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Environmental group sues over steelhead
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More from Breaking NewsIn the latest salvo in the battle to save steelhead trout, the environmental group California Trout has filed a notice of intent to sue United Water Conservation District and the Bureau of Reclamation for violating the Endangered Species Act.
The group alleges that the water district has endangered the fish by operating the Freeman Diversion on the Santa Clara River. The massive dam along the river diverts water from the river and uses it for recharging groundwater aquifers on the Oxnard Plain. Cal Trout claims that United is not doing enough to help the steelhead get around the diversion either during the upcoming rainy season or in the long-term.
A notice of intent to sue is the first step in filing a lawsuit against the government.
Earlier this year, the agency that regulates the steelhead said that diversion hampers steelhead and a new fish ladder needs to be built. At the time, United called the 2011 timetable to build a multi-million dollar ladder “difficult if not unfeasible.”
United general manager Michael Solomon said the district is forming a panel to examine the fish ladder and determine if it is effective. He said he thinks it does work, it's just that there are no steelhead in the river anymore.
"We are not going to be scared off or forced into anything," he said. "We are going to use all the resources available to get the best balanced approach for the fish and the people."
Posted by Thinkbeforeyoupost on October 1, 2008 at 11:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The man is right, there are no longer steelhead in the Santa Clara river. This is because so much water is taken from the river that rainbow trout can no longer make it to the sea. Steelhead are trout that have gone to sea and returned if I'm not mistaken. If all the agencies who take water from the river would be forced to release enough to keep it flowing, then eventually the fish would start running the river again. This includes the water taken from the Sespe river that is taken to irrigate orchards in Fillmore and Bardsdale.
Posted by oxnard40 on October 1, 2008 at 11:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
While were at it. I think we should return all the air we breath. This quality oxygen was been stolen from the steelhead and the CA Condor.
Posted by macdaddycrabby on October 1, 2008 at 11:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sounds like its time for a fish fry and some fried chicken
Posted by lkn4fish on October 1, 2008 at 12:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Of course United Water is going to say there is no steelhead left in the river. The problem is there are plenty of "Wild Trout" in the Sespe Drainage. Those fish will migrate at "High Water" (winter months), so it's easy to say they are not there. If you hike up Sespe above Fillmore you will no doubt encounter wild rainbow trout. This section of river has been off limits to fishing for about 10 years now.
My understanding is the current fish ladder is not effective at high water because it gets clogged with debris. United Water just has to figure out how to make a functional ladder, especially at high water.
Posted by ebrockway on October 1, 2008 at 2:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Clogged with debris because other environmental groups sue to stop river cleanup.
Posted by Franko on October 1, 2008 at 2:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think Cal-trout is barking up the wrong tree and should sue the folks responsible for introducing Arondo to our rivers and streams.
Arundo can grow out of control. It was introduced into this country hundreds of years ago as an ornamental vegetation, it has become a pest, soaking up water like a sponge and choking other vegetation out as it grows. This information is from the experts. If we got rid of this invasive plant, we would have more water and more steelhead! I'm sure some group would also seek legal litigation to protect this plant as well.
Posted by horsespinner on October 1, 2008 at 7:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
what about Malibu cyn? that dam is impossible to overcome.
Posted by vcsexplorer11 on October 1, 2008 at 8:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think the environmentalist need to focus on cleaning the environment for the human species, especially without causing more debt for hard working people in bad economic times.
Not only will they will be respected but actually do something good for a change.
I exclude the extreme environmentalist that use the environment as a tool to block the building of a fence on our southern border, especially when our environment is being destroyed by litter. It's sending the green movement backwards.
Posted by Twslv05 on October 1, 2008 at 9:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We have spent hundreds of millions of dollars trying to save something that has sadly been gone for decades not to mention how much water we have wasted in the process.
Steelhead trout runs have not been documented as wild native since we foolishly built the fish ladders we already have.
Its time to move on and stop trying to save something that is and has been sadly gone.
Posted by lkn4fish on October 1, 2008 at 10:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Twslv05, I'm not sure how you came to the conclusion that the Steelhead Trout on the Santa Clara River have been gone for decades, and there is no documentation of native fish. In fact there is plenty of studies, and proof that fish are "migrating". You might be surprised, I know it's hard to imagine, as the Santa Clara River is dry most of the year. But Steelhead Trout are typically on the move when the river is high (usually muddy or off color). They can also travel miles before resting, and by the time the rivers clear they are far up tributaries of the Santa Clara.
United Water has tried to dismiss the fact that there are "wild" populations of steelhead by having "historians" look at past records. They should have the Biologist show the DNA links, but my guess is, they won't.
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