The normally clear green waters of the South Yuba run opaque yellow after meeting sediment-laden waters of Scotchman Creek, a tributary entering the South Yuba River just upstream of the town of Washington.  In partnership with citizen volunteers and the Sierra Fund, SYRCL is attempting to remedy a primary source of pollution to the Wild [...]

It’s that time of year again: the race to pull Scotch Broom, the terrible invasive species plaguing the Sierra Nevada, has begun. We are calling on all river lovers to join us in this effort to rid our local environment of Scotch Broom on April 27th at 9 am. SYRCL is proud to be part [...]

The South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL) and a coalition of seven local and national conservation organizations filed formal comments with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) critical of Archon Energy’s preliminary application to build a 3-megawatt facility adjacent to Daguerre Point Dam on the lower Yuba River. For the past 90 days, SYRCL and [...]

SYRCL staff have issued a new report evaluating and summarizing data collected by volunteer River Monitors in 2012.  The 2012 Data Summary and Quality Assurance Report concludes that the data collected by citizens is generally of high quality and in compliance with state standards for quality assurance.  The report also analyzes the data with regard to water [...]

SYRCL and a coalition of conservation groups recently filed a document with the federal government commenting on the completeness of studies conducted by the Yuba County Water Agency (YCWA) to show the effects of their hydropower facilities on the river and other environmental resources. YCWA is required to conduct such studies as a step toward obtaining [...]

A solid understanding of the Yuba River requires some familiarity with the elaborate dam and diversion systems across the watershed, so SYRCL recently sent their three new AmeriCorps members to see some of these dams. Adele, SYRCL Restoration Coordinator, has created a virtual version of their tour, which is available for the public to view [...]

SYRCL seeks to protect Nevada County creeks from mining, The Union, 1/21/2013 Nevada City’s Wild & Scenic Film Fest a cinematic call to action, The Union, 1/14/13 Debris barrier vs. fish: Englebright in middle, Appeal-Democrat, 1/13/13 Yuba River protection group sues over federal plan, Appeal-Democrat, 1/11/13 SYRCL sues federal agency for not protecting fish in [...]

The Rose Foundation for Communities and the Environment has awarded SYRCL a grant to ensure that new and proposed mining activities in the South Yuba River watershed are carried out under the highest environmental standard.  SYRCL will use the funds to develop a new River Monitoring Plan that targets the specific questions of concern for new mining threats, [...]

On Wednesday, Nevada County planners heard from hundreds of community members who packed the Board of Supervisors chambers to formally comment on the proposed re-opening of the San Juan Ridge Mine as part of the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) process now underway. Earlier this year, SYRCL joined the San Juan Ridge Taxpayers Association in requesting [...]

A private company from Canada is attempting to get a license from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for constructing a hydropower facility at Daguerre Point Dam, but in response to multiple requests, FERC has granted a 60-day delay in the deadline for submission of comments on the Preliminary Application Document.  Only state or federal [...]