I'm delighted to be able to announce that the following grants were awarded from the FFF Conservation Grant Program. Thanks to the grant writers and congratulations to the recipients!
As previously reported, Cal DFG is in the final stages of developing a Strategic Plan for Trout Management. Mondy Lariz and I have joined Cal Trout and TU in meeting with DFG on two occasions to provide input on the goals and strategies in the plan. Since Òthe Devil is in the detailsÓ we are working with DFG to develop an implementation process that includes involvement of angler representatives.
Of course we are interested in achieving an increased investment in the Wild Trout/Heritage Trout and Catch and Release Programs. By DFG's accounting, $8.4 million is spent annually on the hatchery program, with less than $1 million spent on the Wild Trout Program. We are also interested in insuring that fish stocking is done only when it will not conflict with wild trout populations, and when it can be justified by meeting certain effectiveness benchmarks. As part of these meetings we have been given updates on the status of management plan development for wild trout waters, and the potential impact of the budget crisis on DFG operations (though this is still very much up in the air). Our next meeting is scheduled for April.
Over the next 2-3 months, we will be identifying regulation changes that would be important to wild trout fisheries. For a variety of reasons, it will be more difficult than ever to secure DFG support for changes, so we will be prudent in selecting our proposals, and diligent in developing our case. If you are aware of regulation that should be changed to conserve wild fisheries, and are in a position to help build the case, please let me know soon.
The Committee has almost completed design of a multi-color brochure promoting the benefits and techniques of catch and release angling for striped bass. (I had a chance to see a draft, and the brochure is very attractive and informative.) This project is being done in collaboration with other organizations including Striped Bass Stamp Committee and Cal DFG. In addition, the Committee has begun a series of meetings with DFG, NMFS, and FWS as they lay groundwork for new regulations which would create a striper slot limit. Doug Lovell has also been actively involved in trying to bring reason to a proposed South Delta Improvements Program which could increase the pumping capacity of State Water Project pumps to divert more Bay/Delta water. Doug and Mike McKenzie have been key players on the committee and would welcome additional members who are interested in striped bass. Contact Doug at doug@fishfirst.com.
One of the critical factors in the decline of steelhead and salmon on the Trinity has been the lack of higher flows to flush sediment and create good riparian and spawning habitat. After decades of litigation, study, and public comment, in December of 2000 the Interior Department issued a Record of Decision (ROD) which, while not ideal, would have taken steps to restore the Trinty by increasing the maximum flows substantially. This ruling was challenged in court by water diverters who recently received a favorable ruling from a Central Valley judge. Unchallenged, this ruling would substantially reduce the flows that would have been restored by the ROD to levels below what is required for meaningful improvement. FFF has joined with Friends of the Trinity River to mount a letter writing campaign to let the Interior Department know that the people of California want the Trinity restored. We are urging the Interior Department to appeal the ruling since this critical court decision warrants a broader review by the Circuit Court. Thanks to all the clubs and individual who wrote letters!
Several water diverters, including Stockton East, have filed suit to have the ESA designation lifted for Central Valley Steelhead. At the request of NCCFFF and the FFF National Steelhead Committee, FFF has agreed to intervene in this suit which could dramatically affect recovery efforts for Central Valley Steelhead. NCCFFF is also considering joining the suit at the Council level.
Through the work of volunteers around the state, the California Wild Heritage Campaign has made it more than halfway to our goal of 100,000 petition signatures to Senator Dianne Feinstein. Thus far over 60,000 signatures from people expressing their support to protect California's last wild lands and rivers have been collected. This accomplishment coincided with a recent national poll, which found that more than 2/3 of Western voters - including Californians Ð support protecting more public lands as Wilderness. Media events were recently held in Fresno and Santa Barbara to deliver the petitions to Senator Feinstein. The Campaign continues to gain momentum to protect 2.5 million acres of wilderness and designate 22 Wild and Scenic rivers in California. There are still plenty of opportunities for anglers to get involved by writing letters in support of specific Wild & Scenic Rivers. For more information, please contact Michael MacWilliams at mmacwill@stanford.edu or at 650-814-8073.
The clock continues to tick on the FERC license renewal for the Pit. PG&E is very slowly releasing study results. Some of the key studies, however, have not yet been released. In the meantime, upstream water users, including a larger cattle ranch, have become actively involved. Since they have junior water rights, they are concerned that leaving more water in the river will result in a reduction in diversions for their use. The ideal solution would be for PG&E to forego their rights to the small percentage of water involved. Of course PG&E would much prefer to have the upstream users and the conservation folks fight about it. TU, Cal Trout, and American Whitewater have filed a joint document with FERC clarifying the point that FERC can mandate conditions important to river restoration, even if it requires redistribution of water.
Comment letters on behalf of the Council were submitted regarding several additional important issues. Thanks to Dan McDaniel, Doug Lovell, Michael MacWilliams, and anyone else who helped write a letter! Among the letters were these:
A public meeting with UP was held in Dunsmuir in January to discuss concerns about the number of derailments along the river. The Sacramento River exchange is sending a follow up letter to UP. Depending on the reply, we may request a meeting with CPUC and/or UP. Bill Berry continues to be active on this. More info will be posted at this meeting.
The next Conservation Network Meeting is being held on March 15th. We have 14 people signed up to attend, with several yet to weigh in. This will once again be a great opportunity to share information regarding key conservation activities. We also have several presentations lined up and as always, board members are welcome.