THE CASE FOR THE TUOLUMNE RIVER. An Overview of the Programs of the Tuolumne River Trust.

Transcription

1 THE CASE FOR THE TUOLUMNE RIVER An Overview of the Programs of the Tuolumne River Trust

2 CONTENTS Letter from the Executive Director 2 River Restoration 3 Water Conservation & Recycling 4 Increasing Instream Flows 5 Environmental Education 6 That s the Tuolumne in my Tap Trekking the Tuolumne River Riverside Community 8 and Park Development Tuolumne River Adventure Club 9 Rim Fire Restoration 10 Paddle to the Sea 11 AS WE ENTER THE 4TH DECADE OF our organization s history, Tuolumne River Trust has truly become a watershed-wide organization bringing cutting edge and innovative programs to the river conservation movement. Often when engaged in a discussion about our work I get the response, I didn t realize that TRT works on that! This is a reflection of the tremendous scope of issues facing the river and a reflection of the great diversity of the watershed itself. Arising in the high country of Yosemite National Park, gaining strength through the Stanislaus National Forest and foothills, and finally nourishing fish and wildlife in the Central Valley and beyond, the Tuolumne is truly a remarkable and world-class river. The river s singular qualities have inspired wildly divergent views of natural resource management. The river and its watershed played a pivotal role in the early days of the modern American environmental movement, having been one of John Muir s motivations to fight for the preservation of Yosemite National Park. Coincidentally, the river also was the birthplace of public irrigation districts in California; the Turlock and Modesto Irrigation Districts, who jointly own Don Pedro Dam, being the first and second irrigation districts established in the State. I find this history stirring as we look to the future of a river fully restored to health. From our own founding in 1981 as a dam-fighting organization, the Tuolumne River Trust today works to protect and restore this wonderful river to ensure that it is teeming with fish and wildlife; safe for drinking, fishing and swimming; and held in trust as a refuge for our children and grandchildren. To do this we have a broad range of programs which are highlighted on the following pages. From policy advocacy to land protection and restoration, to outreach and education, we employ diverse strategies to accomplish our goals. I hope you ll enjoy reading through this issue, and importantly, I hope you ll support us in working towards our vision. For the river, PATRICK KOEPELE Executive Director KEN MENDOZA 2 TUOLUMNE RIVER TRUST

3 FOR MANY DECADES, outdated river and forest management practices have degraded the watershed. To reverse this trend, Tuolumne River Trust is leading the way in protecting and restoring land in and along the Tuolumne River, from riverside forests to floodplains to channel restoration. RIVER RESTORATION Some habitats like floodplains are important to salmon and steelhead trout, providing much needed places for young fish to grow. Floodplains also provide natural flood protection for communities by absorbing high flows. Other habitats, like forests and wetlands provide homes for sensitive species like the Riparian Brush Rabbit and Least Bell s Vireo, a songbird that once numbered in the thousands but now is rarely found in the Central Valley. Higher up, Sierra Nevada meadows act like a sponge to provide critical water absorption and filtration as winter snows melt and replenish the water table. Tuolumne River Trust is leading the way in protecting and restoring land in and along the Tuolumne River, from riverside forest to floodplains to channel restoration. We are working to turn the tide of habitat loss by acquiring land along the river to permanently protect for habitat and improving fish passage and recreational value by removing the remnant Dennett Dam in downtown Modesto. With our project partners we then implement on-the-ground habitat restoration to restore these locations to thriving natural areas. We remove instream barriers, notch levees to improve the connection between the river and floodplains, re-grade floodplains to create mounds and wetlands, and plant native trees, shrubs and grasses. BY THE NUMBERS 240 acres of riverfront land protected and restored at Big Bend 1,600 acres protected and currently undergoing restoration at Dos Rios Ranch 500 acres protected and soon to be restored at Hidden Valley Ranch Tens of thousands of native trees, shrubs and plants reintroduced 1 fish and recreational barrier, the remnant Dennett Dam, to be removed PROGRAM PARTNERS California Department of Fish and Wildlife, California Department of Water Resources, California Natural Resources Agency, California State Lands Commission, California Wildlife Conservation Board, National Marine Fisheries Service, River Partners, US Bureau of Reclamation, US Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, Sierra Nevada Conservancy, Stanislaus National Forest REBECCA STIEVATER-LIGHTHAWK TUOLUMNE RIVER TRUST 3

4 WATER CONSERVATION & RECYCLING COURTESY PAIGE NORBERG SIXTY PERCENT OF THE TUOLUMNE RIVER is diverted for human use. Some 80% of that is used to irrigate crops, while the remaining 20% sustains more than 3 million people in the Bay Area and Central Valley. The dams and diversions that take this water, combined with a host of other economic activities since the Gold Rush, have taken their toll on the river, while climate change and more frequent and severe droughts threaten to further undermine the health of the watershed. Over pumping of groundwater also is a growing concern in the face of severe drought. Tuolumne River Trust is working to promote a sustainable water future and ensure more water is available to increase instream flows in the river by working with cities, water districts, businesses and residents throughout the watershed to use water more wisely. Our biggest victory in recent years was playing a major role in convincing the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission to drop plans to divert an additional 25 million gallons of water per day and instead focus on water conservation and recycling. Since that decision was made, water use in the San Francisco PUC s service area has declined by 15%. We re building on this work by advocating for more water conservation and recycling projects throughout the region. PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS Silicon Valley Water Conservation Awards: an annual award ceremony highlighting government, business, organization and individual water champions in Silicon Valley organized each year by Tuolumne River Trust and our partners. Public forums including the Silicon Valley Sustainable Landscape Summit, Introduction to Water Budgets, From Recycled to Purified Water: The Right Water for the Right Job for a Drought-Proof Water Supply, and It Takes a Village: Working Together to Craft Effective Urban Water Management Plans. The Great Race for Saving Water: a 5K fun run co-hosted with City of Palo Alto Utilities. Conjunctive Use Program on the Peninsula exploring the possibility of using advanced-purified recycled water to recharge the groundwater basin for sustainable use. Stanislaus County Groundwater Sustainability Plan: Tuolumne River Trust is actively engaged in this newly required plan aimed at reducing negative impacts such as land subsidence, loss of groundwater yield and impacts to the Tuolumne River. LOOKING AHEAD While maintaining our success in the Bay Area, Tuolumne River Trust is playing a larger role in advocating for water conservation and wise water use in the Central Valley, where historical water rights are held by landowners including many farms along the Tuolumne River. We are advocating for the local irrigation districts to encourage water conservation through incentive programs and updated fee structures. Sustainable groundwater management will be a key component to our success. 4 TUOLUMNE RIVER TRUST

5 UNFORTUNATELY, FOR MANY DECADES the construction of water infrastructure projects to dam and divert the Tuolumne, combined with extensive mining, farming and ranching, has degraded the environmental and recreational values of the river. Don Pedro Dam is at the center of most challenges facing the lower 52 miles of the Tuolumne. It reduces the flow of the river by as much as 85% and cuts off more than 85% of the historic spawning habitat for Chinook salmon. Below the Dam, pollution concentrates in the low flowing river as it heats up under the Central Valley sun, creating an inhospitable environment for fish and wildlife. These problems extend downstream, accelerating the decline of the San Francisco Bay-Delta. The decline of the fisheries underscores the severity of the problem. Spring-run Chinook salmon are gone, Central Valley steelhead are listed as a threatened species, and the fall run Chinook salmon population has plummeted from historic highs of over 100,000 fish to about 1,000 for the past decade. INCREASING INSTREAM FLOWS Spring-run Chinook salmon are gone, Central Valley steelhead are listed as a threatened species, and the fall run Chinook salmon population has plummeted from historic highs of over 100,000 fish to about 1,000 for the past decade. Beyond simply protecting the river from further harm, Tuolumne River Trust is working to reverse the damage by increasing the amount of water flowing down the river and into the San Francisco Bay-Delta. We are currently involved in 3 policy proceedings that combined present a tremendous opportunity to reach this goal: Relicensing of Don Pedro Dam and licensing of La Grange Dam by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC): a year license that will dictate flows, scheduled to be completed in The State Water Resources Control Board s Bay Delta Water Quality Control Plan: a plan that will establish requirements for water quality standards for the South Delta and San Joaquin River, of which the Tuolumne is the largest tributary. The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Upper Tuolumne River Ecosystem Program: the result of Tuolumne River Trust s challenge to a failure to follow through on conditions imposed by an agreement in the 1980s. The San Francisco PUC is now proposing a new flow regime from O Shaughnessy Dam (Hetch Hetchy Reservoir) to favor native fish and other species. Probono legal support provided by Morrison & Foerster, LLP and Water & Power Law Group, PC. REBECCA STIEVATER-LIGHTHAWK TUOLUMNE RIVER TRUST 5

6 ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION THE TUOLUMNE RIVER provides drinking water to 2.6 million people in the Bay Area via the Hetch Hetchy water system and to hundreds of thousands more in the Central Valley. It also provides irrigation water for agriculture and hydroelectric power to homes and businesses. However, many youth do not know where their water comes from, or what they can do to help use it wisely. Without proper environmental education and increased awareness, the already at-risk Tuolumne River stands little chance of having the capacity to sustain the growing population s water needs into the future, and children will continue to suffer from a lack of direct experience in nature. THAT S THE TUOLUMNE IN MY TAP As part of Tuolumne River Trust s focus on water conservation and ensuring a sustainable water supply, we launched That s the Tuolumne in my Tap in 2009 a free environmental education program for Bay Area 4th, 5th, and 6th graders. Using a team of trained volunteer educators, this interactive program utilizes classroom presentations, field trips, supplemental curriculum for teachers to reinforce the lessons, and service learning projects. Each year we educate over 5,000 students about where their water comes from, simple actions they can take to become stewards of the environment, and inspire them to conserve water. These students then bring this message home to their families. TOP SUCCESSES Over 32,000 Bay Area students reached (and climbing!) Installation of native gardens, rainwater catchment systems, dry creekbeds and more at dozens of Bay Area school campuses Development of a Home Water Audit Classroom Competition to encourage student activism Field trips to the Tuolumne River in Modesto Hybrid Ferry field trips on San Francisco Bay 5-10 volunteer educators trained each year PROGRAM PARTNERS Bay Area Water Supply Conservation Association, ChangeScale, City of Palo Alto, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission 6 TUOLUMNE RIVER TRUST

7 TREKKING THE TUOLUMNE RIVER In the fertile Central Valley, many generations of families livelihoods depend on ranching and farming, making the Tuolumne River truly the lifeblood of the community. However, conflicting demands for its water and related resources have resulted in a degraded river in need of better management and stewardship. Trekking the Tuolumne River is Tuolumne River Trust s awardwinning education program in Stanislaus County with a goal of increasing water literacy in 4th and 5th graders so that in the future they can make informed decisions about its use and work to ensure the Tuolumne River continues to support a healthy vibrant community and economy. Through a year-long series of classroom presentations, field trips to outdoor classrooms along the lower river and service learning projects, students are taught how a river operates, the services it provides and actions that can help protect and restore it. During their first year of the program, teachers undergo river education training and are provided with a backpack of equipment so they may continue teaching the curriculum on their own, increasing the reach of the program. BY THE NUMBERS Over 20,000 students reached 70 participating schools 183 trained teachers LOOKING AHEAD Tuolumne River Trust is planning for the development of a K-12 Water Literacy Pathway that will provide a progressive water education experience for students at each level of their schooling. It will also prepare our students for careers in water-related fields. Our vision is that every student in Stanislaus County experiences high-quality placed-based environmental education that deepens their understanding of and appreciation for the natural world. PROGRAM PARTNERS City of Modesto Parks Department, Great Valley Museum, Modesto Irrigation District, Stanislaus County Office of Education Thanks for doing the presentation... I think we have a budding environmentalist on our hands. He's much more conscientious about water and energy usage, recycling, not getting bags at the grocery store etc. lately; I think in part due to his newly found sense of himself as someone who is helping to advocate for the environment. Anonymous program parent TUOLUMNE RIVER TRUST 7

8 RIVERSIDE COMMUNITY & PARK DEVELOPMENT TUOLUMNE RIVER TRUST IN STANISLAUS COUNTY, the Tuolumne River flows through some of the most impoverished and disadvantaged neighborhoods in the region. While water pollution, dams and development have degraded the River, the communities along its banks are facing enormous socioeconomic and public health challenges. These neighborhoods suffer from a lack of services and involvement from outside the community and environmental justice concerns are plenty. High rates of crime and vandalism coupled with a lack of infrastructure and safe play spaces, pose a threat to residents physical and emotional wellbeing. Yet, adjacent to these communities exist some of the most beautiful and underutilized river parks in the County, such as the Tuolumne River Regional Park in Modesto. Recognizing the symbiotic relationship between a riverside community and the river itself, Tuolumne River Trust began reaching out to underserved communities in In 2009 we launched our first program specifically tailored to the Airport Neighborhood of Modesto and ever since have been a key player in community capacity and organizing efforts. The goal of this non-traditional environmental non-profit program is to work side by side with residents, businesses, local government, community organizers and partners in Modesto s Airport Neighborhood to provide grassroots opportunities for participation in the revitalization of the River, healthy parks, schools and communities. We seek environmental, economic, equitable, and healthy development as well as human health for all communities along the river. We will then use this work as a model for other riverside communities. KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS Development of a community soccer field at Legion Park Establishment of the Airport Neighborhood Community Center Reestablishment of National Night Out at George Rogers Park Operation 9-to-99, a volunteer-led monthly river cleanup Creation of a gear closet with recreation equipment available for community residents LOOKING AHEAD With a wealth of opportunity, over the next 3-5 years we plan to: Expand walking and biking trails in the community and river parks Establish the Airport Bike Club: providing youth classes in bike maintenance and safety Advocate for improved park and neighborhood conditions Establish a community garden managed by residents and nutritional cooking classes Launch an adopt-a-river cleanup program for local businesses and service groups Support development of a Promotora Model in the community: Spanish speaking men or women trained to provide accurate, culturally relevant health information and conduct community outreach PROGRAM PARTNERS Airport Neighborhood Collaborative, Boy Scouts of America, City of Modesto, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Congregations Building Community, Gallo Glass, Golden Valley Health Centers, Gospel Mission, Habitat for Humanity, Healthy Start Resource Center, Interfaith Ministries, Modesto Police Department, Orville Wright Elementary, Parent Resource Center, Stanislaus County, Stanislaus County Police Activity League, Stanislaus County Sheriff, UC Cooperative Extension, East Stanislaus Resource Conservation District. 8 TUOLUMNE RIVER TRUST

9 IN STANISLAUS COUNTY, many teenage youth struggle with an absence of adult role models and access to extracurricular activities, especially as they age-out of local afterschool programming. Concerns and misperceptions about safety risks, combined with a lack of culturally relevant role models recreating outdoors, keeps a disproportionate number of these youth indoors leading to higher rates of obesity, asthma and delinquency. In addition, economic concerns limit the ability for families to travel to popular recreation sites. The Tuolumne River Adventure Club seeks to lower barriers to recreating outdoors for underserved youth by providing recreational opportunities led by culturally relevant adult mentors. Monthly club meetings and activities alternate between outdoor recreation, nature exploration, community service projects, leadership development and team building activities. In addition to new skills sets, teens and mentors gain a strengthened sense of confidence and self-worth and a connection to and investment in the natural resources that surround their community. Teens leave the program having developed leadership and recreational skills that allow them to become more accomplished students, productive community members and role models for their peers. TUOLUMNE RIVER ADVENTURE CLUB (TRAC) The Tuolumne River Adventure Club seeks to lower barriers to recreating outdoors for underserved youth by providing recreational opportunities led by culturally relevant adult mentors. TEEN EXPERIENCES River safety and canoe training Discovering California s past with a day trip to the La Grange Gold Dredge and Native American sites Camping under the stars along the Tuolumne River Volunteer opportunities: river clean-ups, trail maintenance, or restoration workdays that bring both teens and their families out for an active day at the River BY THE NUMBERS 200 teens engaged 50 trained recreational guides and youth mentors 20 outdoor experiences based on the California Children s Outdoor Bill of Rights 12+ youth-driven community service projects PROGRAM PARTNERS City of Modesto, Healthy Start, Kiwanis Youth Camp, Stanislaus County Parks, California Department of Fish and Wildlife MEG GONZALEZ TUOLUMNE RIVER TRUST 9

10 RIM FIRE RESTORATION USDA IN AUGUST 2013, THE RIM FIRE ERUPTED deep in the canyons of the Clavey and Tuolumne Rivers within the Stanislaus National Forest. Before full containment over two months later, the fire had burned more than 257,000 acres, the largest recorded wildfire ever in the Sierra Nevada. It consumed 21% of the entire Tuolumne watershed, a landscape of great regional importance. In addition to providing water to 3 million people in the Bay Area and Central Valley, the area provides habitat to rare and endangered species like the Great Gray Owl and provides ecotourism benefits for Tuolumne County, an extremely important industry for the local economy. Seven forest service campgrounds, many other popular dispersed camping sites, three much beloved family camps (San Francisco s Camp Mather, Berkeley s Tuolumne Family Camp, San Jose s Family Camp), a children s camp (Camp Tawonga), popular hiking trails, and the Tuolumne s famed whitewater run are located within the burned area. Before the fire these attractions brought thousands of visitors each year from around the world seeking adventure, but today with many of the trails and campsites within the burned area closed, recreational opportunities are diminished. Additionally, as a result of the fire the watershed is facing problems with erosion and sedimentation in streams which affects water quality and aquatic habitats. Tuolumne River Trust is building capacity for communitybased wildfire recovery activities through fostering meaningful, productive and sustainable partnerships among local stakeholders, public agencies and volunteer organizations in an effort to restore the burned areas to enhance water quality, protect forest health and repair recreational amenities. Over 100 workdays are currently scheduled in collaboration with a variety of partners and volunteer groups. LOOKING AHEAD Over the next several years, the Rim Fire Recovery Campaign will continue to lead extensive restoration efforts involving thousands of volunteers while also serving as an advocate for the river and a healthy watershed. BY THE NUMBERS 30,000 acres to be reforested 11,000 acres to be thinned 500 acres of deer habitat to be restored 40 meadows to be restored Dozens of trails and campsites to be restored PROGRAM PARTNERS AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps), Camp Tuolumne Trails, Clif Bar & Company s In Good Company program, City of San Jose Parks and Recreation Department, Columbia College, Friends of Berkeley Tuolumne Camp, Sierra Watershed Progressive, Tuolumne Whitewater Outfitters, USDA Forest Service-Stanislaus National Forest, World Renew Disaster Response Services, Yosemite Stanislaus Solutions 10 TUOLUMNE RIVER TRUST

11 IN FEBRUARY 2009, Tuolumne River Trust Board member Noah Hughes and then staff member Galen Weston hatched a plan for a spring decent of the Clavey River, a pristine tributary of the Tuolumne River in the Sierra. By May of that year, what started as a small team of international whitewater kayakers tackling a class V+ descent had turned into an epic 234-mile Tuolumne River journey. PADDLE TO THE SEA Paddle to the Sea is a month-long paddle-a-thon on the Tuolumne and American Rivers that brings people together to celebrate the immense recreational and economic benefits of rivers. It is one of the Tuolumne River Trust s most powerful tools to raise funds and public awareness for the issues affecting the health of the river and to garner support for the challenges that lie ahead. Paddle to the Sea visually demonstrates the interconnectedness of our dependence on rivers to grow our food, provide clean drinking water, and power our homes and businesses. We want every person who benefits from the Tuolumne to know that their water comes from a living, flowing river. Some of the River s strongest advocates are those who have spent a day on the river or in the watershed. Whether it s on the Tuolumne s world-class whitewater run, canoeing the lower river, sailing the Delta, or kayaking across San Francisco Bay, our paddlers come to appreciate the interconnectedness of the watershed on a deeper level. Most paddlers join the event for a day trip, but each year a handful of individuals complete the entire journey from source to sea. BY THE NUMBERS 20,000+ total miles paddled, rafted, sailed and kayaked $200,000+ raised 700 paddlers PROGRAM PARTNERS AND SPONSORS American Whitewater, ARTA River Trips, Advanced Elements, Blue Line Media, California Canoe & Kayak, Camp Lotus, Clarke Broadcasting, Clif Bar, Feather Raft, Modesto Irrigation District, Modesto Bee, Mountain Sage Nursery, OARS Whitewater Rafting, Osprey Packs, Pacific Gas & Electric Company, Paleo Sweet Tooth, Patagonia, REI, The River 105.5, Roberts Ferry Nut Company, Sierra Mac River Trips, Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, Sports Basement, Water Ripper TOP + BOTTOM: REBECCA STIEVATER TUOLUMNE RIVER TRUST 11

12 TUOLUMNE RIVER TRUST 312 Sutter Street, Suite 402 San Francisco, CA (415) this space can be used for mailhouse addressing The Tuolumne River Trust is the only organization working to protect and restore the Tuolumne River, from its headwaters in the Sierra, through the Central Valley, to San Francisco Bay. We build stewardship for the river by actively engaging riverside communities and those in the Bay Area that receive Tuolumne River water through on-the-ground habitat restoration, environmental education, river adventures and grassroots organizing. We use this support to put policies in place to improve the health of the river. BAY AREA OFFICE 312 Sutter Street, Suite 402 San Francisco, CA (415) CENTRAL VALLEY OFFICE 829 Thirteenth Street Modesto, CA (209) SIERRA NEVADA OFFICE 67 Linoberg Street Sonora, CA (209) Cover Photo: Dawn Davis Photography; Back Cover Photo: Andrew Maurer