History of the CBC Watershed Work Group

The California Biodiversity Council (CBC) is a forum of Federal, State, and local representatives whose purpose is to develop strategies and integrate policies for conserving biodiversity. At the March 11, 1999 meeting of the California Biodiversity Council, Secretary Nichols formed the CBC Watershed Work Group (WWG). The mission of the CBC Watershed Work Group, as charged by the CBC, is to facilitate watershed restoration and conservation through coordination of statewide projects, policies, and support of local efforts. The CBC WWG was further charged with the 1) Provide a forum for discussing trends in watershed management, exchanging information and coordinating policies; 2) Advise the Resources Agency, Cal EPA (State Water Resources Control Board) and other agencies on development of a “Watershed Agenda”; and 3) Assess and make recommendations on the following issues: coordinating watershed restoration funding, establishing points of contact between agencies and watershed groups – i.e. establish watershed teams, and addressing barriers to effective local watershed management, such as permitting and project liability.

Co-chaired by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the California Resources Agency, the WWG is a forum for an inclusive representation of watershed interests to develop creative solutions to crosscutting issues. Participants were selected to represent a broad spectrum of non-government and government entities, a widespread geographical range, and a range of participation in watershed efforts A series of interactive discussions were held to exchange perspectives and focus the issues. The Watershed Work Group initially developed a set of Watershed Principles. (see Publications).

Useful Watershed Links

In the WWG, an unusually diverse group of federal, state, and local governments as well as private interests have coalesced to improve watershed management in the State of California. One way to achieve that goal is through the efficient distribution of information. The links below help to navigate both agencies and non-government websites.

• Watershed Management Council
  • State Agency Contacts Matrix (last update: May 30, 2001)
  • (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
• For the Sake of Salmon

• Watershed Programs in State Departments

  • CALFED Watershed Program Workshop
  • Department of Conservation Watershed Coordinator Grants Program
  • State Water Resources Control Board Watershed Management Program
  • State Water Resources Control Board Proposition 13
  • Department of Fish & Game Native Anadromous Fish & Watershed Branch
  • Department of Water Resources Urban Streams Restoration Program
  • California Coastal Conservancy Programs

WWG Publications

Use the free Adobe .pdf reader to download the WWG white paper titled Best Funding Practices for Watershed Management.

Download Best Funding Practices Now!
Download theGeneral Watershed Principles Now!

Meetings

November 13, 2001, 9:30am - 5:00pm
St. Paul's Episcopal Church; 1528 Oakdale Road, Modesto CA.
Draft Agenda.

Joint Meeting of the CALFED Watershed Program & the CBC Watershed Work Group

Directions: From CA-99 South, take the Briggsmore Ave/Carpenter Road exit. Turn left onto Briggsmore. Turn right onto Oakdale. The church is on the left.

Note: the California Biodiversity Council will be holding it's regional meeting in Modesto on November 14 & 15 - please feel free to attend that meeting and introduce yourselves to the Council members! More information. . .

Past Meeting Summaries: July 13, 2001 - Davis

Contact the WWG

Maria Rea (Co-Chair)
Assistant Secretary for Watersheds and Salmon
CA Resources Agency
1416 Ninth Street, Room 1311
Sacramento, CA 95814
916.653.5656
916.653.8102 (f)

Diane Holcomb (Co-Chair)
State Watershed Planning
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
430 G. Street #4164
Davis, CA 95616-4164
530.792.5667
530.792.5790 (f)