Watershed FAQ’s

What is the Millerton Area Watershed Coalition?

The Coalition is a collaborative organization consisting of private land owners and public agencies with management responsibilities within the San Joaquin watershed area between Friant and Kerckhoff dams.

Why was it formed?

The Coalition was formed to improve communications and to collaborate among each other regarding issues and opportunities that may be within the watershed area.

When was it formed?

The Coalition was formed in 1998

Who are the current participants?

Current participants include the Sierra Foothill Conservancy, Topping Ranch, California Department of Parks and Recreation, California Department of Fish and Game,  US Bureau of Land Management, US Bureau of Reclamation and the US Forest Service.  More recently, the State Water Resources Control Board and Department of Water Resources have become participants.

What have they done so far?

Land assessments and studies of land management practices such as cattle grazing, and the enhancement of recreational opportunities have been the primary focus of the coalition.

Why am I being notified?

Recently the Coalition received funds from the CALFED Bay-Delta Watershed Program specifically to build the organization to include local property owners and the public’s participation regarding future studies or activities within the watershed area.

What is CALFED?

The CALFED Bay-Delta Program is a State and Federal organization that is focused on improving California’s water quality and quantity.  The Watershed Program is part of the effort to protect and enhance watershed areas which are a major source of water for various uses.

What funds have been provided?

To-date, funding has come from the CALFED Watershed Program for expanding the Coalition to include critical public participation – and the US Bureau of Reclamation funding for watershed assessment activities.

Is this just going to create another set of regulations?

No.  This is a participative and educational organization that involves the public.  The group will not be involved in any regulatory enforcement activities.

Why should I participate?

Your participation is a way in which to assure that the coalition receives as much community input as possible.  The level of participation can assure that the community is heard – and that their concerns and recommendations are taken into consideration regarding any future plans affecting the watershed.

Who else has been notified?

All known Individual property owners, homeowner associations, business associations, Native American entities, local government representatives, school districts, recreational organizations and environmental organizations have been notified.  Additionally, public notification has occurred in local newspapers such as the Fresno Bee, Madera Tribune, Sierra Star and Mountain Press.

Why expand the Coalition?

Watersheds are complex in nature.  By expanding the coalition, additional information about the watershed can be obtained through individual experiences.  An open and public process can assure that all segments of a community are given fair and ample opportunity to provide input.

How will it be organized?

The Coalition’s first major task is to form a Steering Committee that is representative of the varied interests within the watershed area.  They will have to select a Chair who will then preside over the coalition.  There will be sub-committees formed as determined necessary.

Who is expected to participate?

Participation is expected from interested residents, property owners, and business owners within the watershed area – along with local government representatives, resource management agencies, recreational interests and environmental organizations.

What kind of meetings will there be?

Monthly Steering Committee meetings, Sub-committee meetings and quarterly general meetings will occur for over a year.  All meetings will be open to the public.

Will there be workshops?

Yes, there will be educational workshops each year.  These will focus on the technical and scientific aspects of a watershed – and, land management techniques of practical use for landowners.

How long will the Coalition exist?

The organization is funded for over a year.  However, it is expected that the coalition could exist longer as additional funding becomes available.

What will be the activities of the group?

Major activities include: Community Outreach and Education, Comprehensive Watershed Assessment, Planning for watershed projects, and Collaboration with other similar organizations.

What will be the benefits of the Coalition?

The Coalition will be a good opportunity for various groups and individual property owners to participate in a process that will involve anyone who has an interest in the future of the Millerton Area Watershed.  Each will have the opportunity to contribute to the process and provide input as it relates to possible activities and projects directed towards the watershed’s protection, enhancement and usage.

Is this a duplication of other groups?

At first glance, it may appear to be duplicating the effort of other groups.  However, this is the only organization fully focused on the Millerton area watershed.  It is also the only group that includes the participation of local property owners and others who have a strong interest in the future of the watershed area.

Are there other organizations similar to this one?

Yes, the Upper Merced River Watershed Council and the Central Sierra Watershed Committee are two neighboring organizations.

What is a watershed assessment?

A watershed assessment looks at the hydrology, biology, geology and other scientific aspects of the dynamics of a watershed’s ecosystem.  Just as important, other aspects addressing socio-economic activities within the watershed will be studied.

Who will conduct the assessment?

Initially, the Coalition participants will be responsible for gathering relevant information regarding the various aspects of the watershed.  However, the group may receive funding to conduct a much more comprehensive and thorough study.

Haven’t assessments been performed before?

Yes, studies have been performed in the past – and are currently underway.  However, these have been predominately isolated to individual properties – and not area-wide throughout the complete watershed.

How many properties and owners are within the watershed?

There are approximately 4,040 parcels of which 2,052 parcels are in Madera County, with 1,978 parcels in Fresno County, and with about 2,500 owners.

What are the sizes of these properties?

The properties range from very insignificant to over 737 acres in Madera County to over 1530 acres in Fresno County.  The average acreage based on the number of parcels is 56 acres in Madera County and 24 acres in Fresno County.

What is the total area of the watershed?

The total watershed study area is approximately 163,000 acres or 253 square miles – 115,000 acres (179 square miles) in Madera County and 48,000 acres (74 square miles) in Fresno County.

How many miles of watershed streams are there?

There are approximately 300 miles of streams within the watershed – including man-made diversions.

How much water flows through the watershed?