Friends of Gualala River Protecting the Gualala River watershed and the species living within it
Mendocino County Board of Supervisors
WHEREAS, the decline of salmon and steelhead populations along the Pacific Coast region from California to Alaska over the last decade has led to the listing of salmonid populations as “threatened” or “endangered”, by National Marine Fisheries Service and the California Department of Fish and Game, pursuant to the Endangered Species Act; and
WHEREAS, numerous watersheds that are tributaries to the Pacific Ocean are Significantly impacted by these listings, including the Gualala and Albion rivers; and
WHEREAS, coastal Mendocino County currently experiences chronic water shortages; and both the Albion and Gualala watersheds are contained in the “Critical Water Resources” groundwater designation in the “Mendocino County Coastal Ground Water Study” (California Department of Water Resources, June 1982); and
WHEREAS, winter flows from the coastal rivers are essential for proper ecological Functioning of the estuaries and near shore ocean conditions, resulting in improved fishery Conditions, and providing attraction flows for adult fish, and
WHEREAS, coastal Mendocino has suffered economically from greatly reduced fish stocks and resulting fishing opportunities; and
WHEREAS, coastal Mendocino is heavily dependent upon tourism and a non- Industrialized coastline; and
WHEREAS, Mendocino County Board of Supervisors does not support placing people At risk by providing unsecured water supplies, such as out of Basin water transfers that would Fluctuate with drought and local resource needs;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors hereby states its strong opposition to the proposal to export water to southern California from the Gualala and Albion Rivers.
The foregoing Resolution introduced by Supervisor Colfax, seconded by Supervisor Campbell, and carried this 13th day of February, 2002, by the entire board with Supervisor Delbar absent (4 AYES, 0 NOES, 1 ABSENT)
