 This program is currently frozen until the State of California is able to sell bonds to fund the grants supporting it.
Livestock living in a natural environment might roam miles daily for food, water and shelter. Their continual movement disperses manure and urine which allows for regrowth of vegetation. With domestic livestock, animals are confined to a smaller area where owners provide food, water and safe shelter. Consequently, confined domestic livestock facilities and practices may unintentionally damage surface and ground water quality which in turn has detrimental effects on our local water resources, recreational activities and the environment.
Nutrients, pathogens and sediments from livestock facilities are pollutants of concern in the major watersheds of Monterey County. Just a few of the critical beneficial uses this pollution impacts include aquatic health, flora and fauna habitat, recreation and drinking water. Barriers to managing livestock facilities in a way that is protective of water quality include: Challenging site conditions; historical co-locating of livestock near creeks and streams; and lack of finances, time and most importantly information about and peer support for protective site management practices.
Through the Livestock and Land Program, the Resource Conservation District of Monterey County will actively recruit and train livestock owners on implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs) to accomplish goals for water quality improvement. The purpose of the program is to achieve immediate and lasting reductions in pollution to surface and ground waters through voluntary implementation of BMPs on livestock facilities in Monterey County. The Livestock and Land Program can provide assistance to livestock property owners in implementing and understanding BMPs through: funding for land improvements; free site visits and consultations; workshops and training; and publications and brochures. The Livestock and Land Program is a partnership between the Resource Conservation District and Ecology Action, and together with ranchers, farmers, private property owners, educators, non-profits, community organizations, local governments and many others, we aim to raise community awareness and ability to achieve the cultural and land management changes necessary to promote healthy livestock and watershed management in Monterey County.
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