November 18, 2002
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People in the Mattole look to embark on an effort to store water during the rains to greatly reduce diversions of water during the late summer and into the fall. An increased effort at "rescue rearing" is anticipated as well -- moving young fish from pools that are drying up into either year-round in-stream pools or maintained streamside ponds that will enable their survival and chance to return to the river as adults.
The people of the Klamath and their allies seek to ensure adequate water in the river that will support thriving populations of salmon and steelhead. The dams on the Klamath, the Eel, the Sacramento and other rivers such as the Columbia constitute the largest single cause of salmon decline. During a press conference in Washington, D.C., moderate Congressman Mike Thompson piled 500 pounds of dead salmon at the door of Secretary of the Interior. Gail Norton, sending a message about the unacceptable water flow situation in the Klamath.
Hopefully, a coalition led by the Klamath Tribes and the new organization "Got Water?" will make a difference in returning flows to the Klamath. Litigation against the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation regarding water releases was filed in mid-October by the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations (PCFFA), the Northcoast Environmental Center (NEC), and others. More litigation, including by the Tribes, is anticipated.
All around the North Coast a multitude of watershed rehabilitation projects are being wrapped up before the rains set in. These projects are being carried out by a wide range of entities, including the California Conservation Corps (CCC), non-profit groups, regular businesses, and individual property owners. One project that has had a lot of attention is the large road decommissioning/crossing removal project by Sanctuary Forest, Inc. in the upper Mattole River Watershed. People have been concerned about adverse short term sediment impacts from the project, which was originally planned to include about 170 crossing sites treated over two years. Some modifications have been made; most of the work has been done by some of the most highly skilled equipment operators in the region, thorough mulching treatments have been undertaken, and an ambitious monitoring program is underway. All treated crossings from the first year -- about 60 sites -- will be closely documented and evaluated. Each site will be inspected at least four times before, during, and after the rainy season. Next year's rehabilitation work will be modified, as appropriate, based on the information gathered from the winter's monitoring.
As well, the Alliance for Sustainable Jobs and the Environment (ASJE), founded by David Brower and the United Steelworkers' David Foster, has a local project going called the ?North Coast Initiative?. This coalition of environmental, labor, and community leaders have been interacting for over a year -- to help realize watershed rehabilitation that incorporates the best principles of labor, the environment, and the community. Several possible pilot projects are being considered. Your input would be gladly taken by Andrea Davis at 707/498-4481.
Board of Forestry:
Two new Public Members were appointed to the Board, David Nawi and Dr. Susan Britting. They have already made a difference -- helping to bring actual public trust concern to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protections policy and rulemaking body. It's still touch-and-go as far as rulemaking goes. Five votes are needed for passage, and if one of the public members is absent, it's a ?no go?. Nawi is an attorney that served in numerous high-powered capacities, including a stint as Regional Solicitor for the Pacific Southwest Region of the U.S. Department of the Interior under President Clinton (and had a role in the Headwaters Forest negotiations). Britting is actually a real scientist with completed projects such as "Prioritization of Stream Reaches for the Assessment of Water Quality." She is also closely affiliated with a number of environmental organizations; including serving as Board President of the California Native Plant Society. Needless to say, this is a breath of fresh air. A thanks to all who have been pressing for good appointments to the Board. (The Sierra Club deserves kudos on this.)
Broader Board reform is less certain. Senator Sheila Kuehl's reform Bill, SB 234, was 'hijacked' by the opposition and went down late in the 2002 session. The Board did pass out an ?Archaeology Rules? package which brought them closer in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), but which still does not provide for adequate consultation with California Indian Tribes and people. The industry reps would not vote for it until the words "sacred sites" were removed, even though that's part of the ongoing essential considerations in cultural heritage protection.
Sacred Sites and Related Legislation:
Governor Gray Davis vetoed Senator John Burton's SB 1828. His veto message indicated that work should continue to get a successful sacred-sites bill signed next year. His message was a heck of a piece of spin-work. He cited his signing of another bill protecting sacred sites from mining, but failed to point out that the mining bill was tied to SB 1828's passage into law -- which could not happen because he vetoed SB 1828. SB 1816 by Chesbro (and co-authored by Assembly Member Virginia Strom-Martin & others) was passed and signed. It greatly increases penalties for those ransacking Native American sites and graves.
Water Quality:
The Water Quality saga of the ?5 especially impaired? watersheds continues. A seven person independent Science Review Panel has now visited and/or viewed from the air Elk River, and Freshwater, Bear, Jordan, and Stitz Creeks. Their report on harvest rate limitations, immediate remediation measures, and long-term measures is expected to be out sometime in November. The arguments over Reports of Waste Discharge, Waste Discharge Requirements, and waivers continue -- specifically as regarding Elk River, and generally as regarding timber and agricultural operations statewide. The statewide waivers expire January 1, 2003
Coho Salmon:
Lest we forget: It appeared that the Department of Fish & Game acted at the end of August to list Coho Salmon as ?endangered? south of Punta Gorda (south of the Mattole), and ?threatened? north of Punta Gorda (the Mattole & north to the Oregon border). The Commission said it warranted listing, but when the listing actually goes into effect is somewhat of a mystery: either when they adopt interim measures in December (?), or at some point in the Recovery Plan process that they?ve committed to doing, which will take from 12 to 18 months. The five-hour hearing and deliberation was quite a circus.
That's all I can fit in for now. Get set for the new year and enjoy the rainy season. Stay tuned and get involved whenever and wherever you can.
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TOC for Forest & River News, Fall 2002