The Latest from FoGR

Fishing Industry Groups Notify Tire Companies of Intent to Sue Over 6PPD Impacts to Salmon, Steelhead

Press release by Earthjustice, August 15, 2023 [excerpt] The Institute for Fisheries Resources (IFR) and the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations (PCFFA) today notified U.S. tire manufacturers of their intent to sue over the use of a chemical called 6PPD in rubber tires because of its devastating impacts on Endangered Species Act (ESA)-protected salmon and steelhead. When 6PPD reacts …

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Local Artist Chris Grassano wins Environmental Art Award

Chris Grassano receives the Environmental Art Award sponsored by Friends of Gualala River at the 2023 Art in the Redwoods Fine Arts Festival Redwood Melody, by Chris Grassano Friends of Gualala River (FoGR) sponsored an award at the Art in the Redwoods Festival in 2023, for the twenty-second year in a row. A cash prize contributed by FoGR was given …

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Thursday, August 17: Industrial Project at Fort Ross State Historic Park?

  Friends of the Jenner Creek will be hosting a Community Workshop on the Fort Ross proposal on: Thursday, August 17, starting at 7 pmat the Jenner Community Center An Alabama corporation wants to construct a major industrial facility involving Fort Ross State Historical Park and the surrounding countryside to pump saltwater from the ocean to the top of Seaview …

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Court rejects Gualala River logging plan

For Immediate Release, August 5, 2023 Contact: Ethan Arutunian, Friends of the South Fork Gualala, info@fosfg.org, 206-353-3487Daniel Garrett-Steinman, Garrett-Steinman Law Offices, dan@dpgslaw.com, 415-996-7823   SANTA ROSA, CA – In a legal victory for the Gualala River watershed, Sonoma County Superior Court Judge Bradford DeMeo has ordered the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) to annul and set …

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Sonoma, Mendocino County grape growers battling new rules designed to reduce sediment, pesticides in local waterways

by Mary Callahan, The Press Democrat, August 2, 2023 [excerpt:] A new program targeting 1,500 commercial grape growers in Sonoma and Mendocino counties and designed to improve water quality in local creeks and rivers is drawing criticism from members of the agricultural community. The draft rules include reporting requirements, annual fees, well and groundwater monitoring, ground cover requirements and restrictions …

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Big Oil Targets Sonoma Coast and Marine Sanctuary

Added December 21, 2023: Federal regulators reject controversial pumped storage project proposed for Sonoma Coast MEDIA ADVISORY July 11, 2023 Press Contact Person: Richard Charter Director, Coastal Coordination Program The Ocean Foundation 707-875-2345 waterway@monitor.net The scenic rural Sonoma Coast at Fort Ross State Historic Park has been revealed to be the new target of a large “pumped storage” electrical power …

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Gualala River Sediment Reduction Planning Moves Forward After FoGR Win

After Friends of Gualala River (FoGR) filed suit in 2021 against the State and Regional Water Boards for failing to create a plan to improve water quality conditions in the watershed as required by federal law, the Water Boards have finally agreed to do so. FoGR reached an agreement with the Water Boards in early 2023 requiring the launch of …

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Saturday, August 19: Gualala River Stream Team Water Quality Monitoring Event

The yellow lines in this photo show the approximate boundaries of the Mill Bend (lower left) and Lower Mill Bend properties. Photo courtesy the Mill Bend Coalition.

The Gualala River Stream Team’s next monitoring event will be in August!    When: Saturday, August 19th, 9:00 a.m. sharp! to 11:00 a.m. Where: Meet at the Redwood Coast Land Conservancy (RCLC) Mill Bend Preserve, 46902 Old Stage Rd., Gualala (take the gravel road 400ft from Highway 1) When you arrive, we will divide into four teams (each with a team leader to …

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Bigleaf Maple (Acer macrophyllum)

Family SAPINDACEAE In this article we celebrate bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum). Bigleaf maple is neither the tallest nor largest tree species in the watershed, nor the most abundant, economically valuable, nor longest-lived. It is beautiful, but then so are many other species of trees. Perhaps it’s best to say that it has scope, and to tell its story properly requires …

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Saturday, June 17: Gualala River Stream Team Water Quality Monitoring Event

The Gualala River Stream Team will be heading out into the watershed and I hope you will join us! When: Saturday, June 17th, 9:00 a.m. sharp! to 11:00 a.m. Where: Meet at the Redwood Coast Land Conservancy (RCLC) Mill Bend, 46902 Old Stage Rd., Gualala (take the gravel road 400ft from Highway 1). When you arrive, we will divide into four teams …

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Relief In Sight for Sediment-Impaired Gualala River

Adult Steelhead, by Peter Baye

Friends of Gualala River (FoGR) achieved a major accomplishment that will help improve water quality and reduce sediment pollution in the Gualala River and its tributaries – a pivotal step in assisting salmonid recovery efforts. After nearly two years of legal actions and negotiations, a settlement agreement was reached last month between FoGR, the State Water Resources Control Board (State …

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Saturday, May 20, 9-11AM: Gualala River Stream Team Monitoring Event

Please mark your calendar for the Gualala River Stream Team monitoring event. When: Saturday, May 20, 2023, 9:00 a.m. sharp! – 11 a.m. Where: Redwood Coast Land Conservancy (RCLC) Upper Mill Bend (46902 Old State Highway, Gualala)  The plan is to meet at the RCLC picnic tables, where we held the training.  When you arrive, we will divide into four teams (each …

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Gualala River Stream Team Training:
Saturday, April 22nd, 9-11AM

Hello All, The Gualala River Stream Team is kicking off the 2023 monitoring season to track the health of the Gualala River and you can join us! When: Saturday, April 22nd, 9-11AM Where: Redwood Coast Land Conservancy – Mill Bend (46902 Old Stage Rd. , Gualala – take the gravel road 400ft from Highway 1) What:  This training will educate …

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Gualala River Mouth Before & After Atmospheric River

March 8, 2023, before the atmospheric river: Mouth of the Gualala River on March 8, 2023, before the atmospheric river March 10, 2023, after the atmospheric river: Mouth of the Gualala River on March 10, 2023, after the atmospheric river Mouth of the Gualala River on March 10, 2023, after the atmospheric river

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FoGR comments on Sonoma County’s draft Well Ordinance

To:  Nathan QuarlesDeputy Director, Engineering and ConstructionPermit and Resource Management DepartmentCounty of SonomaEmail: Nathan.Quarles@sonoma-county.orgWell Ordinance Public CommentsSubmitted via email: PermitSonoma-Wells-PublicInput@sonoma-county.orgFrom:  Friends of Gualala River Board of DirectorsP.O. Box 1543Gualala, CA. 95445Email info@gualalariver.orgDate:  February 22, 2023Subject:  Friends of Gualala River comments on the proposed draft Well Ordinance_____________________________________________________________________________Friends of Gualala River (FoGR) is a grassroots nonprofit organization that has worked for over …

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Gualala River Stream Team Newsletter – February 2023

Page 1 of 6 Download the entire 6-page newsletter, including graphs based on data collected in 2022. Hello All! The Gualala River Stream Team is getting ready for the upcoming monitoring season and you can join us!   2023 Monitoring and training schedule: Please mark your calendars! April 22 – Annual / Refresher Training (more details to come) May 20 – Monitoring …

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