In this issue:
See separate report from Michael MacWilliams
In August, additional studies were conducted on the Pit River with data collected at various flow rates. The flow studies are very important for anglers because we are particularly interested in how various flow rates affect the maximum daily temperatures in the river. At the current minimum flow of 150 cfs, temperatures in excess of 70 degrees are common in Pit 4 and Pit 5 during the summer. Anglers were involved in assessment of "fishability" at various flows. No official results have been released, but anecdotal information indicates that the river was very fishable at 250 cfs, a flow which could result in lower maximum temperatures.
It is also important that the license requires "flushing" flows during seasons when high water would normally occur. The tests will provide important data to determine the timing and magnitude of the flows required. Of course, the higher flows also permitted the evaluation of the potential for recreational boating. It is worth noting that at this point, much of the push for boating studies on the Pit is coming from the State Water Resources Control Board staff.
In light of the concerns regarding summer boating flows on trout streams, I have been in dialogue with the angling groups involved in the license processes to determine how NCCFFF can be most effective in insuring that our valued trout fisheries are improved and not compromised as FERC licenses are renewed.
NCCFFF submitted comment letters during two phases of preparation of the Draft EIR for the Martis Valley Community Plan. This EIR will guide future development in the valley. In our letters we highlighted the importance of this lake which was completely overlooked in the first phase of the EIR. This is particularly troubling since Martis Lake was the first lake given special status under California Department of Fish and Game's Wild Trout Management Program, and has been managed under this program for over 2 decades. It is one of only four lakes in California with this designation.
Some anglers believe that the condition of Martis Lake is already declining, with algae growth being one indicator. The pending land development in the valley is a serious concern. We received direct acknowledgment of our concerns and the importance of the lake from the Placer County Board of Supervisors, but how they will respond in the official document remains to be seen.
Thanks to Richard Anderson of California Fly Fisher for his personal advocacy on this issue.
Anglers and others who enjoy access to rivers bordered by PG&E land should be highly interested in the current bankruptcy proceeding. PG&E has put forward a recovery plan which would exempt it from controls previously exercised by the Public Utilities Commission. In a surprise move, the CPUC recently revealed that it had convinced PG&E's creditors to back its reorganization plan over PG&E's own affiliate spin-off plan. The spin-off plan would give PG&E far greater control over how assets, including land, are managed. The battle is far from over, however.
Implementation of the Record of Decision (ROD) for restoration of the Trinity River remains bogged down in litigation brought by ag water users and a handful of public utilities. The presiding judge ordered further environmental analysis which will likely take years to complete, despite the fact that the ROD was based on over 20 years of study. So far the Interior Department has gone on record saying they will defend the ROD, though given the environmental track record of the current administration, there is concern about the vigor of the defense.
The water diverter's view was probably best expressed by an attorney for Westlands Ag District who said "More water isn't always better for fish", arguing that the restoration might be accomplished by mechanical improvements to the river channel. A member of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, another litigant, commented that "20 years of incomplete review doesn't make a good decision". More reviews and more study means more water to diverters and ag interests and less for fish recovery.
The state legislature passed a bill reauthorizing the Steelhead Trout Catch Report-Restoration Card program. The card has already provided over $1.5 million in revenue for steelhead monitoring, restoration and education throughout California, from removal of Monkey Creek Dam on the Smith River, to monitoring endangered populations in Southern California?s Santa Clara River. Projects have been completed on the Smith, Klamath, Trinity, Mad, Eel, Navarro Garcia, Russian, Sacramento, San Lorenzo, Pajaro, Carmel, Big Sur, Santa Ynez, Ventura and Santa Clara Rivers. In the past anglers have questioned why only some of the cards are collected. This bill requires that the data from all cards be collected and evaluated. The bill was sponsored by Assemblymember Virginia Strom-Martin (D- Duncan Mills) with strong support from Cal Trout and the cooperation of California Department of Fish and Game.
As outlined in the recent edition of River Mouth, the lack of science-based oversight of timber harvest plans remains a serious problem in the Sierras. Mike Laing of Granite Bay Flycasters has been the point person for NCCFFF on this issue. In recent news, a bill is in the works in the state legislature which would end decades of domination of the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection by timber interests. The bill would outline new qualifications for board members to bring more science and a broader perspective to the board. NCCFFF has submitted letters to the House Speaker and the Governor urging reform of the Board. We will be alert for other ways to support this effort.
Another cause of timber harvest problems is the fact that the Central Valley Water Resources Control Board had delegated to the California Division of Forestry the authority for overseeing water quality issues associated with private timber harvest in the region. In light of heavy criticism, the Board is considering reclaiming its authority. At an upcoming meeting in Redding, NCCFFF will be part of a coalition of groups who will urge the Central Valley Regional Board to re-assume this responsibility.
The Fish and Game Commission voted to designate coho between San Francisco and Punta Gorda in Humboldt County as endangered, and those north of Punta Gorda as threatened. Coho salmon south of San Francisco Bay have been on the state's endangered species list since 1995. The federal government has listed them as threatened in the Central Valley since 1996 and in Northern California since 1997.
NCCFFF had submitted a letter to the Commission urging protection of the Coho through the listing. While the listing was an important step, it fell short of the plan put forward by a coalition of environmental groups which called for immediate state action to protect coho habitat, including maintaining tree cover along breeding streams. The board directed groups on both sides of the issue to begin working together on a recovery plan for the fish in 90 days.
The NCCFFF Steelhead Committee arranged a meeting with DFG [Region 3] Central Coast Regional Director Rob Floerke to highlight concerns about steelhead recovery, review recovery status, and discuss potential action to remove stream barriers. A September meeting has been scheduled with DFG biologists to discuss stream barrier removal. In addition, the committee is working with DFG to develop educational materials on steelhead.