Conservation News
Fire On The Mountain!
by Dennis McVey
Fire On The Mountain!
by Dennis McVey
Well, it's been an interesting few weeks here in "paradise". As of Saturday the 22nd, the Lockheed Fire is 98 percent contained, with full containment expected by 6 PM, Sunday. Following is link to the official Cal Fire Website for the most current info available: http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=361.
Of course, this fire and the ensuing ramifications are of great concern and importance to us at SCFF, because of the effect it will have on our local fisheries, particularly the future well being of the salmon and steelhead at the Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project at the Scott Creek Hatchery.
The good news is that the hatchery, and the fish, were saved due to the efforts of Cal Fire, and in particular to a couple of our club members, Matt McCaslin and Carla Moss. Wow, what a "baptism by fire" for Carla, who is just now taking over the manager's position! I'm sure it's a day that she'll remember for quite awhile. Kudos to them and to all who helped.
Following is an excerpt from the Santa Cruz Sentinel, Aug 14th:
"On Thursday, fire erupted in the canyon holding the Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project on Big Creek Lumber property off Swanton Road. Five fire crews, including Santa Cruz city firefighters, battled the blaze through the night. On Friday morning, Battalion Chief Matt McCaslin with Santa Cruz Fire Department called Larry Wolf, a board member and the treasurer for the project, to let him know the hatchery had been saved.
The fish nursery is home to 30,000 threatened San Lorenzo River steelhead, 5,000 threatened Scott Creek steelhead and 1,700 endangered coho salmon hatchlings, all of which are used to restock nearby streams, Moss and Streig said. The salmon and trout project, housed in an old federal hatchery near the headwaters of Big Creek, started in 1986.
Both Moss and Streig were back on Friday, testing the fish's water temperature, looking for debris, feeding thousands of hungry hatchlings and ensuring they were all alive. They were." [ From an article by Genevieve Bookwalter ]
" There is continued enthusiasm for the SCFF to set up a volunteer work day(s) one or both of the first two weekends in Sept to help out with whatever we can do [for you] at the hatchery. " Jim Tolonen, Chairman SCFF Conservation Committee.
"We are now in the process of putting together a Volunteer Day to help, and to get some things done for the hatchery, and give the club the opportunity to get hands on and get involved, and appreciate what we have..." (Troy M.) Troy Mayer has been working directly with Bob Anderson and one of Troy's friends on the MBSTP board to get this moving. We are hoping to have a better idea of prioritized tasks by the next club meeting, Wednesday, Sept. 2nd, and may have a short presentation by Carla or Bob A., and a sign up sheet to volunteer for tasks. If possible we will post the list, or notify you by e-mail, so that you can go to it and sign up beforehand. Or just show up at the appointed time and be ready for a good workout!
What is at stake here is a big deal! Primarily it is the safety and survival of these threatened and endangered hatchlings. This is a hands-on opportunity you will be proud to participate in. I know I will! See you at the meeting and at the cleanup!
There are a few other conservation issues that have come to the forefront and are worth taking note of also. Saturday, September 19th is part of the Great Sierra River Cleanup and California Coastal Cleanup Day. You'll be joining Californians from Crescent Bay to San Diego and Alturas to Bishop restoring the gleam to the Golden State and the shine to the Sierra Nevada. For more information see www.foothillconservancy.org/rivercleanup or call Randy Berg at 209-295-4900.
Thanks to all, see you fishin' ! - SCFF Conservation Committee