San Luis Rey River Watershed Management Guideline Prepared by the San Luis Rey Watershed Council October, 2001

San Luis Rey Watershed Council Acknowledgements: Mission Resource Conservation District Upper San Luis Rey Resource Conservation District University of California Cooperative Extension U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 9 California Coastal Conservancy Fallbrook Public Utilities District USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service

Preface: The San Luis Rey River Watershed Management Guideline Identifies General Considerations for the Watershed: u Land Use Issues u Status of the Watershed u Recommendations for research and data collection u Recommendations for future management u Educational Considerations

San Luis Rey Watershed Located in the Northwest Corner of San Diego County 558 Square Miles Drains to the Pacific Ocean

San Luis Rey Watershed Base Map Riverside County San Diego County N Camp Pendleton Oceanside Map assembled by: Thomas Share USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Davis, CA. Vista Data Sources: NRCS, WPS, Madalene M. Ransom, using ArcInfo SANDAG, San Diego Association of Governments

San Luis Rey Watershed Management Project Major Concerns Water Quality Invasive Plant Species Wildlife Habitat Condition Floodplain Management Sand Mining Other Watershed Issues

San Luis Rey Management Project Key Elements of the Program Hired a Watershed Coordinator Compiled and Reviewed Existing Information Established a Watershed Council (1997) Meetings Held Monthly Prioritized Issues Developed Watershed Management Guidelines Beginning Implementation of Guidelines

Started in 1997 Focused on Development of the Watershed Management Guideline Council Meetings are the Fourth Monday each Month at 1:00 p.m. - and are Open to the Public. Meeting Location: Fallbrook Public Utilities District Building 990 Mission Rd. Fallbrook, CA San Luis Rey Watershed Council

Watershed History

1791- Mission San Luis Rey established in Oceanside California became the 31st state First Reservations established: La Jolla and Pala Reservations Rincon Reservation San Pasqual and Pauma Reservations Mission Indian Relief Act signed Watershed History

Escondido Canal completed Henshaw Dam completed 1920’s - Citrus orchards and avocados irrigated from locally developed water supplies 1940’s - Irrigated agricultural enterprises expanded

Current Status of the San Luis Rey Watershed Current population : Approximately 150,000 Land area: 558 Square miles Average rainfall: 11” to 40” (Ocean to Mountains) Land use estimates: Undeveloped: 50% Agricultural: 37% Residential: 5% Parks/Recreation: 5% Water: 2% Commercial/Office <1% Military: <1%

Generalized Land Use Map Land Uses Public Services / Hospital Parks / Recreation Agriculture Undeveloped Residential Industrial / Transportation Commercial / Office Military Data Source: SANDAG, San Diego Association of Governments N

Current Status of the San Luis Rey Watershed San Luis Rey Watershed: 558 sq. miles Land ownership: Private: 48% Special District: 14% Indian Reservation: 14% National Forest: 12% State: 5% Military: 5% Local Government: 2%

Generalized Ownership Map Ownership City County State Freeways Military Indian Reservation National Forest BLM Private Special District / Schools / Misc. Federal N Data Source: SANDAG, San Diego Association of Governments

Projected Population Growth

Areas With Greatest Projected Growth: Fallbrook Valley Center Bonsall Pala/Pauma Valley Areas With Less Projected Growth: Oceanside Vista

Agricultural Uses

High Cash Value Crops Citrus Orchards Avocados Truck Crops Flowers Nurseries Land and Water is Expensive Intensive irrigation Steep Slopes Marginal Soils

Watershed Council’s Role Minimize the Impact of Agriculture on Water Quality in the San Luis Rey Watershed Use the publication titled - “Management Options for Nonpoint Source Pollution” Recommends solutions for minimizing ground and surface water problems resulting from agricultural operations.

Heavy Industrial Uses

Current Uses Within the Watershed: Proposed Gregory Canyon Landfill Concerns: Location is poor, with respect to the aquifer of the San Luis Rey River. Watershed Council’s Role: If constructed, the Watershed Council will monitor river for watershed health.

Heavy Industrial Uses Current Uses Within the Watershed: Rosemary’s Mountain Quarry: Concerns: Inadequate environmental review Water Quality Problems Air Quality Problems Watershed Council’s Role : If constructed, the Watershed Council will monitor for watershed health.

Heavy Industrial Uses Current Uses Within the Watershed: Sand Mining Operations Recognized need for sand mining One of the few good sand sources in San Diego County Concerns: Beach sand replenishment Impacted Need for a detailed study of sand mining impacts on the San Luis Rey River Increased erosion and scouring of riverbed, especially during flood events

Fire Management

The Watershed Council will: Assist with coordination of agencies involved in fire management in the watershed. Conduct research on flame resistant plants available and suitable for the watershed. Provide maps showing fire susceptibility in the San Luis Rey Watershed on the Watershed Council website

Fire Susceptibility Map Moderate High Very High Fire Fuel Rank N Map assembled by: Madalene M. Ransom USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Davis, CA. Data Source: CA Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Sierra South Region Office

Fire Management The Watershed Council will assist in or provide information on: Causes of Wildfire Methods of Reducing Wildfire Incidence Development of a Fire Management Plan Public Outreach: Website Handout Materials Presentations to community groups

Wildlife Management

Major Issues: Wildlife Habitat Management and Protection Reduction in suitable habitat Wildlife species decline Several species listed as threatened or endangered Multiple Species Conservation Program Provide sufficient habitat Provide corridors and linkages Provide mitigation easements for private landowners

Invasive Plant Species Management

Exotic, Invasive Plant Species Found in the San Luis Rey River Watershed: Arundo Tamarisk Pampas grass Castor bean Problems: Cause Erosion and Flood Problems Out-Competes Native Species in Riparian Habitat

Invasive Plant Species Programs Eradication Efforts: GIS mapping of invasive plant species. Developed a Weed Management Area (WMA) to help fund eradication efforts. Use WMA to mitigate Native Habitat loss. USDA Environmental Incentives Program (EQUIP) education program: Landowner/Manager Awareness Program Field Visits and Community Presentations

Flood Management

Historical Conditions: Major Floods: Highest Flows (Oceanside) ,600 cubic feet / second 1980 (Flow data missing) ,700 cubic feet / second Current Conditions: Much more development now present in Watershed than in Potential still exists for great floods. Large portions of the Watershed are not mapped for 100-year floodplain.

Water Quality and Quantity

Protection of Beneficial Uses Status: State Water Resources Control Board Water Quality Assessment: River listed as having “intermediate” water quality Assessment - Recreational uses in lower watershed are threatened by coliform contamination. The San Luis Rey River and the (d) List: No Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) established yet. But - the coastal shoreline is listed as having a high coliform count from unidentified point and nonpoint sources. County and City of Oceanside Now Required to Perform Water Quality Monitoring in Watershed.

Water Quality and Quantity Runoff Concerns From Land Uses: Unpaved roads and Burn areas can be sources of: High levels of erosion Accompanying sediment

Water Quality and Quantity Agriculture: Runoff from Dairies and Grazing land, if improperly managed, may contribute: Nutrients Fecal coliforms Seepage or runoff contaminated with the above into ground and/or surface water bodies.

Run off from urban streets may contain: Bacteria Oil / Phenols Nitrogen / Phospates Suspended solids First Hour of moderate to heavy storm - Contributes more pollution than most city sewer systems during same time period. Water Quality and Quantity

Conclusion: Water Quality Beneficial Uses are not currently significantly impaired. Possible exception - Fecal Coliform Bacteria

Water Quality and Quantity Guideline to Address This Issue: All land uses potentially contributing contamination to the San Luis Rey River Watershed can implement conservation practices to reduce pollution.

Recreational and Open Space Management

There are many plans and jurisdictions that will influence open space management now and in the future.

Recreational and Open Space Management There is considerable public land ownership in the Watershed

Recreational and Open Space Management Recreational Uses Parks Camping Fishing Swimming

Recommendations On Parks: Support Recreational Activities at Current Public Locations. Promote use of Best Management Practices (BMP’s) to reduce water quality problems.

Fishing Opportunities: Provide greater fishing opportunities by building: Docks Piers Other Facilities

Educational Opportunities Develop Educational Materials and Workshops for Adults and Youth: Adult Programs: Watershed Owners Manual Invasive Plant Identification and Removal Integrated Pest Management Water Quality for Homeowners

Educational Opportunities Youth Programs: History of San Luis Rey River Watershed Agricultural Literacy Information and Hands-on Experience in Agricultural Production Water Quality Programs Water Sampling and Analysis Ambient Stream Bioassesment Watershed Management

Wetland Restoration and Enhancement Goals: Provide new or restored wetland habitat. Increase wetland species diversity. Allow for better water filtration. Improve water quality. Assist landowners with restoration projects.

Recommendations for Wetland Enhancement Projects Restore Wetlands near sand mining operations in the eastern watershed. Restore Other riparian areas in the San Luis Rey River and its tributaries. Eliminate Invasive species throughout the Watershed. Pursue Partnerships and grant funding to accomplish these goals.

Recommendations for Wetland Enhancement Projects Restore riparian areas and wetlands in San Luis Rey River and its tributaries: Ostrich Farm Creek, near Bonsall San Luis Rey River, near the coast Wilderness Gardens Preserve

In Conclusion Additional Issues that will need to be addressed: Future Transportation Impacts on Watershed - more Roads and Traffic? Impacts of Increasing Urbanization - more Homes? Casino / Recreational Development on Tribal Lands? Endangered Species Habitat Protection - Fair Compensation for landowners? Need to Review and Update the Watershed Management Guideline on a regular basis.