About Us
Mission "The Central Coast Agricultural Water Quality Coalition represents farmers and ranchers in the development and implementation of voluntary, cost-effective, producer-directed programs to protect water quality in the greater Monterey Bay watershed."
History The Coalition's agricultural water quality work began in 1999 with the development of a unique partnership with the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Together with the Sanctuary, environmental organizations, governmental agencies, farmers and ranchers, the Coalition launched our Agricultural Water Quality Program.
Through the Coalition, farmers and ranchers on the Central Coast are working to demonstrate the compatibility of environmental protection and economic viability.
Geography The Agricultural Water Quality Program spans 6 counties, including Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Mateo, Santa Clara, San Benito and San Luis Obispo counties. Within these counties are 11 major watersheds that drain into the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. There is a Coalition Coordinator in each of the six counties working to link growers with resources to improve water quality.
"The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is the largest marine protected area in the United States, and includes over 5000 square miles of water off California's Central Coast. It spans over 400 miles of coastline from Cambria in San Luis Obispo County to the Marin Headlands.The Sanctuary boasts the greatest biodiversity in temperate regions of the world. It is home to 28 species of marine mammals, 94 species of seabirds, and 345 species of fish. The Sanctuary also includes the waters of Elkhorn Slough, one of the largest remaining wetlands in California." Source Action Plan IV: Agriculture and Rural Lands. Water Quality Protection Program for the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. October 1999.