Anonymous street artists painted a dotted line and scissors on the defunct Matilija Dam in 2011. The dam has been slated for removal for years, but additional studies are being conducted to decide how best to deal with the trapped sediment and downstream water supply. Matilija Dam is owned by the County of Ventura, California in a scene from DAMNATION. Photo: Matt Stoecker

DamNation

Groups Oppose Trapping and Hauling Fish Around Dams

The following letter outlines concerns and opposition to a May 7, 2015 announcement by the Yuba Salmon Partnership Initiative (YSPI), which aims to create a first of its kind trap and haul program in California. As outlined in the letter, we believe that the existing and proposed trap and haul projects around dams runs contrary to sound, wild fisheries recovery science, the intentions and requirements of the Endangered Species Act and many state fisheries management plans. Diverting limited resources and attention to such projects is a serious threat to future investment in effective river restoration efforts like full dam removal and achieving self-sustaining fisheries recovery nationwide.


Click here to view the full letter


A photo of a trap and haul truck, taken by Matt Stoecker

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