A COMPREHENSIVE LONG-TERM MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT PLAN FOR THE SAN FRANCISQUITO CREEK WATERSHED

The San Francisquito Creek watershed is located on the broad peninsula south of San Francisco, California. The creek originates in relatively undeveloped hillsides, and flows through agricultural, low density residential, and then highly urbanized land uses before draining into the southerly portion of San Francisco Bay. Stakeholders within the watershed have undertaken a Coordinated Resource Management and Planning (CRMP) process, led by the Peninsula Conservation Center Foundation (PCCF). [Note: the CRMP group has recently morphed into the “San Francisquito Watershed Council”, and the PCCF has joined with another local organization and reformed as “Acterra”]. As part of their ongoing watershed management activities, the group has designed a comprehensive Long Term Monitoring and Assessment Plan (LTMAP).A CRMP subcommittee initially identified a broad range of issues and drivers affecting management of the San Francisquito watershed, and then developed a set of key questions pertaining to informational needs for effective watershed management. From these key questions, the subcommittee defined a guiding principle for the LTMAP, and developed a set of monitoring and assessment objectives. The objectives were placed into the following general categories:Physical – activities related to the physical habitat of the watershed (erosion, sedimentation, barriers, etc.) and land use impactsHydrological – flooding potential, surface/groundwater interactions, low flow conditions (re: aquatic habitat), etc.Chemical – sources, distribution and impact of known and potential (suspected) chemical PollutantsBiological – biological habitat and processes, as well as biodiversity and special status SpeciesSocial – community interests and concerns (aesthetics, uses, property and water rights), social aspects and resources (demographics, complementary facilities, access), and direct impacts of human activities (litter, recreation, etc.)The LTMAP provides a framework for identifying informational needs, establishing priorities, coordinating and integrating the results of research within the watershed, and disseminating the results of monitoring and assessment projects. The LTMAP is intended to be a living document that will be updated annually.