Training

See also: Elkhorn Slough Water Quality, Polluted Runoff

Goal

Increase Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board understanding of the work of partners as they strive to better understand and address water quality concerns around the Elkhorn Slough.

Objectives

Increase participant understanding of:

•        Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve and Elkhorn Slough Foundation programs;

•        water quality trends;

•        hydrology of the Elkhorn Slough;

•        partnerships with farmers;

•        actions to reduce water quality impairments, and;

•        Regional Board vision.

Description

Water quality is important for healthy humans, livestock, and wildlife.  Much of California’s fresh water moves through rangelands that are grazed by livestock.  Because of this, the work of ranchers and water quality regulators intersects.  Ranchers aim to maintain economically viable businesses while at the same time being good stewards of the land.  Water quality regulators are tasked with developing and enforcing water quality objectives and implementing plans that will best protect the area's waters while recognizing local differences in climate, topography, geology and hydrology. 

This meeting provides an opportunity for these groups, along with others, to develop a more nuanced understanding of each other’s perspectives.  The Central Coast Rangelands Coalition hopes that continued communication between ranchers, regulators, and scientists will lead to improved water quality and quantity flowing through rangelands.