Steelhead Trout
[SB INDEPENDANT, 3/10/2005]:
CITY SUPPORTS FISH: After a lengthy discussion about the Santa Ynez River as a vital drinking water supply and important habitat for the endangered steelhead trout, the Santa Barbara City Council on Tuesday voted to write a letter to federal fish authorities saying the city supports restoration of the trout in the river. City staff had recommended the letter oppose the river being designated as “critical habitat,” a status that offers protection from activities harmful to rare species. Councilmember Dan Secord agreed with staff that the designation may limit the city’s ability to divert water out of the river and voted against his colleagues Marty Blum, Das Williams, and Helene Schneider. Councilmember Brian Barnwell abstained, saying he didn’t know enough about the complicated issue. The other two members of the council were absent.
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[SBN-P, 3/9/2005, written by Melinda Burns]:
Council to send letter supporting steelhead habitat
3/9/05
The Santa Barbara City Council on Tuesday tentatively endorsed federal measures that could bring steelhead back to spawn in the Santa Ynez River.
Council members Das Williams, Helene Schneider and Mayor Marty Blum voted to send a letter to the National Marine Fisheries Service supporting a designation of critical habitat for the endangered trout. The service is proposing to get involved in the steelhead restoration efforts on the river below the Bradbury Dam at Lake Cachuma. Nothing is planned yet above the dam.
On Tuesday, the council majority -- two members were absent -- expressed support for a critical habitat designation covering the entire river, provided that it would speed steelhead recovery.
"It might seem like a miracle to see those steelhead make it way up into the mountains, but I believe it could happen again," Mr. Williams said.
Much of Tuesday's discussion centered on the question of whether there were actually any steelhead left in the river above the Bradbury, Gibraltar and Juncal dams. It has been more than 50 years since Bradbury Dam, the largest of the three, was built, cutting off 150 miles of steelhead spawning habitat. A new U.S. Fish and Wildlife study shows that the rainbow trout above Bradbury are genetically linked to the steelhead below the dam. But the Cachuma Conservation Release Board, of which Santa Barbara is a member, says more studies are needed to prove that the fish above the dam are not just hatchery trout.
[SBN-P Online edition: Council to send letter supporting steelhead habitat ]
CITY SUPPORTS FISH: After a lengthy discussion about the Santa Ynez River as a vital drinking water supply and important habitat for the endangered steelhead trout, the Santa Barbara City Council on Tuesday voted to write a letter to federal fish authorities saying the city supports restoration of the trout in the river. City staff had recommended the letter oppose the river being designated as “critical habitat,” a status that offers protection from activities harmful to rare species. Councilmember Dan Secord agreed with staff that the designation may limit the city’s ability to divert water out of the river and voted against his colleagues Marty Blum, Das Williams, and Helene Schneider. Councilmember Brian Barnwell abstained, saying he didn’t know enough about the complicated issue. The other two members of the council were absent.
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[SBN-P, 3/9/2005, written by Melinda Burns]:
Council to send letter supporting steelhead habitat
3/9/05
The Santa Barbara City Council on Tuesday tentatively endorsed federal measures that could bring steelhead back to spawn in the Santa Ynez River.
Council members Das Williams, Helene Schneider and Mayor Marty Blum voted to send a letter to the National Marine Fisheries Service supporting a designation of critical habitat for the endangered trout. The service is proposing to get involved in the steelhead restoration efforts on the river below the Bradbury Dam at Lake Cachuma. Nothing is planned yet above the dam.
On Tuesday, the council majority -- two members were absent -- expressed support for a critical habitat designation covering the entire river, provided that it would speed steelhead recovery.
"It might seem like a miracle to see those steelhead make it way up into the mountains, but I believe it could happen again," Mr. Williams said.
Much of Tuesday's discussion centered on the question of whether there were actually any steelhead left in the river above the Bradbury, Gibraltar and Juncal dams. It has been more than 50 years since Bradbury Dam, the largest of the three, was built, cutting off 150 miles of steelhead spawning habitat. A new U.S. Fish and Wildlife study shows that the rainbow trout above Bradbury are genetically linked to the steelhead below the dam. But the Cachuma Conservation Release Board, of which Santa Barbara is a member, says more studies are needed to prove that the fish above the dam are not just hatchery trout.
[SBN-P Online edition: Council to send letter supporting steelhead habitat ]
Posted by Malcolm on
3/09/2005
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