Since just after Labor Day weekend, the Klamath River has been king salmon central. The river’s been plugged with jacks (2-year old males), along with some hefty adults. The run started a little late this year, likely due to unusually high water temperatures. Smoke-filled skies, shielding the water from the bright sun, finally began cooling […]
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Huffman to Warren Buffett: ‘Do the Right Thing’ on Klamath Dams
North Coast Congressmember Jared Huffman jointed two of his colleagues today in sending a letter to one of the world’s richest people urging him to move forward an agreement to remove four hydroelectric dams from the ailing Klamath River. The letter comes as the hard fought agreement reached in 2016 to complete what would be […]
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‘Monuments to Colonialism:’ With Klamath Dam Removal at an Impasse, Huffman Calls Congressional Forum
Since time immemorial, as summer turns to fall, the Karuk Tribe’s fatawana, or world renewal priests, have gathered for a renewal ceremony that spreads across many days. They fast and hike to ancient prayer sites. They dance and ritualistically bath in the waters of the Klamath River, all in an effort to bring balance back […]
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Recreational Salmon Season to Open May 1, State Announces
After a brief pandemic-triggered delay, opening dates have been set for the local recreational salmon fishing season, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Waters south of Horse Mountain will open to sport anglers May 1, with the season slated to run through Nov. 8, with a minimum size limit of 20 inches […]
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Trinity River Under Siege
While local tribes celebrated a federal appellate court ruling last month upholding their senior water rights on the Klamath River, a trio of threats facing the Trinity River combine to paint a foreboding picture for local salmon populations. “Just the status quo is a risk to the river and the fishery,” said Thomas Stokely, a […]
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Spawning a Solution for McKinleyville’s Wastewater
Finding a way to deal with the wastewater produced by a town full of people is a challenge, one that’s forced the McKinleyville Community Services District (MCSD) to find some creative solutions. Officials are touting the emerging solution as a win-win, a cutting-edge project that will serve the district’s needs at minimal cost to ratepayers […]
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Photos from the 57th Klamath Salmon Festival
Given the last few years of wildfire smoke-filled skies, it was a relief for a large crowd of attendees to only smell smoke from the traditional salmon fire pit at the 57th annual Klamath Salmon Festival on Saturday, Aug. 17. This year’s theme was “Skue’n ‘Owook, Can’t Wait for Tomorrow,” which linked Yurok Tribe plans […]
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Huffman Announces Release of Nearly $30 Million in Fisheries Disaster Funding
More than a year after Congress appropriated the funds, members of the the North Coast’s commercial fishing industry and a local tribe are slated to receive federal disaster support in the coming months, Rep. Jared Huffman announced this morning. “Tribes, hardworking fishermen, their families, and coastal communities have been stuck in limbo for far too […]
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Harbor District Approves Lease for Massive Fish Farm
The Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District today approved a 30-year lease with Norwegian company Nordic Aquafarms to build a massive fish farm at the former pulp mill after hearing concerns the deal was ushered through without public review. The plan is to build a land-based aquaculture facility that would eventually produce some 25,000 […]
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Steps Made to Protect the Klamath Spring Run Chinook
A first step in protecting Klamath–Trinity spring run Chinook as a separate species took place this week with the California Fish and Game Commission making the fish a candidate for an endangered species listing in the state. According to a release from the Karuk Tribe and the Salmon River Restoration Council, a final decision will […]
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Fire and Food in Karuk and Yurok Communities
Traditional Native methods of prescribed burning aren’t just helping protect forests on the North Coast. According to an article published by Civil Eats, the controlled burns and ancient agroforestry practices are on their way to reestablishing forest-grown food staples, reviving traditional foodways and working toward food sovereignty. The article, produced with Mongabay, details how Karuk […]
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Photos from the 56th Klamath Salmon Festival
The tasty smell of fresh Klamath River salmon cooking the traditional way over an open fire mingled with the tangy smell of smoke from wildfires at the Yurok Tribe’s 56th annual Klamath Salmon Festival on Sunday. The Yurok tribe had canceled serving salmon in 2016 and 2017 due to low fish runs. The event’s annual […]