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Sent: Wednesday, March 09, 2011 2:07 PM
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NEWS
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Two New Locations of Carnation Spurge 
Unfortunately, Geraldton carnation spurge (Euphorbia terracina), also known as false caper, was again detected in Santa Barbara County. This time it was found in the Mission Canyon area and also just east of Mission Canyon. These are the fourth and fifth detections of the plant, in Santa Barbara County, since its initial detection at the intersection of State Routes 150 and 192 in Carpinteria in May 2010. Subsequently, it was detected in the El Capitan area four miles west of Refugio Rd, and then in Montecito.
Carnation spurge is a “B” rated California Code of Regulations §4500 listed noxious weed that can grow in a wide variety of conditions – low light, high light, low temperatures, high temperatures, and on undisturbed ground – that make the plant’s potential impact on California particularly worrisome especially for rangeland, grassland, chaparral, oak foothills and coastal sage landscapes. Carnation spurge can create dense thickets that can reduce biodiversity by excluding wildlife and native plants. Carnation spurge can reduce the value of rangeland as livestock will not feed on it as it contains a toxic sap. Carnation spurge is reported to cause dermatitis and temporary or permanent vision impairment in sensitive people. Landowners who find this weed are advised to control it before it becomes unmanageable. Please contact the Agricultural Commissioner, (805) 681-5600, if this plant is found on your property. Control assistance is available from the Agricultural Commissioner. Click here for more information.
EPA Requests Delay of Implementation of NPDES Permitting
On March 12, 2001, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decided that discharges of pollutants from the use of aquatic pesticides to waters of the United States require coverage under an NPDES permit, (Headwaters, Inc. v. Talent Irrigation District). The court’s mandate is scheduled to take effect nationwide on April 9, 2011. California’s public entities are currently permitted under State Water Resources Control Board Water Quality Order 2004-008-DWQ and 2004-009-DWQ. The rest of the nation and private entities not already permitted, will have to be permitted by a general permit issued by their state or the US EPA, if they apply pesticides to the waters of the U.S.
Western Farm Press reports that the EPA, on March 3, requested the court issue a six-month extension. In the meantime, the House Representative Bob Gibbs (OH-18) has sponsored HR 872, Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of 2011. HR 872 would amend both the Clean Water Act and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to exempt pesticide use from Clean Water Act permitting. The act is currently referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture.
State Water Board Implements Electronic Notification for NPDES Permitees
The State Water Resources Control Board (State Water board) has developed and implemented an electronic notification system to inform permittees of upcoming report dates for the state’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit Program.
The purpose of the electronic notification system is to reduce Mandatory Minimum Penalties for reporting violations. The Water Board’s electronic notification program has three tiers:
1. At the beginning of each year the permittee will receive a schedule of when self monitoring reports are due for the entire year.
2. Forty-five days prior to the date when a report is due the permittee will be electronically informed of the impending reporting deadline
3. If a permittee fails to file a repor, the permittee will be electronically notified that a report is past due and that penalties may be assessed against the permittee. This phase will be implemented later this year.
In order to avoid constantly having to update the notification data base, the Water Board is requiring that the agency/district holding the permit establish a “generic e-mail address” to which the notifications will be delivered. It will be the responsibility of the agency/district to ensure that the electronic notification delivered to the generic e-mail address is forwarded to or collected by the responsible person at the agency/district.
The form for submitting your generic e-mail address to the Water Board is available electronically from the Water Board's website along with a phone number to call if you have questions.
Agencies submitting self monitoring reports (SMRs) via the Electronic Self-Monitoring System (eSMR) do not need to use this form nor does this form sign up your agency for the eSMR system.
It remains the permittee’s responsibility to complete all reporting requirements whether the permittee receives electronic notification or not. The e-mail notification system will only provide notifications for routine reporting. You will not receive notifications for any special reports that need to be filed as a condition of the permit.
As authorized by the Clean Water Act (CWA), the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit Program controls water pollution by regulating point sources that discharge pollutants into waters of the United States.
US Fish and Wildlife Service Requests Comments on Draft National Wildlife Refuge System Vision.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Wildlife Refuge Association are launching a national effort – Conserving the Future: Wildlife Refuges and the Next Generation – to craft a renewed vision to guide the growth and management of the National Wildlife Refuge System for the next 10 to 20 years. There are 553 wildlife refuges – at least one in every state and territory in the U.S. Together these refuges comprise the National Wildlife Refuge System, providing 150 million acres of habitat for more than 750 animal and plant species. Download the document at National Wildlife Refuge System Vision Document. Join the conversation at http://americaswildlife.org/ to comment.
South Coast Habitat Restoration is Selected to Participate in Patagonia’s Voice Your Choice Program.
SCHR is excited to announce that they have been chosen to participate in Patagonia's Voice Your Choice Program!
Once a year each Patagonia store receives $5,000 through Voice Your Choice to be divided among three pre-selected environmental groups. Representatives from each group visit the store to talk about their efforts. Store customers then vote for the group whose work resonated most with them. The top vote-getter in each store receives $2,500, the second highest $1,500, and the third $1,000.
SCHR has been chosen to represent at this years Voice Your Choice at the Ventura Patagonia store. Voting begins March 10th and goes through March 31st. Come out and support SCHR with your vote!
For more information: Voice Your Choice
Patagonia and Toad the Wet Sprocket Come Together to Benefit South Coast Habitat Restoration
Patagonia has come together with some of music's most talented artists to form the Patagonia Music Collective in an effort to fund environmental activism. The collective brings together musicians, fans and grassroots environmental groups. Artists, such as Toad the Wet Sprocket, have donated unreleased tracks that will be sold for $0.99 with net proceeds going directly to the artist’s favorite environmental group. Toad the Wet Sprocket and Patagonia have joined together to benefit South Coast Habitat Restoration. When a fan, activist or customer purchases “Walk on the Ocean (Acoustic)” for $0.99 via the Patagonia Music Collective, net proceeds will directly go to South Coast Habitat Restoration in the artist’s name.
The tracks are now available at www.patagonia.com/music through a dedicated iPhone app and a web widget player on participating artist’s websites. Fulfillment will be handled by iTunes.
Patagonia views the “collective” as a new model for green giving, as well as a way to engage a non-Patagonia demographic in environmental activism. The Patagonia Music Collective will launch with 24 tracks with additional tracks released each subsequent week from established acts and emerging artists. Exclusive compilation records and more will be available at varying intervals at Patagonia stores worldwide.
Other musicians on board thus far include Jack Johnson, Pearl Jam, Bonnie Raitt and Jon Cleary, Maroon 5, Philip Glass, Zac Brown Band, moe, The Bad Plus, Blitzen Trapper, Mason Jennings, John Scofield, Piers Faccini, Switchfoot, Brett Dennen, Ky-Mani Marley, Sun Kil Moon, Umphrey’s McGee, Ben Solee, RaRa Riot, Spoek Mathambo, Taj Mahal, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Drive By Truckers, Bobby Long, String Cheese Incident, Ki: Theory, Moondoggies, Vusi Mahlesela, Disco Biscuits, O.A.R., Ziggy Marley, Los Lobos, Dawes, Abigail Washburn, Big Head Todd & the Monsters, Brandi Carlile and many more.
Check out www.patagonia.com/music for more information and to purchase tracks in support of South Coast Habitat Restoration and other non-profits! South Coast Habitat Restoration’s track is on Volume 2, listed on page 3.
South Coast Habitat Restoration would like to thank Toad the Wet Sprocket and Patagonia for their support
California Invasive Weed Awareness Day at the Capitol
Write a letter and join the California Invasive Plant Council and other natural resource managers in Sacramento on March 16 for Cal-IPC’s eighth annual invasive weeds advocacy day!
It’s important that we let decision-makers know that strategic invasive plant control through the WMA program (and other California Department of Food and Agriculture weed programs) is a good investment. Two great ways to do that are attending the Eighth Annual Invasive Weeds Awareness Day at the Capitol, and faxing letters of support.
Day at the Capitol will feature policy updates, advocacy training, and visits to all 120 legislative offices in the Capitol! It’s free, and we provide lunch and happy hour after the legislative visits. Policy update topics will include the WMA program update, the California Invasive Species Advisory Committee, and native plant conservation projects. Please register now!
Letters of support from the range of organizations involved in WMAs can be very powerful in aggregate. Use the sample letter with instructions that they have prepared. Cal-IPC requests that you fax your letters to three key decision-makers, and then to Cal-IPC as well. They will copy letters that are received before the event and bring those to Day at the Capitol to show to your area’s representatives.
Please help spread the word. The more organizations that are heard from, the harder it will be cut the program. Cal-IPC hopes to bring one letter from each WMA - Start today, you've only got one week before Cal-IPC heads to the Capitol.
For more information and to register, go to www.cal-ipc.org/policy/state/ciwad.php.
“Outdoors Initiative” Seeks to Reconnect Americans with Ranch and Farmlands
President Obama on February 18 announced “America's Great Outdoors Initiative, to achieve lasting conservation of the outdoor spaces that power our nation's economy, shape our culture, and build our outdoor traditions.”
The initiative seeks to reinvigorate the approach to conservation and reconnect Americans, especially young people, with the lands and waters that are used for farming and ranching, hunting and fishing.
Last summer, Administration officials held 51 listening sessions across the country to gather input from Americans about the outdoor places and activities that they value most. These sessions drew more than 10,000 participants and more than 105,000 written comments.
Released last week, the report outlines ways in which the Federal Government will help local communities accomplish their conservation and recreation priorities. Specifically, the report calls for fully funding the Land and Water Conservation Fund; establishing a 21st century Conservation Service Corps to engage young Americans in public lands and water restoration; and extending the deduction for conservation easement donations on private lands beyond 2011, among other measures.
The full report and additional information is available at: www.doi.gov/AmericasGreatOutdoors.
2011 Coastal Resource Enhancement Funds Awarded
There will not be a solicitation for the 2011 Coastal Resource Enhancement Fund (CREF) cycle. On February 15, 2011, the County Executive Officer recommended and the Board of Supervisors awarded two 2011 CREF awards to two County projects that received CREF funding in the 2010 cycle. The 2011 awards are:
- $260,580 for the Gaviota Coast Plan, and
- $69,559 for the Santa Claus Lane Streetscape Project.
These two awards expended the General Allocation portion of the CREF fund. The Acquisition portion of CREF was expended in September of 2010, when the Board awarded Trust for Public Land $311,500 to help purchase the Ocean Meadows Property near the Sperling Preserve.
USFS Releases Land Management Planning Rule
The US Forest Service has released the draft National Land Management Planning Rule for public review and comment. Forest Service land management plans guide management activities on the 155 National Forests and 20 Grasslands in the National Forest System.
The USFS said in a press release: “The proposed planning rule provides a collaborative and science-based framework for creating land management plans that would support ecological sustainability and contribute to rural job opportunities. The proposed rule includes new provisions to guide forest and watershed restoration and resilience, habitat protection, sustainable recreation, and management for multiple uses of the National Forest System, including timber.”
Publication of the proposed planning rule in the Federal Register kicked off a 90-day public comment period, ending May 16. All information, including the draft Rule and instructions on how to comment, can be found on the USFS Planning Rule website: http://www.fs.usda.gov/planningrule
The USFS also plans to hold workshops to solicit public comments, with those dates to be announced. The Regional Roundtable for Region 5 has been tentatively scheduled for Monday, March 21 in Sacramento.
Santa Barbara Agricultural Commissioner's Office Seeking Its Twenty-fifth Facebook User to Like Its Page.
The County of Santa Barbara Agricultural Commissioner's Office now has a Facebook page. In order to qualify for its own URL, the Agricultural Commissioner's Office’s Facebook page needs to have twenty-five users “Like” the page. Facebook users who like the page will receive occasional updates on County of Santa Barbara agricultural and Agricultural Commissioner events and news items.
Craig McNamara Appointed as President of the California State Board of Food and Agriculture
SACRAMENTO, February 10, 2011– Governor Jerry Brown has named Craig McNamara as president of the California State Board of Food and Agriculture.
“Governor Brown has made an excellent choice in appointing Craig as president of the board,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “Craig is dedicated to the agricultural community of this state and will work tirelessly to ensure the sustainability of our food and farming system. California’s farmers and ranchers, along with our diverse stakeholder community, can have no better champion.”
McNamara has served on the California State Board of Food and Agriculture since 2002. McNamara has been the president of the Center for Land-Based Learning since 1993 and the president of Sierra Orchards since 1980. Previously, he was a partner at Bountiful Harvest Food Company. McNamara is a member of the Public Policy Institute of California, the American Farmland Trust and Roots of Change.
The California State Board of Food and Agriculture advises the governor and secretary of food and agriculture of findings as they impact agriculture and consumer needs. The board conducts forums that bring together local, state, and federal government officials, agricultural representatives, and citizens to discuss current issues of concern to California agriculture.
Wetlands Comment Deadline Extended to May 20, 2011
RCRC joined a variety of organizations in requesting the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) to extend the comment deadline by 90 days for the Notice of Preparation (NOP) of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and Initial Study (IS) relating to the State Water Board’s Wetland Area Protection Policy and Dredge and Fill Regulations. The new deadline is May 20, 2011.
The first of three phases, the proposal by State Water Board staff calls for the adoption of a California specific wetlands definition that is broader than the federal definition used within the State today by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The proposed definition: removes the vegetation criteria that exists in the federal definition; departs from the federal “hydric soil” definition to extend regulation to any “hydric substrate”; allows for the inadvertent creation of a defined “wetland” by human activity; and, extends wetland regulation to wholly isolated areas that meet the definition whether supporting an ecosystem or not.
The IS states that while the “Project” will not address riparian areas until Phase 3, that Phase 1 would require a “watershed approach” to mitigation planning, and that it is expected that riparian areas would be included in any assessment of watershed resources. The watershed approach involves consideration of potential direct, secondary (indirect), and cumulative adverse impacts of the proposed alternative on the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of the aquatic ecosystem.
Local land use agencies will be affected in two ways: 1) local agency projects will be subject to the State Water Board wetlands and riparian area policy; and, 2) when specific projects are proposed requiring a local permit.
The NOP can be accessed at: http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/cwa401/docs/wrapp/notice_wetlands.pdf. Additional background information can be accessed at: http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/cwa401/wrapp.shtml
Forest Service Recognizes Key Players in Stopping Invasive Threats
Scientists, educators and volunteers from across the U.S. met in Washington D.C. on March 2, 2011, to receive awards for their efforts in battling bat-killing fungi, waging war on weeds and stamping out other invasive species.
The 2010 National Forest System Invasive Species Program Awards honor individuals and groups for their work in controlling invasive species that threaten the National Forest System – some 193 million acres of public forests and grasslands. The awards are being held in conjunction with the annual National Invasive Species Awareness Week.
For the complete story, visit http://www.erosioncontrol.com/the-latest/invasive-species-threats.aspx
National Invasive Species Awareness Week
National Invasive Species Awareness Week 2011, which occurred February 28 through March 4, 2011 in Washington, D.C. is a week of activities, briefings, and events to highlight what is being done across the nation and around the world to stop and slow the spread of invasive species. Planned events include: State Invasive Species Council and Regional Coordination Workshop; National Press Club Announcement of National Invasive Species Agenda; Briefings on regional invasive species issues (Great Lakes, Southeast, West, Northeast); Reception and educational program at the United States Botanical Garden; Reception and educational program at the National Aquarium. More information can be found at http://www.nisaw.org/
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event – April 3, 2011
The Public Works Department, Resource Recovery and Waste Management Division , is holding a Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Collection Event on April 3, 2011, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, at the Santa Ynez Valley Recycling and Transfer Station, 4004 Foxen Canyon Rd, Los Olivos.
All types of household hazardous waste – except for explosive, radioactive, and biological materials – will be accepted. Residents may bring up to 125 pounds or 15 gallons of waste, free of charge, per trip. Businesses that qualify as Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generators may also participate in the event between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM by appointment. Disposal fees will apply.
In addition to traditional household hazardous wastes (e.g. paint, motor oil, batteries, pesticides, etc.), residents may also drop off electronic waste (e.g. computers, TVs, telephones, DVD players, etc.), home-generated sharps (e.g. needles, syringes, lancets), and unwanted medications (with the exception of controlled substances). Please note that sharps should be delivered in rigid, puncture-proof containers. The County currently provides free containers at the Santa Ynez Transfer Station. For more information contact Leslie Robinson at (805) 882-3615, lrobins@cosbpw.net
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EDUCATIONAL EVENTS
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29th Annual Salmonid Restoration Conference
The Salmonid Restoration Federation is hosting its 29th Annual Salmonid Restoration Conference on March 23 - 26, 2011 at San Luis Obispo, CA. The theme of the conference is "Restoring Salmonids - Holding the Line on Species Decline." Visit www.calsalmon.org for more information.
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GRANTS
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National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grants
The US Fish and Wildlife Service is now accepting applications for the FY2012 funding cycle for the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grants. Eligible applicants to the grant include Coastal Conservancy, California Department of Fish and Game, Wildlife Conservation Board, California Natural Resources Agency, California Coastal Commission, Several Conservancies, and the California Conservation Corps. Other entities will have to partner with the eligible applicants for funding.
There will not be workshops for grant writing this year in California. Interested entities should start coordinating early with your Local Coastal Program Manager to design your conservation project and to develop your draft proposal. Santa Barbara County’s local manager is Mary Root, (805) 244-1766 x233, mary_root@fws.gov. Bart Prose, (916) 978-6152, bart_prose@fws.gov, and Samantha Marcum, (831) 427-4753, samantha_marcum@fws.gov, are the Regional Office leads for this Program and will be conducting the pre-proposal review, as well as sitting on the National Ranking Team for these grants. The timeline for this year's grant cycle is as follows:
Now-June 27 Work with Local Managers of Coastal Program to design project and develop your proposal
May 16 OPTIONAL Pre-proposals “due” for early review to FWS Regional Office (RO) - email to Bart and Samantha
June 9 RO will return pre-proposals no later than this date June 27 – Begin trying to submit proposals online
June 30 Official submissions due to FWS RO or grants.gov Aug-Oct – Site visits by Regional & Local Managers of Coastal Program
Sept 9, 4pm Additional Letters of Commitment due to RO
October National Ranking Team ranks proposals Dec 2011/Jan 2012 – Awards announced
January 2012 Complete Environmental Compliance & obligate money
More information can be found at http://www.fws.gov/coastal/.
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VOLUNTEERING
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Educational and volunteer opportunities are listed on the SBCWMA calendar
March Volunteer Opportunities
Carpinteria Sycamore Planting Days - Volunteers are requested to help plant 100 Portola Sycamore plants on the Carpinteria Bluffs on March 10th at 10:30 AM and March 15th at 10:30 AM; then on March 18th at 10:30 at the 8th Street bridge and Carpinteria State Beach Park. Contact Andrea Adams-Morden, 684-8077, for more information.
Foothill Open Space Planting Day, March 12 - RSVP to Jleipner@cosbpw.net or by phone (805) 882-3614
Anacapa Island Iceplant Removal, March 16 - Contact Jonathan Appelbaum, volunteer@cirweb.org
Carpinteria Creek Mouth Planting Day, March 19 - Contact Jonathan Appelbaum, volunteer@cirweb.org
Carpinteria Marsh and Bluffs Park Volunteer Day, April 2 - Contact Andrea Adams-Morden, 684-8077
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WEED OF THE MONTH
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Tree Spurge, Euphorbia dendroides
Euphorbia dendroides, also known as tree spurge, is a non-native, Euphorbiaceae family plant, that has escaped ornamental plantings especially in the area of Franceschi Park in Santa Barbara. While sensitive to frost, this plant has the potential to dominate on sunny hillsides in coastal areas if allowed to persist. It may cause dermatitis in sensitive individuals. The public is advised to eradicate this plant to avoid its escape into natural habitats. While pretty, it is requested that garden enthusiasts and nurseries not plant or propagate this species.
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Acknowledgement
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This newsletter is compiled from various sources, including emails I receive from people who are involved in the invasive weed field, and from listserves. I modify the emails, but sometimes they are inserted here nearly verbatim. I thank those people for this information and for their devotion to protecting and conserving habitat. If you recognize something that you wrote and object to its use on my website, contact me and I will promptly remove it.
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Sincerely,
David Chang
Agricultural Commissioner's Office
County of Santa Barbara
(805) 681-5600
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