Congressman David Valadao has authored H.R. 5781 which was introduced on the House Floor last night  (December 2, 2014).  A first reading of the bill reveals that it does little to "solve water shortages" resulting from the drought, but it does alter how environmental protection statutes are implemented and enforced for the San Francisco Bay-Delta estuary. 

 

It also contains language to expedite Federal review of storage projects (within a 30 day window) which could have a negative impact on the availability of flows into the Delta and that could be used according to a recent UC Davis report to provide additional water for Governor Brown's proposed twin Delta tunnels.  It also allows for expedited water transfers which puts the health of our Northern California rivers and groundwater supplies at stake, especially during times of extended drought.

 

Read More: @ Restore The Delta

 

This is a great opportunity for budding biologists, ecologists and fisheries management to get field experience and exposure to CDFW, CalTrout and the IFFF. This year could be extremely tough on fish, so let’s give them a hand by removing a stressor (non-native fish), something we can do with immediate beneficial impacts.
Season Two of the Lahontan cutthroat trout recovery effort on Silver Creek is quickly approaching.  Last year we had one intern with CalTrout and cleared one mile. This year the clubs of the Southwest Council IFFF are hiring two interns to work with CDFW and 2 CalTrout interns to remove brook trout from two miles of stream.

WHEN: Volunteers are needed over a five week period starting Friday July 18th and ending Wednesday September 10th. You can sign up for a portion of a week too. The schedule is as follows:
Friday July 18 through Wednesday July 23
Thursday July 31 through Wednesday Aug 6
Thursday Aug 14 through Wednesday Aug 20
Tuesday Aug 26 through Thursday Aug 28
Thursday Sept 4 through Wednesday Sept 10

OUTDOOR WRITER
RICHARD BEAN, 72richard bean

Richard Bean, who parlayed his lifelong love of fly-fishing and the outdoors into a free-lance magazine writing career, died of heart disease and other natural causes in late January, said his wife, Barbara. He was 72.

Bean’s credits included California Fly Fisher,  Field & Stream, Outdoor Life, Fly Fisherman, Fly Fish America, and Southwest Fly Fisher, plus a number of conventional tackle magazines, including Aqua-Field Publications, Bassmaster, Bassin’ Magazine, Bass West, Angler, Game & Fish, Black Bass Journal, and California Game & Fish. He was the Warmwater Columnist for California Fly Fisher Magazine.

A native Californian, he was born in Hemet.

While he wrote on a number of subjects including hunting – both big game and upland birds – and all kinds of fishing, he preferred fly-fishing for warm water species. In 2002, his book “Fly Fishing Southern California’s Lakes & Streams” was published by Aguabonita Books; “Fly-Fishing for Bass in the West” was self-published in 2007.

 

Debbie Sharpton
Conservation Chair
SWC-IFFF

By now you've probably heard that on Tuesday, January 29, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) closed certain coastal waters to fishing in order to protect native salmon and steelhead from low water flows in California streams and rivers that have been significantly impacted by drought. CDFW is also recommending that the Fish and Game Commission adopt emergency regulations on other rivers. The lower American River downstream of Nimbus Dam is one of these other rivers currently under severe angling pressure. Chinook salmon redds built in the last few months have been dewatered; the eggs and fry from those redds will surely die. Additional deaths will result from inattentive wading on redds that are now exposed to shallow water. Endangered Central Valley Steelhead are moving into the river and will suffer, as well.

 Bristol Bay: Take Action

Bristol Bay, Alaska is home to one of the last great salmon fisheries on the planet. The salmon, wildlife, people and fishing jobs of this beautiful and productive region are threatened by the proposed Pebble gold and copper mine. If built, Pebble could become the largest mine in North America.

Right now, we have an unprecedented opportunity to stop this mine and protect Bristol Bay's fish and jobs through the Clean Water Act. But we need your help.

Read more: Take Action

 Bristol Bay needs your help

Deep Creek Flyfishers,

The final year is hopefully upon us in the Bristol Bay Campaign.    One of the ways that this can be stopped is by the House Appropriations Committee placing a rider to not fund this specific process by the EPA.

Congressman Ken Calvert (42nd District)  (http://calvert.house.gov/) is Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.  We will be working with Calvert’s office and a few others in CA to educate them about the Pebble Mine issue and give them letters from constituents  in support of EPA intervention of Bristol Bay.  I attached a draft letter to Congressman Calvert.

It is EXTREMELY helpful to have letters signed from organizations that are in or near his district.  

If y'all are interested in helping, please let me know.  

You can sign and scan the letter below OR mail a hard copy to:

Jessica Strickland
268 W Jackson
Sonora CA 95370
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

Download the letter to sign default Bristol Bay Letter