Governor Gavin Newsom of California has made a promise to expedite several projects before his term ends. These projects aim to eliminate or bypass dams that have hindered the return of salmon to cold mountain streams in the state. These dams serve as a crucial component of a delicate ecosystem that supports both economic and spiritual aspects for tribes.

Newsom — now in his second term and seen as a potential Democratic presidential candidate beyond 2024 — has worked hard to stake a claim as the nation’s most environmentally-conscious governor. But his record has been dogged by criticism from environmental groups who say his water policies benefit big agriculture at the expense of salmon and other fish species in danger of becoming extinct.

Millions of salmon once filled California’s rivers and streams each year, bringing with them key nutrients from the ocean that gave the state an abundance of natural resources that were so important to Indigenous peoples that they formed the foundation of creation stories central to tribes’ way of life.

However, the previous year saw a drastic decrease in the number of salmon in the rivers of the state, leading officials to shut down the commercial fishing season.

Feeling frustrated by the negative feedback towards his leadership, Governor Newsom revealed his plan on Tuesday to safeguard salmon. The strategy involves implementing numerous projects aimed at removing or bypassing old dams, allowing salmon to return to their birth streams and spawn.

Governor Newsom explained to The Associated Press in an interview by the Elk River in Eureka that much of the work they do is not physically visible or tangible. However, the completion of a project returning agricultural land to a flood plain habitat for salmon served as a concrete example of their efforts. The governor emphasized the satisfaction of seeing a dam being removed and witnessing the positive impact over time.

Newsom’s plan involves a commitment to finalize a deal by the end of the year that would involve removing the Scott Dam and replacing the Cape Horn Dam on the Eel River. These dams have been preventing salmon from accessing 288 miles (463 kilometers) of their natural habitat. The completion of this project would result in the Eel River becoming the longest unobstructed river in California, running north through the Coast Ranges and eventually reaching the Pacific Ocean near Fortuna. The ownership of these dams lies with Pacific Gas & Electric, but they are no longer being used for hydropower production.

Newsom announced that he will finalize plans to remove Rindge Dam, which has been in place for almost 100 years, by the upcoming summer. This will provide an additional 15 miles (24 kilometers) of habitat for steelhead in Malibu Creek in western Los Angeles County. He also pledged to have the necessary infrastructure in place to take down Matilija Dam, located in Ventura County on a tributary of the Ventura River, by 2026, the end of his term as governor. These dams are currently not in use.

The projects for removal have been announced and are currently in the initial stages of development. Newsom’s strategy makes it clear that his objective is to finish them or obtain approval from state regulatory agencies before his term ends.

“I have an additional three years. And I am determined to give my all,” stated Newsom.

The Golden State Salmon Association expressed dissatisfaction with his proposal, deeming it as “deceptive tactics” that won’t effectively address the need for more water in the state’s rivers to support fish. This critique was echoed by environmental groups who have been against Newsom’s attempts to negotiate voluntary agreements with large-scale farmers regarding their water usage from rivers and streams. Despite this, Newsom’s salmon plan still incorporates backing for these agreements.

The Golden State Salmon Association stated that the repeated harm to the salmon community and the inconsistency with the efforts of the Newsom Administration over the years have been detrimental to California’s crucial salmon populations.

Governor Newsom has approved the demolition of certain dams, coinciding with the start of the biggest dam-removal project in the United States. This project began last week with the explosion of a section of the Copco No. 1 dam on the Klamath River, near the border of California and Oregon. Three other dams on the Klamath are also scheduled for removal. In the Northwestern United States, indigenous tribes and environmental organizations are advocating for the removal of four dams on the Snake River. While the Biden administration has not made a firm commitment to this, they have allocated $1 billion for salmon restoration efforts.

Newsom is actively promoting the allocation of $800 million towards restoring creeks and streams to their original state, in order to provide a suitable habitat for salmon.

On Monday, Newsom trudged through thick mud to visit a project along Prairie Creek in Redwoods National Park. The creek had been converted to a ditch, with steep rock walls preventing the water from spilling into a flood plain where baby salmon can eat and grow before heading to the ocean. The goal is to get the baby fish to stay longer in the creek so they can grow larger before leaving — making it more likely they will return.

Newsom observed as Kate Stonecypher, a graduate student at Cal Poly Humboldt, removed tracked juvenile coho salmon and steelhead trout from the river. The findings are still being researched, but preliminary results have been promising. It was discovered that the fish from the creek traveled 50 miles (80 kilometers) to reach Humboldt Bay.

According to Jon Rosenfield, the Science Director of San Francisco Baykeeper, California has undertaken numerous habitat restoration projects, but they have not effectively improved salmon populations.

“He stated that fish cannot survive without the fundamental element of a river – water flow. The governor’s promised actions are insufficient to revive the population.”

Newsom promised to maintain his collaboration with indigenous tribes, who frequently regard the rivers inhabited by salmon as sacred. Four years ago, Newsom officially apologized to Native American tribes for the state’s past mistreatment of them. Furthermore, he has made a commitment to collaborate with them in efforts to preserve salmon habitats.

Frankie Myers, the Yurok Tribe’s vice chair, informed Newsom that their efforts on Prairie Creek have had a significant impact on the community by reviving the tribe’s mission.

“He stated that this extends beyond a simple apology and encompasses the idea of restoration.”

Source: wral.com