Regulatory Agencies

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Natural Resources IQ Test your knowledge of San
Mateo County Natural Resource Issues
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Do you know what this is?
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If you guessed Banana Slug, you were right!
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Question 1
An anadromous fish is one who will live the first
part of its life in fresh water, migrate to the
ocean for their adult life, and return to their
stream of origin to reproduce. Which of these is
not an anadromous fish?
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Pacific Salmon
Herring
Steelhead Trout
Shiner Surfperch
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The shiner surfperch is common in the San
Francisco Bay, but this fish does not travel from
fresh water to salt water throughout its life. 
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Question 2 The various stages of life history
for the Pacific Salmon are more complex than most
species of fish.  Which of the terms describes
the earliest life stage for Pacific Salmon, when
they first hatch from their eggs?
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Redd Fingerling Fry RoeSmolt Milt
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The Pacific Salmon hatch as little fry.  This
term is used because the baby fish are still
dependent on the yolk sac for nutrients. When
they grow a little bigger, they are called
fingerlings. 
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Question 3
Section 404 of the Clean Water Act of 1974
regulates discharge of dredged or fill material
into waters of the United States and their
adjacent wetlands.   Several regulations have
been enacted to ensure clean water rights.  NPDES
is a federal permitting program. 
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What does NPDES stand for? Non-Point Drainage in
Every Sewer No Pollution Down Each Storm
drain National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System No Parties During Extreme Storms 

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NPDES stands for the National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System which is very helpful to
environmental quality. 
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Question 4 Water resources are important in the
Bay Area, due to the high population.  The
Peninsula and Alameda watersheds together provide
water for the 2.3 million people living around
the San Francisco Bay. There are 19 public
utility dams within San Mateo County, and
countless private or other dams.
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Which is the Largest Reservoir?
Canada Crystal Springs Pilarcitos San
Andreas
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The Crystal Springs Dam forms a reservoir area of
1323 acres.  It was constructed in 1888.  The San
Andreas Dam forms a reservoir area of 550 acres. 
The Pilarcitos Dam forms a reservoir area of 109
acres.   The Canada Dam forms a reservoir area of
6 acres. Together these reservoirs make up the
Peninsula Watershed System that supplies fresh
water to our populations. 
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Question 5 Wetlands are bountiful aquatic
resources. Much of the planet's life depends on
wetlands.  Some types of wetlands include
marshes, bogs, and swamps.  These environments
filter and clean water, prevent soil erosion, and
provide flood control. What's more, they provide
valuable habitat for a large array of
organisms. Of the species list below, identify
which does not depend on wetlands
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A great white shark does not directly depend on
wetlands for survival.  But when you consider the
productivity of a marsh, for example, we all
benefit!  
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Question 6 The California Red-Legged Frog is on
the United States Fish and Wildlife Service
Endangered Species list.  This frog is the
largest native frog in the west.  With the
introduction of Bullfrogs in 1896, our Red-Legged
frog is faced with competition (and predation!).
Which frog is the red legged frog?
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1
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3
4
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Actually, all the frogs pictured were California
Red-Legged Frogs!  You can see how much variation
in color they have, which might make them hard to
identify.  If you want to go look for one, their
favorite habitat is shrubby riparian areas with
deep, still water.  Watch your step!
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In 1976 the United States Fish and Wildlife
Service listed the Mission Blue Butterfly found
only on San Bruno Mountain and Twin Peaks in San
Francisco, as endangered.  In 1983 agency
coordination created the first Habitat
Conservation Plan (HCP) for any area in
California, and San Mateo County Parks acquired a
majority of the acreage.
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Question 7 The Habitat Conservation Plan
preserves 100 of San Bruno Mountain lands.
True   or   False?
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FALSE The Habitat Conservation Plan meets the
needs of all parties.  The 30 year plan allows
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habitat, and the remaining 8 unplanned to
date.   Additionally, for any loss of habitat
caused by development, mitigation is required
that creates permanent funding for long-term
management of San Bruno Mountain
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Question 8  The Final Challenge When you think
of Natural Resources, do you think of fish and
butterflies?  Natural Resources include fish and
wildlife, vegetation, minerals and soils, air,
water, oil and gas.  You could also consider
entire habitats and ecosystems as Natural
Resources.  And humans!  Here is your final
chance to prove your know-how of Natural Resource
issues.   Choose the incorrect statement
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A. The average person uses 40,000 pounds of
minerals each year in such products as
toothpaste, cleansers, concrete and tires. B.
Californians use 80 Million gallons of oil every
day, enough to fill 40,000 swimming pools. C.
Recycling aluminum results in 95 less air
pollution than aluminum that is produced from
natural resources. D. The San Francisco Bay is
deepening due to continued movement along the San
Andreas Fault.
 
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The San Francisco Bay is not deepening.  It is
actually gradually filling up with sediment from
creeks and rivers.  Changes in hydrodynamics
(reduced flows) cause the sediment to deposit in
the bay, and periodically need to be dredged out
for continued navigation through channels.
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