Salmonid Restoration Federation

Register today for the North Coast BMP Workshop on September 16

Erosion and Sediment Control Best Management Practices Workshop

September 16, Piercy Community Center from 9am to 5pm

SRF and Pacific Watershed Associates are hosting a Best Management Practices (BMP) workshop and field tour of erosion control sites in Mendocino County. The workshop will highlight identifying and evaluating sediment sources, assessing environmental impacts, creating erosion control and prevention plans, designing and evaluating grading plans, and the environmental permitting application process.

Reserve your spot today by registering online

Salmonid Restoration Federation (SRF) is a statewide non-profit organization that promotes restoration and recovery of wild salmon populations. SRF is based in the South Fork Eel River watershed, where historically the ancient forests and once mighty Eel River supported the largest coho salmon population in California. North Coast watersheds now suffer from the legacy impacts of timber production, illegal grading, and unregulated water diversions. Since this is one of the most erosive watersheds in California, the cumulative effects of logging, grading, and marijuana cultivation contribute to sediment and erosion that impact the health of our waterways.
California is experiencing an extended drought that is affecting local communities and salmon recovery efforts across the state. In North Coast watersheds, lack of rainfall and a drastic increase in water demand are factors that have contributed to a serious water scarcity problem. Creeks that once supported thriving salmon populations are now intermittent or completely dry by the end of summer, and state and local agencies have taken notice and started to issue compliance notices for landowners to increase their water storage and develop sediment and erosion control practices.

This workshop is designed for landowners, planners, cannabis cultivators, foresters, ranchers, and regulators to learn about sediment control techniques that can be applied to mitigate erosion caused by grading, roads, and agricultural practices. In light of the recent North Coast Regional Water Board Order regarding cannabis cultivation and similar activities, it will be beneficial for growers and third party program certifiers to understand Best Management Practices. The Order issues standard conditions to address erosion control and drainage features, stream and wetland buffers, spoils management, water storage, remediation, and restoration activities.

The curriculum for the Erosion and Sediment Control BMP Workshop will assist regulators, scientists, engineers, wardens, and landowners to improve environmental protections by identifying, assessing, and ultimately designing erosion control projects.

The workshop will cover the following topics:

  • Identifying sediment sources and quantifying erosion volumes
  • Evaluating sediment sources for their potential to deliver sediment to streams
  • Assessing environmental impacts from accelerated erosion and sediment delivery
  • Creating erosion control and prevention plans
  • Designing, procuring and evaluating grading plans and permits
  • Environmental permitting application process and requirements

The workshop is limited in size. Advanced registration is $35 and late registration (after September 1) is $50.

Contact water@calsalmon.org with questions.