Jenner Creek Monitoring Plan

Jenner Creek Monitoring Plan-Revised 5/2006
Background: The Community Clean Water Institute (CCWI) is a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization, based in Sebastopol, California. CCWI is supporting neighborhoods in the Jenner Creek watershed in conducting citizen monitoring on Jenner Creek.

Objectives: The focus of this project is to identify pollution sources and problems in water quality, and use data collected to develop fact sheets and educational materials for the general public highlighting best management practices and strategies for reducing pollution. Extensive timber harvests in the high gradient watershed may have a direct impact on the Jenner community's surface municipal water supply, siphoned directly from Jenner Creek downstream of the harvest. 1/3 of the entire watershed is slated for cutting, in an area of highly erodable soils and steep slopes. Monitoring effects on water quality is essential to protect public health. For reference, the two plans are THP 1 99-464 SON and THP 1 00-040 SON.

Data Collection Activities
Parameters
pH
Nitrogen/nitrate
Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
Flow
Phosphorus/phosphate
Conductivity
Turbidity
Temperature

When: The project's orientation and initial sampling date is July 25, 2002. Ongoing monitoring will be arranged on a monthly basis. Turbidity may be arranged on a weekly or event basis.

Why: Parameters were chosen according to general interest to citizen monitors, and relation to erosion impacts. Sites were chosen according to the following criteria:
" Representative of the areas of the Creek for general creek characterization.
" Strategic site placement related to health concerns timber harvests have on drinking water. The County is monitoring turbidity near the mouth of the creek for public health purposes. However their site is considerably downstream from both the harvest and the water supply pump. JEN020 is located just a few feet upstream of the pump. Similar instruments are used by both CCWI and the County for adequate comparability. See QAQC and supporting documents for comparability and replicability.
" Physical accessibility and permissible landowner access.

How: The monitoring program is intended to develop baseline characterization data, document water and habitat quality changes over time in relation to timber harvesting and to help establish a scientific basis for land use decisions. Sites and parameters were chosen after discussions with local residents.

Citizen monitor contact: Randy Barron
Randy took over the position from Suki Waters and Philip Gitchell November 2004.