Hillslope Farming Runoff

The Resource Conservation District of Monterey County (RCDMC) published the Hillslope Farming Runoff Management Practices Guide some years ago to present practices that may be helpful in preventing erosion and runoff on hilly agricultural lands. As winter approaches and you prepare your crop for next year, it is a good idea to plan ahead and implement practices to reduce erosion and stormwater runoff.

The guide is accessible online (through the link above) and complementary printed copies, in English and Spanish, are available in the Agricultural Commissioner’s Salinas office.

Below are some examples of erosion and stormwater runoff practices that are covered in more detail in the guide.

• Row Arrangement
  Consider the slope on the farm in relation to neighboring properties and homes prior to planting to determine the best layout for your crop rows to reduce potential impacts from erosion and runoff. Aligning rows across the slope helps to slow and reduce water runoff and increase infiltration and reduce soil erosion.
• Cover Crops
  The use of cover crops slows water movement, increases infiltration, reduces erosion, has the added benefits of increasing organic matter and adds nutrients to the soil. Plant cover crops as early as possible and germinate with sprinkler irrigation to establish strong roots before winter storms arrive. Cover crops can be planted on any fields that will be bare over winter otherwise, in between furrows of strawberry beds, around field perimeters and on farm roads.
• Sediment Basins
  Stormwater runoff on steeper farms can be difficult to control with other practices. Sediment basins help to capture water runoff and sediment at the low end of the farm slowing the water flow and allowing for water infiltration. A consultation with the RCDMC or Natural Resources Conservation Service can help to assess the best location and design of a sediment basin on your farm.
  
  A short video from the RCDMC describing the examples mentioned can be found here:
  Hillslope Farming - Keeping Soil In Its Place (YouTube).

Properly maintaining infrastructure on your farm to reduce erosion and stormwater runoff ahead of winter weather is essential.
This includes:

• Cleaning and maintaining basins and ditches to reduce offsite impacts.
• Keeping drainage pipes and culvert clear of sediment and debris.
• Managing the edges of your field to allow for proper water draining and prevent impacts from water runoff onto roadways or neighboring properties.

Information, technical assistance, and consultation services are available in Spanish and English from the Resource Conservation Service of Monterey County (RCDMC) by:

• Calling 831-975-7775.
• Their office is located at 744-A La Guardia Street, Salinas, CA. 93905.
• Visiting their website.

Technical assistance and information on available conservation programs is available from the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) by:

• Calling 831-975-7735.
• Their office is located at 744-A La Guardia Street, Salinas, CA. 93905.
• Visiting their website.

You can also consider hiring a certified professional in erosion and sediment control (CPESC), professional engineer or other qualified professional for assistance.
Search for a local CPESC online at:
EnviroCert - International Registry of Certified Professionals in Environmental Specialties.

Search for a licensed professional engineer at:
Department of Consumer Affairs - License Lookup for California-Licensed Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Geologists, and Geophysicists.

For more information regarding the County of Monterey’s erosion control requirements, visit the Housing and Community Development's Erosion Control webpage.