As I explained recently, I’ve adopted the Shasta River. It flows into Lake Shastina, and I hike near Lake Shastina from my house several times a week.
Great news: the federal government is helping out the Shasta River and Big Springs, which is a major tributary to the Shasta River. Here’s the skinny from the official NOAA website:
Commerce Secretary Gary Locke announced today 50 habitat restoration projects that will restore damaged wetlands, shellfish beds, coral reefs and reopen fish passages that boost the health and resiliency of our nation’s coastal and Great Lakes communities. Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the Department’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration was provided $167 million for marine and coastal habitat restoration.
“These Recovery Act projects will put Americans to work while restoring our coasts and combating climate change,” Locke said. “They reflect our investment in sound science and commitment to help strengthen local economies.”
And most important for me:
Big Springs Shasta River Restoration (Big Springs, Calif.) – $1.6 million – Restores habitat for chinook, steelhead, and threatened coho salmon by planting 20 acres of native vegetation and incorporating new agriculture conservation measures to enhance water quality, including a fence to exclude cattle from 70 acres of the riparian habitat.
A lot of other areas are getting some much need help, including the Hawaiian Islands, my old stomping grounds. But it’s good that the salmon and the Klamath River watershed are getting some help.
