Executive Summary

Together with Federal, State and Local resource agencies and land managers, conservation groups and other interested individuals, the Sierra Valley Resource Conservation District has taken the lead in coordinating watershed planning, restoration and monitoring activities designed to enhance and restore the hydrologic function of the wetlands and watershed habitats in Carman Valley.  The watershed management strategy designed by the Partnership developed a project approach that established a long-term management framework for the Carman Creek watershed.  In addition to the watershed management strategy, a Technical Advisory Committee was developed and has been overseeing progress of the Partnership and its accomplishments.

The Carman Valley Proposition 204 Watershed Restoration Project began in May 2000 and concluded in April 2003.  Sierra Valley RCD and its partner, the USFS - Tahoe National Forest -Sierraville Ranger District developed a plan, developed a schedule and met on a regular basis to track progress.  Modifications were made as deemed necessary by the core team members which included Randy Westmoreland – USFS, Jan Stine – SVRCD, Terry Benoit – Plumas Corporation, Jim Steele – SNFC/SFSU, and Mike Reid – SWRCB & Dennis Heiman – RWQCB5.

The restoration project was quite challenging as the pond and plug technique is relatively new and the project contained four distinct on-the-ground projects including:

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. Shaded Fuelbreak;  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.

All projects were completed in compliance with the National Environmental Protection Act the approved October 1999 U.S.E.P.A. Quality Assurance Protection Plan.

1. The Carman Valley Watershed Restoration project (which included the Grazing Strategy) was addressed under the July 2000 Environmental Assessment.  The Environmental Assessment received a Finding of No Significant Impact in September 2000.
2. The Hydrologic Intervention project received an approved Water Quality Certification for “Discharge of Dredged and/or Fill Materials for Carman Creek Watershed Restoration Project, Sierra County” in January 2001.
3. The Basque-It Shaded Fuelbreak project received a Decision Memo approving a Categorical Exclusion (from further documentation in an Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement) in May 2001 and the project was commenced shortly thereafter.

Included in this Executive Summary is the TASK PROGRESS Sheet, prepared by Contract Manager Mike Reid and recordings of Deliverables sent by Jan Stine.