Page 10 - 2015 Annual Project Review

MT. SHASTA/KLAMATH REGIONAL GOAL
Protect and restore the spring-fed cold water river systems of the Shasta-Klamath Region that, in
the face of drought and climate change, sustain native salmonids, support the local economy, supply water to central and southern California, and provide critical habitat for trout, steelhead and salmon.
KEYSTONE INITIATIVE
Klamath River Salmonid Recovery
Readying Steelhead & Salmon for Dam Removal.
The removal of four dams on the Klamath River will be the largest U.S. river restoration project implemented to date. CalTrout and 41 other organizations signed the Klamath Agreements in 2010 and we are awaiting Congressional approval. The two separate but companion agreements address the terms of dam removal (Klamath Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement) and river flows, habitat restoration and community sustainability (Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement). The removal of four mainstem dams is being planned for 2020 (all out in 1 year) and already over $60
million is in the bank for the expected $290 million removal cost. The Agreements represent the best opportunity to remove these dams—the dam owner is on board and the fund to remove the dams is growing. Full authorization and implementation of the Agreements awaits Congressional approval.
The Shasta River is an important and productive spring creek tributary to the Klamath River. As the last major tributary to the Klamath before Iron Gate Dam, the Shasta River population of Chinook and coho salmon and steelhead will be the primary natural populations to colonize the area above the Klamath dams once they are removed in 2020.
Historic Chinook salmon numbers topped 80,000 adults returning to the relatively small spring creek. ESA and California ESA listed coho salmon numbers are still low and there are many efforts by CalTrout, The Nature Conservancy, DFW, NOAA Fisheries and private landowners to improve conditions for coho salmon. In 2015, we will continue our work with the Farm Bureau to develop a Safe Harbor Agreement with 10 landowners in the Shasta Valley. The Safe Harbor Agreement is an incentive-based federal and state program to provide landowners regulatory assurances in exchange for improving habitat for fish.
Shasta and Scott River Restoration
LONG-TERM GOAL
Recover salmonid populations in key mid-Klamath River tributaries (Shasta and Scott Rivers) by restoring spawning and rearing habitat, in-stream flows, water quality, and other ecological processes and function. Achieve Southern Oregon Northern California Coho (SONCC) Recovery Plan population targets of 4,700 spawners in the Shasta River and 6,500 spawners in the Scott River.
RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• Distributed draft template of Shasta River Safe Harbor Agreement. • Continued bi-monthly meeting with the Shasta Safe Harbor
group to develop ranch-specific site plans.
• Met with Shasta landowners to tour operations.
• Completed stream temperature model for Shasta River to assess
results of certain water management and restoration actions.
• Engaged Scott River landowners interested in coho recovery and
Safe Harbor.
WHAT WE WILL ACHIEVE IN 2015-16
• Apply Shasta River stream temperature analysis to proposed water management actions.
• Complete individual site plans/ranch management plans for each Safe Harbor participant.
• Send Safe Harbor Agreement and 10 landowner-specific site plans to NOAA and DFW for review by fall of 2015.
• Design Safe Harbor program for interested Scott River agricultural/ranching operators, and complete water efficiency and ranch management assessments.
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