The February meeting was one of our best ever, with many participants attending. Our featured speaker was Elizabeth O’Shea, Program Coordinator for the Watershed Project in Richmond. Also we discussed results of water quality testing of Mt Diablo Creek which show high concentrations of coliform bacteria at two locations near storm drain outlets. Laura Hoffmeister, Clean Water Program manager for Clayton and mayor of Concord, stopped by our meeting to discuss our concerns. She let us know that Clayton engineering staff are looking for possible explanations for the bacteria concentrations.

Featured Speaker: Elizabeth O’Shea, The Watershed Project

The Watershed Project (WP) is a leading local non-profit specializing in watershed stewardship and environmental education. They focus on education (workshops for school teachers and the public) and support for community groups.
Watershed Project workshops have helped to build many creek groups similar to Friends of Mt Diablo Creek. In addition to workshops, the WP staff directly support three groups. Elizabeth supports SPAWNERS (San Pablo Ck Watershed). There are also Watershed Awareness Programs for Baxter Creek and Pinole Creek.
The WP has helped numerous other groups through grants of temporary assistance. This program is called the Regional Project Assistance Service. CALFED funds the WP to provide assistance to groups in the nine-county Bay Area region. For example, some groups want help getting started. The WP helps get the word out to potential participants and helps groups plan and run meetings. Some groups have set fundraising goals and the WP helps them seek grants and other financial support. Some larger groups need assistance structuring their organization and forming steering committees. The WP also does more focused projects such as writing brochures. And as part of a restoration project one group received assistance relocating 4000 plants!
Friends of Mt Diablo Creek was awarded a Regional Project Assistance Service grant. Work is now in progress. It will build on Clayton Library's existing wildlife garden and creek-side presentation area. WP staff will guide us in improving the library's creek-side presentation area. They will map the plants in the area and determine which plants are natives. Friends of Mt Diablo Creek will organize work-days in early spring to implement the Watershed Project's designs. In addition, the WP has developed environmental education programs suitable for 4th and 7th grade classes. We plan to use this curriculum for Clayton public schools and hope to make contacts with teachers in Concord so that we can expand the educational program throughout the watershed.
Creek Speaks is a free publication of the Watershed Project highlighting the activities of many Bay Area watershed groups. It also lists upcoming classes and conferences.
Gardening for Wildlife is one of the most popular WP classes, a two-day workshop open to the general public. Participants learn about plants, wildlife, and protecting our creeks on the first day. The second day participants bring maps of their gardens and receive a personal consultation with a professional landscaper. Registration is $25 for both classes and includes a 160 page booklet. Dates & times are being finalized. The 1st class will be in early April, from 9 AM -3 PM, in Brentwood or Concord. The 2nd class is scheduled for Sunday April 17, 1-4:30, in Clayton.
For more information email workshops@thewatershedproject.org or visit www.thewatershedproject.org.

Water Quality Testing for Mt. Diablo Creek

Mary Malko conducted a water quality sampling program in October and November 2004. She measured several parameters. On the whole the results look good, except for high concentrations of coliform bacteria at two locations. We have prepared a draft report and have given the data to the City of Clayton. If you would like a copy of our report contact Lisa Anich at (925) 689-2642 or glanich@california.com
Most coliform bacteria are harmless, but relatively easily detected, bacteria found in the guts of warm-blooded animals (including birds). However, these bacteria are often associated with bacteria that are harmful to humans. Common sources of coliform bacteria are leaking sewers or septic tanks and livestock manure. Pets and wildlife are also sources of coliform bacteria in creeks. Even in a remote wilderness there’s a risk of getting sick from water that carries bacteria from wild animals.
Four sites in Clayton were tested. All four had coliform concentrations above the state’s limit for swimming. At two sites concentrations were above the state standard for non-contact recreation.

o Peacock Ck in Irish Canyon – There was little water here and sampling may have stirred up sediment which could increase concentrations. Land upstream of this site is grazed. Concentrations were above swimming standard and below non-contact recreation standard.
o Mt Diablo Ck below confluence w/ Mitchell Ck – near City Hall. This site had the lowest concentrations of coliform bacteria. Concentrations above swimming standard and below non-contact recreation standard.
o Mt Diablo Ck at storm drain outfall across the golf course from Chert Place – Concentrations above non-contact recreation standard.
o Mt Diablo Ck nr Mitchell Canyon Rd – at outfall just downstream of 2nd footbridge – the highest concentrations of bacteria were measured here. They were above non-contact recreation standard.
Samples were collected at a time of year when concentrations may be at an annual high because pollutants have accumulated through the summer are washed into the creeks with the first storms. We are currently conducting another 5-week series of testing. Concentrations in February may be lower because the storm drains have been washed out and increased streamflow dilutes pollutants.
Experts advise that even in the wilderness people shouldn’t drink water or get it on an open cut. It is probably a good idea to stay away from Mt.Diablo Creek’s storm drain outfalls. We should wear waders when we collect water samples, and use hand sanitizer after taking a sample. In general, young children are the most susceptible to bacteria. This is a concern for Mt. Diablo Creek because kids play in the creek.
Announcements

We are happy to introduce Jessica Hamburger, the new Mt. Diablo Creek Watershed Coordinator hired by the Contra Costa Resource Conservation District. Jessica will coordinate a locally-led voluntary planning process over the next two years. Stakeholders representing diverse interests will meet regularly to decide what should be in the plan. Examples of issues that stakeholders may choose to address are water quality, flood management, wildlife habitat, parks and recreation, and watershed education. CCRCD also has funding for a biological survey of Mt. Diablo Creek Watershed. The Natural Heritage Institute will perform the survey.

Thanks to Boy Scout troop #363 led by Sandy & Fred Fogg, the City of Concord, and the Contra Costa Watershed Forum, Creek and Watershed Signs are up at five creek crossings in Concord: Kirker Pass Road, Ayers Road, Brazil Quarry Park, Concord Boulevard, and Bailey Road. The signs say Mt. Diablo Creek Watershed: Ours to Protect. Look for these signs everywhere in the county. The signs give the name of both the creek and the watershed. Contra Costa has 31 major watersheds. Some creeks are tributaries of larger streams for which a major watershed has been identified. For example, there is a sign near my house on Galindo Creek with identifies it as being within the Walnut Creek watershed.

Friends of Mt. Diablo Creek will have a table with information and displays at Clayton Library’s 10th anniversary celebration the weekend of March 19 and 20. If anyone else wants to spend an hour or two at our table we’d be delighted to have help!

Aspen Madrone of Contra Costa County’s Citizen Monitoring Program is soliciting volunteers to conduct Bioassessment Surveys this Spring 2005. Volunteers will be collecting bugs / benthic macroinvertebrates (BMIs) to use as water quality indicators to help determine watershed health. The surveys will occur in Alhambra, Pinole, Kirker, Marsh, Mt. Diablo, Wildcat and San Pablo Creek Watersheds. Bioassessment training for Kirker, Marsh and Mt. Diablo Creek Watersheds is scheduled for March 19th and the Alhambra, Pinole, Wildcat and San Pablo Creek Watersheds on April 2nd. Registration forms were distributed to those interested. Aspen can be reached at (925) 335-1315.

Friends of Mt Diablo Creek has joined the Concord Naval Weapons Stations’ Restoration Advisory Board (RAB). Lisa Anich is currently representing FoMDCk on the RAB. Along with other interested RAB members she will have the opportunity to visit the Naval Weapons Station on February 19 to look at Mt. Diablo Creek/Seal Creek (the name Seal Creek is commonly used for the downstream portion of the creek). RAB meetings are open to the public and the next meeting of the RAB will be Wednesday, March 9, 6:30-8:30 at the Concord Police Station, 1350 Galindo St., Concord. The Cleanup Program website is www.sbeach.navy.mil/IR/