In 2017, the California State Water Resources Control Board will make a decision that will fundamentally affect rivers and streams that California anglers know and love. This decision could make or break California’s salmon fisheries and the multi-billion dollar commercial and recreational angling economy they support.
The water board’s decision pertains to streamflow and water quality objectives under Phase I of the Bay-Delta Plan. At issue is new proposed flow standards which would double, on average, the amount of water reserved for the environment in the lower San Joaquin River and its primary tributaries.
Even under the proposed new standards, two-thirds of the natural flow of the Merced, Tuolumne, and Stanislaus Rivers would still be diverted, mainly for agriculture.
Trout Unlimited has been working for the past ten years to help improve habitat and flow conditions for Central Valley salmon and steelhead through the long process of developing the Bay-Delta Plan. The proposed new flow standards reflect our science-based position that Central Valley salmon and steelhead need more cold, clean water at critical times of the year than they have been receiving from federal and state water managers.
Read more on the TU Blog.
The Sac-Sierra Chapter (in partnership with the Upper American River Foundation, U.S. Forest Service, Auburn State Recreation Area, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and Wildways Illustrated) just completed a project to raise awareness of the California Wild Trout and National Wild and Scenic River classifications of 2 rivers in their region.
These two interpretive panels combine art and science to raise awareness of visitors to the North Fork of the American River at Mineral Bar (Iowa Hill Bridge) near Colfax, CA and visitors to the Rubicon River tributary to the Middle Fork American River near Foresthill, CA. They will benefit wild trout and many groups, agencies and individuals by increasing awareness of the Federal Wild & Scenic River Classifications and the California Wild Trout Stream listings. "Our project is already being looked at by others throughout the Sierra Nevada's who want to bring attention to these two very important designations for their wild trout streams and wild and scenic rivers!", according to Bill Templin, the chapter's lead on this project and one of this reborn chapters' charter Board Members.
Amador Flyfishers and Sac-Sierra Trout Unlimited members came together for a cleanup day along the Mokelumne River below Electra Powerhouse on Saturday May 3rd. I would like to thank the following individuals for showing up and lending a hand: Chris Bennett of PG&E, Charlie and Catherine Moore, Cindy Rocksvold, Brian Guina, Reese Orlander, John Woodward and Rich McCurdy.
Senator Loni Hancock (D-Berkeley) introduced the Mokelumne Wild and Scenic bill (SB 1199) in April. This is an opportune time for TU to come in and rally support to protect the proposed 37 miles of river between Salt Springs and Pardee.
The Calaveras County Board of Supervisors recently unanimously voted in support of the bill, and now efforts are focused on getting the support of EBMUD.
There is an upcoming meeting at EBMUD Tuesday May 13th at 1 pm in Oakland. I know it's in the middle of the day, but if any of you or anyone from your chapters could attend and perhaps speak as a representative of the the "sportsmens" voice, that would be great!
Volunteers are needed on Saturday, December 13th, 2014 to assist Sac-Sierra Trout Unlimited with the second phase of our stream bank stabilization and erosion control project on Secret Ravine in Roseville. Volunteers will help install erosion control netting, seed the work area with native grasses and plants and cover the work site with native straw to minimize runoff.
When: Saturday December 13th
Time: 9:00 - 1:00 Lunch and drinks will be provided
Bring: Work gloves, boots, long-handled pruners, rakes.
Where: Meet at 8:30 am at the Viola Way access to the bike trail.
For more information please email Kevin Mather at
If you are able to attend please RSVP to
The salmon are in!! Come help them with their new digs!