Bill Kiene semi-retired
04-05-2010, 07:44 PM
In This Issue:
Mammoth Creek Settlement Agreement
Klamath Dam Removal Update
Piru Creek Update
11th Annual CalTrout Gala and Auction
Mammoth Creek Settlement Reached-- Twenty Years in the Making
After nearly two decades of work, this past fall CalTrout secured an agreement that protects fish in Mammoth Creek for the foreseeable future.
The agreement between CalTrout and the Mammoth Community Water District (MCWD) sets guidelines for fish-healthy flows for Mammoth Creek and prevents the MCWD from diverting water if these flows fall below necessary levels.
The primary components of the Agreement include:
Minimum flow requirements that limit the conditions under which the District can divert surface water.
An annual contribution of $10,000 per year, for the next twenty years, from the District to a "fisheries enhancement fund".
A comprehensive water conservation plan for the Town of Mammoth Lakes.
A seat at the table for CalTrout with respect to groundwater monitoring and annual evaluations of groundwater usage in the basin and their potential impacts on surface flows.
While the agreement won't dramatically change current flow regimes, it ensures responsible water use and safeguards flows and fish populations into the future as the Town of Mammoth Lakes grows.
Klamath Dam Removal
On February 9th all 29 parties to the negotiations to remove four dams on the Klamath River signed the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement (KBRA).
Together with the Klamath Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement (KHSA) the KBRA establishes a blueprint for removing the dams, restoring habitat above the dams and ensuring adequate stream flows.
Feasibility studies will be conducted over the next two years before the US Interior Secretary makes a final decision on removal.
Pending the Secretary's approval, permitting and environmental review would begin in 2012 with dam removal slated for 2020.
The Settlement and Restoration Agreements and summaries can be found online at http://www.edsheets.com/Klamathdocs.html.
Piru Creek Update
On February 18th CalTrout met with the California Water Resources Control Board, US Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Service and the California Department of Fish and Game to discuss agreeable alternative flow regimes for Piru Creek.
CalTrout's Southern California Regional Manager, Nica Knite, chaired the discussion -- the first of several.
Because Pyramid Dam was impacting flows and fish populations in the Piru, last January CalTrout filed a California Environmental Quality Act lawsuit against the State Water Board for their issuance of a Clean Water Permit for the dam. Clean Water Permits can only be issued if it's shown that fish can survive downstream of dams or diversions.
CalTrout stayed the suit pending the outcome of a Water Board rehearing. The rehearing failed to resolve the issue of flows but revealed that the Water Board had made a number of technical errors.
With this knowledge, CalTrout removed the stay and engaged in a mandatory settlement conference, ultimately securing meetings with the agencies.
After some preliminary discussions with agency staffers, CalTrout is hopeful that an acceptable flow regime can be agreed upon to the benefit of the steelhead and trout down stream.
11th Annual CalTrout Gala and Auction
Come celebrate your favorite California Blue Ribbon Waters at the 11th Annual CalTrout Gala and Auction in San Francisco. The Gala features drinks, dinner, silent and live auctions and is a big source of support for CalTrout's work.
Tickets are limited so get yours today here.
You can also support CalTrout by purchasing a raffle ticket to win $15,000 in fine California wines. Click here to purchase.
Sponsorship is a great way to show your dedication to California's native fisheries. Click here for more information.
When: Friday, May 7th
Where: Julia Morgan Ballroom, San Francisco
6:00 pm -- Reception & Silent Auction
7:30 pm -- Dinner & Live Auction
Renewal 2010 - A New Way to Give
Save time and resources while supporting California's native trout and steelhead by joining CalTrout's monthly giving program - the Streamkeepers Circle. Giving has never been easier. For as little as $10 a month, you can ensure a future for the Golden State's wild fish - and never be bothered with stamps or checks again.
Continue receiving the quarterly Streamkeepers Log and email updates
Save paper and waste
Save CalTrout money that can be used for conservation
Help YOU better budget your annual giving
Save time - no more checks, stamps or mail
Receive an annual statement every year
You won't receive any further mail solicitations from us and can stop at any time. And, as always, your information is private and won't be shared with anyone.
Click here to enroll or call our Member Representative, Tony Van Houten, at 415-392-8887 x100.
Mammoth Creek Settlement Agreement
Klamath Dam Removal Update
Piru Creek Update
11th Annual CalTrout Gala and Auction
Mammoth Creek Settlement Reached-- Twenty Years in the Making
After nearly two decades of work, this past fall CalTrout secured an agreement that protects fish in Mammoth Creek for the foreseeable future.
The agreement between CalTrout and the Mammoth Community Water District (MCWD) sets guidelines for fish-healthy flows for Mammoth Creek and prevents the MCWD from diverting water if these flows fall below necessary levels.
The primary components of the Agreement include:
Minimum flow requirements that limit the conditions under which the District can divert surface water.
An annual contribution of $10,000 per year, for the next twenty years, from the District to a "fisheries enhancement fund".
A comprehensive water conservation plan for the Town of Mammoth Lakes.
A seat at the table for CalTrout with respect to groundwater monitoring and annual evaluations of groundwater usage in the basin and their potential impacts on surface flows.
While the agreement won't dramatically change current flow regimes, it ensures responsible water use and safeguards flows and fish populations into the future as the Town of Mammoth Lakes grows.
Klamath Dam Removal
On February 9th all 29 parties to the negotiations to remove four dams on the Klamath River signed the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement (KBRA).
Together with the Klamath Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement (KHSA) the KBRA establishes a blueprint for removing the dams, restoring habitat above the dams and ensuring adequate stream flows.
Feasibility studies will be conducted over the next two years before the US Interior Secretary makes a final decision on removal.
Pending the Secretary's approval, permitting and environmental review would begin in 2012 with dam removal slated for 2020.
The Settlement and Restoration Agreements and summaries can be found online at http://www.edsheets.com/Klamathdocs.html.
Piru Creek Update
On February 18th CalTrout met with the California Water Resources Control Board, US Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Service and the California Department of Fish and Game to discuss agreeable alternative flow regimes for Piru Creek.
CalTrout's Southern California Regional Manager, Nica Knite, chaired the discussion -- the first of several.
Because Pyramid Dam was impacting flows and fish populations in the Piru, last January CalTrout filed a California Environmental Quality Act lawsuit against the State Water Board for their issuance of a Clean Water Permit for the dam. Clean Water Permits can only be issued if it's shown that fish can survive downstream of dams or diversions.
CalTrout stayed the suit pending the outcome of a Water Board rehearing. The rehearing failed to resolve the issue of flows but revealed that the Water Board had made a number of technical errors.
With this knowledge, CalTrout removed the stay and engaged in a mandatory settlement conference, ultimately securing meetings with the agencies.
After some preliminary discussions with agency staffers, CalTrout is hopeful that an acceptable flow regime can be agreed upon to the benefit of the steelhead and trout down stream.
11th Annual CalTrout Gala and Auction
Come celebrate your favorite California Blue Ribbon Waters at the 11th Annual CalTrout Gala and Auction in San Francisco. The Gala features drinks, dinner, silent and live auctions and is a big source of support for CalTrout's work.
Tickets are limited so get yours today here.
You can also support CalTrout by purchasing a raffle ticket to win $15,000 in fine California wines. Click here to purchase.
Sponsorship is a great way to show your dedication to California's native fisheries. Click here for more information.
When: Friday, May 7th
Where: Julia Morgan Ballroom, San Francisco
6:00 pm -- Reception & Silent Auction
7:30 pm -- Dinner & Live Auction
Renewal 2010 - A New Way to Give
Save time and resources while supporting California's native trout and steelhead by joining CalTrout's monthly giving program - the Streamkeepers Circle. Giving has never been easier. For as little as $10 a month, you can ensure a future for the Golden State's wild fish - and never be bothered with stamps or checks again.
Continue receiving the quarterly Streamkeepers Log and email updates
Save paper and waste
Save CalTrout money that can be used for conservation
Help YOU better budget your annual giving
Save time - no more checks, stamps or mail
Receive an annual statement every year
You won't receive any further mail solicitations from us and can stop at any time. And, as always, your information is private and won't be shared with anyone.
Click here to enroll or call our Member Representative, Tony Van Houten, at 415-392-8887 x100.