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Hi Friends, 

We had a fantastic summer filled with guided hikes, progress on important work protecting the Eel River, and of course visiting communities throughout the watershed and chatting about our shared love for this incredible ecosystem. FOER is currently working for the river on the following fronts:
  • We continue to work toward a 'two-basin solution' that necessitates volitional fish passage past Scott dam. Several years of expert analysis is currently being culminated into a final report thanks to the work of Congressman Huffman's Ad Hoc stakeholders group. You can find their meeting notes and details about fish passage scenarios HERE.
  • The California legislature is moving swiftly to untangle the financial mess of the North Coast Railroad Authority as they work toward shutting down the entity and transitioning the focus to the Great Redwood Trail. 
  • We are working toward settling our case with Humboldt County over their cannabis regulations and hope to create opportunities for more restoration work in the Eel River.
  • Other important work continues to advance: state and federal agencies are moving forward with status reviews of Northern California summer steelhead, and after several years of waiting the Department of Water Resources has decided to not approve Humboldt County's "alternative" to a groundwater sustainability plan.
This work is all made possible with your support and the efforts of several excellent volunteers. If you're interested in joining our team of volunteers, please click HERE to sign up for a shift in our booth at the North Country Fair.
WHAT IS THE 'TWO-BASIN SOLUTION'
In 2017 when PG&E began relicensing the Potter Valley Project, Congressman Huffman convened a stakeholder group that agreed to work toward a 'two-basin solution' based on two 'co-equal goals'. These goals broadly reflect desires to improve fish passage and habitat in the Eel River while avoiding adverse impacts to water supply reliability in the Russian River.

FISH PASSAGE
Improve fish passage and habitat on the Eel River sufficient to support recovery of naturally reproducing, self-sustaining and harvestable native anadromous fish populations including migratory access upstream and downstream at current project dam locations.

WATER SUPPLY
Minimize or avoid adverse impacts to water supply reliability, fisheries, water quality and recreation in the Russian River and Eel River basins. 
How has FOER shifted our position
FOER used to take the position that the out-of-basin diversion needs to end. Since joining the stakeholder group two years ago we have changed our position to align with the goals of Congressman Huffman's group. We have been working in good faith toward a 'two-basin solution' that meets both fisheries recovery and water supply goals.

How have water supply entities shifted position
Some haven't. Some entities participating in Congressman Huffman's stakeholder group continue to demand that Scott Dam remain in place. This is despite the years-long work of the fish passage technical working group, a committee from Huffman's stakeholder group, which has compiled expert analysis of fish passage scenarios that show dam removal as the most feasible path to volitional fish passage.

What you can do
If you live in Mendocino, Lake, or Sonoma counties please reach out to your elected representatives. Let them know that you support a two-basin solution that provides volitional fish passage in the Eel River and continued water diversions to the Russian River. Tell them that you support their efforts to reach a deal, and that you don't want your dry-year water supply to be threatened by bad faith negotiations.
North Country Fair
September 21 - 22
Join us on the Arcata Plaza for this free festival celebrating local culture and artisans. You can participate in the All Species Parade on Saturday at 1pm, raise awareness about issues like dam removal on the Eel River, and help us continue our work protecting the river!
In this newsletter:

- Update on FOER's work

- 'Two-Basin Solution'
   explained

- September volunteer
  opportunities












 












 
The Econews Report is back!

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UPCOMING EVENTS



An opportunity for staff and students to meet local environmental groups and learn about our work and how they can be involved.


Tuesday September 17, 12 - 2:00 in the Kate Buchanan Room. And of course - free pizza!


Stop by our booth at the North Country Fair in Arcata on September 21 & 22.


Contact us to learn more about volunteering at this event or participating in the All Species Parade!

Our mailing address is: PO Box 4945 Arcata, CA 95518

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