November 10, 2004

1) Large salmon documented

Last Thursday, Nov. 4, I found a dead 45” chinook salmon in the lower flood control channel of Alameda Creek. There may still be salmon in the lower creek from the storms earlier this month – keep an eye on the lower creek and alert me if you see any fish.

2) Agreement on fish rescue this winter

We have reached an interim agreement with CA Department of Fish and Game and NOAA Fisheries for fish rescue operations this winter that will allow us to move some steelhead upstream. Thank you those of you who wrote letters on this issue. Under a federal research permit we hope will be in place before the end of the year, fisheries biologists with the East Bay Parks and possibly the Alameda County Flood Control District will be authorized to capture wild steelhead stranded at or below the BART weir and move them upstream into Niles Canyon or Stonybrook Creek. Fin-clipped (hatchery) steelhead and chinook salmon (thought to be primarily hatchery strays) can be rescued if they are stranded but must be moved downstream to the Bay. ACA volunteers will be allowed to assist in rescues and transport under the supervision of a permitted biologist if they are signed on to a letter of permission from DFG – see the item below for information.

3) Sign up for fish rescue

If you want to participate in steelhead trout rescues this winter (including removing them from the water, handling, transporting, or re-releasing), send me an e-mail with your name, address, phone number, and CA drivers license number to give to the DFG.

4) ACA newsletter

If you do not receive the ACA newsletter by the end of this week, you are not on our mailing list! E-mail me your address to get the newsletter.

5) EPA appointment

Governor Schwarzenegger will soon appoint a new Secretary to the California Environmental Protection Agency. Let the Governor know that his next appointee should be a strong environmental leader who will protect California's natural treasures. You can go to the Save the Bay web site at http://www.savesfbay.org/ to send an email to the Governor on this issue.