Executive Summary 6

    Mitigation Program 7

    Federal Appropriations 9

    SAWA Project Reports 16

    SAWA Mitigation 18

    Grants and Partnerships 19

    Financial Summary 22

    Annual Workplan 23

    Table o Contents

    T o p r o m o t e t h e u n d e r s t a n d i n g t h a t t h e q u a l i t y o f t h e e n v i r o n m e n t

    d e t e r m i n e s t h e q u a l i t y o f l i f e .

    I n l a n d E m p i r e

    R e s o u r c e C o n s e r v a t i o n D i s t r i c t

    2 0 0 7 - 2 0 0 8 A n n u a l R e p o r t

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    Resource Conservation Districts are unique, in that

    they are classifed under Caliornias Public ResourceCode, Division 9 as Special Districts. The Legislature

    hereby fnds and declares that resource conservation

    districts are legal subdivisions o the state and, as

    such, are not-or-proft entities. For the purpose

    o contracting with state agencies only, resource

    conservation districts shall be considered agencies

    o the state. (Chapter 1, 9001, Division 9). This unique

    classifcation has enabled RCD sta to cooperate

    with private landowners in a non-regulatory mannerwhile educating and implementing conservation

    methods.

    The distinctive nature o the Resource Conservation

    District has allowed or many successul projects

    over the years. Last year ollowed suit with new

    partnerships and projects led by a cohesive and

    dedicated sta. Enhancing partnerships is crucial

    to Inland Empire RCD due to the size o the district

    The Inland Empire Resource Conservation Districhas more than 1.3 million people in its 854,293 acre

    service area, requiring a huge eat rom sta and

    board members to ensure that the conservation

    message is being conveyed to citizens in San

    Bernardino and Riverside Counties.

    The 2007-2008 annual report describes t

    activities o the Inland Empire RCD. As the yea

    closes the district evaluates successes and visualizesnew endeavors. This report reects on the

    accomplishments and expresses gratitude to all the

    individuals who helped make it happen. In order to

    continue the momentum o the district, this next

    year will involve strategic planning sessions and

    long-range plan evaluation to capture and embark

    upon the resource conservation challenges within

    our district boundaries.

    E x e c u t i v e S u m m a r y

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    I E R C D M i t i g a t i o n P r o g r a mIn the past decade, the number o people living in the Inland Empire has risen dramatically, accompanied by

    a predictable increase in area construction to accommodate this larger population. The resulting prolieration

    o buildings and inrastructure has beneftted the growing number o residents; however, one unpleasan

    side eect has been the consequential negative impacts to the local landscape including open space loss

    dramatic habitat alteration, and increased presence o sediment in water bodies. Those responsible or habita

    impacts are required by the state o Caliornia to mitigate or them. Project proponents must frst attempt to

    minimize, then make up or the damages inicted upon the environment as a result o project construction.

    There are many potential orms o mitigation that can be assigned to developers including habitat creation

    habitat restoration, and open space preservation. Local examples o mitigation within the boundaries o the

    District include constructed sediment basins in San Timoteo Creek in Redlands and the restoration o habita

    in the Devil Canyon region north o San Bernardino.

    IERCD became involved with mitigation through the Santa Ana Watershed Associatons In-Lieu Fee Program

    The Inland Empire RCD is constantly working to improve the unctionality o its own mitigation program. One

    o the main strategies employed in an attempt to accomplish this improvement has been the creation o the

    Mitigation Program Report, a orty page document based on the language o a similar document authored

    by the Solano Land Trust. The IERCD District Manager worked with the members o the mitigation committee

    to drat a comprehensive description o current mitigation practices including program goals and guidelines

    The IERCD has sent the document to contacts at state regulatory agencies as well as to local city governments

    in an eort to gather support or and to improve the District mitigation program.

    Almost all mitigation undertakings have the same general process and agency involvement, despite a largevariation in project origin and in desired outcome o the mitigation assignment. State regulatory agencie

    analyze projects proposed by developers that are determined to have signifcant impact to the natura

    environment; once the impacts are quantifed, corresponding amounts o mitigation are assigned to the

    aorementioned developers. Conservation organizations such as the IERCD act as mitigation acilitators

    they provide services to developers ranging rom locating appropriate sites to carry out assigned mitigation

    to creating mitigation plans. The IERCD provides a ull range o these services to developers impacting

    District lands in an eort to maximize the amount o land conserved and habitat enhanced as a result o

    development.

    The most important role o the IERCD in terms o mitigation is the management and maintenance in perpetuity

    o these mitigation sites at the request o project developers. The IERCD estimates an endowment amoun

    that is then submitted to developers. This amount o money will allow the District to protect the site in

    perpetuity which requires the ollowing tasks: site evaluation, site monitoring, reporting, maintenance o

    created landscape, and legal enorcement o mitigation terms. The ollowing page contains a list o curren

    IERCD mitigation projects. A majority o mitigation listed is SAWA In-Lieu Fee mitigation, whereas IERCD is

    the lead on the projects listed.

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    Agency ype Location AcresRequired

    imeRecd Amount

    OCWD/GWRS MitigationSantiago

    Creek1 Perpetuity 8/29/01 $50,000

    Joseph Nicholsomes

    ConservationEasement

    San TimoteoCreek

    6 Perpetuity 8/29/01 $112,000

    County ofOrange, IWMD Mitigation

    SantiagoCreek .324 Perpetuity 3/5/03 $16,200

    CaliforniaQuartet

    MitigationSantiago

    Creek2 Perpetuity 6/1/03 $100,000

    Reach 3-B FloodControl Project

    MitigationSan Timoteo

    Creek4.56 20 years /15/04 $1,620,000

    City of Irvine MitigationSantiago

    Creek2 years 4/22/04 $75,000

    So. CA. Reg.Rail Authority

    MitigationSantiago

    Creek.37 years 6/25/04 $21,000

    EssexNationwide

    Mitigation Warm Creek 0.5 years 9/22/04 $21,133

    Viele Ave. /Beaumont

    MitigationSan Timoteosub-tributary

    0.06 years 12/1/04 $ 3,000

    Yorba LindaHeights

    MitigationSantiago

    Creek3.25 Perpetuity 2/1/05 $162,500

    Caliber Motors MitigationSanta AnaWatershed

    0.1 Perpetuity 2/1/05 $ 5,000

    Metro WaterDist.

    MitigationSantiago

    Creek0.45 Perpetuity 2/1/05 $ 25,000

    OCTA Mitigation SantiagoCreek

    .06 Perpetuity 6/16/05 $3,000

    MastercraftCo servation

    EasementSan Timoteo

    CreekTBD Perpetuity 7/1/05 $242,000

    Century Homes MitigationWildwood

    Creek.09 Perpetuity 7/26/05 $87,000

    KB Homes MitigationSantiago

    Creek9.06 Perpetuity 10/6/05 $453,000

    CenturyAmerican

    MitigationSanta AnaWatershed

    .48 Perpetuity 10/19/05 $24,000

    Chino Hills/Centex Co servationEasement Chino Hills 25 Perpetuity 1/1/06 $120,930

    ialto Channel MitigationSanta AnaWatershed

    3.3 Perpetuity /16/06 $61,575

    San SevaineChannel

    Miti ationSanta Ana

    aters e9 Per etuit 0/05/06 450 000

    CalNev Pipeline MitigationCajon Wash/Lytle Creek

    .51 Perpetuity 1/8/07 $40,000

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    Project Removal MethodologyOne o the main goals o the ederal appropriations unding was restoration work in the watershed; because

    o this, the IERCD has been able to apply some o the monies toward removal o invasive species along the

    Santa Ana River mainstem. The main species targeted in these removal eorts is typically giant cane (Arundo

    donax), whose presence tends to be most prolifc in the watershed; however, other invasives removed include

    castor bean (Ricinus communis), salt cedar (Tamarix spp) tree o heaven (Alianthus altissima), and tree tobacco

    (Nicotiana glauca).

    The initial removal o invasive species is done either by hand in small project areas, or by heavy equipmen

    with eacon grinder attachments or larger eorts. Following the removal o biomass, the IERCD works with

    an outside agency to ensure minimal re-growth o invasive species. This is accomplished through active

    monitoring o project areas and treating new shoots with herbicide. Typical re-growth in the frst year ate

    the removal project has begun can be anywhere rom 20-60 percent; however, or the site to be considered a

    success, the presence o invasives in a project area cannot exceed 5 percent, at the end o the contract. The

    IERCD works with contractors to ensure this goal is achieved, and ollowing that, continues quarterly site

    monitoring in perpetuity.

    The methodology or choosing project sites involves location and inundation o the proposed site, as wel

    as proximity to sites that have already been cleared o exotics. The accelerated manner in which invasive

    propagate in combination with the dispersal power o riverine systems is what has enabled the spread o

    invasives in the watershed. As a result o these removal eorts, approximately 1.25 million gallons o water arerestored to the river system annually, or every acre oArundo donaxremoved (Southern Caliornia Integrated

    Watershed Program:Arundo Removal Protocol, sawpa.org.) For these reasons, the IERCD ocuses on remova

    o exotic species in, on the banks o, and close to the Santa Ana River.

    Hand Removal oArundo donax Heavy Equipment Removal oArundo donax

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    Invasive Plant Removal Projects

    The project area is a 300-acre site located in the city o Riverside, in the county o Riverside. O the entir

    site, over 1/3 o the acreage was inested with invasives including giant cane (Arundo donax), tree o heaven

    (Alianthus altissima), castor bean (Ricinus communis), and tree tobacco (Nicotiana glauca). The initial remova

    work began in February o 2007, but had to stop in April o 2007 when the endangered least Bells vireo (Vireo

    bellii pusillus) was located within the project boundaries. Removal was able to begin again in September o

    2007, which is the month that marks the o cial end o the nesting seasons or vireo, and continued unti

    completion in December 2007.

    Since then, an outside contractor has monitored the area and completed herbicide treatments to any visible

    re-growth on a monthly basis. This phase o removal will continue until 2012, at which point the presence

    o invasives on the project site is targeted to be less than 5 percent. At that point, IERCD sta will take ove

    monitoring and occasional treatment o re-growth on a quarterly basis.

    The majority o removal eorts conducted by the IERCD involve single-site projects that ocus on eradication

    o invasives in one specifc, delineated area. This project, in contrast, involves multiple sites that are typically

    much smaller than other projects held by the district. In order to deal with this unique situation, a contract

    enabling work to be done in all o San Bernardino county was drawn up to prevent the excessive paperwork

    that would have resulted rom so many

    small undertakings.

    Some o the projects that have

    resulted rom this contract include

    removal work in the cities o Upland,

    San Bernardino, Redlands, Yucaipa,

    and Highland. IERCD sta perorms

    quarterly monitoring and periodic

    maintenance on previously-eradicated

    sites in an eort to prevent re-growth.

    Additional sites are chosen within the

    project area depending on degree o

    inestation, as well as proximity to the

    Santa Ana River due to the manner in

    which invasive species propagate.

    San Bernardino County Wide Clean-Up Contract

    Santa Ana River

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    Each year the Inland Empire Resource Conservation District visits thousands o school children and educate

    them on the importance o an ecological existence. During the past year, the education department oered

    environmental education programs tied to the Caliornia content standards or the teaching proession. Fo

    all students within the district boundaries, Inland Empire RCDs purpose is to inorm the public that resource

    conservation can be practiced even with limited time, space, or fnancial means. Many schools utilized the

    districts ree environmental programs, and have shared their experiences with other teachers, which has

    helped to expand IERCDs educational programs.

    The audience reached as a result o IERCD programs increase

    yearly. The water conservation program was added in Decembe

    2007. This program is being done in conjunction with the San

    Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District and the Yucaipa Valley

    Water District. Schools throughout the district have had this

    program in their classrooms. The water conservation program

    teaches students about where their water comes rom as wel

    as how to conserve water. The IERCD also presents Stormwate

    Pollution, Trees Please, and Backyard Conservation programs

    at Earth Day events, community events, Science Nights and

    Education Expos in order to reach out to all ages o the public

    These events have helped improve our relationships with schools

    as well as to advertise our organization to the general publicToil o Soil

    Using scientifc soil sieves, students reveal the components and properties o soil. Students gain an

    understanding that all living creatures depend on healthy soil or their existence. Students learn about how

    soil is made and why conserving it is so important.

    Backyard Conservation

    Backyard Conservation teaches students the importance o practicing conservation in their own backyards

    Students identiy the sources o many household items and ways they can conserve resources at home and a

    school. Students reinorce their connection to the web o lie through hands on activities.

    Stormwater Pollution

    Stormwater Pollution teaches students about Non-Point Source Pollution (NPS) through the use o an

    Enviroscape watershed model. Students are taught about the water cycle. Students participate in modeling

    how surace and groundwater can transport pollutants rom their neighborhoods into the Santa Ana Rive

    and out to the Pacifc Ocean.

    Education Report

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    Trees Please

    Students engage in a class discussion on the benefts trees provide: shade, lumber, oxygen, cleaner air, wildlie

    habitat, etc. Students also discuss the benefts o growing native plants. The students are then given a plante

    some soil, and a native tree seed to cultivate and take home with them.

    Wonders o Wetlands

    The Wonders o Wetlands program uses an interactive game to involve students in demonstrating the unctions

    and eatures o a wetland. Students learn how wetlands can remove pollutants and improve water quality

    The students learn how they can preserve this natural resource.

    Recycle, Reduce, Reuse

    Recycle, Reduce, Reuse teaches students how they can help promote the wise use o our resources through

    recycling, reusing and reducing. Students understand the importance o recycling and are taught how they

    can implement recycling in their home.

    Water Conservation

    Using the Enviroscape model, the students learn about what ground water is and how it is taken out o theground. Students discuss how water is used and learn how much water is used or daily activities; the student

    then learn about ways they can conserve water.

    The Envirothon The Envirothon is an outdoor natural resource education

    program or high school students in grades 9-12. Students

    rom all over the state are challenged to work in teams to

    answer written questions and conduct hands-on explorations

    on topics including orestry, soils, wildlie, aquatics, and a

    current issue topic.

    For the 2008 competition, the current issue topic was:

    Recreational Impacts on Natural Resources. IERCD

    participated in the 2008 Caliornia Envirothon via sponsorship o two teams rom the City o Banning and

    also by sending one o the associate members o their Board o Directors to attend the competition. The

    Conservation Educator also attended one o the preparation workshops.

    The competition was held at the Wonder Valley Resort and Conerence Center near Fresno rom April 2-4

    Eleven teams participated. The winning team, the Eco-Pirates, were rom Palisades Charter High School in

    Pacifc Palisades. The American Lions rom Arlington High School in Riverside took second place and the

    Hacunamatatas rom El Camino Real High School in Woodland Hills taking third place.

    13

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    Speak-OfThe Speak-O is a speaking competition or high school students. Each participant is given 3-5 minutes to

    speak on the selected topic, which changes every year. All speech evaluations are done by a panel o three

    judges. The frst, second, and third place winners receive either 200,100, or 50 dollars. The District Speak-O

    is usually held in September, so that the winner can move on to the Regional Speak-O and then move onto

    the State Speak-O i they win the Regional. TheDistrict Speak-O is held at the AK Smiley Library

    in Redlands.

    The District 2007 Speak-O was held on September

    18, 2007. The topic or the competition was:

    Youth and RCDs: Conservation or the Future.

    Brad Evans, a senior at Redlands High School,

    took home 1st place with his speech. He went on

    to represent the District at the State Speak-O. Jasdeep Sandhu, a sophomore at Redlands High School, took

    home 2nd place.

    The District 2008 Speak-O was held on May 27th, 2008. The 2008 District Speak-O was held in the spring

    to allow more time or the Conservation Educator to advertise the Speak-O to students and or the students

    to have more time to sign up and prepare or it. The topic or the competition was: The RCDs Role in Wildfre

    Recovery and Restoration. Jasdeep Sandhu, a junior at Redlands High School, took home 1st place with

    his speech. Jessica Kaushal, rom Redlands High School, took home 2nd place and Britney Peterson, o

    Bloomington High School, took home third place.

    Composting WorkshopThe IERCD added a composting workshop or adults to our growing

    repertoire o education programs. The Conservation Educator and

    Project Manager researched and designed a composting workshop

    to be presented to community groups. The composting workshop

    consists o a power point presentation as well as an IERCD led

    group discussion o composting strategies and tips or success. The

    PowerPoint describes what composting is and presents the basic

    steps to composting at home. IERCD hopes to encourage adults as

    well as children to learn more about the environment and conserving

    our resources!

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    Total Number o Classroom Education Programs or 07-08

    Total Number o Students Taught Stormwater Pollution at Outreach Events in 07-08

    Employee Backyard Conservation Events # o Students Taught

    Amy Bonczewski

    Wildlie Art Festival 50

    Chino Youth Museum 51

    Girl Scout Event 26Total 127

    Total Number o Students Taught Backyard Conservation at Outreach Events in 07-08

    Employee Trees Please Events # o Students Taught

    Amy Bonczewski

    Education Expo-Ontario 1200

    Chino Youth Museum 40

    Girl Scout Earth Day 52

    Chino Hills Earth Day 105

    Buttery Days at RubidouxNature Center 100

    Kimberly Elementary Science

    Night140

    Fontana Nature Center Arbor Day 245

    Terra Vista Elementary Earth Day 350

    Lyle Briggs Elementary Earth Day 500

    Chino Basin Earth Day 500

    Total 3232

    Total Number o Students Taught Trees Please at Outreach Events in 07-08

    Employee Programs # o Students #o Classrooms

    Amy Bonczewski

    Backyard Conservation 697 32

    Stormwater Pollution 1864 45

    Wonders o Wetlands 162 8

    Trees Please 582 22

    Toil o Soil 455 22

    Recycling 603 17

    Water Conservation 624 26

    Total 4987 172

    Employee Stormwater Events # o Students Taught

    Amy Bonczewski

    Girl Scout Event 26San Bernardino Earth Day Fair 54

    Education Expo-Ontario 1200

    Total 1280

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    P r o j e c t R e p o r t sSanta Ana Watershed AssociationIERCD has a major role in the Santa Ana Watershed Association as an IERCD representative serves on the

    board o directors. SAWA was ormed in 1998 by the fve Resource Conservation Districts located in the Santa

    Ana Watershed. Since this time, SAWA has become a non-proft organization with a large number o sta

    consisting o biologists, naturalists and feld technicians.

    The Santa Ana Watershed Association (SAWA) continues to maintain over 3,000 acres o removed invasive

    plants. IERCD maintains 1,123 o those acres. The majority o the eradication expenses take place in years 2-4

    where re-growth occurs and herbicide applications need to take place.

    The ollowing removal projects are being maintained by IERCD and are currently being unded by the edera

    appropriations monies. Once the earmark unds have been expended, SAWA will continue the maintenance

    responsibilities. The Field Ecologist has verifed that a majority o our removal locations have less than 1%

    regrowth o biomass. As a result, it has been determined that the complete removal o invasive plants i

    approximately a fve-year process. This determination becomes essential inormation or budget estimate

    on uture projects. The Santa Ana Watershed Association also produces an annual report that covers January

    -December o each year.

    Picture by Tim

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    Employee SAWA Hours

    Jennifer Ares 491.50

    Kate Sykes 228.38

    Mandy Parkes 69.75

    James Law 488

    Gretchen Thomsen 8

    Many hours were spent on SAWA projects or fscal

    year 2007-2008. The breakdown or hours spent

    per employee is as ollows:

    Project Area County Acreage

    San Timoteo Creek Riverside/San Bernardino 209

    Yucaipa San Bernardino 21

    Highway 30 (Highland) San Bernardino 30

    East Twin Creek San Bernardino 100

    Santiago / Modjeska I Orange 120

    Santiago Creek Phase II Orange 15

    Cajon Wash San Bernardino 25

    Harrison Canyon San Bernardino 10

    Calimesa/Cherry Valley Riverside 16

    Santa Ana River Mainstem & Upper MillCreek

    San Bernardino 70

    Lytle Creek San Bernardino 9

    Lower Mill Creek San Bernardino 125

    Norco San Bernardino 300

    Warm Creek San Bernardino 1

    San Bernardino Gol Course San Bernardino 5

    San Bernardino County Wide Removal San Bernardino 17

    Santa Ana River at Mission Riverside 50

    Total 1,123

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    Devil Canyon ProjectIn July o 2006, the San Bernardino County Flood Control District (SBCFCD) received permission to perorm

    improvements in both the San Sevaine and Rialto channels, two tributaries to the Santa Ana River. The planned

    work involved channel excavation, constructing access ramps, and erecting encing and gates; proposed

    impacts rom both sets o improvements was projected to be 12.25-acres o permanent fll into non-wetland

    waters o the United States, in addition to potential alterations to streambed habitat o tributaries to the Santa

    Ana River. The Flood Control District was directed by the Department o Fish and Game, the Army Corps o

    Engineers, and the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board to purchase mitigation credits rom the

    in-lieu ee program through the Santa Ana Watershed Association. This was done in order to oset impact

    rom their planned channel improvements, and the resulting payment totaled over fve hundred thousand

    dollars.

    The Inland Empire RCD used the unds received rom the in-lieu ee program or control o invasive species

    including twenty years o maintenance and monitoring ollowing the initial removal within the watershed

    The site selected was Devil Canyon, in Northern San Bernardino. To date, the site has been completely cleared

    o invasives, with the majority consisting o giant cane ( Arundo donax). Other non-native species removed

    rom the site included castor bean (Ricinus communis), salt cedar (Tamarix spp), and tree tobacco (Nicotiana

    glauca).

    Currently, the Devil Canyon site is in the maintenance and monitoring phase o the project. The IERCD feld

    ecologist visits the site on a monthly basis to check or and spray any re-growth. The removal o invasives rom

    this site contributes to the overall health o the watershed, as it radically improves the health and unction o

    the existing habitat.

    July 2007 March 2008

    S A W A M i t i g a t i o n

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    Lytle Creek GrantIn January o 2008, the Inland Empire Resource Conservation District began participating in the Lytle Creek

    Watershed Action project, an advisory group working

    to improve water quality in Lytle Creek. Led by theWater Resources Institute which operates in cooperation

    with Caliornia State University at San Bernardino, the

    project is being unded through a grant rom the state o

    Caliornia Department o Water Resources. Participating

    agencies include several non-profts, special districts, and

    private organizations, including the Santa Ana Watershed

    Association, the Lytle Creek FireSae Council, and the

    West Valley Water District. The IERCD is using ederal

    appropriations money to match unding provided to

    accomplish grant tasks assigned to the district.

    The objectives outlined in the action plan range are being accomplished through the completion o a variety

    o tasks by the organizations taking part in the project; these range rom species monitoring in Lytle Creek

    to perorming outreach to people identifed as heavy recreational users o the creek. For the purposes o the

    project, the WRI identifed cities that are home to the largest amount o day-users o Lytle Creek. These heavy

    use areas will receive the bulk o the outreach unded by the grant in an eort to curb the polluting behavior

    o people that recreate on weekends in the project area.

    The IERCD is currently in the process o satisying their three project tasks as assigned by the WRI, all o which

    are part o the public outreach portion o the grant. The frst task involves the planning and implementation o

    watershed orums which will take place in cities known to be home to the largest populations o day-users.

    Lytle Creek

    G r a n t s a n d Pa r t n e r s h i p sIERCD sta members actively pursue grant opportunities consistent with both the mission and geographica

    range o the district. In order to maximize the amount o grants procured by the IERCD, the district manager

    the project manager, and the conservation educator all receive weekly electronic updates listing available

    grants and associated requirements. These three sta members have also each attended two-day grant workshops ocusing on how to fnd and successully apply or applicable project unding. The ollowing summarie

    reect the grant groups and partnerships the IERCD has participated in or this fscal year.

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    Big Bear Sediment Load Reduction Program

    Potential topics will include methods or increasing ecological behaviors and instructional sessions on

    gardening and composting. For the second task, the IERCD will perorm their Stormwater Pollution program

    in schools located both near the project area as well as in cities identifed as home to the most day-users o

    the creek. For the fnal task, the IERCD will design and implement a water-wise garden comprised o native

    Caliornia plants. This garden is tentatively planned to be planted at the PAL (Provisional Accelerated Learning

    Center in the city o Muscoy.

    Inland Empire RCD recently concluded a grant with the State Water Resources Control board or restoration

    eorts in the Big Bear Lake watershed. Big Bear Lake is subject to excessive sediment deposition which ha

    contributed to the eutrophic condition o the lake and to a decrease in the lakes habitat and recreational ca

    pacity.

    One large contributor o the sediment deposition in Big Bear Lake occurs rom the sub-watershed o Knicker

    bocker Creek which is roughly 3% o the total Big Bear Lake watershed area. The runo rom Snow Forest i

    deposited into Knickerbocker Creek. The ski area did not have adequate vegetative cover to absorb the rain

    all so rills and gullies orm which cause large amounts o sediment to fll culverts and contribute to stormwa

    ter pollution. The recreational uses o Snow Forest Ski Resort area have contributed to the erosion concerns

    These recreational uses consist o mountain biking and snow sledding.

    IERCDs project approach included educating the Big

    Bear Lake community and recreation area users, as well

    as implementing erosion control methods on the Snow

    Forest site. Erosion control methods consisted o the

    installation o berms and rock check dams to prevent

    slope erosion. Jute matting, an erosion control abric

    were also placed on the slope to prevent erosion and

    rilling. To prevent recreational sledding, native trees

    were planted at the bottom o the slope and large trees

    trunks were placed laterally on the hillside.

    The eectiveness o the erosion control methods will be determined during the high precipitation months

    IERCD sta will observe the success o the project with photo documentation.

    Rock Check Dam

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    Water Use Ef ciency PartnershipsThe Inland Empire Resource Conservation District (IERCD) began collaborating with the Yucaipa Valley Water

    District (YVWD) and the San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District (SBVWD) in October 2007 to bring the

    Water Use E ciency program into classrooms, aterschool programs, and youth organizations throughout

    the districts o YVWD and SBVWD.

    The Water Use E ciency program has become a popular program due to the current state o Caliornias

    water supply. In June 2008, Governor Schwarzeneggar proclaimed a drought statewide. This prompted the

    Metropolitan Water District o Southern Caliornia to declare a Water Supply Alert in Southern Caliornia. As

    a result, many cities, counties and water agencies are adopting ordinances and accelerating public outreach

    campaigns.

    The IERCD Water Use E ciency program teaches students about where their water comes rom, how much

    they use or daily activities, and how to use water more e ciently. The YVWD and the SBVMWD began the

    collaboration with IERCD to increase public awareness o water use e ciency, since IERCD is currently visit-

    ing schools teaching students about natural resource conservation. The district hopes to expand the water-

    use e ciency program beyond the schools to reach more members o the community.

    Water and resource conservation district of cials observe the Water Use Ef ciency Program

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    F i n a n c i a l S u m m a r yStatement o Net Assets For Year Ending June 30, 2008

    Cash and Cash Equivalents 2,077,409

    Due From Other Governments 52,978

    Due rom SAWA 18,008

    Employee Receivable 40

    Interest Receivable 19,994

    Taxes Receivable 68,922

    Prepaid Expenses 9,419

    Restricted Assets:

    Cash and Cash Equivalents 1,080,130

    Capital Assets, Net o Depreciation 178,518

    Total Assets 3,505,418

    LIABILITIES

    Accounts Payable 107,662

    Salaries and Benefts Payable 7,285

    Compensated Absences Payable 16,754

    Total Liabilities 131,701

    NET ASSETS

    Invested in Capital Assets, Net o Related Debt 178,518

    Restricted 1,080,130

    Unrestricted $2,115,069

    Revenues

    SAWA

    State

    Federal

    Mitigation

    Property Taxes

    InvestmentEarnings

    Other

    Expenses

    Salaries andBenefits

    Services and

    Supplies

    Depreciation

    Statement o Activities or the Year Ended June 30, 2008

    EXPENSES

    Salaries 302,292

    Services and Supplies 682,575

    Depreciation 17,402

    Total program expenses 1,002,269

    PROGRAM REVENUES

    SAWA projects 101,407

    State assistance 54,904

    Federal assistance 464,827

    Mitigation Funds 347,000

    Total program revenues 968,138

    Net Program Expense -34,131

    GENERAL REVENUES

    Property Taxes 661,398

    Investment Earnings 101,142

    Loss on disposal of Capital Assets -3,224

    Other 27,714

    Total General Revenues 787,030

    Change in Net Assets 752,899

    Net Assets- Beginning 2,620,818

    Net Assets- Ending $3,373,717

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    0

    8

    /0

    9

    S

    ta

    ff

    W

    o

    rkp

    la

    n

    Staff Type of WorkPercentage of Hours

    Per Task

    DistrictManager

    Operations 7%

    Financial 7%

    Board of Directors 9%

    Marketing and Public Relations 15%

    Federal Earmark 15%

    Conferences and Training 2%

    Human Resources 5%

    Fund Raising 15%

    Santa Ana Watershed Association 10%

    Mitigation and Easements 10%

    Environmental Education Center 5%

    Staff Type of WorkPercentage of Hours

    Per Task

    ProjectManager

    Operations 5%

    Board of Directors 5%

    Marketing and Public Relations 5%

    Federal Earmark 10%

    Conferences and Training 5%

    Fund Raising 5%

    GIS 5%

    Lylte Creek Grant 15%

    Santa Ana Watershed Association 5%

    Mitigation and Easements 35%

    Environmental Education Center 5%

    The 2008-2009 workplan reects the percentage o time district sta expects to spend

    on each project or the upcoming fscal year.

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    Staff Type of WorkPercentage of

    Hours Per Task

    AdministrativeAssistant

    Operations 30%

    Financial 5%

    Board of Directors 15%

    Marketing and Public Relations 25%

    Federal Earmark 5%Conferences and Trainings 1%

    Human Resources 10%

    Fund Raising 1%

    Lytle Creek Grant 1%

    Santa Ana Watershed Association 5%

    Fairs/Expos 1%

    Environmental Education Center 1%

    Staff Type of Work Percentage ofHours Per Task

    FieldEcologist

    Board of Directors 1%

    Marketing and Public Relations 1%

    Federal Earmark 20%

    Conferences and Trainings 2%

    GIS 15%

    Lytle Creek Grant 5%

    Santa Ana Watershed Association 20%

    Mitigation and Easements 35%

    Environmenal Education Center 1%

    Staff WorkPercentage of

    Hours Per Task

    ConservationEducator

    Marketing and Public Relations 20%

    Federal Earmark 10%

    Conferences and Training 2%

    Lytle Creek Grant 5%

    Classroom presentations 33%

    Fairs/Expos 10%

    Environmental Education Center 5%

    Annual School Events 15%

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    I N L A N D E M P I R E

    R E S O U R C EC O N S E R V A T I O N D I S T R I C T