SAUSALITO, CA May 4, 2010 – Friends of the Eel River (FOER) announced today that the State of California Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), rejected the organizations petition to increase water flows on the Eel River — water that is critical for the survival of state and federally listed endangered salmon, on what was once the third largest salmon and steelhead producing river in the State of California.
One River is Dying for Water, One River is Drowning
SCIENTISTS CONFIRM MISMANAGEMENT BY PG&E IS KILLING TWO NORTHERN CALIFORNIA RIVERS AND DEGRADING SALMON HABITAT
SAUSALITO, CA March, 1, 2010 — Today the Friends of the Eel River (FOER) brought legal action before the State Water Resources Control Board (State Board), in an attempt to stop Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), from destroying two northern California rivers essential to the restoration of California’s once-vibrant billion dollar salmon industry.
The FOER legal action challenges the diversion of almost all of the flow of the Eel River to PG&E’s Potter Valley hydroelectric project (PVP), consisting of two dams and a diversion tunnel. During the dry season, almost 98% of the Eel River flows are diverted into the Russian River. “The State Board has an obligation to ensure that PG&E’s use of water is reasonable and does not harm public trust resources in the Eel River,” noted environmental attorney Ellison Folk, with the law firm Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger. PG&E’s Potter Valley Project, however, is damaging the public trust resources by threatening the survival of the remaining populations of the state and federally listed endangered salmon and steelhead, in exchange for a negligible amount of energy it produces.
Dear Friends: December 2009
December 2009 Dear Friends, This letter is to all the members and residents of the Eel River watershed. After 15 years in Garberville, Friends of the Eel River has decided to move our office to Marin County and to rearrange our staffing. FOER continues to vigorously press ahead to restore the Eel River’s fish and … Read more
Comments to FERC re: Amendment of License for Diversion
March 17 2009 Hon. Kimberly D. Bose Secretary Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 888 First Street, N.E. Washington, DC 20426 Re: Potter Valley Hydroelectric Project No. 77-212: Comments on Draft Environmental Assessment for Application of Amendment of License for Diversion of Water at Lake Pillsbury (Potter Valley Project) Dear Secretary Bose: Friends of the Eel River … Read more
Dear Friends: Spring 2009
Spring 2009 Dear Friends The sun rose three times this morning, racing with the river fog to see who could go the highest in the sky. By the third rising the warmth of the sun was palpable. Environmental conditions and weather variations are showing us that global warming is real. What are the causes and … Read more