Little Truckee River goes Almost Dry

CALIFORNIA SPORTFISHING PROTECTION ALLIANCE

P.O. BOX 357

QUINCY, CA 95971

BUS TEL: 530-836-1115

FAX: 530-836-2062

Mr. Roger Patterson July 6, 1998

Regional Director

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

2800 Cottage Way

Sacramento, CA 95825

Re: Stampede Reservoir; Little Truckee River; Request for Investigation

by California Sportfishing Protection Alliance

Dear Mr. Patterson:

It was reported from a reliable source that on the morning of July 2,

1998, flows from Stampede Reservoir were abruptly cut from about 100 cfs

down to 35 cfs on the Little Truckee River. It was reported that

billions of insect nymphs, larvae and papae were stranded and dead. Mr.

Ralph Cutter spent the day recovering wild trout from puddles.

Potentially some wild trout were killed.

The USBR is presently going through the NEPA process concerning the

Truckee River Operating Agreement. The CSPA find it hard to believe that

on one hand the USBR is advocating the protection of wild trout and

their habitat (invertebrate species) in that process, while on the other

hand, during the TROA process, the USBR destroyed part of the wild trout

food base of the Little Truckee River.

The CSPA is gravely disappointed in the manner in which the USBR

provides protection measures for the State of California Truckee River

wild trout resources.

The Northern California Council Federation of Fly Fishers and the

California Sportfishing Protection Alliance took part in the TROA

process by submitting scoping comments to the USBR. The organizations

recommended that the draft TROA be amended to include ramping rates to

protect wild trout and invertebrate species and their habitat. It is

very clear that ramping rate measures are necessary considering the July

2, 1998 destruction to invertebrate populations resulting from the swift

dewatering of the Little Truckee River. In fact there should be constant

flows which are adequate and in compliance with State of California Fish

and Game Code Section 5937, the Common Law Public Trust Doctrine, and

Article X, Section 2 of the California Constitution.

We sincerely hope you will discuss this matter with the Federal

Watermaster and your Area Manager (Carson City) about this damaging

event so that it never happens again in the Truckee River system.

In a similar situation on the Santa Ynez River, the USBR (Fresno

Office) failed to provide water into Hilton Creek to sustain a

significant number of federally endangered Santa Ynez southern

steelhead. As a result of the dewatering of Hilton Creek, the California

Department of Fish and Game had to rescue the endangered southern

steelhead and plant the endangered fish in the Santa Ynez River below

Bradbury Dam. Also, other endangered Santa Ynez southern steelhead

migrated into the Santa Ynez River and were observed by the public

during spilling flows. Unfortunately, the USBR does not provide a daily

flow of water at all times from Bradbury Dam to sustain the endangered

Santa Ynez southern steelhead. The former 12,000 to 25,000 annual run of

Santa Ynez southern steelhead were nearly extinguished by the operation

of the USBR's Bradbury Dam (Cachuma Project).

The CSPA believes the USBR should start ecosystem management as

advocated by the Clinton administration. The place to start is on the

Truckee River system and the Santa Ynez River before even the

invertebrate species are listed as endangered.

A written response would be appreciated regarding the measures the USBR

will take under your direction to prevent another calamity on the Little

Truckee River, including the entire Truckee River system.

Respectfully Submitted

SIGNED BY BOB BAIOCCHI