Yuba Salmon Now Update: Federal Judge Says it’s Time to End Debate on Yuba River Dams

Posted on February 9, 2021February 12, 2021

SYRCL and Friends of the River recently sent a letter to the National Marine Fisheries Service to compel the agency to craft a watershed-wide solution to save the threatened species native to the Yuba Watershed, including Spring-run Chinook salmon, steelhead trout, and green sturgeon. The letter demands a new biological opinion, presenting compelling evidence that harm caused by the Corps’ dams, compounded by increased harm from climate change, is responsible for the dramatic decrease in Yuba River fish populations. Details

The Best of Times, the Worst of Times…to be a Yuba Salmon.

Posted on November 8, 2018November 12, 2018

Despite our best efforts, the salmon have had two of the worst years on record. Salmon don’t appear to take notice of plans and funding requests. They continue to struggle to survive in the aftermath of the mining and dam building eras, maximizing their ability to thrive in habitat that slowly recovers. Details

Enter to Win this Original Pete Brost Engraving

Posted on June 29, 2018August 30, 2018

Enter to win this Pete Brost original engraved rendition of the South Yuba River watershed on Alder and generously inlaid with Malachite & Turquoise. Winner will be drawn on September 15th at the Yuba River Cleanup Volunteer Appreciation Celebration in Pioneer Park. Details

SYRCL is Hiring 3 Dedicated AmeriCorps Members — Apply Today!

Posted on June 19, 2018June 20, 2018

SYRCL is seeking enthusiastic, conservation-minded people, willing to commit a year of service in the Sierra Nevada mountains of northern California, to protect the beautiful natural resources of the Yuba River watershed and to help build sustainable river communities. Deadline to apply is July 25. Details

Comment Period for Yuba River Ecosystem Study Closes 2.23

Posted on January 25, 2018February 15, 2018

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has released a draft Feasibility Report & Environmental Assessment for the Yuba River. This interim study, which is now out for public review and comment (through February 23), presents a variety of actions and alternatives for restoring the Yuba River. Yet, in its suite of suggestions, it discounts the removal of Englebright and Daguerre Point Dams as fish passage options for the Yuba. Details

Salmonics: How much is a Yuba Salmon really worth?

Posted on September 14, 2017September 14, 2017

How much do you think returning salmon to the Lower Yuba River is worth? SYRCL worked with five graduate students from the UC Santa Barbara School Bren School of Environmental Science and Management to answer that question. Learn more…

Army Corps Starts $3 million Yuba River Ecosystem Restoration Feasibility Study

Posted on July 10, 2015February 18, 2021

The US Army Corps of Engineers announced July 1st that they have started work on the long anticipated “Yuba River ecosystem restoration feasibility study,” which will analyze fish passage options at Daguerre Point and Englebright Dams on the lower Yuba River. According to the Corp’s press release, “the study will be conducted in a risk-informed read more >>

SYRCL Calls for Open, Science-based Process to Restore Wild Salmon

Posted on June 12, 2015

In May, the SYRCL Board of Directors unanimously voted to express concerns with and opposition to the process underway to implement a “trap and haul” program to transport salmon to and from the North Yuba River in trucks for the next fifty years. As reported earlier, SYRCL believes that the Yuba Salmon Partnership Initiative’s (YSPI) read more >>

SYRCL volunteer lends support to California Senate Bill 350

Posted on May 1, 2015May 1, 2015

Hydropower projects are a renewable form of energy, but not without impacts to our wild and scenic rivers that should be accounted for when legislation is crafted regarding renewable energy. SYRCL volunteer Peter Burnes travelled to Sacramento on April 7, 2015 to attend the California Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee hearing on SB 350 read more >>

What Costs $3 Million, is 3 Inches Thick, and Takes 3 Years to Complete?

Posted on April 2, 2015September 23, 2015

Army Corps to Conduct Feasibility Study for Yuba River Ecosystem Restoration; Conservationists Urge Corps to fully evaluate fish passage over Englebright Dam When the US Army Corps of Engineers takes on a new study, it must comply with their internal “3×3 Rule.” That means that any new study must cost no more than $3 million, take read more >>