Back to
WHO WE ARE

WHO WE ARE

Board

Staff

Accomplishments
>>

RESOURCES

Smith River Alliance Accomplishments 1980 to 2004

For over twenty years, SRA has been a leader in the conservation and stewardship of watershed resources. The following is an outline of SRA's work:

	Lake Earl Wildlife Area. by Rick Hiser

2002 to 2004

Strategic Watershed Acquisitions and Involvement: SRA has been a key partner to Western Rivers Conservancy in the campaign to acquire the 9,500–acre Goose Creek property -- an important inholding in the Smith River National Recreation Area.

Coho Recovery Planning: A grant from the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) enabled SRA and other non-governmental organizations to participate in the development of recommendations for the recovery of coho salmon throughout their range. Recommendations for the Smith River watershed are now providing focus for SRA’s participation in restoration projects in the lower Smith River and estuary.

Pacific Shores Conservation Project: In cooperation with the Coastal Conservancy and the Wildlife Conservation Board, SRA facilitates the purchase of lots from willing sellers for inclusion in the Lake Earl Wildlife Area. This project was initiated in 2003 with support from the Del Norte County Board of Supervisors.

2000 to 2002

Strategic Watershed Acquisitions and Involvement: SRA was been a key partner to Save-the-Redwoods League, California Trout, and other fishery groups in raising over $52 million for the acquisition of the 25,000 acre Mill/Rock Creek property, which was completed in 2002.

Purchased Rock Creek Ranch on the South Fork Smith River in 2002 to support education, restoration, and stewardship projects. In cooperation with Crescent City Afternoon Rotary, U.S. Forest Service, Redwood Economic Development Center, the Yurok Tribe, Del Norte County Unified School District, and local businesses -- SRA hosts and organizes a day camp each summer at the Ranch for at-risk youth.

Annual Summer Adult Fish Surveys: In cooperation with the DFG, U.S. Forest Service and others, SRA began hosting and organizing annual fish surveys in 2000. Volunteers are welcome.

	Fly fishing for winter steelhead on the South Fork Smith River. by Ken Morrish

Steven Bridge Access Trail to the South Fork Smith River: In cooperation with U.S. Forest Service, Bar-O Boys Ranch, California Conservation Corps, PowerBar, and Jefferson Paddlers, SRA is working to provide safe river access at the Steven Bridge.

1989 to 1999

National Recreation Area (NRA) Establishment and Implementation: SRA organized and led the campaign for establishment of the NRA. Since passage of the legislation in 1990 , SRA has worked with the U.S. Forest Service to implement the Act. Specific projects have included removal of the Monkey Creek Dam and work to secure protection of the portion of the North Fork in Oregon through the Northwest Forest Plan.

Smith River Advisory Council, Coastal Salmon Initiative, Salmon and Steelhead Recovery Coalition: SRA has continued to work for the protection and recovery of coastal salmonids through these and other programs.

1980 to 1985

Watershed Restoration: SRA secured (AB 951) funding from DFG in 1982 for restoration and rehabilitation on select tributaries. Projects incorporated worker training programs, outreach to private landowners, a Watershed Resource Atlas for Myrtle Creek, and evaluation of rehabilitation techniques. This DFG funded project led to other projects involving the Redwood Community Action Agency and funding from the Coastal Conservancy.

Forest Practices: SRA represented sportfishing interests during Board of Forestry hearings and during proposed forest practice rule changes related to Stream and Lake Protection Zones, Interdisciplinary Team Review of Timber Harvest Plans, and rules for logging roads and landings.

Timber Sale Review Program: In a cooperative program with the USFS, but funded and initiated by SRA, independent resource specialists participated in the preliminary planning of timber sales considered for public lands in the watershed.

	Redwoods in the Stout Grove along the mainstem Smith River. by Jeff Bright

Cal-Nickel Strip Mine: SRA worked closely with local public interest organizations, attorneys representing the public trust, and state and national organizations to block subsidies (through the Defense Production Act) for this proposed mining venture and to insure that all environmental laws and regulations would be followed.

Legislation, Education, and Streamkeeper Role: SRA was active on state wild and scenic river and forest practice legislation, a variety of public education projects involving the print and broadcasting media, and as a "Streamkeeper" throughout the basin.

National and California Wild and Scenic Designation: In 1980, SRA was incorporated as a non-profit organization of conservation, sport fishing, recreation, and civic groups united in their support for sound management of the Smith River as a component of both the National and the California Wild and Scenic Rivers Systems.

Over twenty local, regional and statewide organizations were represented at the time of incorporation including American Fisheries Society (Humboldt Chapter), American League Anglers, Audubon Society, California Committee of Two Million, California Native Plant Society, California Trout, California Wilderness Coalition, Defenders of Wildlife, Federation of Fly Fishermen, Friends of Del Norte, Friends of the Earth, Friends of the River, League of Women Voters of California, Marin Conservation League, Mendocino Environmental Center, Northcoast Flyfishers, Planning and Conservation League, and the Sierra Club.