Conservation News
SCFF Conservation Grants For 2006
By Dougald Scott
SCFF Conservation Grants For 2006
By Dougald Scott
In keeping with our Club's dedication to conservation of our fisheries resources, each year we set aside a part of our budget to go to worthy conservation organizations. For each of the last two years we have given $2,500. With budget uncertainties looming ahead, the Board decided to allocate $2,000 for this year, with the option of increasing the amount if the budget picture improves later on.
The Conservation Committee met immediately following the March Board meeting to decide how to allocate this year's grants. With so many effective conservation organizations in need of funds, it is difficult to make the selections. Our goal is distribute the money where it will do the most good, both at the local, state level. We think we have accomplished that goal. Here are the organizations and amounts that the Committee is recommending to the Board for 2006:
Monterey Bay Salmon & Trout Project - $500
The Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project is a nonprofit environmental organization dedicated to the restoration, conservation, and enhancement of native wild silver (Coho) salmon and steelhead populations and their coastal and marine habitats from San Mateo to the south Monterey Bay area. This organization continues to do important work locally, and we have supported them for a number of years. I'm convinced that coho salmon would be extinct south of the Golden Gate if it were not for the restoration efforts of this group. They have also gained the respect of the biologists at NMFS, and have a superb education outreach program for elementary schools throughout the greater Bay Area. With only one paid employee, virtually all of our contribution goes into helping local fish and habitat.
Coastal Watershed Council - $500
The Coastal Watershed Council is a nonprofit organization committed to the preservation, protection and management of coastal watersheds through establishment of community-based watershed stewardship programs, education and community outreach. They continue to play a critical role in the central coast of California by providing watershed monitoring and educational programs focusing on salmonid streams: Snapshot Day; Urban Watch; Clean Streams; and watershed assessment of Aptos Creek. Without the data this organization provides, improvement of our local stream habitats would be much more difficult.
California Trout - $300
California Trout's mission is to protect and restore wild trout, native steelhead and the waters they inhabit throughout California, and to create high quality angling opportunities for the public to enjoy. Although great fishing has been restored, protected, or made possible by much of CalTrout's work, it is not a fishing club or organization. Quality angling is an outcome of their primary focus: to improve the health of the state's watersheds, rivers and lakes. Bottom line, CalTrout is our trout's water company. They keep the water flowing and keep the resource healthy through their participatory work in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) dam relicensing process, protecting the public trust, reforming grazing on public lands, expanding the wild trout program, and recovering decimated steelhead populations statewide.
Mono Lake Committee - $100
The Mono Lake Committee is a non-profit citizen's group dedicated to protecting and restoring the Mono Basin Ecosystem; educating the public about Mono Lake and the impacts on the environment of excessive water use; and promoting cooperative solutions that protect Mono Lake and meet real water needs without transferring environmental problems to other areas. Since 1978, the Mono Lake Committee has fought to protect Mono Lake from excessive water diversions to Los Angeles. Through litigation, legislation, cooperation, and most importantly, public support, their efforts have been successful in restoring fisheries in several eastern Sierra streams and in halting the decline of the Mono Lake ecosystem.
Friends of the River - $200
Friends of the River was founded in 1973 during the struggle to save the Stanislaus River from New Melones Dam. Following that campaign, the organization grew to become California's statewide river conservation group. Friends of the River is dedicated to preserving, protecting, and restoring California's rivers, streams, and their watersheds. The organization accomplishes its mission by providing public education, citizen activist training and organizing, and expert advocacy to influence public policy decisions on land, water, and energy management issues. In 2005 they lobbied against increased pumping in the Delta worked to protect 31 miles of Cache Creek, successfully lobbied for minimum flow standards in the Lower American River, in addition to their continued work on flood management, and public education programs.
California Sportfishing Protection Alliance - $300
CSPA is an alliance of sport fishing groups seeking administrative and legal remedies to restore degraded fisheries and guard against threats to those that are still in good shape. CSPA effectively stands before the State and Regional Water Boards, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). These are the agencies that set standards for stream flow and water quality. CSPA is an agency watch dog, demanding compliance with environmental regulations and proper stewardship of public trust assets. They were instrumental in working with NCCFFF, CalTrout, and other fish conservation groups in the Central Valley water relicensing battles of 2005. Their footprint is on many of the lobbying efforts for fish and habitat protection in California.
Sempervirens Fund - $100
The purpose of Sempervirens Fund is to preserve and protect the natural character of California's Santa Cruz Mountains and to encourage appropriate public enjoyment of this environment. Together with the State of California, the Sempervirens Fund has identified thousands of acres of unprotected lands within the proposed expansion boundaries of Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Butano State Park, Castle Rock State Park and Portola Redwood State Park. As they are able to acquire these lands, they transfer them to the parks system for public recreational access and permanent stewardship. In 2005, they added more than 600 acres to the public trust with the purchase of land in the Lompico area.