CDFW Newshttps://wildlife.ca.gov/NewsCDFW Awards $14 Million for Salmon, Steelhead Habitat Restoration Projectshttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/cdfw-awards-14-million-for-salmon-steelhead-habitat-restoration-projectsSalmonTue, 12 Dec 2023 16:04:32 GMTCDFW today announced the selection of 26 projects that will receive a collective $14 million to protect, restore and enhance the freshwater habitats of salmon and steelhead in northern California.<p>The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) today announced the selection of 26 projects that will receive a collective $14 million to protect, restore and enhance the freshwater habitats of salmon and steelhead in northern California.</p> <p>Trout Unlimited, Inc. was awarded more than $2 million for the Duffy Gulch Fish Passage Improvement Project in Mendocino County. This project will remove a railroad stream crossing along the Mendocino Railway and restore fish access to nearly three miles of high-quality spawning and rearing habitat in Duffy Gulch, a tributary to the Noyo River. The new crossing will be a 45-foot diameter steel arch that will allow fish passage and is capable of handling a 100-year flood event.</p> <p>All projects were awarded through CDFW’s Fisheries Restoration Grant Program (FRGP). FRGP was first established in 1981 and since 2000, has included funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund. The fund was created by Congress to reverse the declines of Pacific salmon and steelhead throughout California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Alaska. This award also includes funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act to help support the recovery, conservation, and resilience of Pacific salmon and steelhead.</p> <p>“California’s salmon continue to face the challenges of both past and present, through countless legacy impacts to fish passage and growing climate-driven threats to their seasonal cycles,” said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham. “In the face of these grim challenges, we find optimism and hope through projects like these, which will restore access to miles of river habitat and acres of floodplain, greatly improving the productivity and sustainably of fish populations.”</p> <p><strong>Other Awarded Project Highlights</strong></p> <p><strong>California Conservation Corps Watershed Stewards Program 2023</strong><br /> (Nearly $700,000 Awarded to California Conservation Corps Watershed Stewards Program in partnership with AmeriCorps)</p> <p>The California Conservation Corps Watershed Stewards Program in Partnership with AmeriCorps will enlist 44 Corps members throughout coastal California to enhance watersheds that support salmon, steelhead and other types of migrating fish through restoration and protection, community education and recruiting volunteers for hands-on projects.</p> <p><strong>Lagunitas Creek Coho Habitat Enhancement Plan</strong><br /> (Nearly $600,000 Awarded to the Marin Municipal Water District)</p> <p>This project will fully fund the design, permitting and environmental review for Phase 2 of the Lagunitas Creek Coho Habitat Enhancement Plan. Phase 2 consists of five enhancement sites located within Samuel P. Taylor State Park in Marin County. This project has also been funded through CDFW Proposition 1 and Proposition 68 grants in collaboration with Marin Water and California State Parks since 2020.</p> <p>In response to the 2023 Fisheries Habitat Restoration Grant Solicitation, CDFW received 35 proposals requesting more than $23 million in funding. The proposals underwent a thorough technical review involving subject matter experts from CDFW and NOAA.</p> <p>The complete list of approved projects is available on the <a href="/Grants/FRGP/Funded">Fisheries Restoration Grant Program</a> website.</p> <p>###</p> <p><em><strong>CDFW Photo: </strong>Fish passage structure to be replaced.</em></p> <p><em><strong>Media Contacts:</strong><br /> <a href="mailto:matt.wells@wildlife.ca.gov">Matt Wells</a>, Watershed Restoration Grants Branch, (916) 216-7848<br /> <a href="mailto:steve.gonzalez@wildlife.ca.gov">Steve Gonzalez</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 804-1714</em></p> California Fish and Game Commission Holds Hybrid Meetinghttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/california-fish-and-game-commission-holds-hybrid-meeting3WaterfowlTue, 20 Dec 2022 12:38:11 GMTAt its December meeting, the California Fish and Game Commission acted on several issues affecting California’s natural resources.<p>At its December meeting, the California Fish and Game Commission acted on several issues affecting California’s natural resources. The following are just a few items of interest from this month’s meeting held in San Diego with an option for the public to join via Zoom.</p> <p>Among action on a number of petitions, the Commission denied a petition to end waterfowl hunting on the Lake Earl Wildlife Area in Del Norte County. The petition was filed over concerns shooting was occurring too close to a nearby business and residence bordering the wildlife area, along with claims that poaching, wasting of game and hunter misconduct were occurring.</p> <p>Waterfowl hunting has taken place for many generations on the Lake Earl Wildlife Area and Commission staff noted that the California Fish and Game Code already addresses the illegal conduct described in the petition. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (CDFW) Law Enforcement Division is also aware of the claims raised in the petition. The Del Norte County Board of Supervisors and Del Norte Waterfowlers group both opposed the petition.</p> <p>Also relating to waterfowl, the Commission recognized five new inductees into the California Waterfowlers Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame was established in 1999 to honor individuals who have made significant contributions to enhancing waterfowl and their habitats in California.</p> <p>The new inductees are philanthropist William F. Berry; Glenn Olson of the National Audubon Society; retired University of Nevada, Reno Professor Jim Sedinger; Bob Shaffer, formerly with the Central Valley Joint Venture; and former Humboldt County Supervisor Jimmy Smith (posthumous).</p> <p>The Commission adopted a second, 90-day extension of emergency regulations allowing the conditional take of southern California steelhead under certain circumstances. The southern California steelhead is a candidate species for listing under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA) by the Commission. The extension of emergency regulations will allow work to continue on projects relating to flood control, highway maintenance and improvement, and water supply for domestic and commercial uses.</p> <p>With the Commission’s approval of a second, 90-day extension of conditional take, CDFW issued a reminder that the emergency regulations will expire on approximately May 15, 2023, after which no new CESA take authorization for southern California steelhead can be issued under the emergency regulations and all existing take authorizations issued under Section 749.13 of the California Code of Regulations, Title 14, will expire.</p> <p>The Commission authorized a notice of intent to amend regulations pertaining to commercial and recreational take of spiny lobster; recreational hoop net requirements for the take of crustaceans; and hunting waterfowl, elk and bighorn sheep.</p> <p>Four Commissioners were present or participating online during the meeting. They were President Samantha Murray. Vice President Erika Zavaleta, and Commissioners Jacque Hostler-Carmesin and Anthony Williams. Commissioner Eric Sklar was absent.</p> <p>The agenda for this meeting, along with supporting information, is available on the <a href="http://www.fgc.ca.gov/meetings/2022" target="_blank">Commission website</a>. An archived audio file will be available in the coming days. The next meeting of the full Commission is scheduled for February 8-9, 2023, at the California Natural Resources Headquarters Building in downtown Sacramento.</p> <p><em><strong>Media Contact:</strong><br /> <a href="mailto:jordan.traverso@wildlife.ca.gov">Jordan Traverso</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 212-7352</em></p> <p>###</p> <p><em>The California Fish and Game Commission was one of the first wildlife conservation agencies in the United States, predating even the U.S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries. There is often confusion about the distinction between the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and the Commission. In the most basic terms, CDFW implements and enforces the regulations set by the Commission, as well as provides biological data and expertise to inform the Commission’s decision-making process.</em></p> Public Invited to Comment on Petition to List Southern California Steelhead as Endangeredhttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/public-invited-to-comment-on-petition-to-list-southern-california-steelhead-as-endangeredTroutFri, 15 Jul 2022 12:43:12 GMTCDFW has initiated a status review for Southern California steelhead and invites data or comments on a petition to list Southern California steelhead as an endangered species under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA).<p>The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has initiated a status review for Southern California steelhead and invites data or comments on a petition to list Southern California steelhead as an endangered species under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA).</p> <p>Southern California steelhead (<em>Oncorhynchus mykiss</em>) are found in streams from the Santa Maria River at the southern county line of San Luis Obispo County down to the U.S.-Mexico border. Southern California steelhead as defined in the CESA petition include both anadromous (ocean-going) and resident (stream-dwelling) forms of the species below complete migration barriers in these streams.</p> <p>Major threats to Southern California steelhead include destruction, modification and fragmentation of habitat due to anthropogenic water use (i.e., dams or diversions for the purposes of providing water for human use) and climate change impacts like increased stream temperatures and intensified drought conditions. Southern California steelhead represent an important steelhead diversity component in California due to their unique adaptations, life histories and genetics.</p> <p>On June 14, 2021, California Trout submitted a petition to the California Fish and Game Commission to list Southern California steelhead as an endangered species under CESA. On April 21, 2022, the Commission accepted that petition for consideration. On May 13, 2022, the Commission provided public notice that Southern California steelhead is now a candidate species under CESA and as such, receives the same legal protection afforded to an endangered or threatened species. <a href="https://fgc.ca.gov/CESA#SCS" target="_blank">The listing petition and CDFW’s petition evaluation report</a> are available on the Commission website.</p> <p>CDFW invites data or comments on the petitioned action, including Southern California steelhead ecology, genetics, life history, distribution, abundance, habitat, the degree and immediacy of threats to its reproduction or survival, the adequacy of existing management or recommendations for management of the species. Data or comments may be submitted via email to <a href="mailto:SCSH@wildlife.ca.gov">SCSH@wildlife.ca.gov</a>. Please include “Southern California Steelhead” in the subject line. Submissions may also be sent to:</p> <p style="margin-left: 40px;">CDFW Fisheries Branch<br /> Attn: Southern California Steelhead<br /> P.O. Box 944209<br /> Sacramento, California 94244-2090</p> <p>Submissions must be received by Sept. 30. CDFW has 12 months to review the petition, evaluate the best available scientific information relating to Southern California steelhead and make a recommendation to the Commission. The Commission will then place receipt of the report on the agenda for the next available Commission meeting. The report will be made available to the public for that meeting, where the Commission will schedule the petition for further consideration.</p> <p>For more <a href="https://fgc.ca.gov/CESA#SCS" target="_blank">information on the petition</a>, please visit the Commission website.</p> <p>###</p> <p><em><strong>Media Contact:</strong><br /> <a href="mailto:kirsten.macintyre@wildlife.ca.gov">Kirsten Macintyre</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 804-1714</em></p> <p><em><strong>Photo: </strong>Southern California steelhead, CDFW photo by Kyle Evans</em></p> California Fish and Game Commission Holds First Hybrid Meetinghttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/california-fish-and-game-commission-holds-first-hybrid-meetingWildlifeMon, 25 Apr 2022 12:26:25 GMTAt its April meeting the California Fish and Game Commission acted on several issues affecting California’s natural resources. The following are just a few items of interest from this week’s meeting held in Monterey and Trinidad, with an option for the public to join via Zoom.<p>At its April meeting the California Fish and Game Commission acted on several issues affecting California’s natural resources. The following are just a few items of interest from this week’s meeting held in Monterey and Trinidad, with an option for the public to join via Zoom.</p> <p>The Commission adopted a regulation prohibiting the use of hydraulic pumps to take clams, sand crabs and shrimp. This regulation was previously adopted as a temporary, emergency regulation and is now adopted through the standard rulemaking process.</p> <p>The Commission adopted the Pink (Ocean) Shrimp Fishery Management Plan, consistent with the Marine Life Management Act. The plan’s provisions align California’s pink shrimp management with that of Oregon and Washington, and puts the commercial pink shrimp trawl fishery on the path to be the first state-managed fishery in California with a Marine Stewardship Council sustainability certification.</p> <p>The Commission determined that listing southern California steelhead as threatened or endangered under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA) may be warranted. This action commences a one-year status review to be completed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), during which southern California steelhead is protected as a candidate species. However, the Commission also voted to allow take of southern California steelhead under certain circumstances for projects that serve an immediate need and provide flood protection, public safety (including highways), or water supply or water treatment.</p> <p>The Commission voted unanimously to deny the petition requesting to ban bear hunting in California until three conditions were met, including conducting an empirical study to determine the state’s black bear population.</p> <p>This was the first Commission meeting held since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic with options for both in-person and virtual attendance. At the meeting in Monterey, Commission President Samantha Murray, Vice President Erika Zavaleta and Commissioner Eric Sklar were present. Commissioner Jacque Hostler-Carmesin attended from a second public location in Trinidad, Calif. There is one vacant position on the Commission.</p> <p>The agenda for this meeting along with supporting information is available on the <a href="https://fgc.ca.gov" target="_blank">Commission website</a>. An archived audio file will be available in coming days. The next meeting of the full Commission is scheduled for June 15-16, 2022. Please see the <a href="https://fgc.ca.gov" target="_blank">Commission website</a> for details.</p> <p><em><strong>Media Contact:</strong><br /> <a href="mailto:jordan.traverso@wildlife.ca.gov">Jordan Traverso</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 212-7352</em></p> <p>###</p> <p><em>The California Fish and Game Commission was one of the first wildlife conservation agencies in the United States, predating even the U.S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries. There is often confusion about the distinction between the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and the Commission. In the most basic terms, CDFW implements and enforces the regulations set by the Commission, as well as provides biological data and expertise to inform the Commission’s decision-making process.</em></p> California Fish and Game Commission Meets Remotelyhttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/fish-and-game-commission-meets-feb-2022FGCFri, 18 Feb 2022 16:24:58 GMTAt its February meeting, the California Fish and Game Commission acted on several issues affecting California’s natural resources. The following are just a few items of interest from this week’s meeting.<p>At its February meeting, the California Fish and Game Commission acted on several issues affecting California’s natural resources. The following are just a few items of interest from this week’s meeting.</p> <p>The Commission readopted emergency regulation prohibiting the use of hydraulic pumps to take clams, sand crabs and shrimp.<img alt="Fish & Game Commission State of California logo" src="/Portals/0/Images/OCEO/News/fgc_logo_fb.jpg" style="height: 214px; width: 300px; float: right;" /></p> <p>The Commission adopted regulations to protect bull kelp that include a prohibition of commercial harvest in Sonoma and Mendocino counties, an annual limit of 8,000 lbs. in Humboldt and Del Norte counties and other measures to protect kelp.</p> <p>The Commission adopted regulations to protect California’s iconic grunion populations by implementing a bag limit of 30 fish per person and extending the closed season by additional month to include the month of June.</p> <p>The Commission voted unanimously to list San Bernardino kangaroo rat as endangered under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA).</p> <p>The Commission continued the decision to determine whether or not listing southern California steelhead as endangered under CESA may be warranted.</p> <p>The Commission continued the decision to ratify findings for the decision to list northern California summer steelhead as endangered under CSEA.</p> <p>The Commission determined that listing Lime Ridge eriastrum as endangered under CESA may be warranted. This commences a one-year status review to be completed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and Lime Ridge eriastrum is protected as a candidate species during that time.</p> <p>The Commission voted unanimously to list Shasta snow-wreath as threatened under CESA.</p> <p>The Commission adopted amendments to big game regulations to include preference points reinstatement and tag refunds due to public land closures. More information on how to apply for reinstatement will be available at <a href="https://wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing/Hunting#9941888-exchanges-returns-preference-points">CDFW’s licensing website</a>.</p> <p>The Commission received a <a href="https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=198922&inline">petition</a> (begins on page 44) from the Humane Society of the United States to eliminate open hunting season for black bear until CDFW updates its bear management plan including a census of the California black bear population. The Commission referred the petition to CDFW.</p> <p>The full commission was present. At the meeting, the Commission elected Commissioner Samantha Murray as president, replacing outgoing President Peter Silva who is stepping down from the Commission effective Friday, Feb. 18. The Commission elected Commissioner Erika Zavaleta as vice president, a position previously held by President Murray. The Commission assigned chairs for its three committees. Commissioner Jacque Hostler-Carmesin was selected to continue as chair of the Tribal Committee. President Murray and Commissioner Erik Sklar will continue as co-chairs of the Marine Resources Committee. Vice President Erika Zavaleta will continue to serve on the Wildlife Resources Committee as chair.</p> <p>The agenda for this meeting along with supporting information is available on the <a href="http://www.fgc.ca.gov">Commission website</a>. An archived audio file will be available in coming days. The next meeting of the full Commission is scheduled for April 20-21, 2022. Please see the <a href="http://www.fgc.ca.gov">Commission website</a> for details.</p> <p><em><strong>Media Contact:</strong><br /> <a href="mailto:jordan.traverso@wildlife.ca.gov">Jordan Traverso</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 212-7352</em></p> <p>###</p> <p>The California Fish and Game Commission was the first wildlife conservation agency in the United States, predating even the U.S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries. There is often confusion about the distinction between the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and the Commission. In the most basic terms, CDFW implements and enforces the regulations set by the Commission, as well as provides biological data and expertise to inform the Commission’s decision-making process.</p> Emergency Regulations Allow CDFW to Extend Angling Restrictions in Coastal Waters Experiencing Prolonged, Low-Flow Conditions from Droughthttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/emergency-regulations-allow-cdfw-to-extend-angling-restrictions-in-coastal-waters-experiencing-prolonged-low-flow-conditions-from-droughtSalmonFri, 04 Feb 2022 14:04:43 GMTThe California Fish and Game Commission has adopted emergency regulations allowing CDFW to extend low-flow related fishing restrictions on portions of the Smith, Eel and Russian rivers and a number of other coastal rivers and streams through April 30 if needed to protect runs of salmon and steelhead.<p>The California Fish and Game Commission has adopted emergency regulations allowing the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to extend low-flow related fishing restrictions on portions of the Smith, Eel and Russian rivers and a number of other coastal rivers and streams through April 30 if needed to protect runs of salmon and steelhead.</p> <p>“We’ve observed extended periods of drought and warming climate trends over the past decade,” said Jonathan Nelson, environmental program manager for CDFW’s Anadromous Fishes Conservation and Management Program. “The added flexibility to manage the health of our fisheries through extended angling restrictions on coastal waters when low flows create potentially lethal conditions is paramount to the long-term survival of our salmon and steelhead populations.”</p> <p>The emergency regulations took effect January 31, 2022. Prior to the change, CDFW was allowed to enact low-flow specific angling closures on coastal rivers in Del Norte and Humboldt counties including the Smith, Mad, Eel, Van Duzen and Mattole rivers through January 31 of each year and in Mendocino, Sonoma and Marin counties including the Gualala, Russian, Napa rivers and several others through March 31 each year.</p> <p>The emergency regulations have been added to the <a href="https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=190456&inline" target="_blank">2021-2022 California Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations (PDF)</a> online. For a complete list of the coastal rivers subject to low-flow restrictions, please review the California Code of Regulations, Title 14, section 8.00(a) and (b).</p> <p>CDFW will make information available to the public by a telephone recorded message updated, as necessary, no later than 1:00 p.m. each Monday, Wednesday and Friday, as to whether any river or stream will be open or closed to fishing. It is the responsibility of the angler to call and obtain information on the status of any stream.</p> <p>For information about coastal rivers in Del Norte, Humboldt and Mendocino counties, call (707) 822-3164.</p> <p>For information about coastal rivers in Marin and Sonoma counties, call (707) 944-5533.</p> <p>###</p> <p><em><strong>Media Contacts:</strong><br /> <a href="mailto:Jonathan.Nelson@wildlife.ca.gov">Jonathan Nelson</a>, CDFW Fisheries Branch, (916) 376-1641<br /> <a href="mailto:Peter.Tira@wildlife.ca.gov">Peter Tira</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 215-3858</em></p> <p><em>CDFW photo by Manfred Kittel</em></p>