April 4, 2005
With annual rainfall at 65% of average, low summer flows in the Mattole River headwaters have become a critical issue impacting both fish and people. Developing and implementing solutions to the Mattole low flow is driving the work of Sanctuary Forest in our four program areas: Stewardship, Land Conservation, Collaboration, and Education.
Our Stewardship Program is working with community members on several flow-enhancement projects. Voluntary water conservation and the use of large-capacity storage tanks appear to be the most effective solutions, capable of tripling streamflows in the Mattole headwaters during the dry season.
Additional stewardship and restoration projects begun by Sanctuary Forest in 2002 will continue in the Mattole headwaters. Road decommissioning and upgrades to reduce sediment delivery throughout the area will resume this summer on lands owned by members of the Upper Mattole River and Forest Cooperative.
The Land Conservation Program is nearing completion of Sanctuary Forest's first water conservation easement. This is an innovative application of the traditional conservation easement that is designed specifically to conserve and protect water and other natural resources.
Collaborations continue with the Upper Mattole River and Forest Cooperative
and the Mattole River and Range Partnerships to achieve sediment reduction and water conservation goals in the Mattole watershed.
The Education Program's 2005 Summer Hike series features three river hikes, including the Disappearing River, Stream Restoration, and Water Ecology theme hikes. We're also excited to announce the Native Land and Culture Hike, to be led by members of the InterTribal Sinkyone Wilderness Council and centered on native culture and history. Hikes begin on Mother's Day and run through mid-September; for more information or to make a reservation call 877/986-HIKE or email us at sanctuary@asis.com.
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TOC for Forest & River News, Winter 2005