Steelhead trout, like Salmon, are anadromous fish - meaning they spend their adult life at sea and return to fresh water rivers to spawn. At one time Southern California was home to miles of steelhead spawning grounds, but, sadly this is no longer the case. Dams, diversions, development and poor water quality have drastically reduced the Southland's steelhead populations.

As a result, coastal Southern California has all but disappeared from many fly angler's radar screens. But it's not just anglers that are affected. Steelhead are an "indicator species". If a watershed, that was once rich with spawing salmonids, is now devoid of them, then that watershed is failing. Using this criterion, most of southern California's watersheds are in serious trouble.

Recognizing this sorry state of affairs, a number of diverse groups including CalTrout formed a coalition in 2000 to arrest and reverse the decline of the southern California's anandromous fish populations.

The Southern California Steelhead Recovery Coalition, comprised of environmental, surfing, commercial and sport fishing groups, has put together an ambitious agenda to do just that.

Among the coalition's top priorities is convincing the National Marine Fisheries Service to expand Endangered Species Act listing protections to steelhead, removing dams, increasing flows and lobbying for funds dedicated specifically for Southern California's anadramous fish.

CalTrout is also working to remove obstacles to Steelhead's ancient spawning grounds. See below for more examples.

South Coast Manager:
Nica Knite
4592 Santa Monica Ave
San Diego, CA 92107
nknite@caltrout.org

Special Projects:

Matilija Dam

Rindge Dam

Project 1: Santa Clara River Project

Goal: Provide access to historic Southern California steelhead spawning/rearing habitat in priority reaches throughout the Santa Clara River Watershed and restore hydrologic & ecological processes throughout Santa Clara River watershed

Conservation Objective:

1. Secure effective Fish Passage at Vern Freeman Diversion Dam
2. a) Expert Panel Fish Passage Report and Plan due in Aug 2010 CalTrout will continue to facilitate this outcome.
3. Secure flows from Pyramid Dam into Middle Piru Creek that will effectively support native species, including rainbow trout.
   • a) CEQA case pending against State Water Board to revise Pyramid operational flow regime
4. Secure flows and fish passage for Steelhead at Santa Felicia Dam
   • a) CalTrout, as an intervenor in the Santa Felicia FERC license, continues to watchdog and advocate for the full implementation of the SF 2008 Biological Opinion which will provide protections for steelhead.
5. Protect Public Lands for conservation in Santa Clara Watershed

Project 2: Southern California Steelhead Coalition Project

Goal

• Achieve priority conservation actions as outlined in the Sothern California Steelhead Recovery Plan (9.2009 Draft; Final due 1st qtr 2010)
• Engage conservation community representatives from across Southern California to outline and participate in coordinated conservation objectives for the restoration and protection of Southern California steelhead.
• Bring regionally coordinated support to existing conservation objectives and activities.

Conservation Objectives:

1. Removal of Matilija Dam, Ventura River
   a) In 2010, focus on ecologically appropriate slurry disposal plan selection and design
2. Santa Monica Mountains Steelhead Restoration
   a) Rindge Dam Removal planning and engagement
   b) Topanga Creek PCH fish passage & Lagoon restoration
   c) Arroyo Sequite campground road removal for fish passage
3. Santa Maria River Twitchell Dam fish passage and flows for steelhead

Project 3: Santa Ynez River Campaign:

Goal:

• For Southern steelhead, provide access to historic spawning/rearing habitat in priority reaches throughout the Santa Ynez River Watershed
• For Southern California steelhead, restore hydrologic & ecological processes throughout Santa Ynexz River watershed

Conservation Objectives:

1. Secure fish passage at Bradbury Dam for steelhead
   a) Restoration of habitat access for steelhead in upper Santa Ynez
   b) Restoration of habitat in lower river
2. Secure protections and restoration actions for steelhead at Bradbury Dam Biological.

Project 4: Southern California Outreach

Goal: Bring greater awareness of CalTrout and the critical nature of our work to SoCal

Conservation Objectives:

1. Boost funding & community support for watershed & species protection and restoration
2. Establish the link between our work, watershed protection, and water conservation and gain support for So Cal Water Conservation

Project 5: Fish Passage Forum and California Hydropower Reform Coalition

Goal: Increase access to historic spawning/rearing habitat in priority reaches throughout California for Southern California Steelhead and coastal rainbow trout; restore hydrologic & ecological processes throughout California

Conservation Objectives:

1. Secure fish passage in all priority reaches in rivers and streams throughout California, as identified and priorities with FPFParticipation
2. Secure flows, and beneficial water quality at all existing hydropower facilities in Southern California
3. Revise hydropower policies to assure protection for environment and species, water quality, supply, and conservation, and energy conservation.