Nutrients, pathogens and sediments from livestock facilities are pollutants of concern in the major watersheds of Santa Cruz, San Benito, and Santa Clara Counties. This pollution critically impacts our drinking water, recreation areas, fisheries health and flora and fauna habitat. Santa Cruz County has widely varied topography. Most of the rural properties zoned for livestock in the county are on sloped to steep terrain, making them vulnerable to increased erosion and drainage problems. Livestock housed in confined pastures can contribute to a decline in vegetative cover that in turn leads to increased sediment runoff to nearby creeks and streams. Manure contaminates can also be transported to waterways via stormwater runoff. Better management of manure and drainage on properties that house livestock can lessen these pollutants.