san luis rey river watershed management guideline prepared by the san luis rey watershed council...
TRANSCRIPT
San Luis Rey RiverWatershed
Management Guideline
Prepared by the
San Luis Rey Watershed Council
October, 2001
San Luis Rey Watershed CouncilAcknowledgements:
• Mission Resource Conservation District• Upper San Luis Rey Resource Conservation District• University of California Cooperative Extension • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 9• California Coastal Conservancy• Fallbrook Public Utilities District• USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service
Preface: The San Luis Rey River Watershed Management Guideline 2000 - Identifies General Considerations for the Watershed: Land Use Issues
Status of the Watershed
Recommendations for research and data collection
Recommendations for future management Educational Considerations
San Luis Rey Watershed
Located in the Northwest Corner of San Diego County
558 Square Miles
Drains to the Pacific Ocean
San Luis Rey WatershedBase Map
Riverside CountySan Diego County
N
CampPendleton
Oceanside
Map assembled by: Thomas ShareUSDA Natural Resources Conservation ServiceDavis, CA.
Vista
10 10 200
Data Sources:NRCS, WPS, Madalene M. Ransom, using ArcInfoSANDAG, San Diego Association of Governments
San Luis Rey WatershedManagement Project
Major Concerns• Water Quality• Invasive Plant Species• Wildlife Habitat Condition• Floodplain Management• Sand Mining• Other Watershed Issues
San Luis ReyManagement Project
Key Elements of the Program• Hired a Watershed Coordinator• Compiled and Reviewed Existing Information • Established a Watershed Council (1997)• Meetings Held Monthly• Prioritized Issues• Developed Watershed Management Guidelines• Beginning Implementation of Guidelines
• Started in 1997• Focused on Development of the Watershed
Management Guideline • Council Meetings are the Fourth Monday each
Month at 1:00 p.m. - and are Open to the Public.• Meeting Location:
• Fallbrook Public Utilities District Building990 Mission Rd. Fallbrook, CA
San Luis ReyWatershed Council
Watershed History
• 1791- Mission San Luis Rey established in Oceanside
• 1850 - California became the 31st state• 1875 - First Reservations established:
• La Jolla and Pala Reservations - 1875• Rincon Reservation - 1881• San Pasqual and Pauma Reservations - 1891
• 1891 - Mission Indian Relief Act signed
Watershed History
Watershed History
• 1895 - Escondido Canal completed• 1922 - Henshaw Dam completed • 1920’s - Citrus orchards and avocados irrigated
from locally developed water supplies• 1940’s - Irrigated agricultural enterprises
expanded
Current Status of the San Luis Rey WatershedCurrent population: Approximately 150,000
Land area: 558 Square miles
Average rainfall: 11” to 40” (Ocean to Mountains)
Land use estimates: Undeveloped: 50%Agricultural: 37%Residential: 5%Parks/Recreation: 5%Water: 2%Commercial/Office <1%Military: <1%
Generalized Land Use Map
Land UsesPublic Services / Hospital
Parks / Recreation
Agriculture
Undeveloped
Residential
Industrial / Transportation
Commercial / Office
Military
Data Source:SANDAG, San Diego Association of Governments
N
Current Status of the San Luis Rey Watershed
San Luis Rey Watershed: 558 sq. miles
Land ownership: Private: 48%Special District: 14%Indian Reservation: 14%National Forest: 12%State: 5%Military: 5%Local Government: 2%
Generalized Ownership Map
OwnershipCityCountyStateFreewaysMilitary
Indian ReservationNational ForestBLMPrivateSpecial District / Schools / Misc. Federal
N
Data Source:SANDAG, San Diego Association of Governments
Projected Population Growth
Projected Population Growth
• Areas With Greatest Projected Growth:• Fallbrook• Valley Center• Bonsall• Pala/Pauma Valley
• Areas With Less Projected Growth:• Oceanside• Vista
Agricultural Uses
Agricultural Uses
• High Cash Value Crops• Citrus Orchards• Avocados• Truck Crops• Flowers• Nurseries
• Land and Water is Expensive• Intensive irrigation• Steep Slopes• Marginal Soils
Watershed Council’s Role
• Minimize the Impact of Agriculture on Water Quality in the San Luis Rey Watershed
• Use the publication titled - “Management Options for Nonpoint Source Pollution”
• Recommends solutions for minimizing ground and surface water problems resulting from agricultural operations.
Heavy Industrial Uses
Heavy Industrial Uses
Current Uses Within the Watershed:
• Proposed Gregory Canyon Landfill• Concerns: Location is poor, with respect to the aquifer of
the San Luis Rey River.
• Watershed Council’s Role: If constructed, the Watershed Council will
monitor river for watershed health.
Heavy Industrial Uses
Current Uses Within the Watershed:• Rosemary’s Mountain Quarry:
• Concerns: • Inadequate environmental review• Water Quality Problems• Air Quality Problems
• Watershed Council’s Role:
If constructed, the Watershed Council will monitor for watershed health.
Heavy Industrial Uses
Current Uses Within the Watershed:
• Sand Mining Operations• Recognized need for sand mining• One of the few good sand sources in
San Diego County • Concerns:• Beach sand replenishment Impacted• Need for a detailed study of sand mining
impacts on the San Luis Rey River• Increased erosion and scouring of riverbed,
especially during flood events
Fire Management
Fire Management
The Watershed Council will:
• Assist with coordination of agencies involved in
fire management in the watershed. • Conduct research on flame resistant plants
available and suitable for the watershed.• Provide maps showing fire susceptibility in the
San Luis Rey Watershed on the Watershed Council website
Fire Susceptibility Map
ModerateHighVery High
Fire Fuel Rank
N
Map assembled by: Madalene M. RansomUSDA Natural Resources Conservation ServiceDavis, CA.
Data Source:CA Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Sierra South Region Office
Fire Management
The Watershed Council will assist in or provide information on:
• Causes of Wildfire• Methods of Reducing Wildfire Incidence• Development of a Fire Management Plan• Public Outreach:
• Website• Handout Materials• Presentations to community groups
Wildlife Management
Wildlife Management Major Issues:
• Wildlife Habitat Management and Protection• Reduction in suitable habitat • Wildlife species decline• Several species listed as threatened or
endangered
• Multiple Species Conservation Program• Provide sufficient habitat• Provide corridors and linkages• Provide mitigation easements for private
landowners
Invasive Plant Species Management
Invasive Plant Species Management
Exotic, Invasive Plant Species Found in the San Luis Rey River Watershed:• Arundo• Tamarisk• Pampas grass• Castor bean
Problems:• Cause Erosion and Flood Problems • Out-Competes Native Species in Riparian
Habitat
Invasive Plant Species Programs
Eradication Efforts:• GIS mapping of invasive plant species.• Developed a Weed Management Area (WMA) to
help fund eradication efforts.• Use WMA to mitigate Native Habitat loss.• USDA Environmental Incentives Program
(EQUIP) education program:• Landowner/Manager Awareness Program• Field Visits and Community Presentations
Flood Management
Flood Management Historical Conditions:
Major Floods: Highest Flows (Oceanside)• 1916 95,600 cubic feet /
second• 1980 (Flow data missing)• 1993 25,700 cubic feet /
second
Current Conditions:• Much more development now present in
Watershed than in 1916.• Potential still exists for great floods.• Large portions of the Watershed are not
mapped for 100-year floodplain.
Water Quality and Quantity
Water Quality and Quantity
Protection of Beneficial Uses• Status:
• State Water Resources Control Board Water Quality Assessment:
• River listed as having “intermediate” water quality.• 1996 Assessment - Recreational uses in lower watershed are
threatened by coliform contamination.• The San Luis Rey River and the 1998 303(d) List:
• No Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) established yet.• But - the coastal shoreline is listed as having a high coliform
count from unidentified point and nonpoint sources.• County and City of Oceanside Now Required to
Perform Water Quality Monitoring in Watershed.
Water Quality and Quantity
Runoff Concerns From Land Uses:• Unpaved roads and Burn areas can be sources of:
• High levels of erosion• Accompanying sediment
Water Quality and Quantity Agriculture:
• Runoff from Dairies and Grazing land, if improperly managed, may contribute:
• Nutrients• Fecal coliforms• Seepage or runoff contaminated with the above into ground
and/or surface water bodies.
Run off from urban streets may contain:• Bacteria• Oil / Phenols• Nitrogen / Phospates• Suspended solids• First Hour of moderate to heavy storm - Contributes more
pollution than most city sewer systems during same time period.
Water Quality and Quantity
Water Quality and QuantityConclusion:
Water Quality Beneficial Uses are not currently significantly impaired.
Possible exception - Fecal Coliform Bacteria
Water Quality and QuantityGuideline to Address This Issue:
All land uses potentially contributing contamination to the San Luis Rey River Watershed can implement conservation practices to reduce pollution.
Recreational and Open Space Management
Recreational and Open Space Management
There are many plans and jurisdictions that will influence open space management now
and in the future.
Recreational and Open Space Management
There is considerable public land ownership in the Watershed
Recreational and Open Space Management
• Recreational Uses• Parks• Camping• Fishing• Swimming
Recommendations On Parks:• Support Recreational Activities at Current
Public Locations.• Promote use of Best Management Practices
(BMP’s) to reduce water quality problems.
Fishing Opportunities:
• Provide greater fishing opportunities by building:
•Docks•Piers•Other Facilities
Educational Opportunities
Develop Educational Materials and Workshops for Adults and Youth:
Adult Programs:• Watershed Owners Manual • Invasive Plant Identification and Removal• Integrated Pest Management• Water Quality for Homeowners
Educational Opportunities
Youth Programs:
• History of San Luis Rey River Watershed• Agricultural Literacy
• Information and Hands-on Experience inAgricultural Production
• Water Quality Programs• Water Sampling and Analysis
• Ambient Stream Bioassesment
• Watershed Management
Wetland Restoration and Enhancement
Goals:• Provide new or restored wetland habitat.• Increase wetland species diversity.• Allow for better water filtration.• Improve water quality.• Assist landowners with restoration projects.
Recommendations for Wetland Enhancement Projects
• Restore Wetlands near sand mining operations in the eastern watershed.
• Restore Other riparian areas in the San Luis Rey River and its tributaries.
• Eliminate Invasive species throughout the Watershed.
• Pursue Partnerships and grant funding to accomplish these goals.
Recommendations for Wetland Enhancement Projects
Restore riparian areas and wetlands in San Luis Rey River and its tributaries:
• Ostrich Farm Creek, near Bonsall• San Luis Rey River, near the coast• Wilderness Gardens Preserve
In Conclusion
Additional Issues that will need to be addressed:
• Future Transportation Impacts on Watershed - more Roads and Traffic?
• Impacts of Increasing Urbanization - more Homes?
• Casino / Recreational Development on Tribal Lands?
• Endangered Species Habitat Protection - Fair Compensation for landowners?
• Need to Review and Update the Watershed Management Guideline on a regular basis.