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Friends of the River goes to court to protect Piru Creek

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on January 14, 2009 at 3:17 pm

From Friends of the River, this press release:

Friends of the River and California Trout filed suit in state court last week to protect a popular trout fishing stream in southern California stream that also provides critical habitat for several endangered species. At stake is Piru Creek in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. It is one of only three catch and release cold-water trout streams in southern California and a proposed Wild and Scenic River.

The lawsuit was filed against the California Water Resources Board, which issued a Clean Water Act permit allowing the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) to virtually dewater Piru Creek downstream of Pyramid Dam (a component of the State Water Project). DWR’s proposed flow reduction is intended to limit non-native species such as bullfrogs that thrive predate on the endangered arroyo toad.

Biological consultants hired by FOR and CalTrout have proven that reducing flows will do little to reduce non-native species and will actually threaten the arroyo toad and a host of other endangered species. Piru Creek also supports southern steelhead, arroyo toad, California red-legged frog, least Bell’s vireo, and southwestern willow flycatcher.

In addition to harming native endangered species protected by law, the proposed flow reduction will almost certainly eliminate the four-mile long catch and release trout fishery downstream of Pyramid Dam. A 7.5 mile segment of Piru Creek downstream of the dam is also proposed for wild and scenic rivers protection in federal legislation.

Read more from Friends of the River by clicking here.

January 14, 2009 · Filed Under Water & the Environment

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