Department of Water Resources
A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment
April 28, 2009
3. Watersheds –
Dry Creek project tries to save fish, provide water
The
Marin water district attacks illegal Mt. Tam
The Marin Independent Journal
Refugio Creek project receives $110,000 boost
The
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Dry Creek project tries to save fish, provide water
The
By Bob Norberg
A far-reaching federal order is meant to enhance Dry Creek for coho salmon and steelhead by restricting flows and restoring the stream, but it also has residents worried about a spillover of unintended impacts.
There is no quarrel with the need to improve Dry Creek by adding rocks and logs to create eddies and backwater pools for fish to hide out of the main flow.
The major concern is where the Sonoma County Water Agency would build a pipeline to supplement the capacity of Dry Creek to supply water for 600,000
"I think the pipeline is inevitable," said Judith Olney of the Dry Creek Valley Association. "Coupling these two projects together was a bad decision . . . It has clouded what could be a positive thing for the valley. A pipeline through your property brings up a whole set of issues."
The Water Agency is asking landowners to allow it to look at pipeline paths as well as conduct fish studies. However, the agency says that if the instream work is done right, flows will be high enough to avoid the need for a pipeline.
"I would really like to see the enhancement work do what it is intended to do, use Dry Creek in the manner we use it today," said Pam Jeane, the agency's chief deputy of operations. "A pipeline is not a silver bullet, we still have to manage Dry Creek. Building a pipeline does not solve the fish problems."
The National Marine Fisheries last October issued a biological opinion under the Endangered Species Act that mandates changes to benefit coho, listed as endangered, and chinook and steelhead, listed as threatened.
It orders a reduction of the summertime flows in Dry Creek and the upper
At the same time, it requires undertaking more studies of the fisheries and a study of where to run the pipeline from
To meet the order, the Water Agency expects to spend $100 million in ratepayer and federal money over 15 years.
"Coho salmon are in a dire predicament," said David Manning, a Water Agency principal environmental specialist. "Dry Creek is the center for the coho, absolutely. Without it, I don't give the coho much hope."
The federal order restricts releases into Dry Creek from
Along with what is normally available from
The Water Agency has hired Inter-Fluve of
At the same time, it would allow the Water Agency to increase releases into Dry Creek greater than the flow the federal order sets as optimal for fish habitat during the summer months.
The rock and log structures have to be strong enough to withstand flood-like winter flows that can come from
The Water Agency said a pipeline would only be considered in 2018 if the Dry Creek work isn't successful. The possible routes are alongside Dry Creek, on Dry Creek or West Dry Creek Roads or over
Dry Creek and its aquifer are also the source of water for irrigation, frost protection and domestic use in the valley.
Richard Rued of Rued Winery, whose family has farmed the Dry Creek area for five decades, said there is enough water even in drought years for the 4,000 acres of grapes.
"Vines are pretty thrifty with water and we try to not overwater," Rued said. "There is plenty of water, we just have to manage it so it doesn't hurt the fish to get it to people."
He added the ongoing water regulations have been difficult for the grapegrowers who rely on the
"Right now, good or bad or otherwise, there is not a lot of trust in government," Rued said. "The Water Agency is working hard, spending a lot of time and money, but they are being pulled in many ways."#
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090427/news/904271001
Marin water district attacks illegal Mt. Tam
The Marin Independent Journal – 4/27/09
By Mark Prado
The Marin Municipal Water District embarked on a pilot project Monday to rid
The new initiative, dubbed "Project Restore," aims to remove unofficial trails throughout the
"Many of these trails are on bad slopes and they cause erosion, which really damages the mountain," said water district ranger Phil Johnson, who was working near Bon Tempe reservoir Monday. "And many of the trails duplicate what we have and do not connect with anything else."
Some of the trails have been the result of people wandering off the beaten path; others have been carved by renegade hikers and mountain bikers using tools. Some have been around so long they have unofficial names.
The district's 2005 road and trail management plan identified more than 53 miles of undesirable trails on
During the trial phase, the district is targeting three trails that total about a mile. Those three trails slated for restoration include: Hidden Cove Trail, off
The work will take place over the next two to three weeks at a cost of $25,000. Initially the trails will be fenced off, then California Conservation Corps crews will move earth to cover the trails and plant new plants on them.
"I don't think people realize how destructive these trails can be in terms of erosion impacts to vegetation and habitat," said Libby Pischel, water district spokeswoman. "For people who use these trails they shouldn't be too upset; there are more than 100 miles of trails that we provide."
Many of the rogue trails fragment native habitat and disrupt wildlife populations, threatening their long-term health and even survival, as in the case of endangered coho salmon. The trails, because they are not built to standards, increase erosion into reservoirs, potentially affecting water quality. They also provide pathways for invasive weeds to penetrate native wildlands, Pischel said.
After the work is done, the district will monitor the areas for the next two to three months to see if visitors stay off the trails and to determine how the re-planted terrain responds. If the pilot plan proves successful, more work will be done.
"The water district has a good plan," said Larry Minikes, president of the Tamalpais Conservation Club. "Because of the impact it has on the watershed, you have to bring these rogue trails under control."#
http://www.marinij.com/marinnews/ci_12240032?source=rss
Refugio Creek project receives $110,000 boost
A project to rid lower Refugio Creek of an invasive reed and restore the waterway has received a $110,000 boost.
With the Caltrans grant awarded on April 16, the Land Trust for
The money also will allow crews to re-establish the habitat.
The total cost of the project — including the Caltrans grant — is about $465,000. The funding is made up of grants from the State Coastal Conservancy and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, besides other Caltrans money and Land Trust funds, Feeney said.
Financial support will also be provided by three ranches upstream from
The restoration plan, in the works for three to four years, is in its final year, Feeney said.
The project also includes enhancements meant to minimize erosion on agricultural land and the planting of riparian trees.
Arundo donax, a tall bamboo-like weed, has infested 1.2 miles of the creekbed, Feeney said. Initially introduced into the creek to control erosion, the weed has proven to be ineffective. Additionally, it has displaced native riparian vegetation that supported native animal species such as the Southern steelhead, tidewater goby, red-legged frog and Western pond turtle.
The stalks — which can grow to between 18 and 20 feet tall — are cut down by hand and hauled away. However, the area will have to be checked in two to three years for resprouts, Feeney said.
Other invasive plants, such as castor bean, ivy, false tobacco and Kudzu vine, also have been identified for removal.#
http://www.lompocrecord.com/articles/2009/04/27/news/centralcoast/news07.txt
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