Fisherman/boat access below Hwy 20 bridge (Yuba)

[Mrs.Finsallaround]

Hey everyone - don't worry, haven't forgotten this.... So far there're about 8 of us that are willing to put in some time and effort.

Looks like there will be an on-site tour of Parks Bar with SYRCL, USFWS, and Yuba County F&G (?) in the next few weeks that I will be attending, so I'll have a little more info to go on in order organize an initial 'meeting' of sorts of our new little committee.

Those of you that PM'd me your info will be receiving an e-mail from me in the next month or so.

Thanks to all that have volunteered thus far!

[590Mike]

Robin
thanks for heading this up. I think a fund might help so I will go through my closet and find a rod I can donate. I'll let you know what I can part with.
Mike

[amoeba]

I currently attend the Lower Yuba River Fisheries Technical Working Group meetings, on behalf of Granite Bay Flycasters and Northern CA Council Federation of Flyfishers, that are being held periodically which are focused on planning the rehabilitation of 4 mi of river below the hwy 20 bridge. Presently, although concerns have been voiced to the group in previous meetings by a few clubs and guides, there are no guarantees that we will continue to have that access when all is said and done. And, the same three organizations are working together on this project: Western Aggregates, SYRCL, and YOA [although, YOA has yet to attend any of the public forum mtgs I've been to ].

Now, mind you, this will take several years to truly take effect. However - the time is now, if we want to ensure future access. I am going to 'head' a group to work on securing access for fisherman and their drift boats where they are currently launching off Hammonton Road. I cannot do this alone.

If you want to have a voice in the outcome and are willing to put in some time and get your hands dirty, PM me your e-mail address and other contact information. I will begin a distribution list so organization can begin.

I will act as a liaison between fisherman and the LYRFTWG.

What access are you talking about?

I thought there already is permanent legal access using the highway easement under 20 from the north side, which involves carrying your boat under the bridge where they have that bar mounted on the guardrail. There's nothing on the south side I know of that's public/legal (the highway easement on that side is a cliff, the rest I believe is private), allowing driving vehicles and trailers on the gravel bars right up to the river edge/into the water, is there? Same thing at Hammond Grove park. You can carry your boat out of the water, up over the guardrail there, to your vehicle. I thought people weren't supposed to be off-roading.

Please clarify the current situation (correct me if wrong) regarding boat launches.

[Mrs.Finsallaround]

What access are you talking about?

I thought there already is permanent legal access using the highway easement under 20 from the north side, which involves carrying your boat under the bridge where they have that bar mounted on the guardrail. There's nothing on the south side I know of that's public/legal (the highway easement on that side is a cliff, the rest I believe is private), allowing driving vehicles and trailers on the gravel bars right up to the river edge/into the water, is there? Same thing at Hammond Grove park. You can carry your boat out of the water, up over the guardrail there, to your vehicle. I thought people weren't supposed to be off-roading.

Please clarify the current situation (correct me if wrong) regarding boat launches.

Correct, there is no legal launch access on the south side of the river at the highway 20 bridge. And, no, people are not supposed to be off-roading. However, people continue to access it anyway by crossing Western Aggregate owned land above the high water line in order to launch their drift boats, and OHVs use the land and leave their messes behind.

This issue has been discussed on this board for well over a year... You'll need to catch up by reading the following posts:

http://www.kiene.com/forums/showthre...a+River+Access

http://www.kiene.com/forums/showthre...a+River+Access

http://www.kiene.com/forums/showthre...a+River+Access

http://www.kiene.com/forums/showthre...a+River+Access

http://www.kiene.com/forums/showthre...a+River+Access

Any more questions after you've caught up, let me know...

[amoeba]

I think I've got it; physical barrier (cable) proposed permits continued pedestrian access; no public access for vehicles on the river bed (including anywhere on the gravel bar, never has been); no public boat launches involving vehicles or trailers (never has been). Effort being made to protect habitat via enforced vehicular prohibition. Carraige of light boats to river at several points permitted; go get a buddy or three to carry your boat.

[amoeba]

I think I've got it; physical barrier (cable) proposed permits continued pedestrian access; no public access for vehicles on the river bed (including anywhere on the gravel bar, never has been); no public boat launches involving vehicles or trailers (never has been). Effort being made to protect habitat via enforced vehicular prohibition. Carraige of light boats to river at several points permitted; go get a buddy or three to carry your boat.

Judging by the dozen vehicles and trailers parked all over the gravel bar under and up to 2 miles downstream of 20 on the south side on 1/29/11 when I last went (a slower day - as weekend fishing goes), and the various dirt roads created by them, it won't break my heart or affect my fishing in any way when the cable barrier is put up. I'm perfectly capable of carrying a small watercraft; or walking; and have done both. If anything - the cable barrier means less lazy and inconsiderate people who drive their cars on the gravel bar, disturb the environment, and disturb my fishing. Bring it on.

You couldn't have said it better than your recent post, below:

"Correct, there is no legal launch access on the south side of the river at the highway 20 bridge. And, no, people are not supposed to be off-roading. However, people continue to access it anyway by crossing Western Aggregate owned land above the high water line in order to launch their drift boats, and OHVs use the land and leave their messes behind. "

[Mrs.Finsallaround]

I am co-chairing this coalition with John Felde, Conservation Chairperson for Gold Country Fly Fishers and will continue to serve as liaison between anglers/guides/clubs and the Lower Yuba River Technical Working Group. This letter was recently sent out:
__________________________________________________ _______________

My name is John Felde and as the chairman of the Conservation Committee of the Gold Country Fly Fishers, I am writing on behalf of the club. The club is located in Nevada County and consists of approximately 170 members. The Lower Yuba River is our home waters.

We have concerns over angler public access to the Lower Yuba as it serves as a major fishing location for both local residents and those who come from more urban areas like Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay area. This river has a long history as a favored fishing location, particularly for fly fishers. Its fishery is well known and its quality is unparalleled in central California.

In recent years access for the public has become more and more restricted from Englebright Dam downstream to Marysville. The last vestige of historical public access is now from the Highway 20 Bridge to the BLM lands on the south side of the river. We recognize that Western Aggregate owns the land, but they have allowed access here for many years from Hammonton Road to the river. We share their concerns over inappropriate use of the land by ATVs and other motorized vehicles, and would like the opportunity to develop a shared access settlement for anglers.

Toward that end, we are interested in forming the LOWER YUBA RIVER PUBLIC ACCESS COALITION, a group of stake holders that are interested in maintaining public access for walk and wade fishing. Additionally, we support a permanent boat launch access at or near the Highway 20 Bridge, as this has long been a location that both guides and unattached anglers use for launching drift boats and other suitable watercraft. Therefore, we are soliciting your participation as a member of this coalition and your support of retaining public access.

If your organization is interested in being a part of this important opportunity to prevent privatization of access to a long established publicly owned waterway and ensure public access for fishing and other recreation uses, please complete the form below and mail it to Gold Country Fly Fishers.
Members will receive a list of participants via e-mail.

Very sincerely yours,

John Felde
Conservation Chair
Gold Country Fly Fishers
__________________________________________________ ______________

I'd like to note that, although the letter above references a 'permanent boat launch', this does not necessarily mean a concrete launch pad. It simply means that trucks/trailers will be able to launch the 'larger, heavier' drift boats under the Hwy 20 bridge. We just want to secure legal access between Hammonton Road and the public easement under the bridge so this is possible.

Rest assured, we are currently working with the Yuba County Fish & Game Commission on this issue. We believe things are headed in the right direction to secure this access [legally]. Eight of you on this BB have sent me your name/contact info via PM and I will include you in future communication from the Coalition regarding this issue. If anyone else is interested, you may send me a PM or e-mail me at Tggr514@yahoo.com.

Also, if you have questions about the current status of this issue, please feel free to send them to me via PM or e-mail as well. I am personally involved in this issue on several fronts, rather than simply having a personal viewpoint.

Thanks!

[Bob Laskodi]

Robin, Thank you for your involvement on this issue. I think you are headed in the right direction and keep up the good work.