Journal Canoes. Photo by Sebastian Santa. New Partnership for the Kern River Summer 2009 • Vol. 5, Issue 2
orking with the nonprofit organization,W the Kern River Corridor Endowment, River Partners is preparing a conceptual Osprey. Photo by Robert Blanchard. restoration plan for riparian habitats along the Kern River at the Panorama Vista Preserve in Bakersfield. It is the largest private-lands In This Issue project for River Panorama Vista Preserve, Kern River, Bakersfield, CA. Photo by Julie Rentner, Partners in its 11- Restoration Ecologist. year history. “What is Additional Refuge really unique about this restoration initiative is that it was spear headed by a group of Land Open private individuals who really care about the Kern River,” says Julie Renter, Restoration to the Public 3 Ecologist. “They make up the Kern River Corridor Endowment and worked to buy and protect the land.” Endangered Rivers River Partners staff has started assessing the 936-acre site, which has supported a and Solutions 4 variety of human uses, from agriculture to oil drilling. By considering the local ecology and historical land uses, this pre-restoration plan will make habitat recommendations for Thank You 11th restoring significant swaths of native vegetation within this privately-owned reserve. Anniversary “If this preserve could be restored, it would be a significant stepping stone in the Kern River Corridor for wildlife,” says Tom Griggs, Senior Restoration Ecologist. “It Dinner Sponsors 7 will be large enough acreage to support migration, especially for songbirds.” River Partners thanks the Kern River Corridor Endowment for inviting us to Paddle Season participate in their restoration efforts and the Partners for Fish and Wildlife (Kern Opens! Join Us National Wildlife Refuge) for partially funding the pre-restoration plan. On the River 8
River Partner JOURNAL • Page Message from the Board Chair 580 Vallombrosa Ave. Chico, CA 95926 Modesto, CA 95354 By Irv Schiffman Ph: 530.894.5401 Ph: 209.521.1700 Fx: 530.894.2970 Fx: 209.521.7327 [email protected] • www.riverpartners.org Levee Setbacks and The Journal is published quarterly by River Meandering Rivers Partners, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public benefit corporation. Our mission is to create wildlife habitat for the benefit of people and the environment. or a variety of reasons River Partners is supportive of moving levees back from the river and we are involved in a number of levee setback projects. OneF of the reasons that we support levee setbacks is that it allows the river to Board of Directors follow its natural course of meandering across the floodplain. In all but the steepest mountain cascades, rivers will meander. In lower Kathy Barrett, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Butte Co. gradient valleys, such as the Sacramento and San Joaquin for much of their John Carlon, Sierra Cascade Blueberry Farm Ken Grossman, Sierra Nevada Brewing Company length, a river’s physical imperative to meander is the greatest. Allen Hackett, Hackett Farming When rivers are denied Mark Kimmelshue, Legacy Associates the space to meander due Tom Lando, Lando & Associates to levees, rock revetments, Suellen Rowlison, R.N. Irving Schiffman, CSUC, Political Science or other impediments, many Monroe Sprague, M.D. beneficial river services are diminished. In their natural state, rivers are dynamic Staff ecosystems, supplying the floodplain with soil and Chico Staff: nutrients for its diverse John Carlon, President Tad Alexander, Chief Operations Officer riparian habitats and in Julie Pokrandt, Development Director turn providing organic Mona Cross, Executive Assistant materials to aquatic species. The meandering Sacramento River. Photo by Marli Miller, Deborah McLaughlin, Controller The meandering river and its University of Oregon. Jessica Bourne, Chief Financial Officer Dr. Tom Griggs, Senior Restoration Ecologist floodplain temporarily store Helen Swagerty, Senior Restoration Biologist excess floodwater and recharge ground water and reduce stream velocities. Michael Rogner, Restoration Biologist Meander bends often form oxbow lakes that eventually fill with soil and Meghan Gilbart,Restoration Fellow vegetation and serve as traces of the river’s previous courses. These oxbows Jessica Gibbs, Restoration Resource Specialist Ruben Reynoso, Jr., Restoration Field Manager and the meandering river give definition to the land, providing a characteristic Joe Green, Manager of Operations and Logistics “riverscape.” Daniel Zepeda, Assistant Field Manager Beyond the ecological and aesthetic benefits, setback levees make sense economically as well. Allowing a river to meander avoids the expenses involved Field Technicians: in maintaining the levees and rock revetments designed to hold a river in place. Eligio Hernandez Gerardo Sandoval Further, when denied the space to meander, floodwaters are often “funneled” Francisco Jauregui down stream, leading to increased flood damage, greater downstream shoreline Jared Hicks erosion and channel incision. Luis Velasquez Once a levee is setback, the river may begin to meander and this poses a Jose Granados Daniel Gonzales challenge to implementing riparian restoration on the floodplain. River Partners works with engineers to plan the restoration design. For example, Eric Larsen of Modesto Staff: UC Davis has constructed model scenarios that simulate the future migration of Julie Rentner, Restoration Ecologist the river given different restraint conditions. The application of such models is Chris Stevenson, Restoration Biologist an integral part of the scientific approach that River Partners takes to restoring Stephen Sheppard, Restoration Field Manager Salvador Barragan, Field Foreman native vegetation on dynamic riparian floodplains. Abelino Valdovinos-Rubio, Field Technician Feliciano Degante, Field Technician
Newsletter design & layout: Tempra Board JOURNAL printed on recycled paper.
Page 2 • River Partners JOURNAL Page • River Partner JOURNAL Project Updates
Wilson Landing Unit, DFG, Additional Refuge Land Sac. River Wildlife Area Open to the Public iver Partners finished planting this 338 acre restoration site located in Glenn County, between SacramentoR River miles 203 and 205. The Unit is part of the Department of Fish and Game managed Sacramento River Wildlife Area and is in the first year of project implementation. Eagle Scout candidate, Brett Brown, organized the Durham Cub and Boy Scouts in planting more than 500 trees at this site.
Colusa State Recreation Area 08-13, Sac. River
n May 2009 River Partners began restoring 138 acres at the Colusa State Recreation Area in Glenn ICounty. In cooperation with California State Parks, this work is funded by the Department of Water River Partners restoration at the Drumheller Slough Unit of the Sacramento River National Resources, with the goal of instituting advanced Wildlife Refuge. Photo by River Partners staff. mitigation for future flood control projects associated n March 28th, the Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge with the Tisdale Bypass. opened to the public the Drumheller Slough and La Barranca OUnits, two sites restored by River Partners. According to the press Chico Fest 2009 release issued by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, “The public may enjoy any of the ‘big six’ public uses including hunting, fishing, n April 26, 2009, River Partners ran the beer wildlife observation, photography, interpretation, and environmental Oconcession at Chico Fest, a sustainability and education.” More information and maps can be founds at www.fws. live music exposition held at the Sierra Nevada gov/sacramentovalleyrefuges. Brewing Company’s hops field. Thanks to help of 19 volunteers who staffed the booth, and the generous invitation from the Brewery, the event brought in San Joaquin Valley Projects more than $6,000 to support River Partners’ outreach programs and new project development.
n April, River Partners teamed Iwith Tuolumne River Trust 11th Anniversary Dinner to participate in two Earth Day n April 3, 2009, festivals sponsored by Modesto more than 200 Junior College and City of Osupporters and members Modesto. The San Joaquin staff attended River Partners’ has begun ground preparation Annual Dinner & Silent for an additional 5000 ft of Auction at the Sierra vegetated levees on a contract Nevada Big Room. See with the California Department page 6 where we thank of Water Resources at the San the many sponsors and Joaquin River National Wildlife silent auction donors who Refuge. The San Joaquin staff contributed to the event’s also has begun to plant three success. additional riparian brush rabbit Ilona Toko, Fred Marken, Marilyn refugia and a vegetated brush Everett, and Lewis Everett at the rabbit corridor. River Partners Anniversay Dinner. Photo by River Partners staff.
River Partners JOURNAL • Page Aerial photo of the O’Connor Lakes Unit Feather River State by the Feather River. Photo by Tom Griggs, Wildlife Area – Endangered PhD., Senior Restoration Ecologist. O’Connor Lakes Unit
its strides in endangered species recovery, most Rivers n 2005, River Partners instituted a notable the return of cutting-edge restoration project that the Aleutian Cackling Ihad significant floodplain management Sustainable Solutions Exist for the Goose. It is also benefits on 228 acres of flood-prone home to the largest land -- the O’Connor Lakes Unit of Sacramento-San Joaquin Rivers habitat restoration the Feather River Wildlife Area in initiative in California, Sutter County. capable of providing River Partners designed the temporary storage he national environmental group flood protection solutions, such as restoration plan to direct high velocity of floodwater, thus American Rivers recently named expanding the floodway by moving levees floodwaters away from the levees and protecting downstream theT Sacramento-San Joaquin River back to “allow rivers to move.” improve sediment transport across communities. system as the most endangered in the What did not receive attention are the site. The California Department These projects country. While many Californians are some of the sustainable solutions for of Fish and Game (DFG) identified evolved through not surprised by this pronouncement, our flood protection system that are the site as a high priority for riparian effective collaboration. our collective search for solutions to an available now. Successful examples of restoration because of its potential They have been designed outdated flood control system now has environmentally friendly, cost effective, to link two tracts of existing riparian and implemented the nation’s attention. highly collaborative, flood control habitat, thus creating a 2,142-acre in partnership with Through its “America’s Most projects exist in the Central Valley. block of contiguous habitat. environmental Endangered Rivers List,” American Though they cover a few thousand acres, Working with hydraulic models, system that spans more than 800 river projects. They have reduced levee organizations, hydraulic engineers, and Rivers has called upon Californians and if implemented more broadly, these River Partners cleared four acres miles and hundreds of thousands of acres maintenance costs, improved public multiple agencies – local, state, and federal. our agencies to consider nonstructural projects offer hope for this endangered of forest where there would be of floodplain. safety, and added open space to the These interdisciplinary initiatives could high velocity water and planted the Over the last several years, the Central Valley. Many believe these new help California avoid old perspectives remaining site with riparian species. effectiveness of set-back levees and flood management designs will better in addressing flood control for the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge The resulting multiple benefits nonstructural flood management protect us from the uncertainties of Sacramento-San Joaquin river system. included: improved wildlife habitat, approaches has been tested within the climate change. “Either-Or Thinking” still has a he San Joaquin River National Wildlife especially for endangered species Sacramento-San Joaquin river system. One example is the restoration effort foothold in California. And it leads to Refuge (SJRNWR) is River Partners’ (Valley Elderberry Long-horned T Momentum for these projects grew on the Feather River (see green box at simplistic arguments that we have to largest and longest-standing partner. Thanks Beetle), improved flood water thanks to funding from the Wildlife right), a tributary to the Sacramento sacrifice the environment for public safety or to this collaboration, more than 2,000 acres conveyance, reduced long-term Conservation Board, the Central River. A multi-agency Safe Harbor we have to sacrifice economic opportunities have been put into restoration since 2002: maintenance costs for the Department Valley Flood Protection Corridor Agreement intended to enhance habitat for endangered species. the largest riparian restoration initiative in of Water Resources (DWR), and Program through the Department of for endangered and other species allowed River Partners’ conservation and flood California. reduced liability for DWR and Central Water Resources, the Central Valley elderberry bushes to management examples The restoration work has benefited Valley Flood Protection Board for Improvement Act through the U.S. be planted without The results have been the illuminate the possibility federally and state-listed species including elderberry mitigation. Bureau of Reclamation, and other bond any obligation restoration of thousands of moving beyond the riparian brush rabbit, valley elderberry As part of this project, River The least Bell’s vireo has returned to the San funded programs through Propositions to mitigate for false choices. Located longhorn beetle, yellow-billed cuckoo, of acres of floodplains, the Partners facilitated the signing of a Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge. 84, 50, and 1E, etc. their loss if future within state wildlife Photo by Po-Hon Liu. Swainson’s hawk, Chinook salmon, steelhead creation of multi-benefit multi-agency agreement among the The results have been the restoration maintenance or areas, parks, national and Sacramento splittail, and the least Bell’s projects, and a new Central Valley Flood Protection Board, of thousands of acres of floodplains, the flood fighting refuges, and private vireo. In fact, a breeding pair of least Bell’s vireo nested and fledged young in the USFWS, DWR, and California creation of multi-benefit projects, and a activities destroyed synthesis between riparian lands, they indicate that willows planted by River Partners. This was the first time this endangered songbird DFG. The multi-agency agreement new synthesis between riparian ecology the bushes. In ecology and engineering. well-designed habitat has appeared in the Central Valley in 65 years. (aka a Safe Harbor Agreement) and engineering. addition to helping restoration can bring Additionally, River Partners’ various project sites on the SJRNWR are allowed for the planting of the Dotting the Sacramento-San Joaquin the endangered Valley Elderberry Long- cost-savings to tax payers and function associated with removing barriers to reconnect the San Joaquin River to its elderberries as part of the O’Connor rivers and their tributaries, these on-the- horned beetle, the resulting habitat as a flood management option. Most historic floodplain and the newly restored riparian areas. River Partners pioneered Lakes habitat restoration project, ground projects not only benefit flood restoration successfully improved flood importantly though, they demonstrate the development of fish-friendly irrigation practices by installing a state-of-the without any obligation to mitigate management, but also environmental water conveyance during the 2006 floods. that multi-benefit projects can succeed art fish screen, which won the approval of National Oceanic and Atmospheric for their loss if future maintenance stewardship. They combine innovative As another example, the San Joaquin and offer a sustainable toolkit to solve Administration. Furthermore, through funding from the Cities of Tracy and or flood fighting activities damage or habitat restoration components with River National Wildlife Refuge (see box the looming public safety (i.e. levee) and Manteca, we developed innovative methods to re-vegetate the levees on the site to destroy the planted bushes. maximize habitat and flood-control benefits. set-back levees and floodwater storage on page four) has been widely honored for ecosystem crises that face California.
Page 4 • River Partners JOURNAL River Partners JOURNAL • Page 5 River Partners 11th Anniversary Dinner & Silent Auction April 3, 2009 ThankThank You River You Partners Event 11thSponsors! Anniversary
Title Sponsors:
Major Sponsor: Investor Sponsors:
CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURAL WORKFORCE
PO BOX 1301 YUBA CITY, CA (530) 870-2136
Supporting Sponsors:
LAW OFFICES OF PRICE & BROWN 466 VALLOMBROSA AVE. CHICO, CA 95926 (530) 343-4412
BOGGS EQUIPMENT& ENGINEERING PHONE 530-458-8985/FAX 530-458-5869
P.O. BOX 607 COLUSA, CALIFORNIA 95932
Page • River Partners JOURNAL Dinner and Silent Auction Sponsors
Silent Auction Donors
Tad and Connie Alexander Powder Room Beauty Bar Tim Leefeldt Bella’s Sports Pub Ms. Suellen Rowlison Lyon Books John Carlon Sin Of Cortez Mountain Sports Carol’s Dog Grooming The End Zone Sports Bar & Grill Christine Muratore Chico Performances Trader Joe’s North State Symphony Larry Crisman Turtle Bay Exploration Park Overland Equipment Corporate Office Dr. Kristilyn Edwards Chiropractic Clinic You Lucky Dog Jennifer Perry Geoffrey Fricker, Photographer Daniel Alexander Law Office Ron’s Reptiles Carolyn Gibbs Bidwell Perk Shubert’s Ice Cream & Candy Grilla Bites Feather River Packaging Smokin’ Mo’s BBQ Mark Kimmelshue Carriere Family Farms The Rice Bowl Gary Kramer Collier’s Hardware Tres Hombres Bar & Grill Little Red Hen Gift Shop Mona Cross Alicia Woodcox, Che Divina Salon Morning Thunder Cafe Ellis Engineering Sierra Horticulture & Feather River Mt. Shasta Ski Park Ganz Gift Company Packaging Vickie Newlin Sally and Ron Ginochio Orient & Flume Art Glass Italian Cottage Restaurant Panama Bar & Cafe Kinney Nursery & Topsoil
Become a River Partner Gift Membership Options: or Make a Special Gift Lifetime Partner q $2,500 - 25 trees River Steward q $1,000 - 10 trees Benefactor q $500 - 5 trees Investor q $100 - 1 tree Family q $50 Regular Membership Option: (Choose from options at Individual q $35 right, leave gift information blank, and complete below.) This gift membership is going to: Name ______Name Business Name (if applicable) ______Address Address ______Phone Email City ______State ______Zip______Date ______Phone ______E-mail______This gift membership is from: VISA/MC # ______Expires ______Signature ______Name Address Phone Please return to: Email River Partners Development Department Enclosed is my check for $ 580 Vallombrosa Ave., Chico, CA 95926 Please charge my credit card $ (530) 894-5401, ext. 222, [email protected] www.riverpartners.org. Thank you for your support! Visa or MC# Exp. Signature
River Partners JOURNAL • Page Non-profit Organization US Postage PAID 580 Vallombrosa Avenue Permit #9 Chico, California 95926 Redding, CA www.riverpartners.org Return Service Requested
Paddling Season Opens!
Join River Partners on its first tour of the season
Feather River at Star Bend to the Bear River Restoration at the New Set Back Levee
Bring your own canoe or kayak! Explore the Feather River as it flows through Yuba County and meets the Bear River. Several River Partners ecologists will be on hand to talk about native plants, early summer wildlife, and one of River Partners’ largest restoration sites – the Bear River Levee Set-back project.
This is a free community event and reservations are required. Skill level is for paddlers who have the endurance for a 3-hour paddle to cover 6 river miles.
Saturday, June 13, 8:30 am to 12:30 pm 8:30-9:15 am: check in at launch and caravan cars to the take out site 9:30 am-12:30 pm: boats on the river Feather River • South of Marysville, Yuba County Put in at the Star Bend Boat Launch • 2034 Feather River Boulevard
What You Need: Your own canoe or kayak, life jackets, and paddling equipment, sunscreen, water, bag lunch, river shoes, binoculars A friend to help you shuttle between sites (Ask about shuttling with River Partners) Reservations & Information: Call (530) 894-5401 ext 222 or Email jpokrandt (at) riverpartners.org Future Paddling Trips: Sign up to receive e-mail alerts at our website: www.RiverPartners.org