California Trout is pleased to share a recent report by our partners at the PPIC Water Policy Center on the Priorities for California’s Water. CalTrout is a proud sponsor of this report which highlights our commitment to using innovative science to influence policy for the benefit of wild fish and healthy waters for a better California.
This brief highlights top priorities for improving water management and preparing California’s water systems and natural environment for a changing climate.
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“Leaders across the state have been taking steps to address the challenges that a more volatile climate brings to the water sector. Governor Newsom’s administration is planning to adapt all aspects of water management to the “new normal” with a water resilience portfolio.” – Ellen Hanak, PPIC
The report highlights several recommendations which some CalTrout projects are working to address, such as:
- Reducing fire risk in headwater forests: The state’s mountain forests—a major source of water—are in poor health. Active management can reduce the risk of extreme wildfires and maintain the benefits that forests provide.
- CalTrout’s June Mountain Fuels Reduction Project is removing beetle-killed whitebark pines to prevent catastrophic wildfire in the Rush Creek watershed.
- Improving the health of freshwater ecosystems: A new approach to managing water for freshwater ecosystems and species can help them adapt to a warming climate.
- As stated in our SOS II Fish in Hot Water Report, climate change is the overarching threat to our native salmonids. Improving the health of freshwater ecosystems including restoring estuaries will help vulnerable species adapt to changing conditions.
- Preparing for changing supply and demand: Developing a portfolio of cost-effective supply and demand tools can help California weather droughts, accommodate population growth, and bring groundwater basins into balance.
- CalTrout is working with farmers and ranchers in Shasta County to improve water use efficiency and restore cold, nutrient-rich flows back to the Little Shasta, balancing the needs of livestock and wild fish. This will help to eliminate excess groundwater pumping complying with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act.
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