CENTRAL COAST WATERSHED PROJECTS

PCLF’s Central Coast Watersheds Program is directed by Dr. Monica Hunter who has successfully led efforts to establish new partnerships among local and regional government to join forces with community-based organizations to protect and restore watershed resources. The four watersheds selected for this project also presented opportunities to engage in solving problems of enormous importance for the state of California. These include:

• Flood control for residential communities along the Pajaro River in Santa Cruz County;
• Engaging diverse communities in watershed restoration action for Pilarcitos Creek in San Mateo County that also help to define related environmental justice issues;
• Resolution of a seismically unsafe dam and related impacts to the Carmel River in Monterey County; and,
• Nonpoint source pollution impacts to water quality on the Salinas River in Northern San Luis Obispo County.

Local Partners
Since its inception, the PCLF has worked with many local partners, including nonprofit organizations, as well as local, regional and federal agencies.

Coastal Zone Watershed Initiative
PCLF is working to link and improve land use and marine policies, and to help implement the Marine Life Protection Act.

Coastal and Ocean Regional Roundtables
Through two regional roundtables, PCLF has initiated a regional planning process to support implementation of the Marine Life Protection Act Initiative for the South Central Coast of California.

Restoring the Carmel River
The seismically unsafe San Clemente Dam has several solutions being considered to solve its environmental and safety problems, including buttressing the dam. PCLF has proposed removing the antiquated dam altogether and this alternative is gaining momentum.

For more information please contact Dr. Monica Hunter.