Balancing the Russian River on the Back of the Eel River

How would you manage the Russian River for sustainable water supplies and restored fisheries with no water taken from the Eel River? By: David Keller, Bay Area Director, Friends of the Eel River. Originally published in The Eel River Reporter 2013 The people and agencies who manage the Russian River have been using water diverted … Read more

Eel River Action Plan

A four-year effort by a coalition of diverse stakeholders along California’s third largest river, the Eel River, recently culminated in the completion of a new plan aimed at restoring the watershed’s once thriving fish runs and ecosystems. The plan’s creation was headed by the environmental nonprofit organization CalTrout’s Northern California Program Manager Darren Mierau in … Read more

Hydroelectric Power Officials Bemoan Federal Regulations

WASHINGTON Federal burdens dampen California’s hydroelectric power potential, PG&E and Turlock Irrigation District officials told lawmakers Tuesday. They were preaching to the Capitol Hill choir. Summoned by House Republicans who hope to unleash more of what they called a “clean, renewable and domestic energy resource,” the two California utilities’ representatives described a regulatory thicket that … Read more

Eel River Flows Still Too Low in Peak Salmon Spawning Period + RVITs Comments to FERC

This month’s rainfall and cooler temperatures have helped lessen the strain on salmon migrating on the Eel River, but not near enough to ease the concerns of local researchers. And they have their reasons. By: Will Houston November 29, 2015 Eureka Times Standard Since Chinook salmon began entering the drought-stricken river this year, they were … Read more

Oppose Bad Hydropower Legislation – Say No to H.R. 8

H.R. 8, the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act of 2015, includes an alarming amendment that would allow hydropower operators to bypass environmental laws like the Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act, and could limit the powers of states, tribes, and natural resource agencies.

Comments to FERC re: Temporary Variance 2015

June 2, 2015 Honorable Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 888 First Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20426-0001 via Electronic Submittal (E-Filing) Re: COMMENTS on Application by Pacific Gas and Electric for Temporary Variance Of Minimum Flow Requirement, Potter Valley Project (FERC Project No. 77- 275); MOTION TO INTERVENE. Dear Secretary Bose, Friends of … Read more