A decades-long effort to protect spring Chinook took a major step forward last week when the California Fish and Game Commission unanimously approved listing the fish as threatened under the state’s Endangered Species Act. The June 16 decision was applauded by Karuk Tribe and Salmon River Restoration Council, which jointly filed a petition to list […]
Environment / Natural Resources
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Historic Klamath Dam Removal Project Takes Another Step Forward
The Federal Energy Regulatory Committee today paved the way for the four dams clogging the Klamath River to be taken down, approving a transfer of the hydroelectric license from PacifiCorp to the nonprofit Klamath River Renewal Corporation and the states of Oregon and California. “Since 2016, PacifiCorp, along with a coalition of state and federal […]
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Interior Secretary Pens Letter Supporting Klamath Dam Removal
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland released a letter today to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in support of Klamath dam removal. “Dam removal will restore salmonid fisheries, reestablish fish passage, improve water quality and bring new recreation and economic opportunities to the Basin,” Haaland, the nation’s first Native Interior Secretary, wrote. “Moreover, removal will advance the […]
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Karuk Tribe Declares Climate Emergency
The Karuk Tribe has declared a climate emergency as the Klamath River Basin has seen the worst conditions in history with very low precipitation and a massive fish kill that could result in losing an entire generation of salmon. “This emergency declaration acknowledges the reality that climate change is upon us, and the dangers that it […]
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Blue-green Algae Makes an Early Appearance
Anyone visiting lakes or rivers in the region is being cautioned to look out for blue-green algae after the Blue Lake Rancheria confirmed levels of cyanobacteria at two sample sites on the Mad River this week. The samples were collected at a popular swimming location known as Pump Station 4 and downstream of the city […]
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A ‘Way of Life at Risk’: A Yurok Tribal Member’s Congressional Testimony
The catastrophic drought that is striking the West seems to have gotten the attention of Congress. On May 25, North Coast Rep. Jared Huffman chaired a virtual bipartisan hearing on the status of drought conditions in an area that extends from the Rio Grande to the Pacific Northwest. Huffman is no stranger to environmental issues, […]
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NCJ Preview: Drought, Humboldt’s High COVID Numbers and Monster Advice
This week we’re looking at how historic drought conditions are hitting the state and our county, and what it means for fires, salmon and daily life for residents amid what may be our new climate normal. And how did Humboldt wind up with the state’s worst COVID-19 numbers? And how can we turn it around? […]
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RCEA Applauds North Coast, Federal Offshore Wind Development Agreement
Redwood Coast Offshore Wind, a partnership between Redwood Energy Authority and Ocean Winds and Aker Offshore Wind, is applauding the agreement between California and federal officials that will advance the state’s development of offshore wind energy generators, including at a potential site off Humboldt Bay. “We are committed to proactively addressing climate change while ensuring […]
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California to Advance Offshore Wind Development Off Humboldt
An agreement between California and federal partners will advance the state’s creation of offshore wind energy developments thus advancing the state’s clean energy goals and economic growth. Gov. Gavin Newsom joined Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, White House National Climate Advisor Gina McCarthy and Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Colin Kahl to announce […]
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Humboldt Company Fined $2M for Clean Water Act Violations
A U.S. District Court judge this week ordered a Humboldt County company to pay just more than $2 million in civil penalties for discharging pollutants into Hall Creek, a tributary to the Mad River, in violation of the Clean Water Act and for noncompliance with state and federal pollution control measures. According to the May […]
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Ornament Call: Thousands of Handmade Decorations Needed for Local Trees Heading to D.C.
A tree from the Six Rivers National Forest will serve as this year’s U.S. Capitol Christmas tree and it’s going to need a lot of ornaments — some 4,000 large ones, in fact. So, the call is on for California residents to help with the effort for the main tree, which will sit on the […]
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Cold and Swift: Another Round of Trinity River Releases This Week
Another round of Trinity River restoration flows being released from the Lewiston Dam takes place this week to help improve conditions after another critically dry water year. That means rising and swifter water at a time when the rivers are already running high and cold. Earlier this month, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office and area […]