About This Document

Contents About This Document Introduction Water Quality Issues Management Practices for Agricultural Nonpoint Sources Section 1: Agricultural Industry Networks Section 2: Technical Information/Outreach Section 3: Education and Public Relations Section 4: Regulatory Coordination/Streamlining Section 5: Funding Mechanisms/Incentives Section 6: Public Lands and Rural Roads Bibliography Appendix A. Water Quality Protection Program Committee Members Appendix B. TMDL Schedule for Impaired Waters in Sanctuary Watersheds. Appendix C. Existing Laws and Programs Related to Agricultural Nonpoint Sources Appendix D. Definitions of Acronyms This document presents the fourth in a series of action plans for the Water Quality Protection Program (WQPP) for Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. The WQPP is a coalition of twenty-seven federal, state, and local agencies, public and private groups working together with cities, harbors, businesses and the agricultural community to enhance and protect water quality in the Sanctuary and its watersheds. Previously completed WQPP plans which are now underway address urban runoff, marinas and boating activities, and regional monitoring. This document provides an overview of water quality issues and outlines a set of strategies to address potential water quality problems associated with agricultural activities and rural lands. It was developed and revised over several years through a series of public workshops and through meetings with the WQPP committee and the Central Coast Farm Bureau Coalition. The twenty-four recommendations contained in the plan address the development of agricultural industry-led networks to reduce nonpoint pollution, improvements in technical assistance and outreach, education, regulatory coordination/streamlining, funding mechanisms and incentives, and improvements in the maintenance of public lands and rural roads. A variety of agencies, agricultural groups, public and private partners will play key roles in collaborating to carry out the plan. For More Information For more information on the Water Quality Protection Program, updates on implementation, or to obtain a copy of this document, please contact: Director, Water Quality Protection Program Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary 299 Foam Street Monterey, CA 93940 Tele: (831) 647-4201 Fax: (831) 647-4250 Sanctuary website: http://montereybay.nos.noaa.gov Contents About This Document About This Document For More Information Contents Introduction Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Central Coast Agriculture. Water Quality Protection Program. Development of Agricultural Strategies. Process for Implementation and Tracking Success Nonpoint Source Regulatory Authorities Water Quality Issues Overview of Nonpoint Source Contaminants Erosion/Sedimentation Nutrients Pesticides Microbiological Contamination. Regional Monitoring Needs Management Practices for Agricultural Nonpoint Sources Overview of Management Practices Erosion, sedimentation and runoff Water conservation Nutrients Pesticides Livestock wastes Grazing practices Facilitating Implementation of Management Practices Moving Toward Solutions The Strategies Summary of Strategies and Implementation Priorities (Table 1) Section 1: Agricultural Industry Networks 1-1: Establish regional industry networks as framework for addressing nonpoint source management 1-2: Identify priority sites for landowner/operator joint projects 1-3: Implement nonpoint source management practices using industry-led local Watershed Working Groups. Section 2: Technical Information/Outreach 2-1: Compile and distribute technical information on conservation practices from different agencies. 2-2: Strengthen referral network and cross-training for technical field staff. 2-3: Increase agency staff time to provide technical field support and prevention efforts. 2-4: Strengthen information transfer from industry to agencies. 2-5: Strengthen grower/rancher peer advisory networks. 2-6: Evaluate and distribute information on cost-effectiveness of management practices. 2-7: Develop and promote self-monitoring tools for conservation management practices. Section 3: Education and Public Relations 3-1: Increase public knowledge of and support for agriculture and agricultural conservation measures. 3-2: Increase grower and public awareness of watershed-based management. 3-3: Increase agency staff understanding of agriculture. Section 4: Regulatory Coordination/Streamlining 4-1: Develop user-friendly permit guidebooks and central locations for permit information. 4-2: Develop regional or watershed-based permits for conservation management practices. 4-3: Improve collaborative efforts between regulatory agencies and landowners. Section 5: Funding Mechanisms/Incentives 5-1: Improve agricultural community's knowledge of and access to funding sources 5-2: Facilitate availability of low-cost labor and trained assistance for conservation field projects 5-3: Broaden applicability of cost-share programs and streamline application process. 5-4: Increase understanding of existing tax benefits. 5-5: Improve tax incentives for implementing conservation measures. Section 6: Public Lands and Rural Roads 6-1: Provide for maintenance practices to address sedimentation on public roads and waterways. 6-2: Reduce sedimentation from rural unsurfaced roads and from surfaced roads that are not maintained 6-3: Improve conservation measures on agency/public trust lands. Bibliography Appendices Appendix A. Water Quality Protection Program Committee Members Appendix B. TMDL Schedule for Impaired Waters in Sanctuary Watersheds. Appendix C. Existing Laws and Programs Related to Agricultural Nonpoint Sources Appendix D. Definitions of Acronyms

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