Shasta Valley RCD hosts TMDL workshop 

“This workshop is going to focus on the implementation of TMDLs from a non-point source pollution perspective,”  an SVRCD press release states.  “The workshop will provide a regional and statewide perspective on how TMDLs can be used to inform coordinated watershed planning and to promote the successful implementation of nonpoint-source pollution related projects.

A field tour, “Implementing the Shasta River TMDL,”  is set for Wednesday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Participants will meet at the Mount Shasta City Park lower lodge; a bus will be provided for the tour.

“The tour is provided after the lecture series so that real examples of projects used to abate and control non-point source pollution can be shared,” the release continues, then provides the following registration notes:

“If you want to attend both the workshop and tour, you must register for both separately. 

Confirmation will be provided to registrants via e-mail through the Training Academy. Water Board employees can follow the training registration requirements and then register online at http://waternet/training.  The public can register by following the instructions on-line http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/academy/.

For workshop/tour questions, call Molly Munz at (916) 341-5485.

For registration questions, call Barbara Andersen no later than today, May 4, at (916) 341-5519 or at bandersen@waterboards.ca.gov.

“On the one-day tour Wednesday we will explore the Shasta River watershed and learn about geology, coho recovery, TMDL implementation and research,” the release states.  “We will visit Big Springs Ranch, an active cattle ranch that was recently acquired by The Nature Conservancy.  The ranch has large spring complexes that originate from melted snow and glaciers atop Mt. Shasta and flow though lava tubes that emerge on the ranch; these spring complexes provide amazing salmonid habitat.”

The ranch is undergoing stream restoration activities that combine ranching, tailwater management, riparian protection and planting.

“We will also visit one of several small dam removal projects in the watershed,” the release continues.  “The field trip will conclude in the Shasta River Canyon. Local agency representatives will be narrating the tour.”

Event organizers suggest that participants bring the following: water, sun-protection and wear sturdy walking shoes.

Estimated time of tour is six to eight hours, including travel time.

Workshop coordinators are Andy Baker (NCRWQCB) and Jim Harrington (DFG).

Here is the agenda for Wednesday’s session:
9-9:15 a.m. –  Welcome and introduction to the session
9:15-9:45 a.m. – What is a TMDL and how are they implemented in California – (Dave Guiliano, Region 9, US Environmental Agency)
9:45-10:15 a.m. – Tomales Bay TMDL (Carmen Fewless, San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board)
10:15-10-45 a.m. – Assisting Landowners with TMDL Implementations (David Lewis, UC Cooperative Extension)
10:45-11 a.m. – Break
11–11:30 a.m. – Shasta River TMDL (Andy Baker, North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board)
11:30 a.m.-noon –  Assisting Ranchers with TMDL Implementation and Water Quality Monitoring in the Shasta River (David Webb, Shasta Valley RCD)
Noon-1 p.m. – lunch
1–1:30 p.m. – Tailwater Revealed: Uncovering how Agricultural Runoff Impacts Water Quality in the Shasta Valley (Lisa Unkefer, Aquaterra Consulting)
1:30-2 p.m. – Addressing Low Flows in TMDLs-Shasta River TMDL case study (Samantha Olson, Office of Chief Council)
2-2:30 p.m. – Garcia River TMDL (Jonathan Warmerdam, North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board)
2:30-3:20  p.m. – Break
3:20-4 p.m. –  Strategies for Monitoring the Effectiveness of TMDLs and What every Fish Lover Needs to Know about Bugs, Bioassessment and Biocriteria (Jim Harrington, DFG)
4-4:30 p.m. – Panel Discussion On Funding Preferences for Nonpoint Source Pollution Implementation Projects (led by Wilson Yee, USEPA Nonpoint Source Program).