April 4, 2005
Court Ruling Protects Salmon Habitat: In an important decision that is likely to have impacts for watershed groups throughout the State, the California Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of SPAWN in determining that the County of Marin erred in granting a categorical exemption for a single-family home construction along a riparian area designated by the County as an environmental resource of critical concern. The decision has been published, increasing its precedent-setting status. Contact tsteiner@SpawnUSA.org for a copy.
Coho Spawn In Record Numbers: The winter of 2004-05 was the best year on record in the past 10 years for coho salmon spawning in Lagunitas watershed, and especially for the upper watershed tributaries of San Geronimo Creek, where SPAWN concentrates its monitoring efforts. One hundred fifteen redds (salmon "nests") were identified in the upper tributaries, representing 24 percent of the total of 476 redds recorded in the Lagunitas watershed (Marin Municipal Water District [MMWD] and SPAWN data combined). As many as 107 coho were recorded on a single day in the small tributary of Woodacre Creek! Forty-four Chinook redds and one chum salmon redd were also recorded in the mainstem creeks this year by MMWD.
SPAWN Initiates Fundraising For "Once-In-A-Lifetime Opportunity" Land Purchase: SPAWN is working to raise the necessary funds to acquire a 25-acre property in order to protect it in perpetuity and create an environmental Education and Advocacy Center in the watershed. The property has been in the same family for generations, is adjacent to Samuel P. Taylor State Park, and runs from the creekside redwood-covered valley floor to the grassy ridge-top. The property includes habitat for coho salmon and host of terrestrial species including small and large predators.
Fish-Friendly Culvert Replacement Plans Move Forward: SPAWN has completed initial plans for the replacement or modification of six culverts that are impeding coho migration into tributaries. SPAWN is actively soliciting funds from agencies and foundations to implement the plans and hopes to get at least one culvert "fixed" this summer.
New Collaboration: As part of a large study looking at limiting factors for coho survival and recovery, SPAWN naturalist Megan Isadore has been hired as the Volunteer Coordinator for a collaborative emergence study. Partners include Marin Resource Conservation District, Tomales Bay Watershed Council, Marin County, MMWD, Point Reyes National Seashore, Stillwater Sciences, and the Regional Water Quality Control Board.
For more information:
www.spawnusa.org
More Information About
Salmon Protection and Watershed Network (SPAWN)
More Articles...
TOC for Forest & River News, Winter 2005