Marin Coastal Permit Coordination Program

North Bay Watershed AssociationJanuary 18, 2011

Why do we need a program?• Called for in 6 watershed

plans.• As many as 8 permits/

approvals to consider for restoration.

• Can cost thousands in hard cash and countless hours of learning the system.

• Can take years before permits are received while regulations and land ownership changes occur.

• Landowners risk fines.• Creek work is avoided.

Why do we need a program?1989 RCD repairs 1,100 ft

gully with rock structure

at a cost of $65,000

1993 Site shows signs of unraveling and is

maintained by landowner

1994 Wildlife flourishes at site

1999 Sign of instability showing again prompting RCD to address problem

2003 Funding is found to repair site but problem has

grown, requiring redesign plus endangered species are found

2004 Permits are secured but not in time for construction

2005 Construction completed at a cost of $130,000

U. S. Army Corps ofEngineers404 Permit

Regional Water QualityControl Board401 Certification

California Departmentof Fish and Game

Streambed Alteration Agreement

U. S. Fish and WildlifeService

Section 7 Consultation

Marin County Community Development

California Coastal Commission

Coastal Zone Review

NRCS / RCDConservation

Plan

Program Structure

Program Development

1. Developed list of 17 commonly used rangeland practices from USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Field Office Tech Guide.

2. Held tour with regulatory agencies to showcase practices.

3. Developed practice conditions, grading and volume limits based on regulatory input. (i.e. Livestock crossings can be no greater than 15 ft wide, .125 acres, 250 cu yds)

4. Held public meeting and responded to public comment.

Animal Trail

Before After

Wet crossing funded by State Coastal Conservancy in 1989.

Grade Stabilization Structure

Before After

Loose-rock headcut repair funded by State Coastal Conservancy, State Water Resources Control Board, CA Department of Fish and Game and

Students and Teachers Restoring a Watershed in 2002

Grade Stabilization Structure

Before After

Willow wattle headcut repair funded by CA Department of Fish and Game in 2002

Grassed Waterway

Before After

Funded by CA Department of Fish and Game and Students and Teachers Restoring A Watershed (STRAW) in 2000

Sediment Basin

Before After

Funded by Marin Municipal Water District in 1994.

Structure for Water Control

Before After

Funded by USDA – Natural Resources Conservation Service in 2002.

Lined Waterway

Rock-lined step channel funded by Wildlife Conservation Board, Students and Teachers Restoring A Watershed (STRAW), and

AmeriCorps in 1999

Before After

Pipeline

Pipeline for alternative water source funded by State Water Resources Control Board in 2002.

Fish Stream Improvement

Boulder cross log structure funded and managed by Marin Municipal Water District.

Stream Channel Stabilization1 2

3 4

J-hook boulder vanes funded by State Coastal Conservancy, CA Department of Fish and Game and Students and Teachers Restoring A

Watershed (STRAW) in 2002.

Stream Bank Protection

Before After

Willow wattle streambank repair funded by CA Department of Fish and Game and AmeriCorps in 2002.

Stream Bank Protection

Before After

Willow revetment funded by State Coastal Conservancy in 1990.

Access Road

Funded by State Coastal Conservancy in 2002.

Water & Sediment Control Basin

Before After

Basin and grade control structures funded by State Coastal Conservancy in 1996.

Critical Area Planting

Before After

Stream restoration funded by State Coastal Conservancy in 1996.

How the program works

November Landowner applies for funding and opts for coverage.

December-JanuaryProject is evaluated and ranked by RCD Advisory Group.

February Project is approved by RCD Board for design and cost estimation services.

How the program works

May Project is approved by RCD Board into permit program.

June-July 60 day agency comment period. Agencies visit sites. Permits received!

October 15th Project is complete!

Benefits• Landowners are engaged and want to implement

environmentally sensitive projects (40 person waiting list). • Expands funding opportunities.• Higher caliber of project - Project designs are vetted and

refined in concept stage with a technical team.• No permit cost to landowners - Landowners avoid permit fees

and agony of making beaurocratic sausage. • Restoration is cost effective - Saves taxpayer $$$. • Efficiency - Implementation schedule is reduced from 3 years

to 1.• Restoration happens - Over 130 management practices

completed. 10 mi of stream, 22 grade control structures, 2,500 trees)

• Fish and wildlife populations are increasing.

Discoveries

• Can’t use a template. • Not all agencies think alike and folks within a

single agency may not think alike.• You can count on laws changing• It takes time to learn the program.• Scheduling is critical, accommodate for

growth• Prepare for publicity.

Thanks to our Partners• Landowners• CA Coastal Commission• CA Dept of Fish and Game• Marin County• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association• RCD Advisory Groups• San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board• Sustainable Conservation• US Army Corps of Engineers• US Fish and Wildlife Service• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service