The slide toward extinction - A tale of two ditches...and a water trust

KlamBlog investigators have been back to  the Scott River watershed to check on the status of adult Chinook salmon. Their latest investigation was on November 4th and they have good news and bad news to report.

This is a must read on how water policy from the Bay area north to the Oregon border is continuing it's assault on endangered fish.

LINK (Via: Klamblog)

Message from the Gyre

We've all heard about the giant islands of floating trash in both the Atlantic and Pacific. These photographs of albatross chicks were made in September 2009 on Midway Atoll, a tiny stretch of sand and coral near the middle of the North Pacific. The nesting babies are fed bellies-full of plastic by their parents, who soar out over the vast polluted ocean collecting what looks to them like food to bring back to their young. On this diet of human trash, every year tens of thousands of albatross chicks die on Midway from starvation, toxicity, and choking.

New Summer Strong Runs

In this issue:

Columbia River wild steelhead decline

Bates Park: Fish passage and watershed health before local recreational interests

South Umpqua Steward update: I refuse to let my home waters be a sacrifice river

An NFS Film Event: Where Hope Resides

Nehalem River: A Stewards' view of agency actions that could impede wild fish recovery

First half of 2009 NFS accomplishments

LINK (Via: Osprey Steelhead News)

The Santa Clara River Once Supported 10,000 Returning Steelhead

Last year just two adults were sighted.

This just in from Cal Trout.

California Trout and the United Water Conservation District have reached an historic agreement that will protect the endangered salmonid by providing vital fish passage so that steelhead can access crucial spawning waters in the Santa Clara watersheds. CalTrout governors and staff are hopeful that this agreement will lead to Southern California Steelhead recovery throughout its historic range.

LINK  (Via:The Ventura County Star)

Support Cal Trout's efforts to restore Southern California steelhead. LINK

Suction dredging ban signed into law

The Governator signed a bill to temporarily ban the destructive form of recreational gold mining known as suction dredging. The bill places an immediate moratorium on all suction dredge mining until the California Department of Fish and Game develops and implements new suction dredge regulations that are protective of fisheries and water quality.

LINK (Via: Cal Trout)

One Woman, One River

Ali Howard has started her Skeena swim to raise awareness of development issues in the Skeena headwaters. Patagonia is one of her primary sponsors donating $5000 and a bunch of gear to the cause.

Ali Howard is swimming the Skeena River's entire 610-km length, from the Sacred Headwaters to the Pacific Ocean. She's doing it to raise awareness of threats to the Skeena and bring communities together around a vision for the watershed's future.

LINK