Draft Letter

March 28, 2003

Dear Project Reviewers:

On behalf of the Sierra Valley Resource Conservation District, I want to thank you for taking the time to review the Carman Valley Watershed Restoration Implementation Project for the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) funded by the Proposition 204 agreement program.

The Carman Valley Watershed Restoration project has been very successful.  As of this date, we have been able to complete both Knuthson and Three Cornered Meadows projects and hope to continue upstream in the watershed to Two Cone meadow.  The strength of the Partnership is the key to the success of our project.

This project consists of four distinct but inter-related aspects:

1. Hydrologic Intervention;  utilizing the pond and plug construction to restore the hydrologic function of the wetland and riparian corridors;  recontouring old railroad grades to restore riparian and aquatic habitat, improvement and expansion of a spillway at Knutson Meadow's outlet to improve wildlife habitat, and restoring meandering channels to improve the ecologic and hydrologic function of the watershed.
2. The Basque-It Shaded Fuelbreak project;  to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire and to promote the vigor of second-growth stands through thinning and prescribed burning.

3. Grazing Strategy;  to reduce impacts to the riparian corridor through better grazing and range management practices.

4. Outreach & Education;  to encourage public and community participation in watershed health.

We appreciate your time and effort in reviewing this DRAFT final report. The actual “deliverables” of the project have been produced and previously submitted to Mike Reid, SWRCB Contract Manager.  Photos of the project have been included to highlight successes.

This is a DRAFT copy of the Final Report to the SWRCB which is due on May 1, 2003.  Comments on this DRAFT must be received in writing by April 15, 2003 and addressed to Jan Stine, SVRCD Program Manager.  You can send comments to Jan Stine in one of three ways: by USPS mail at P.O. Box 248, Greenville, CA  95947, or by fax at 530-284-0901, or by email at sage@plumasnet.com.

Your input will be incorporated into the FINAL REPORT for the project.  We will be hosting a “Day in the District” on June 12, 2003 which will showcase this project. You are cordially invited to attend that field day, or, we are available to show you the results of the project at another time if you would like to visit the site.

Please, if you have any questions or require additional information, contact Jan Stine at 530-284-0907.

Sincerely,

JBStine

Jan Stine, Program Manager
Sierra Valley RCD