2nd National Extension Nat Res Conference-Abstract 16

Mel George, University of California, Agronomy and Range Science Department, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616; 530.752.1720; mrgeorge@ucdavis.edu; John Harper, Stephanie Larson, and Leonard Jolley

In July 1995 California's State Water Resources Control Board approved the livestock industry supported California Rangeland Water Quality Management Plan (CRWQMP). The livestock industry, through the Range Management Advisory Committee to the State Board of Forestry, worked with several state agencies and a private consultant to develop this program of voluntary compliance with the Clean Water Act, Coastal Zone Management Act, and Porter-Cologne Act. With approval of the CRWQMP, the livestock industry must demonstrate that a voluntary program of water quality protection can be successful. Recognizing that normal modes of farm and ranch planning were inadequate to implement this voluntary program, University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) began developing a short course where rangeland owners could complete water quality plans for their properties. From 1994 to 1997 pilot short courses were conducted in several counties to determine the effectiveness of planning in a group setting. While these short courses were successful education programs, only Marin and Mendocino counties completed plans covering about 87,000 acres on 57 ranches. Beginning in September 1997 the short course was organized so that instruction about nonpoint source pollution and ranch planning was combined with a series of ?laboratory exercises.? Using questionnaires, planning workbooks, checklists and document automation techniques, these exercises led landowners through the planning process for their own ranch. Most landowners completed a short-form plan (Letter of Intent), nonpoint source self-assessment, and a complete water quality plan during the short course. These organizational changes resulted in completion of more than 300 plans covering more than 1 million acres since September 1997. This educational program is delivered by more than 40 UCCE Farm Advisors, NRCS Conservationists, California Cattleman?s Association, California Farm Bureau Federation and representatives of several other agencies, who have worked together at the county and watershed level to deliver more than 40 short courses in 22 counties. Education materials used in the short course can be found at http://agronomy.ucdavis.edu/calrng/pub.htm.