Conservation - Gold Country Fly Fishers

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GCFF Conservation Committee

The purpose of the Conservation committee is to be a liaison to the community for the conservation of our watersheds and fisheries by working with local conservation organizations, assisting such organizations in achieving their purpose, or providing funds or manpower for projects that further our mutual goals.

Check out the committee HERE and click on Conservation Committee Members.

Conservation Education Board Report for November 2024

The Yuba County Water Agency is in the process of obtaining a new operations license for their facilities. The current focus is on the operation of the Narrows #1 and #2 hydro power plants just downstream of Englebright Dam. The timing and flow capacity through these facilities can affect river water temperature and impact the flood plain spawning and rearing areas downstream of the dam.

The issues:
1- Can the releases be made to better mimic a more natural flow hydrograph, particularly for spring run salmon and steelhead?
2- Is there sufficient outlet capacity at the current facilities and how does that link to operations at New Bullards Dam (not part of the Narrows facilities regulatory review)?

Poster sessions on the license review process were presented on 13 November in Yuba City and14 November in Grass Valley. Representatives of the Conservation Committee and South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL)were at these sessions. Comments are due by 2 Dec 2024.

There is an inherit conflict between the jurisdictions and review processes of the principle environmental review agencies; Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and the newer Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan 55% unimpaired flow requirements. Remember California has the most complex water delivery system in the United States and the Yuba-Bear River network is probably the most complex in the state. The relicensing process has been going on for many years.

To help provide a voice for the local non-governmental organizations the Foothills Water Network (FWN) was formed. The FWN represents a broad coalition of non-governmental organizations (NGO) and water resource stakeholders in the Yuba, Bear, and American River Watersheds. The overall goal of the Foothills Water Network is to provide a forum that increases the effectiveness of non-profit conservation organizations to achieve river and watershed restoration and protection benefits for the Yuba, Bear, and American rivers. This includes negotiations at the county, state, and federal levels, with an immediate focus on Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) relicensing processes. The. The California Sportfishing Protection Alliance (CSPA) and SYRCL typically prepare the comments submitted by the FWN.

Conservation Committee is the FWN representative for the Gold Country Fly Fishers.