December 18, 2009
This October, Marin County released a draft Salmon Enhancement Plan for the San Geronimo Valley, the most populated community in the Lagunitas Watershed that also supports the largest remaining wild run of coho salmon remaining in Central California. The creation of the Plan was part of a settlement agreement with SPAWN, which for years has pushed for the County to complete a cumulative impact analysis, as required under California's Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), before approving new projects along critical streamside habitat for coho salmon.
"The plan has two parts including an `Existing Conditions Report,' which unfortunately falls short of providing the level of baseline analysis we would have expected in a cumulative impact study, but the conclusions are still pretty solid," commented Paola Bouley, SPAWN's Conservation Director. "More importantly, the Salmon Enhancement Plan recommends a mix of voluntary actions landowners can take and provides ideas to create incentives to encourage these voluntary actions, but also recommends new regulations to prevent future assaults on the riparian zones that include a no-new-building 35-ft buffer and restrictions on cutting native riparian trees."
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Unfortunately, whipped up by a misinformation campaign by so-called property rights proponents, many local landowners turned out to oppose the recommendations for new regulations at the last of five public meetings held on the plan over the past 12 months. Instead of using the opportunity to clear up some of the misconceptions about the Salmon Enhancement Plan that is fanning fear in the community, the County let the meeting spin somewhat out of control with key questions going unanswered and misinformation repeated often without correction.
"What was definitely missing from the debate at the public hearing is the fact that these salmon are a State and National resource and that actions of individuals in the San Geronimo Valley impact everyone who cares about endangered coho salmon, or swims in State and National Parklands downstream that are polluted from activities in the San Geronimo Valley" commented Bouley.
Regardless, the meeting was historic in that it was the largest in the Valley's history with over 400 landowners turning out to testify and learn more about the Plan. For the first time ever, salmon and habitat protections were the highest priority on the community's agenda. And SPAWN is more committed than ever to leverage this energy to forge ahead with much-needed community-led conservation and restoration efforts.
The stakes are high for the wild Lagunitas population, which are considered the key to recovery of the Central California Coast population across their range.
WE ALL NEED TO COME TOGETHER TO SAVE THE COHO!
What You Can Do To Help:
* Send letters of support, and call, the Marin County Board of Supervisors for adoption and implementation of a strong Salmon Plan to protect one of the most important populations of wild coho salmon left in California. Contact Paola@SpawnUSA.org, 415-663-8590 x111 for more info.
* If you belong to an organization, make sure the organization signs onto the Open Letter to the Board of Supervisors can be found at www.SpawnUSA.org or by requesting it from Paola@SpawnUSA.org, 415-663-8590 x111
* If you are a scientist, sign onto the Scientist Open Letter to the Marin County Board of Supervisors which can be found at www.SpawnUSA.org or by requesting it from Paola@SpawnUSA.org, 415-663-8590 x111
* Check out our OPEDs and recent publications on the County's Salmon Enhancement Plan at http://spawnusa.org/pages/page-281
Join Us for a Creekwalk this Winter! Naturalist-Led Program to See Salmon Spawning Celebrates 10 Years.
Rains pitter-patter through the forest canopy, a swollen creek tumbles through cobbles, silver and red streaks of salmon splash and dash in a cryptic spawning dance, while you and your family learn about the coho salmon's life history, complex habitat needs, and historic abundance in Marin from an experienced Creek Naturalist. This scenario is an experience shared by participants on SPAWN's all-volunteer Naturalist-Led Creekwalks, which this winter celebrates its 10th year!
Coho salmon are as elusive as they are majestic, and Naturalist guides have the knowledge and ability to lead groups to the few areas where they can be observed in a safe and sensitive manner. Special Creekwalks are being scheduled with local scientific experts, naturalist authors, and other guests to share a unique experience with participants who wish to return for multiple Creekwalks.
WHERE: Lagunitas Creek Watershed, West Marin County.
WHEN: November 14th - mid-January, twice a day on weekends and holiday breaks.
Register online at www.spawnusa.org or call 415-663-8590 x118.
To set up a special walk for your group or club contact Chris@SpawnUSA.org, 415-663-8590 x102
Download and check out SPAWN's New Fall/Winter Newsletter at
http://spawnusa.org/pages/page-156
More Information About
Salmon Protection and Watershed Network (SPAWN)
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TOC for Forest & River News, Winter 2009