Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Water Quality Protection Program (MBNMS) Website
CCAT Projects:
Azevedo Bioreactor
The Azevedo bioreactor treats runoff from 10 acres of strawberry fields on the Azevedo Ranch adjacent to Elkhorn Slough. Irrigation and storm water runoff from the strawberry fields travels down farm roads and into a sediment basin where heavier sand particles settle out. Water is actively pumped into the bioreactor inlet from a floating pump powered by a solar panel and battery pack. The pump turns off when the water level falls below a threshold depth. The bioreactor is a pond-lined basin filled with woodchips purchased at the local waste disposal facility, with care to insure a low percentage of eucalyptus. Water levels are controlled by a level control box at the outlet of the bioreactor. Cleaned outlet water is gravity fed into a ditch that carries it to a tidally influenced pond on Elkhorn Slough Foundation property. From the pond it is conveyed by a culvert under railroad tracks and into Elkhorn Slough.
The Azevedo bioreactor treats runoff from 10 acres of strawberry fields on the Azevedo Ranch adjacent to Elkhorn Slough. Irrigation and storm water runoff from the strawberry fields travels down farm roads and into a sediment basin where heavier sand particles settle out. Water is actively pumped into the bioreactor inlet from a floating pump powered by a solar panel and battery pack. The pump turns off when the water level falls below a threshold depth. The bioreactor is a pond-lined basin filled with woodchips purchased at the local waste disposal facility, with care to insure a low percentage of eucalyptus. Water levels are controlled by a level control box at the outlet of the bioreactor. Cleaned outlet water is gravity fed into a ditch that carries it to a tidally influenced pond on Elkhorn Slough Foundation property. From the pond it is conveyed by a culvert under railroad tracks and into Elkhorn Slough.
City of Salinas Urban Watch
Nine storm drain outfalls are monitored monthly for common urban pollutants using field kits and volunteers. An additional 6 creek sites are also sampled for the same constituents.
Nine storm drain outfalls are monitored monthly for common urban pollutants using field kits and volunteers. An additional 6 creek sites are also sampled for the same constituents.
Evaluating animal movement in and near 3 types of agricultural ditches: Key data for co-management of water quality and food safety
This study will compare wildlife communities and movements among agricultural ditches having bare ground, managed vegetation, and unmanaged vegetation. During surveys of wildlife in ditches, we will radio-tag rodents and frogs and use an innovative automated telemetry system to track movements of animals 24 hours per day for the duration of the 3-year study.
This study will compare wildlife communities and movements among agricultural ditches having bare ground, managed vegetation, and unmanaged vegetation. During surveys of wildlife in ditches, we will radio-tag rodents and frogs and use an innovative automated telemetry system to track movements of animals 24 hours per day for the duration of the 3-year study.
First Flush
First Flush is an annual storm water monitoring event occurring during the first significant rain storm of the season. Monitoring is conducted at storm drain outfalls that drain into the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. The goal of this effort is to characterize the storm water runoff that is flowing into the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary during the first major storm event of the season, in which there are "sheet flows" of water on the roadways. Field measurements are collected for water temperature, electrical conductivity, transparency and pH. Collected samples are lab analyzed for bacteria (E. coli and enterococcus), metals (copper, zinc, lead), nutrients (urea, nitrate, phosphate) and total suspended solids.
First Flush is an annual storm water monitoring event occurring during the first significant rain storm of the season. Monitoring is conducted at storm drain outfalls that drain into the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. The goal of this effort is to characterize the storm water runoff that is flowing into the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary during the first major storm event of the season, in which there are "sheet flows" of water on the roadways. Field measurements are collected for water temperature, electrical conductivity, transparency and pH. Collected samples are lab analyzed for bacteria (E. coli and enterococcus), metals (copper, zinc, lead), nutrients (urea, nitrate, phosphate) and total suspended solids.
Healthy Soils Ranch
A small area of cattle ranching will be restored after being used for wildfire staging area.
A small area of cattle ranching will be restored after being used for wildfire staging area.
Healthy Soils Small Animal Ranches
Project focuses on the physical, chemical and biological changes that improve soil health and thereby benefit plant and ecological health by storing carbon in the soil, increasing soil water storage capacity and increasing infiltration to groundwater.
Project focuses on the physical, chemical and biological changes that improve soil health and thereby benefit plant and ecological health by storing carbon in the soil, increasing soil water storage capacity and increasing infiltration to groundwater.
Irrigation and Nutrient Management Assessments
The purpose of irrigation and nutrient management (INM) Assessments is to help growers effectively manage their irrigation water and nutrient additions to meet crop needs so that nutrient loads to ground water and surface water are reduced. Effective INM helps the region make progress toward several environmental objectives including reduced groundwater and surface water contamination, reduced groundwater use, agricultural sustainability, and healthier stream and ocean habitats. INM can benefit the grower through reducing the cost of over fertilizing, reducing water and pumping costs and achieving regulatory compliance. Each grower faces a different set of circumstances that play a role in their choice of management practices that will work best for their organization, current irrigation system, crop type and geo-physical setting. For this reason, on-farm assessments are the most effective way to help growers accomplish INM goal. By involving growers, farm managers and irrigators in the evaluation & assessment, knowledge and skills are transferred. Although the assessment is applied to a single block, the learnings are commonly transferred across the entire grower operation.
The purpose of irrigation and nutrient management (INM) Assessments is to help growers effectively manage their irrigation water and nutrient additions to meet crop needs so that nutrient loads to ground water and surface water are reduced. Effective INM helps the region make progress toward several environmental objectives including reduced groundwater and surface water contamination, reduced groundwater use, agricultural sustainability, and healthier stream and ocean habitats. INM can benefit the grower through reducing the cost of over fertilizing, reducing water and pumping costs and achieving regulatory compliance. Each grower faces a different set of circumstances that play a role in their choice of management practices that will work best for their organization, current irrigation system, crop type and geo-physical setting. For this reason, on-farm assessments are the most effective way to help growers accomplish INM goal. By involving growers, farm managers and irrigators in the evaluation & assessment, knowledge and skills are transferred. Although the assessment is applied to a single block, the learnings are commonly transferred across the entire grower operation.
Pacific Grove ASBS stormwater diversion at Lovers Pt
This grant is for the purpose of constructing infrastructure to reduce pollutants entering the Pacific Grove Areas of Special Biological Significance (ASBS) by capturing, storing, and diverting runoff from the 85th percentile storm and dry weather flow from Lovers Point and Sea Palm Watersheds,and improving the aging sanitary sewer collection system.
This grant is for the purpose of constructing infrastructure to reduce pollutants entering the Pacific Grove Areas of Special Biological Significance (ASBS) by capturing, storing, and diverting runoff from the 85th percentile storm and dry weather flow from Lovers Point and Sea Palm Watersheds,and improving the aging sanitary sewer collection system.
Pacific Grove CBI for Lovers
The intent of this monitoring was to determine the load reduction of bacteria (FIB and human specific) during wet and dry weather months entering the storm drain system in the Lovers Point Beach watershed after storm drain and sanitary sewer system repairs were concluded. The City of Pacific Grove repaired or rehabilitated at least 2,100 linear feet of sanitary sewer pipelines and at least 6,500 linear feet of storm drain pipelines. Samples were collected at seven sites in the Lovers Point Beach watershed twice monthly for three months for a total of six dry season and six wet season monitoring events. Samples were analyzed for E. coli, enterococcus, and qPCR at some locations.
The intent of this monitoring was to determine the load reduction of bacteria (FIB and human specific) during wet and dry weather months entering the storm drain system in the Lovers Point Beach watershed after storm drain and sanitary sewer system repairs were concluded. The City of Pacific Grove repaired or rehabilitated at least 2,100 linear feet of sanitary sewer pipelines and at least 6,500 linear feet of storm drain pipelines. Samples were collected at seven sites in the Lovers Point Beach watershed twice monthly for three months for a total of six dry season and six wet season monitoring events. Samples were analyzed for E. coli, enterococcus, and qPCR at some locations.
Pacific Grove Diversion Monitoring
The City of Pacific Grove is installing a diversion pump to take dry season storm drain flows and divert them to the sanitary sewer. The location for this diversion is at Eardley and Ocean View Blvd in Pacific Grove and will divert the storm drains that flow into Hopkins Marine Station. Volunteers and staff will monitor the diversion for 7 months to determine proper functioning of the diversion system at this location, quality of water being diverted and not flowing into the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and lastly to monitor the receiving water at the location where the water would be flowing if the diversion system was not functioning.
The City of Pacific Grove is installing a diversion pump to take dry season storm drain flows and divert them to the sanitary sewer. The location for this diversion is at Eardley and Ocean View Blvd in Pacific Grove and will divert the storm drains that flow into Hopkins Marine Station. Volunteers and staff will monitor the diversion for 7 months to determine proper functioning of the diversion system at this location, quality of water being diverted and not flowing into the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and lastly to monitor the receiving water at the location where the water would be flowing if the diversion system was not functioning.
Pacific Grove Greenwood Park Microbial Source Tracking 2018
In 2018, sanctuary and City staff, will sample six sites on six separate occasions within the Greenwood Park watershed for bacteria (E. coli and enterococcus), and human specific bacteroides (HF 183). These sites were chosen based on previous monitoring in this drainage and knowledge that human specific bacteroides is possibly still present in the system. Samples will be collected and taken to a certified lab and tested for E. coli, enterococcus, and HF 183 using qPCR analytical methods. Sites for the monitoring include: • Greenwood Park outfall • 14th between Central and Lighthouse • 14th at Laurel • 14th at Pine • drain in the grassy school yard of Robert Down School • 14th at Junipero 2nd and Terry
In 2018, sanctuary and City staff, will sample six sites on six separate occasions within the Greenwood Park watershed for bacteria (E. coli and enterococcus), and human specific bacteroides (HF 183). These sites were chosen based on previous monitoring in this drainage and knowledge that human specific bacteroides is possibly still present in the system. Samples will be collected and taken to a certified lab and tested for E. coli, enterococcus, and HF 183 using qPCR analytical methods. Sites for the monitoring include: • Greenwood Park outfall • 14th between Central and Lighthouse • 14th at Laurel • 14th at Pine • drain in the grassy school yard of Robert Down School • 14th at Junipero 2nd and Terry
Pacific Grove Greenwood Park Monitoring 2014
The City of Pacific Grove will install and repair storm drain and sanitary sewer system pipes in the Greenwood Park watershed. The City of Pacific Grove will expand the area encompassed in the dry weather diversion to include 2 outfalls at Hopkins Marine Station. The City of Pacific Grove will install a dry weather urban runoff lift station, and install a trash diversion/collection unit upstream of Greenwood Park. The City of Pacific Grove will also install 320 linear feet of 54" and 380 linear feet of 48" storm drain main pipelines between Sinex and Junipero and 14th. Additionally 6 storm drain manholes will be installed, and 4 storm drain catch basins will be reconstructed in this areas as well. Sanitary sewer improvements along this stretch include reconstruction of 1,350 linear feet of sewer pipeline, reconstruction of 10 sanitary sewer manholes, and 12 sanitary sewer laterals. Monitoring will be conducted in Greenwood Park the watershed to determine water quality and effectiveness of the repair and rehabilitation of the sanitary and sewer pipelines in removing sources of bacterial contamination within the watershed. Monitoring in the Hopkins watershed will determine the water quality for water not flowing into Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
The City of Pacific Grove will install and repair storm drain and sanitary sewer system pipes in the Greenwood Park watershed. The City of Pacific Grove will expand the area encompassed in the dry weather diversion to include 2 outfalls at Hopkins Marine Station. The City of Pacific Grove will install a dry weather urban runoff lift station, and install a trash diversion/collection unit upstream of Greenwood Park. The City of Pacific Grove will also install 320 linear feet of 54" and 380 linear feet of 48" storm drain main pipelines between Sinex and Junipero and 14th. Additionally 6 storm drain manholes will be installed, and 4 storm drain catch basins will be reconstructed in this areas as well. Sanitary sewer improvements along this stretch include reconstruction of 1,350 linear feet of sewer pipeline, reconstruction of 10 sanitary sewer manholes, and 12 sanitary sewer laterals. Monitoring will be conducted in Greenwood Park the watershed to determine water quality and effectiveness of the repair and rehabilitation of the sanitary and sewer pipelines in removing sources of bacterial contamination within the watershed. Monitoring in the Hopkins watershed will determine the water quality for water not flowing into Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Permit Streamlining in Monterey County
The purpose of this effort is to refine and streamline Monterey county’s review of beneficial projects that are designed specifically to enhance the environment as compared with commercial projects. Streamlining may be accomplished through 1) procedural differences in how these environmental projects are managed through the process, 2) discretionary elimination of permits or reports not relevant to environmental projects, where they are not required by law, 3) education of county staff regarding the scope and purpose of environmental projects, and 4) materials and a flow chart for environmental organizations so they better understand how to engage the permit process.
The purpose of this effort is to refine and streamline Monterey county’s review of beneficial projects that are designed specifically to enhance the environment as compared with commercial projects. Streamlining may be accomplished through 1) procedural differences in how these environmental projects are managed through the process, 2) discretionary elimination of permits or reports not relevant to environmental projects, where they are not required by law, 3) education of county staff regarding the scope and purpose of environmental projects, and 4) materials and a flow chart for environmental organizations so they better understand how to engage the permit process.
Santa Rita Creek Watershed Project
Santa Rita Creek was identified as an Area of Concern based on monitoring from 2005-2013 because Water Quality Objectives were exceeded, as identified by the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary's Snapshot Day program. A grant was funded in 2013 through the Integrated Regional Water Management Program to engage in more intensive watershed monitoring, application of agricultural best management practices, and restoration of Santa Rita Creek at Ferrasci Ballfield. The Central Coast Wetlands Group used CRAM to assess Creek condition based on four attributes: hydrology, biotic structure, physical structure and channel stability. Restoration efforts increased the CRAM index by 19 points from 39 points in 2014 to 58 point in 2015. The Resource Conservation District of Monterey County worked with growers on irrigation management, nutrient management, and hillside farming erosion control. Recommendations to growers included use of CropManage as a decision support tool for nutrient application, use of soil moisture sensors for more precise irrigation water management, and lowering pre-plant fertilizer. The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary conducted monthly monitoring at 7 sites along the Creek, and engaged residents through outreach activities.
Santa Rita Creek was identified as an Area of Concern based on monitoring from 2005-2013 because Water Quality Objectives were exceeded, as identified by the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary's Snapshot Day program. A grant was funded in 2013 through the Integrated Regional Water Management Program to engage in more intensive watershed monitoring, application of agricultural best management practices, and restoration of Santa Rita Creek at Ferrasci Ballfield. The Central Coast Wetlands Group used CRAM to assess Creek condition based on four attributes: hydrology, biotic structure, physical structure and channel stability. Restoration efforts increased the CRAM index by 19 points from 39 points in 2014 to 58 point in 2015. The Resource Conservation District of Monterey County worked with growers on irrigation management, nutrient management, and hillside farming erosion control. Recommendations to growers included use of CropManage as a decision support tool for nutrient application, use of soil moisture sensors for more precise irrigation water management, and lowering pre-plant fertilizer. The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary conducted monthly monitoring at 7 sites along the Creek, and engaged residents through outreach activities.
Snapshot Day
Snapshot Day is a one- day water quality event focused on creeks and rivers that flow into the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Teams of volunteers take field measurements for temperature, pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and transparency and collect samples with will be lab tested for E. coli, nitrate and phosphate.
Snapshot Day is a one- day water quality event focused on creeks and rivers that flow into the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Teams of volunteers take field measurements for temperature, pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and transparency and collect samples with will be lab tested for E. coli, nitrate and phosphate.
Soledad CIMIS Station
CIMIS stations provide meteorological data including wind speed, temperature, solar radiation and other parameters used for calculating reference Evapotranspiration (ET0). The Soledad CIMIS Station will provide localized ET0 to help growers’ determine crop water needs for farms representing approximately 60,000 acres of irrigated agriculture in Salinas Valley between Gonzalez and Greenfield. ET0 in combination with crop coefficients can be used to estimate field (soil and plant) water loss and crop water demands, which augments growers’ ability to determine irrigation water application amounts and timing. As the importance of conserving water and avoiding nitrate leaching below the root zone has escalated, growers are increasingly concerned with precision irrigation practices. Growers can have increased confidence in ET data when a weather station is located in close proximity to their fields and measures the actual conditions where they are farming, especially in windy areas like the Salinas Valley. Multiple benefits for the region and the individual grower can be gained from precise irrigation to match crop needs, which include: avoiding the need to over-apply fertilizer due to leaching, reducing irrigation runoff, reducing contamination of groundwater with nitrate, reducing groundwater use and slowing aquifer depletion, cost savings, avoiding plant stress from under or over watering, and aiding with regulatory requirements.
CIMIS stations provide meteorological data including wind speed, temperature, solar radiation and other parameters used for calculating reference Evapotranspiration (ET0). The Soledad CIMIS Station will provide localized ET0 to help growers’ determine crop water needs for farms representing approximately 60,000 acres of irrigated agriculture in Salinas Valley between Gonzalez and Greenfield. ET0 in combination with crop coefficients can be used to estimate field (soil and plant) water loss and crop water demands, which augments growers’ ability to determine irrigation water application amounts and timing. As the importance of conserving water and avoiding nitrate leaching below the root zone has escalated, growers are increasingly concerned with precision irrigation practices. Growers can have increased confidence in ET data when a weather station is located in close proximity to their fields and measures the actual conditions where they are farming, especially in windy areas like the Salinas Valley. Multiple benefits for the region and the individual grower can be gained from precise irrigation to match crop needs, which include: avoiding the need to over-apply fertilizer due to leaching, reducing irrigation runoff, reducing contamination of groundwater with nitrate, reducing groundwater use and slowing aquifer depletion, cost savings, avoiding plant stress from under or over watering, and aiding with regulatory requirements.
Spatial distribution and characterization of microplastics in Elkhorn Slough
Characterize microplastics by sampling established monitoring stations to better understand the spatial distribution of plastic pollution. This understanding will provide insight into the most likely sources of pollution and help us better determine to what degree agricultural plastic is transported from fields to the Slough.
Characterize microplastics by sampling established monitoring stations to better understand the spatial distribution of plastic pollution. This understanding will provide insight into the most likely sources of pollution and help us better determine to what degree agricultural plastic is transported from fields to the Slough.
Spence Vegetated Treatment System
The Spence Vegetated Treatment System (VTS) mitigates irrigation run-off from vegetable and strawberry fields at the USDA Spence site south of Salinas, CA. The main features of the VTS include an existing 1800-ft long ditch, vegetated with native grass (festuca rubra) that drains 86 acres of vegetables and strawberries. The dense grass vegetation can slow the flow of run-off during the irrigation season, and settle out fine sediment and associated nutrients, as well as uptake soluble nutrients (nitrate and orthophosphate). In addition, the grasses can reduce the volume of run-off by increasing infiltration and evapotranspiration losses. Fescue has small seeds and will not represent habitat for birds or rodents, therefor alleviating food safety concerns. Run-off draining to the lowest end of the VTS will be collected in a sump and reapplied to the sides of the ditch using drip tape. Water applied to the sides of the ditch will maintain the grass through the dry season and will increase the treatment surface area. During heavy storm events the vegetation will prevent the erosion of the sides of the ditches. We plan to install sediment traps at points where run-off enters the VTS from agricultural fields to settle out large-sized particles.
The Spence Vegetated Treatment System (VTS) mitigates irrigation run-off from vegetable and strawberry fields at the USDA Spence site south of Salinas, CA. The main features of the VTS include an existing 1800-ft long ditch, vegetated with native grass (festuca rubra) that drains 86 acres of vegetables and strawberries. The dense grass vegetation can slow the flow of run-off during the irrigation season, and settle out fine sediment and associated nutrients, as well as uptake soluble nutrients (nitrate and orthophosphate). In addition, the grasses can reduce the volume of run-off by increasing infiltration and evapotranspiration losses. Fescue has small seeds and will not represent habitat for birds or rodents, therefor alleviating food safety concerns. Run-off draining to the lowest end of the VTS will be collected in a sump and reapplied to the sides of the ditch using drip tape. Water applied to the sides of the ditch will maintain the grass through the dry season and will increase the treatment surface area. During heavy storm events the vegetation will prevent the erosion of the sides of the ditches. We plan to install sediment traps at points where run-off enters the VTS from agricultural fields to settle out large-sized particles.
Wetland
Monitor the inlet and outlet to ascertain pesticide reduction.
Monitor the inlet and outlet to ascertain pesticide reduction.
