CSPA

Salinas River

Update

Subject: Salinas River Update

Date: Sat, 13 Jun 1998 11:35:01 +0000

From: BOB BAIOCCHI <cspa@psln.com>

Organization: CSPA

To: Interested CSPA supporters

Salinas River "Roundup" Update

California Sportfishing Protection Alliance

Who Cares About Steelhead Besides Us!

Not Good News

o The CSPA recently advised you of the proposed chemical treatment of

riparian habitat in 100 miles of the Salinas River. The CSPA submitted a

letter by fax requesting the Monterey County Water Resources Agency to

stop the project because of adverse water quality impacts to California

Salinas River steelhead trout, and also California Red-Legged Frogs, and

also wildlife habitat. The CSPA letter also requested the U.S. National

Marine Fisheries Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and

also the Central Coastal State Water Quality Control Board, to enforce

federal ESA and state and federal water quality law and protect the fish

and wildlife, and the people. The CSPA also fax the letter to DFG

(Region 3).

o The purpose of the proposed project is for claimed flood control, and

also to conserve water (alleged to be 12,000 to 15,000 acre-feet) used

by riparian habitat (evapotranspiration). The farmers of the Salinas

River Valley are behind the proposed project.

o U.S. Congressman Farr represents the Monterey County area. He

supported the project on local radio.

o I spoke to the USNMFS friday about the chemical treatment of the

Salinas River. I was advised because the proposed project is a

non-federal project USNMFS can not require a take permit under the

federal ESA concerning the taking of threatened steelhead trout.

o The USNMFS could take enforcement action against the Monterey County

Water Resources Agency in the event there is the taking of steelhead.

The USNMFS would need to come up with a dead steelhead to take

enforcement action. However, it is unlikely the USNMFS will find a dead

steelhead because there only a handful of steelhead in the Salinas

River. There a so few steelhead in the Salinas River DFG should name

them.

The USNMFS did advise the water district that they oppose the project.

I was faxed a copy of their letter to the water district.

o The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's hands will be tied because the

same hold true for California red-legged frogs as shown above for

steelhead trout (non-federal project). Dead frog bodies and they will

take enforcement actions. No dead bodies, no enforcement action.

o The water district will need to obtain a streambed alternation

agreement from DFG to chemically spray the area and the river. No

problem for the water district.

o According to the USNMFS, the main target for spraying will be willows

in the streambed.

o I was advised by the USNMFS that the US Environmental Protection

Agency advised the water district that a federal water quality permit is

not required. Consequently, it appears the Central Valley State Water

Quality Control Board will not take any action to protect water quality,

threatened steelhead trout, and threatened California red-legged frogs.

o I was advised that the water district has a ongoing Corps permit to do

the spraying and other activities.

o Because the proposed project is not a federal project, the USFWS

cannot take any action to protect 70% of wildlife riparian habitat

proposed to be treated and eliminated. The only agency that could

attempt to protect wildlife habitat is the DFG. It appears DFG motto of

"Protecting Wildlife since 1870" does not hold a grain of sand.

o The CSPA did not make a case to the water district about public health

and safety about the spraying (Round Up). It strongly appears the

farmers and the water district do not care about public health and

public safety. They simply do not want the riparian vegetation using the

water.

o It appears the proposed project is solely up to the water district.

o The Salinas River steelhead fishery has been adversely effected by

water diversions and land management.

o The only legal hook the public have is to challenge the Environmental

Impact Report (EIR) prepared by the water distict. The EIR was approved

this week. But the CSPA does not have any standing in the EIR process to

challenge the project using CEQA. Does someone that cares about the

Salinas River, the fish, the wildlife, and health of the people have

standing? Where will the money come from to go to court?

o Someone needs to grasp the Salinas River Valley farmers by the back of

the neck and make them environmentally responsible.

o The formal name of the proposed project is "Salinas River Vegetation

Management Plan". The General Manager of the Monterey County Water

Resources Agency is Michael Armstrong; 893 Blanco Circle; Salinas,

California 93901-4455.

o The next time you buy a head of lettuce or some artichokes think about

this issue, and also think about what has happened to Salinas River

steelhead.

o Major detrimental problems continue to occur in Monterey County, but

the farmers along the Salinas River, and the rich and famous in the

Carmel River area continue to control the demise of our natural

resources in that county.

o Recently it was reported (Sacramento Bee) that 20,000 to 30,000

endangered Tidewater Goby fish species were killed because of a county

transit project on San Mateo Creek in southern California. The project

was claimed to be an emergency without any environmental protection.

Bob Baiocchi, CSPA

For further information contact Bob Baiocchi at either 530-836-1115 or

at e-mail address: cspa@psln.com