Conejo Valley Fly Fishers
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Conejo Valley Fly Fishers
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TROUTCLOUT BULLETIN TRINITY RIVER FLOW STUDY January 2000 BACKGROUND * The Trinity River Act of 1955 which authorized the dams and diversions of water to the Central Valley Project (CVP) also mandated that the fish and wildlife of the basin were not to be harmed. Water was to be provided to the river to achieve that purpose. In 1984, Congress specified that the Secretary of the Interior was to implement a restoration program with the objective of restoring fish and wildlife populations levels "to those which existed immediately preceding construction of the (dams)." * Since the dams were completed in 1963, water diversions led to a 90% decline in the fisheries in the early 1990s. Coho salmon are now listed under the Endangered Species Act and Steelhead trout are now a candidate for listing. * The federal government's mandate to maintain a healthy fishery in the Trinity River has been a failure. Subsequent actions by Interior Secretary Cecil Andrus and later by the Miller/Bradley Act mandated a study to determine the water requirements for a healthy river and required a decision on river flows by the end of 1996. That study was completed in May 1999. Subsequently a draft Environmental Impact Statement/Report (EIS/EIR) has been issued, and it is anticipated that the Interior Secretary will make a decision in April on how much water to return to the river to restore and maintain a healthy ecosystem and fishery. Public comments are invited and must be received by January 20, 2000.* The draft EIS/EIR indicates that a primary factor in the decline of the Trinity River ecosystem is the result of decreased water flows into the river along with the resulting changes in river habitats. The best available science in the study recognizes that the highest priority for recovery is increased flows. * The federal government's draft EIS/EIR recommends, as its preferred alternative, that less than half -- only 48% of the water -- be returned to the river for environmental purposes. Another alternative in the EIS/EIR is called the Maximum Flow Alternative and it returns all of the Trinity water to the river and provides the maximum restoration of fisheries among the alternatives considered. This is the alternative CalTrout prefers. * The agricultural industry led by the politically powerful Westlands Water District -- the main beneficiary of Trinity River water -- is strongly opposed to any return of flows to the river. ISSUES * A 48% flow for the Trinity River, while perhaps a politically saleable decision, will require more reengineering of river channels while only recovering 66% of the fishery. * The Maximum Flow Alternative allows for a more natural recovery and will provide for 81% recovery of the fishery, the most of any alternative considered. * Water users continue to argue for more delays in the flow decision. After 35 years of delays, the Secretary of the Interior needs to stick to his schedule for an April 2000 decision. * The economic benefits of a restored river to California's $60 billion recreation and tourism industry are not being given enough consideration in this impending decision. TROUT CLOUT LETTERS Your letters can be brief, emphasizing that the Maximum Flow Alternative should be selected for the Trinity River and that delays beyond April 2000 should not be tolerated. Add any of the other supporting items to your letter that are described in this Bulletin. There is strong opposition to restoring flows to the river, so your letters are important. Address your letters so that they are received by January 20 to: Mr. Joe Polos If you want more information on Trinity River issues, go to the Friends of the Trinity River Web site at: www.fotr.org . Be sure to copy the CalTrout office on your letter so we can measure our effectiveness. Our address is: California Trout, Inc. or, email a copy to: miller@caltrout.org Contact Nick DiCroce if you have any questions: (805)693-0221. |
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