STEWARD
(Successful Techniques for Enhancing Watershed And Riparian Development)
The Education Alternative: A Voluntary Stewardship Ordinance
Proposed by Napa Valley Land Stewards Alliance
Curriculum:
Basics of general watershed management
- Aquatic and riparian life and necessary habitat
- Factors impacting stream quality, clarity, temperature, texture
- Riparian vegetation, filtration, and shade
- Other filtration techniques, no-till farming, and cover crops
- Erosion, natural and man-made, erosion's desirable and undesirable effects, and control and prevention of erosion
- Pollution risks and protective measures
- Wildlife corridors, access to food, water, shelter
Review fellow applicants' plans and projects
- Field trips to on-going projects of recent graduates
- Observation of actual erosion control failures and successes
Specific considerations and needs in applicant's own watershed
Other information resources available
- RWQCB, RCD, Napa River Owners Manual, Watershed Information Center, local watershed groups, CDF, Dept. of Fish and Game, etc.
- Funding sources for special projects
Possible Standards to teach: NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE CONSERVATION PRACTICE STANDARD - RIPARIAN FOREST BUFFER CODE 391A
Course Goals:
Educate applicants on best stewardship practices.
Motivate applicants to enhance quality of watershed.
Use peer review of projects in progress to encourage good stewardship.
Assist applicants to implement best stewardship practices.
Focus community attention on voluntary stewardship efforts.
Instructors:
Napa College Instructors (and possibly Sierra Club advisors, RCD staff, and Watershed Information Center staff
Designers:
RCD, Napa College, Sierra Club, Watershed Information Center, NVLSA, CDF, F&G
Duration:
Class: Five evenings, or two weekend half-days
Field Trips: Two half days during the week
This Education Alternative (STEWARD) is a preliminary outline designed to illustrate the idea, suggest possibilities, stimulate discussion, and encourage support. If this idea has broad appeal and if such an educational program is ultimately pursued, all stakeholders should have a voice in designing and implementing the final program, in order to make it the best it can be. - NVLSA
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT STEWARD
WHO?
Anyone can attend, but any property owner whose earth disturbing project encroaches close to any significant stream, or affects slopes greater than 15% must attend. This means the decision makers, including absentee owners and corporate owners. If the property is individually owned, then the property owner must attend the class. If it is owned by a partnership, then the general partner directly responsible for the development must attend. If it is owned by a corporation, then the corporate officer directly responsible for the development must attend. If it is owned by a trust, then either the beneficiary or the trustee may attend. If it is owned by a limited liability Company, then that principal owner of the company most directly in charge of the development must attend.
If the project is controlled by a lessee, a field consultant, a contractor, one of the owner's employees, or any other non-owner party, then this person or these people must attend in addition to the property owner listed above. Any owner, consultant, contractor or other person having already taken the course need not take the course again for five years.
WHEN?
Prior to issuance of permit and commencement of any earth-disturbing work within critical distance of any significant stream or on slopes greater than 15%; or anytime, for those not required to take it.
WHERE?
Course can be given at Napa College, the Watershed Information Center, or at Private Educational Facilities wishing to offer this service, with field trips to on-going projects.
HOW?
Funded by City, County, State, Federal, and Private Grants
WHY?
Mobilize community enthusiasm for a healthy watershed.
Empower individuals to make a difference.
Challenge well-meaning people to do their best.
Define, promote and popularize best stewardship practices.
Expose poor stewardship to peer review and public scrutiny.
Enlist the universal human needs for public approval and self respect to
encourage a personal code of good stewardship.
Accomplish through positive means far more than can be accomplished through
coercive and regulatory means.