Every Californian, north and south, has to be concerned about the extreme lack of precipitation (some 12+ months now) and its across the board impact on the state. Drought, climate change, and growing demand (commercial, residential, and agricultural) lead to contentious debates over groundwater management (or lack thereof in California), increased surface storage capacity (raising Shasta Dam), and water exports (alternative conveyance – peripheral tunnels and the Bay Delta Conservation Plan).
Regardless of the short term approaches implemented today, there’s likely a longer term future ahead that differs from the vision of most.
Click for the full story on the UC Davis Center for Watershed Sciences’ blog.
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Peter Moyle is the Distinguished Professor Emeritus in the Department of Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology and Associate Director of the Center for Watershed Sciences, at UC Davis. He is author or co-author of more than 240 publications, including the definitive Inland Fishes of California (2002). He is co-author of the 2017 book, Floodplains: Processes and Management for Ecosystem Services. His research interests include conservation of aquatic species, habitats, and ecosystems, including salmon; ecology of fishes of the San Francisco Estuary; ecology of California stream fishes; impact of introduced aquatic organisms; and use of floodplains by fish.
Robert Lusardi is the California Trout/UC Davis Wild and Coldwater Fish Researcher focused on establishing the basis for long-term science specific to California Trout’s wild and coldwater fish initiatives. His work bridges the widening gap between academic science and applied conservation policy, ensuring that rapidly developing science informs conservation projects throughout California. Dr. Lusardi resides at the UC Davis Center for Watershed Sciences and works closely with Dr. Peter Moyle on numerous projects to help inform California Trout conservation policy. His recent research interests include Coho salmon on the Shasta River, the ecology of volcanic spring-fed rivers, inland trout conservation and management, and policy implications of trap and haul programs for anadromous fishes in California.
Patrick Samuel is the Conservation Program Coordinator for California Trout, a position he has held for almost two years, where he coordinates special research projects for California Trout, including the State of the Salmonids report. Prior to joining CalTrout, he worked with the Fisheries Leadership & Sustainability Forum, a non-profit that supports the eight federal regional fishery management councils around the country. Patrick got his start in fisheries as an undergraduate intern with NOAA Fisheries Protected Resources Division in Sacramento, and in his first field job as a crew member of the California Department of Fish & Wildlife’s Wild and Heritage Trout Program.
3 Comments
Where is Cal Trout? Why is it silent on the massive Twin Tunnels that the Governor plans to build under The Delta, threatening the fisheries that we cherish??? Why the head in the sand???
I received an email from Cal Trout saying “Come and visit us at the Sacramento ISE.” I went, specifically to ask Cal Trout that question, and it didn’t even have a booth, or available representative.
I am withholding my financial support from Cal Trout unless and until it becomes active in opposition to this boondoggle of a project, and I know others who are doing the same thing.
Come, talk with us, and explain why Cal Trout is missing in action here.
Ditto Mr. Regan’s comments.
It seems that Cal Trout is throwing in the towel. (Resistance is Futile) It is nice to see a California Native Fish Crisis poster but it would be much more to the point to be a Big Voice for saving our natural heritage resources. We need real representation in Sacramento. My guess is the only representation at a Bureau of Reclamation or State Water Board good ol’ boy dinner, is a Salmon, and he is on the plate. And he was probably farmed on the East Coast.
All species of California Steelhead and Salmon are either endangered or already extinct. And their eggs are dying in the sun as we sit her. It is not just about rain, it is also very much about management.
Water is the new oil. Water leases are money. This has very big economic consequences for anyone involved, and there are huge players. We need someone to put their “big boy pants” on and step into the ring. We need someone to rally Fish and Wildlife, both Federal and California, Salmon and Wildlife friendly lobbies, the fishing industry, The Sierra Club, groups and legislators. That would include our two Senators. We need them to know Salmon and Steelhead could be pushed into extinction on their watch.
California Trout, the “Keeper of the Streams” has a great opportunity here. Yes, the horse is out of the barn, but a lot can be done.
MU