Cantara Trustee Council Report

Subject: CSPA CTC Report

Date: Wed, 01 Apr 1998 15:20:01 +0000

From: BOB BAIOCCHI <cspa@psln.com>

Organization: CSPA

To: CSPA Board of Directors

CALIFORNIA SPORTFISHING PROTECTION ALLIANCE

CANTARA TRUSTEE COUNCIL REPORT OF

MEETING OF MARCH 31, 1998

The Cantara Trustee Council met on March 31, 1998 at Anderson,

California. Bob Baiocchi represented the California Sportfishing

Protection Alliance at the meeting. Other intervenors were represented

by Steve Evans of Friends of the River at the meeting. The following are

the highlights of the meeting as viewed by Bob Baiocchi of CSPA:

o The "Fishery Management Plan" was an item on the agenda. However, this

was not a plan, but proposed studies that related to on-going trout and

sculpin studies for the Upper Sacramento River. The funding of the

studies were delayed by the CTC, but this item will be on the agenda for

the June meeting.

o A grant proposal was received by the CTC concerning a proposed wild

trout management plan for the river. Because the grant proposal was

confidential at the day of the meeting, the applicant and other

information was not made available to members of the CTC by the staff.

The CSPA requested copies of all grant proposals when they are available

for review. A discussion took place between Richard Elliott and Bob

Baiocchi regarding a wild trout management plan for the river. Bob

Baiocchi felt there should be a wild trout management plan for the river

prepared by DFG. However Mr. Elliott is opposed to a management plan at

this time.

o Steve Turek was the fisheries biologist assigned to the Cantara

Program. He was transferred to the Environmental Services section of DFG

at Region I. Presently, the Cantara Program does not have a fisheries

biologist.

o Cal Trout had a grant proposal before the CTC to sell river property

to the CTC. The grant proposal was delayed by the CTC, and finally

deleted by Cal Trout. Cal Trout sold the property to a private owner.

The private land owner and the staff of CTC are working on a

conservation easement.

o In the past the CTC approved a GIS for mapping land and habitat areas

in the Upper Sacramento River Watershed. The GIS will be used for land

acquisition. The cost of the GIS is about $370,000. To date no land was

been purchased by the CTC in the Upper Sacramento River Watershed.

However, land has been purchased by the CTC in the Battle Creek

Watershed. The GIS mapping methodology was not used for the purchasing

of lands in the Battle Creek Watershed. $30,000 was approved by the CTC

for the CTC staff for 1998 under the Resources Management Plan.

o The CTC has a mini-grant program. To date no fly fishing organizations

have requested mini-grants even though the leading force behind the

mini-grant program was local fly fishing organizations and the CSPA.

o At the request of the CTC the "River Exchange" developed a multiple

year proposal for funding and a business plan. The expected benefits are

significant pubic outreach and education regarding the Cantara spill and

watershed stewardship for the local public and schools directly impacted

by the Cantara spill and, visitors to the area. Bob Baiocchi was very

impressed with the River Exchange and its staff. The CTC approved the

following money to the River Exchange:

6/1/98 - 6/30/99 $177,904

7/1/99 - 6/30/00 $159,000

7/1/00 - 6/30/01 $130,500

7/1/01 - 12/31/01 $ 53,000

Total - $520,404

o The staff of the CTC presented status of ongoing granted projects. The

CSPA and other intervenors requested this monitoring report. The most

controversial funded project was DWR's Fall River Aquatic Monitoring and

Assessment ($75,000). In the words of the CTC staff - "All field work

completed. Draft final report received and reviewed. Held a meeting on

November 21, 1997, to discuss the draft report. Final report not yet

received. It was expected by 1/23/98. We are having difficulty getting

DWR to return phone calls regarding their final report."

o At the CTC meeting a proposal to fund the DFG Special Events and

Education Project was before the CTC. for a cost of $71,086, which

included a DFG $13,758.55 overhead charge, It was not approved as

submitted because of the overhead charge, and the CTC voted to approve

the project in the event the project cost was amended not to exceed

$59,000 with no overhead charge.

o A draft Upper Sacramento River Resources Protection Plan was presented

to the CTC by their staff. The plan replaces the terms of the CTC MOU

(Settlement) concerning resource protection; restoration;

rehabilitation; acquisition; study and research; and program and

administrative support for these activities. Written comments regarding

the plan from CTC members, which includes CSPA, are due by April 22,

1998.

o The CTC staff requested written comments concerning any additions

and/or amendments to the CTC Annual Reports. Written comments are due in

three weeks from members of the CTC, which includes the CSPA.

o The CTC Strategic Planning and Budget was discussed at the meeting. It

appears that a gross amount of 3.55 million dollars was available for

1997/98, with a remaining fund of about *$2,296,520 based on the

following reductions:

Water Quality Plan $139,475

Resources Management Plan $ 30,426

Annual Report $ 10,000

Newsletter $ 3,400

Brochure $ 12,000

DFG Warren Grant $ 92,788

Special Events $ 71,086 (Presently Deleted)

Dunsmuir River Exchange $177,904

* The 12 grant applications received this year exceed the amount of

money available.

o A CTC Website was discussed at the meeting, but no actions were taken.

o Steve Evans made a presentation to the CTC regarding Railroad

Regulation actions by intervenors, which includes the CSPA, and the

related court action by railroad interests. He also advised DFG about

the CalFed process and the alternative of enlarging Shasta Dam, which

would inundate several miles of the upper Sacramento River. A discussion

was held.

o The next CTC meeting will be held on June 23 and 24, 1998. An all day

CTC field tour and meeting is planned. The location of the formal CTC

office meeting was not selected.

o If there are any questions regarding any of the above mentioned items and opinions, please contact Bob Baiocchi at 530-836-1115.