A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment
September 7, 2007
3. Watersheds
SALT RIVER RESTORATION:
Coastal commission gets taste of Salt River - Eureka Times Standard
QUAGGA MUSSELS/
Steve Carson's 'Outdoors' column: Quagga mussels cause grave concern for
OROVILLE EVENT:
DWR announces 'Catch a Special Thrill for Kids' event at
SALT RIVER RESTORATION:
Coastal commission gets taste of Salt River
By John Driscoll, staff writer
The California Coastal Commission toured what looks to be one of the largest restoration efforts in
Commissioners were introduced Thursday to the Salt River project, which would restore much of the 47-square-mile watershed that drains -- however imperfectly -- to the Eel River about 1/2 mile from the Pacific Ocean. Original concepts were born locally more than 20 years ago by landowners frustrated by flooding generated by years of siltation in the Salt.
Pieces of the project are finally beginning to flow, though not much faster than the
The goal on that parcel is to restore some of the tidal function, lost by diking off the area, which project developers believe will help flush silt from the system. The channel of the
”Today you couldn't even get a canoe in there,” said Mark Wheetley with Fish and Game.
About 100 years ago, the Salt River was about 15 feet deep and 200 feet wide up to Port Kenyon, a little village outside
Levee building on the Eel and the Salt, logging in the
County Department of Public Works Environmental Services Manager Hank Seeman said he hopes some of the work could begin next summer.
”We need to get the
But the coastal commission will have to take a hard look at it first. Commission Executive Director Peter Douglas asked how project leaders will justify changing the current lowland habitat to a mix of tidal wetlands, marsh and some grazing plots.
”How will you make the value judgment?”
Karen Kovacs with Fish and Game said that the department is looking at the whole of its ownership in the region, and where grazing land lost here might be made up for somewhere else.
Other issues the commission would likely consider is whether the hydraulics of the plan are suitable and how much public access to the property would be appropriate, and how the project can deal with the regulatory hurdles of disturbing what's termed environmentally sensitive habitat area.
”That's going to be a challenge,”
The commission also took a look at Caltrans' proposed project to build a diamond interchange on U.S. Highway 101 at
As part of the project, Caltrans would also extend some local roads and improve access to the
Increased runoff from the project would be directed to a 42-acre parcel currently being used for grazing, making it a seasonal wetland. That brought up concerns about the commission's policy on preservation of agricultural land.
”That will be a big judgment for the commission,” coastal planner Bob Merrill said.
But
Back at the
The commission expects to take up the issue in October,
http://www.times-standard.com/local/ci_6826382
QUAGGA MUSSELS/
Steve Carson's 'Outdoors' column: Quagga mussels cause grave concern for
By Steve Carson, staff writer
The recent discovery of invasive Quagga mussels in
The destructive freshwater mollusks originated in Asia, and were brought into the
Problems include engine damage due to blocked cooling systems; wasting fuel due to increased drag on the bottom of the boat; jammed steering equipment; colonization of all underwater surfaces such as boat ramps, docks, lines, requiring constant cleaning.
Quagga mussel infestation can potentially lead to the closure of boating in affected waterways. They also wreak havoc with the environment, disrupting the food chain and causing millions of dollars in damage to water transport facilities.
Thus far, the mussels have not been found in
The DFG recommends all boaters take the following steps to inhibit the spread of the Quagga mussel: Inspect all exposed surfaces; wash the hull of the watercraft thoroughly; remove all plant and animal material; drain all water; drain and dry the lower unit; clean and dry all live-wells; empty and dry any buckets; dispose of all bait in the trash; wait five days and keep watercraft dry between launches into different waters.
More information is available at www.dfg.ca.gov/quaggamussel/ or on the public Quagga mussel hotline at 866-440-9530.
Salmon action was generally slow on the
"We are catching about one to three salmon per day on the
"We are getting all of our fish on the red cured roe/pink puff ball combination. I rig it up on a 15-pound test fluorocarbon leader and a black No. 1 Owner SSW Needle Point hook."
Brock added, "There are very few boats out on the river because fishing is so tough, but those who work hard at it are catching a fish or two."
Relatively low numbers of big salmon were the story on the
"Salmon fishing has been slow to fair," said Thompson. "Really about the same as it's been, I would not say that it's been on fire at any time this season.
"The people catching fish at the
"The key is to get on a spot and stick with it, because the chances are that a group of fish will move through eventually. If you can fish for five or six hours straight it might pay off. If you take a break for lunch, you might find out that was the only time the fish came by."
Thompson added, "There have been some nice stripers to about 40 pounds being caught down by Live Oak on cut bait and topwaters."
Uncomfortable conditions prevail on
"Conditions at the lake have been low, smoky, hot and uncomfortable," quipped Torres. "Bass fishing is still pretty good, with some nicer 2- and 3-pound fish being seen now that the Labor Day crowd is backing down.
"The mudlines are definitely drawing fish up, both the ones caused by boats and the wind. Chartreuse/blue crankbaits and chartreuse spinnerbaits with a gold blade are working best. There are also fish down at 30 feet hitting on tubes, jigs, dartheads and dropshot baits.
"We are very excited about the CAST for Kids (Catch a Special Thrill) event scheduled for the Spillway Launch at
Torres tipped, "Some of those steelhead that were stocked in the afterbay have started to show up again. They are running about 16 inches long and are hitting on spinners."
http://www.orovillemr.com/sports/ci_6824523
OROVILLE EVENT:
DWR announces 'Catch a Special Thrill for Kids' event at
Oroville Mercury Register – 9/7/07
The Department of Water Resources (DWR), in partnership with the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), the Department of Boating and Waterways (DBW), the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) and the C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation will sponsor a C.A.S.T. (Catch A Special Thrill) for Kids event on Sept. 8, at
The event will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with 40 youth participating. Additional sponsors for the event include the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Lake Oroville Marina, Oroville Kiwanis, Chico Bass Club, Gold Country Casino, Feather River Recreation & Parks District, Wal-Mart, Noahís Arc, Oroville Outdoors, Exclusive Limousine,
Formed in 1991, this year the Foundation is hosting outreach events in 21 states, joining adults who love to fish with hundreds of disabled and disadvantaged children. The C.A.S.T for Kids volunteers give individual fishing lessons. Other activities include crafts and games, entertainment and prizes. Staff and volunteers from state agencies, C.A.S.T. and the community also teach boating safety, anglersí ethics and natural resources stewardship.
In 2004, DWR, DPR, DBW and DFG signed a Memorandum of Agreement to provide a framework to create a partnership between the C.A.S.T. Foundation and the State of
http://www.orovillemr.com/news/ci_6822841
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