Programs

The Fall River Conservancy (FRC) organizes work around fundamental program areas.  In 2011, FRC will identify measurable conservation objectives with specific time lines for each of the following program areas:

  1. Habitat Restoration
  2. Water Quality
  3. Scientific Research and Monitoring
  4. Conservation Partnerships
  5. Land Protection

 

Habitat Restoration

Habitat Restoration Strategies, Year 1

  • Partner with the Fall River Resource Conservation District and other stakeholder groups to begin identifying priority restoration projects and sources of potential funding

Habitat Restoration Objectives

  1. Improve and protect water quality and quantity
  2. Sustain and improve aquatic and riparian (river bank) habitat
  3. Restore and improve stream channel and river bed
  4. Improve health and abundance of wild trout populations and other priority species

Background

Anecdotal evidence from around the Fall River Valley suggests that habitat conditions and trout populations in the Fall River continue to deteriorate at an alarming rate.  Two to four feet of fine sediment (275,000 cubic yards) degrades much of the upper river bed, while invasive aquatic plants continue to spread throughout the lower portion of the river.

Numerous assumptions exist about the various factors limiting wild trout populations and healthy habitat in the Fall River.  Unfortunately, the bulk of existing literature dates back almost ten years (Fall River Resource Conservation District, 2002) (Tetra Tech Inc, 1998) (Department of Water Resources, 1998).  The absence of updated research, data, and assessment make it difficult to assess current conditions, and prioritize limiting factors, or design effective short-term conservation projects.  Consequently, in 2011, FRC will work with UC Davis, California Trout, the Fall River Resource Conservation District, the Department of Fish and Game, the State Water Board, and other partner organizations to identify priority threats, design viable restoration projects, and begin identifying funding sources.

Water Quality

Water Quality Strategies, Year 1

  • Partner with UC Davis to assess baseline conditions and identify limiting factors
  • Design a long-term monitoring system for measuring changes in water quality
  • Identify water conservation restoration or enhancement projects
  • Partner with Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) to identify priority projects and funding sources

Water Quality Objectives

  1. Improve water quality and quantity in the Fall River
  2. Improve water efficiency for agricultural operators and residential developments
  3. Protect the Fall River headwaters and spring systems from future threats

Background

The FRC works directly with local landowners, agricultural operators and the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) to carry out voluntary programs which promote ground and surface water conservation.  The goal of our water quality program is to protect water quality and quantity in the Fall River.  The Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (Farm Bill) established a federal funding program known as the Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (AWEP).  AWEP provides financial and technical assistance to farmers and ranchers to assist them in applying agricultural water enhancement activities that conserve ground and surface water and improve water quality on agricultural lands.  Eligible activities for funding include,

  1. Water quality or water conservation plan development, including resource condition assessment and modeling;
  2. Water conservation restoration or enhancement projects, including conversion to the production of less water-intensive agricultural commodities or dryland farming;
  3. Water quality or quantity restoration or enhancement projects;
  4. Irrigation system improvement or irrigation efficiency enhancement;
  5. Activities designed to mitigate the effects of drought

An agricultural producer may apply directly to NRCS for financial and technical assistance or a producer may apply through an entity such as the Fall River Conservancy that submits a proposal on behalf of a group of agricultural producers.  In our first year of operation, FRC will work with the NRCS to identify priority projects in the Valley.

Scientific Research and Monitoring

Research and Monitoring Strategies, Year 1

  • Partner with the UC Davis Watershed Center and the Dept of Agriculture to begin comprehensive monitoring and assessment of existing conditions
  • Partner with California Trout to begin statewide advocacy for the Fall River
  • Partner with the Fall River Resource Conservation District to begin identifying priority restoration projects and sources of potential funding

Research and Monitoring Objectives

  1. Establish baseline scientific assessments and monitoring program
  2. Determine existing conditions of target species and key habitat
  3. Identify biological limiting factors of ecosystem function
  4. Develop metric indicators for measuring success of future conservation actions

Background

FRC is currently working with local landowners and new partner organizations to improve the quality of scientific monitoring and assessments. Through a new partnership with University of California Davis and California Trout, FRC is helping facilitate objective, credible, and useful science throughout the valley.

The Center for Watershed Sciences at UC Davis proposes to establish permanent survey sites on the Fall River in order to collect key biological and physical baseline data.  Data collected by UCD will be used to initially monitor hydrologic, geomorphic, and ecological conditions on the Fall River over a two year baseline study period with the intention of 1) identifying existing conditions of the Fall River 2) directing future restoration priorities.

Conservation Partnership

Community Outreach Strategies, year 1

  • Form network of public, private and non-profit partners
  • Make accessible to all stakeholders, community members, and decision makers, existing management plans, latest research reports, scientific findings, and policy information
  • Involve community in conservation planning and educate community on conservation issues

Community Objectives

  1. Strengthen and Preserve the Fall River culture, heritage, and community
  2. Unite community around a common vision of the future of the Fall River Valley
  3. Inform and educate community about resource management and policy issues

Background

We believe that lasting conservation solutions originate from the ground up –from individuals and groups that care about the natural resources that impact their lives.  In this sense, successful community building is about connecting places with community and people.

The Fall River community consists of diverse groups of individuals linked together by the intrinsic values of the Fall River Valley.  These groups range from third generation ranchers, to recently established wild rice farmers, business owners, second-home owners, hunters, fly-fisherman, river guides, and other outdoor recreationalists.  While these groups differ significantly in demographics, they share a common interest in the general economic, cultural and ecological well-being of the valley.

The Fall River Conservancy is devoted to bringing these groups together to build a common vision for the future of Fall River Valley.  In our first year, we’re working to build our capacity and local credibility in order to facilitate dialogue, provide information to the community, and develop workable strategies for protecting the river and valley.

Land Protection

Land Protection Strategies, Year 1

  • Partner with key land trust organizations and interested foundations to begin identifying priority properties with high ecological importance
  • Develop land acquisition, easement strategies
  • Provide financial and technical assistance to agricultural operators to assist them with water enhancement activities that improve water quality on agricultural lands.

Land Protection Objectives

  1. Protect priority lands from over-development or excessive sub-division
  2. Preserve Fall River Valley heritage, culture and community
  3. Reduce tail-water returns from agricultural run-off, improve water efficiency

Background

The Fall River Conservancy protects important land resources for public benefit.   While our conservation programs span beyond the missions of most land trusts, we believe that land acquisition, conservation easements and other land stewardship programs make highly effective conservation tools.

This year (2011), the FRC will work with the Shasta Land Trust, the Trust for Public Lands and other interested parties to develop a land stewardship program that protects the character, cultural heritage, natural resources, and wildlife of the Fall River Valley.  Over the last decade, organizations like the Shasta Land Trust have made great progress in establishing easements along the Fall River.  FRC intends to build on these accomplishments by utilizing our local presence and knowledge to identify future projects.  As our capacity grows, the FRC will begin identifying properties with high ecological value while also developing strategies for potential acquisition, easements, and other forms of long-term protection.