UPDATE OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA PROJECTS FROM FLYFISHING INTERNATIONAL

1.     Coyote Creek, Guadalupe River & Stevens Creek in Santa Clara County - The goal of this project is to stabilize and recover both Chinook salmon & central Calif. steelhead in south Santa Clara valley.  The project started in the late 1990s with the county water agency and Flycasters of San Jose (Mondy Lariz) who lead the effort.  In 2002 the agreement was signed by both Flycasters and NCCFFF.  It’s extensive and covers 100’s of miles of land in southern S.C. Valley.  Other partners on this are state and federal agencies, Valley Water, TU and Cal Trout.  Goals are:  Re-operation of reservoirs, improved stream flows, in stream habitat improvements and removal of fish barriers & fish passage improvements.  There are several millions of dollars dedicated to this effort, and we all work with Valley Water and others to achieve the multi-year projects goals.  We are currently working on a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Valley Water on how and when the projects will be addressed.  This is a long time effort of 20-30 years.  Thanks to Flycasters of San Jose for being our point on this project.

2.     Yuba River Restoration & Relicensing - We are partnering with Gold Country Fly Fishers, South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL) and many other partners in the Yuba-Bear River watershed.  The goals of this effort are enhanced spawning & rearing habitat in the Lower Yuba as well as possible fish passage to the upper watershed above Englebright dam.  Another goal is increased water flows in the Yuba from Dam Relicensing with federal regulators.  SYRCL is in the lead on relicensing, project design, funding efforts, while GCFF is helping with manpower for river clean up, messaging and signage.  We and Gold Country act as consultants on river conditions and historical river knowledge to help in the development process.  SYRCL has an expert team of scientists & administrative people working on this, and has created a Yuba Salmon Now Campaign for restoration efforts.  Link for more info:  https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=10153461610964611.  We also are part of the team working to develop a volitional passage process to the upper river and its 3 tributaries above Englebright dam.  This would be a first for a central valley river, and NOAA and SYRCL are partners. 

3.     Bay-Delta Water Management & Diversion Reductions - We are working with several groups to push forward the increased flow recommendations made by the State Water Board in 2019.  To date, the Water Board has completed and approved new flows on the San Joaquin River to increase water to 40% of historical unimpeded levels.  The issue is that the State has put that on hold until water agencies that use the water can come to an agreement on what flow levels they can support.  Our partners here are many:  Delta Fly Fishers, Golden West Women’s Flyfishers, CSPA, Tuolomne River Trust, Commercial fishing groups, and others.  One piece of this effort is currently with Tuolomne River Trust and efforts to get San Francisco PUC to improve flows on the Tuolomne.  We are on SFPUC meeting calls, NGO group calls, as well as weekly NGO community calls on Bay-Delta water issues.  This is the most difficult project we have because we fight both federal & state agencies and the Governor.  Bottom line is the state has the power to increase flows and make them legally required, but politics gets in the way.  We have to keep at it.

4.     Klamath River Dam Removal - This has been a project of NCCFFI, TU & Cal Trout since about 2003.  We are currently less than 18 months away before pre-construction work starts, and removal begins in January 2023.  We have recently completed a new MOU process with Pacific Power that will allow for license transfer & surrender by April, when permitting and environmental review are the last bridges to cross.

5.     Smith River Anadromous Fish Monitoring Plan - Over the past 3+ years Ben Taylor, Lowell Ashbaugh, myself & former Conservation VP Chuck Bucaria have completed a fisheries monitoring plan for the Smith using DIDSON sonar measuring equipment.  We are currently waiting on CDFW to finish an MOU with the Tolowa Dee Ni Nation for loaning 3 DIDSON devices and managing the monitoring work.  We worked with CDFW managers and fishery scientists to complete the plan, which has now been finalized by CDFW.  We’re hoping to get the equipment in the water this fall.  We do not have a direct club partner on this effort.

The purpose of this report is to keep everyone up-to-date on the cooperative efforts we are engaged in.  All Clubs need to be aware that we are here to help, and we all have access to FFI and it’s Conservation Grants Program.  If you and your club have local projects you may need some funding for, the FFI Grants Program will give up to $3,000 to the club.  What is required is to contact me at the Council level (mrockwell1945@gmail.com) to work with you to put forward a grant request to FFI.  Here’s a link to the grant request form: https://flyfishersinternational.org/Conservation/Projects-Programs/Grants.  There is much we can do together, and we have more power to help our fish and fisheries when we work together.  Reach out for project help.