Press Releases
Current and Archived Press Releases from SCS and Partners
For Immediate Release: Sept 17, 2025
For more information, contact:
Regina Chichizola,
Save California Salmon
541 951-0126
California Water Board Postpones Bay Delta Water Quality Hearings after Legislative Defeat
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Tribal, Rural and Environmental organizations and fishermen urge Board to abandon Voluntary Agreements
Sacramento, California - Yesterday the California State Water Resources Control Board cancelled workshop dates scheduled for next week that were intended to allow public comment on the proposed update to the failed 30-year-old Bay-Delta Plan. This announcement came less than a week after Governor Newsom’s trailer bill that would exempt the plan from CEQA was defeated in the California legislature.
"We are not surprised to see the public comment notice rescinded. The latest version of the Bay Delta Water Quality Control Plan and related Voluntary Agreements are not grounded in reality and contradict what the science and law says should be required,” said Save California Salmon’s Science and Policy Director Efraim Lopez. “Without the CEQA exemptions in the trailer bill- which failed - this plan is indefensible"
The Bay-Delta is the hub of California’s water system and the largest estuary on the West Coast. It supplies drinking water to nearly 27 million people, supports salmon runs on 5 major watersheds, and sustains Tribal, fishing, and farming communities. Bay Delta operations also impact the Klamath River through the diversion of the Trinity River, its largest tributary. To protect California’s water resources, the State Water Board is supposed to regularly update the Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan, but it hasn’t been updated in almost 30 years. When the state began the current update nearly a decade ago, scientists recommended much stronger river flows to protect salmon and water quality. Unfortunately, the current iteration of the proposed plan relies heavily on vague and unenforceable Voluntary Agreements (VAs) with large water users rather than the years of scientific studies and recommendations that the board had solicited.
"The board’s inaction on this update, and insistence on leaning on voluntary flow measures has led to terrible water quality conditions and a crisis for our salmon and fishermen.” explained Regina Chichizola from Save California Salmon. “Our hope is that the Board takes this time to retool the plan before presenting it to the public for comment. The current proposed plan relies on assumptions that more water is available than exists in our rivers, and does not include regulatory actions or safeguards to protect our waters from excessive diversions. This would put the drinking water supply for over half of Californians at risk, harm rural and coastal businesses and negatively impact Salmon runs on nearly every major river in the state. The State Water Board has an opportunity here to rework their proposed plan to better serve California communities and resources.”
Save California Salmon has postponed their September 25th rally until a new hearing date is set but will use a scheduled zoom training on public comment and the Bay Delta plan to update the public and let them know about other opportunities to urge the state to protect California’s rivers.
The public comment zoom training is scheduled for 6pm today, September 17th. People can register at: tinyurl.com/PublicCommentZoomTraining or watch live on Save California’s Facebook page.
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The announcement can be found at: https://waterboards.ca.gov/waterrights/water_issues/programs/bay_delta/bay_delta_plan/docs/rescindednotice-baydeltaplanupdates-09-2025-en.pdf
A press release from commercial fishermen can be found at https://goldenstatesalmon.org/state-water-resources-control-board-cancels-public-workshop-on-proposed-update-to-failed-bay-delta-plan/
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California Water Board Postpones Bay Delta Water Quality Hearings after Legislative Defeat
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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August 21, 2025
Contact: Josa Talley, Communications & Outreach Coordinator, Save California Salmon, josa@californiasalmon.org, (707) 672 - 9866
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Sites Reservoir is a Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing
The controversial project diverts water and funding away from real solutions.
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Sacramento, CA – Today’s announcement that Governor Newsom’s California Water Commission allocated another $219 million for the proposed Sites Reservoir is a harmful regression for California’s rivers, their salmon, and for Tribal and rural communities.
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The Governor claims Sites will prepare California for a “hotter, drier future.” In reality this massive, $6.8 billion boondoggle will siphon water from the already overallocated Sacramento River, threatening endangered salmon runs, Tribal cultural sites, and the health of the Bay-Delta ecosystem. By diverting the river’s cold, clean flows into a reservoir without natural flushing, Sites would create stagnant waters that would produce toxic algal blooms, release methane gas, and concentrate mercury. Rather than providing safe drinking water, it would contaminate the supply for roughly 27 million Californians who depend on the Bay-Delta.
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Sites Reservoir would not create new water; it would store water taken away from the environment and communities that depend on healthy rivers and then allow even more water to be moved from the North State to big ag through the Delta Tunnel. The Governor is correct that water is “a basic human right.” However, instead of investing money in securing clean drinking water and restoring rivers for millions of Californians, the Governor is prioritizing water exports for crops grown in arid regions.
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“California is at a crossroads,” said Josa Talley, Communications and Outreach Coordinator with Save California Salmon. “We can spend billions on destructive projects like Sites and the Delta Tunnel that privatize and divert water to big agribusiness, or we can invest in real climate solutions like restoring rivers, removing barriers to salmon migration, repairing aging infrastructure, supporting Tribal stewardship, and prioritizing water conservation. Enough broken promises.”
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Sites Reservoir also violates California’s obligation to consult and protect Tribal Nations and sacred sites. The project threatens to inundate burial grounds and destroy cultural resources which is a continuation of California’s long history of ignoring Indigenous rights in the name of “progress.”
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“This project is a wolf in sheep’s clothing,” said Regina Chichizola, Save California Salmon’s Executive Director. “Governor Newsom touts Sites as a path to protecting Californian’s right to clean water, but in reality it comes at a severe cost; to taxpayers, to our environmental protections, to Tribal cultural resources, and to what remains of wild California Spring Chinook Salmon Runs. Instead of pouring billions into an expensive private reservoir that would further privatize California’s limited water resources, increase water bills and create significant water quality impairments downstream, the state should use this money to go towards actions like replenishing critical ground water supplies and replacing contaminated drinking water systems”
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As salmon runs collapse, drinking water contamination worsens, and climate extremes intensify, California cannot afford more false solutions. We call on Governor Newsom and the Legislature to reject Sites Reservoir and the Delta Conveyance Project and instead prioritize science-based, community-driven approaches that truly protect water, salmon, and people.
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Press Release: Sites Reservoir
is a Wolf in Sheep's Clothing
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 29, 2025
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Contact: Josa Talley, Communication & Outreach Coordinator, Save California Salmon, josa@californiasalmon.org, (707) 672 - 9866
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Community Comes Together for Successful 2025 Trinity River Clean-Up
Over 50 volunteers join effort to protect salmon habitat and honor Indigenous stewardship
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Hoopa, CA – On Saturday July 26, more than 50 community members, Tribal leaders, youth, and environmental advocates gathered in Hoopa for a Trinity River Clean-Up in the Hoopa Valley organized by Save California Salmon and the Hoopa Valley Tribe.
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The day began at the Hoopa Tribal Office with a morning ground clean-up, followed by a rafting clean-up on the Trinity River and a community lunch. Volunteers removed bags of trash and debris from the riverbanks and waterways, helping restore critical salmon habitat in one of California’s most important, and endangered rivers. Organizers said they are finding less trash every year.
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“On behalf of the Hoopa Valley Tribe, I would like to thank Save California Salmon and everyone who contributed to this year’s ever-important clean up.” said Joe Davis, Hoopa Tribal Chairman. “Let’s keep the momentum going and continue our strong role as Hupa People to be the stewards of the Trinity River.
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The event centered Indigenous leadership and stewardship, bringing youth and families together to care for the river while educating participants on the deep cultural and ecological significance of the Trinity River, along with current threats to the river’s flows from the Trump administration.
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“I’m proud to support the Trinity River Clean-Up,” said Hoopa Valley Tribal council member and local raft guide Joseph Marshall. “It’s important to keep our riverways clean and take pride in our homelands. The youth and community are involved in this cleanup so future generations will learn to keep our valley and river clean. It is our responsibility to take care of our home.”
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The clean-up was part of a larger effort to protect salmon populations and honor Tribal stewardship in the face of pollution, drought, and increasing diversion pressures. The Trinity River, a major tributary of the Klamath River, is home to endangered salmon and a vital part of the Hoopa Valley Tribe’s culture and subsistence. A new diversion plan//endangered species plan, called a Biological Opinion, for the Trinity River is expected to come out for public comment this fall. Organizers say it will be very important for the public to get involved in this comment period as it will be the first one to be subject to the Trump administration’s new Executive Orders about maximizing water diversions to Central Valley farmers. Currently the Yurok and Hoopa Valley Tribes are co-leads in the process.
“We’re thankful to everyone who showed up. The annual clean up is an opportunity to connect with, learn about, and help the Klamath River’s largest tributary,” said Regina Chichizola, Save California’s Executive Director. “Restoring the Trinity River is one of the most important things we can do for the Klamath salmon now that the dams are down, but unfortunately over half of the Trinity’s water is still diverted to the Central Valley, and the flows that remain in the river are now threatened by the Trump administration. Engaging in the upcoming public comment periods on Trinity River flows is the best way the public can help the river. We hope the community will be inspired by the clean up and testify for flows for fish on the Trinity when the new flows plan is released.”
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Photos for media use are available HERE, provided by Save California Salmon, more available upon request.
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Community Comes Together for Successful 2025 Trinity River Clean-Up
For Immediate Release:
July 24th, 2025
For more information, contact:
Josa Talley, Save California Salmon,
707 672-9866, josa@californiasalmon.org
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PRESS STATEMENT: Proposed State Water Board updates to Sacramento/Delta portions of Bay-Delta Plan should Protect Water Quality, Not Voluntary Plans from Large Diverters
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“The Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan (Bay-Delta Plan) update is necessary to protect the water quality in the Bay-Delta and Sacramento River watershed. This watershed is critically important to salmon, Tribes, and the tens of millions of Californians that get their drinking water from, or live in the Delta,” stated Regina Chichizola from Save California Salmon. “Water is our most precious resource and it is extremely overallocated due to agricultural diversions. This plan should be guided by science, not politics or profit, to ensure enough water is left in the system for ecosystems, fish, and clean drinking water. We are very disappointed to see the board pushing voluntary actions by large scale agricultural interests after decades of inaction and failed voluntary solutions.”
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Read the press release from the State Water Board here:
Download PDF
PRESS STATEMENT: Proposed State Water Board updates to Sacramento/Delta portions of Bay-Delta Plan should Protect Water Quality, Not Voluntary Plans from Large Diverters
For Immediate Release
May 14, 2025
Contact
Regina Chichizola, Save California Salmon,
541 951-0126, regina@californiasalmon.org
Save California Salmon Reacts to Newsom’s Budget Fast-Track for Delta Conveyance: Don’t Destroy the Bay-Delta
Sacramento, Calif. – Governor Newsom inserted significant streamlining provisions for the Delta Conveyance Project into his May Revise budget. The press release announcing plans to remove critical regulatory and judicial safeguards from this controversial project acknowledges that the State Water Project, which pulls water out of the sensitive Bay-Delta ecosystem, was built for a different climate era than the future California is facing. Nevertheless, the governor is doubling down on 20th Century thinking when it comes to managing water in the state.
“Governor Newsom’s efforts to force approvals for the Delta Conveyance Project ignores long standing objections from Tribes, Delta communities, and commercial fishing families,” said Regina Chichizola, executive director of Save California Salmon. “Moving this unpopular project forward has been subject to laws and public review for a reason. Californians oppose this project because it will cause irreversible harm to water quality, salmon, communities, and the fragile Delta ecosystem while providing marginal, and unreliable, benefits to the rest of the state. When the governor was elected, he promised to protect California’s environment. Now he calls for the stripping of critical public protections and selling our water to the highest bidder. It is getting harder and harder to see the difference between Newsom and Trump.”
“Making an end-run around essential processes won’t make destroying the Delta a better idea,” continued Chichizola. “This proposal continues to perpetuate a water rights system that lines the pockets of large agricultural producers while working people are left high and dry. Regular Californians deserve to have a say, and environmental protections, when it comes to our most important resource, clean water.”
For more information or to speak with Save California Salmon executive director Regina Chichizola, contact regina@californiasalmon.org
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 16, 2025
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Contact:
Regina Chichizola, Executive Director, Save California Salmon,
regina@californiasalmon.org, 541 951-0126
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Kasil Willie, Staff Attorney, Save California Salmon,
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Save California Salmon Responds to the Third Consecutive Year of California’s Commercial Fishing Being Shut Down
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Eureka, California- Yesterday the Pacific Fishery Management Council's (PFMC) recommended a full shutdown of all commercial fishing in California and extremely limited recreational ocean salmon fishing opportunities, through the end of 2025. This marks the third year in a row of no commercial fishing allocation in California and the state’s first recreational salmon season since 2022. Tribal subsistence fishing allocations will also be limited. This decision was made due to extremely low returns of fall, winter and spring run Chinook salmon in the Sacramento and Klamath Rivers for the third year in a row.
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While the reopening of recreational fishing offers a small ray of hope for salmon communities, the continued closure of commercial fishing underscores the ongoing, severe impacts on California’s salmon populations caused by water mismanagement, pollution, habitat degradation, and climate disruption. Many scientists have stated that California salmon runs are now facing an extinction level crisis and have little hope for recovery unless major management changes are made.
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“Three years without a salmon season is devastating, as is the prospect of California losing its iconic salmon runs. However, it’s not the end of the story,” said Regina Chichizola, Executive Director of SCS. “We know that salmon come back when we give rivers a chance to recover. Just last fall, we saw an unexpectedly strong response from spawning salmon just weeks after the completion of Klamath dam removal. Governor Newsom must act now to protect flows and support Tribal and fishing communities, jobs, and drinking water quality. This is a critical moment for real change.”
Kasil Willie, Staff Attorney at SCS, added, “For Tribes and fishing families, the loss of salmon fishing for another year is a total crisis, not just a closure. Salmon are collapsing because of water mismanagement, not overfishing. Closing the fisheries is a short term solution which doesn’t address California’s major water quality issues. We need more than temporary band-aids; we need a commitment to restoring our rivers.”
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Save California Salmon is calling for immediate and long-term solutions to protect and restore salmon habitats, prioritize sustainable water management, and support the communities that rely on healthy rivers and fisheries. The survival of salmon in California depends on decisive action to restore ecosystems and secure, clean, reliable water for all. The organization is also hosting trainings for Tribal communities and the public on how to engage effectively in water related decisions. These lessons and trainings can be found at https://www.youtube.com/@SaveCaliforniaSalmon/playlists
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Save California Salmon Responds to the Third Consecutive Year of California’s Commercial Fishing Being Shut Down
For Immediate Release: January 26, 2025
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Contact:
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Regina Chichizola, Executive Director, Save California California
(541) 951-0126, regina@californiasalmon.org
Kasil Willie, Staff Attorney, Save California Salmon
(415) 300-7453, kasil@californiasalmon.org
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Save California Salmon Statement on Trump’s California Water Executive Orders and Impacts on California Water and Wildfires
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Los Angeles, CA - Today, President Trump issued executive orders regarding increasing water diversions and withholding aid to California two days after visiting fire-impacted areas in Los Angeles where he tied disaster relief for California to overriding critical California water quality, Endangered Species Act and Bay Delta protections.
“There is no question that this is a manufactured crisis and water grab for the agricultural sector, who are mainly growing crops for export,” stated Regina Chichizola from Save California Salmon. “Save California Salmon strongly opposes any federal actions that prioritize private interests over protecting millions of peoples’ drinking water quality, Indigenous Peoples’ rights, salmon, and jobs in the fishing industry.”
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Kasil Willie of Save California Salmon added, “These orders taken in conjunction with the myriad of actions taken this week show that Trump intends to attack the environment in any way that he can. California has been placed on the chopping block, and Governor Newsom must do everything he can to protect our beautiful state and all who live here.”
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Southern California water districts and leaders have been very clear there is no water crisis in Southern California and that the climate induced weather conditions and other factors hampered initial firefighting efforts. Southern California reservoirs are at above average levels. Meanwhile, California’s salmon fishing industry is facing its third year of commercial and recreational salmon fishing shutdowns due to water policy with devastated salmon populations under the previous Trump administration.
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The Sacramento Bay Delta, which is fed by California’s largest rivers, is the West Coast's Largest freshwater tidal estuary. It is known as one of the most over-allocated and degraded waterways in the west. Experts have warned that weakened protections would hasten the decline of California's salmon, which are essential to our ecosystems, cultures, and economies.
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“The challenges of wildfire recovery and water management demand thoughtful, science-based, and community-driven solutions—not political strong-arming that disregards Indigenous rights, possible solutions, and essential environmental protections,” stated Josa Talley from Save California Salmon. “President Trump has placed an unacceptably high cost on these potential federal emergency funds. We urge California to enact state laws to help Californians prepare for fires, safeguard the drinking water quality, and ensure adequate water flows in our rivers.”
Talley continued, “Disaster relief for the second biggest city in the United States should not be held hostage by Trump's unreasonable water demands.”
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Save California Salmon remains committed to protecting clean water, healthy rivers, and sustainable ecosystems. We will not stand silent in the face of policies that harm salmon, waterways, or the communities that depend on them.
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For Immediate Release: Jan. 21, 2025
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Save California Salmon Statement on President Trump’s Memorandum Regarding Water Transports to Southern California and Big Ag
For more information, contact:
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Josa Talley, Communications and Outreach Coordinator, Save California Salmon
josa@californiasalmon.org, (707) 672-9866
Regina Chichizola, Executive Director, Save California Salmon
regina@californiasalmon.org, (541) 951-0126
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January 21, 2025 - Yesterday, President Trump signed a memorandum titled Putting People over Fish: Stopping Radical Environmentalism to Provide Water to Southern California. The title suggests a water scarcity that does not exist and by prioritizing increased water diversions from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, California's economy, waterways, salmon populations, and Indigenous communities are seriously threatened. Statements from Southern California water agencies, Tribes, and the governor demonstrate no water shortage in So. California, but there are serious infrastructure considerations.
“The new Trump administration is picking up where it left off four years ago. This new memorandum continues a pattern of prioritizing industrial agriculture above the needs of urban water users. Under the last Trump presidency, his policies led to a 50%-90% decrease in salmon populations and serious pollution issues in California’s largest watersheds. California’s waterways are still feeling the impacts of these policies. The commercial and recreational salmon harvest has been shut down for the last three years. This has been devastating to Northern California economies,” said Regina Chichizola of Save California Salmon.
“The notion that water flowing into the Pacific Ocean is ‘wasteful’ ignores the livelihoods of Tribal and rural communities in Northern California. Salmon are more than simply wildlife. For Tribes, salmon are central to cultural identity, food security, and Traditional Knowledge. Salmon survival is tied to our health and the health of our rivers,” said Josa Talley of Save California Salmon.
Protecting water quality, Delta smelt, salmon, and other species is not "radical environmentalism"—it is a matter of protecting water supplies and economies. Rivers must have enough water to sustain businesses, prevent toxic algae blooms, and ensure clean water for downstream communities.
We can prepare for fire and to protect reliable water supplies. We urge the President to:
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Modernize urban and agricultural water use: Incentivizing conservation, reuse, and efficiency measures can reduce waste and lessen the strain on Northern California's rivers and enhance Southern California water storage.
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Support wildfire resilience through cultural and prescribed burns: Traditional fire practices by Indigenous Tribes have proven to reduce wildfire risk, protect homes, and maintain healthy forests without endangering waterways.
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Fund Emergency Preparedness and Response: The water supply issues in the LA fires were based on fire hydrant pressure, scheduled maintenance, and electricity. Due to the climate crisis, every town and city in California needs to have funded community preparation plans and localized water and power supplies.
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Collaborate with Tribal Nations: Consulting with Tribes is critical to understanding the cultural, ecological, and economic impacts of water policy.
Read the order here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/putting-people-over-fish-stopping-radical-environmentalism-to-provide-water-to-southern-california/
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December 10th, 2024
Environmental and Tribal Groups Respond to Governor’s Press Conference Highlighting Sites Reservoir
November 25th, 2024:
Students Witness History: Field Trip Highlights Historic Return of Klamath Salmon
September 23rd, 2024
Conservation Groups Statement on Sites Court Ruling
September 4th, 2024:
California Land Back Special Report Released
July, 2024
River Communities Comes Together to Clean Up Trinity River, One of the Nation’s Most Endangered
June 10th, 2024:
Tribes, KRRC & Save California Salmon Finish Off Spring Public Dam Removal Field Tribes and Events with Indigenous Science Camp at Iron Gate Dam
June 5th, 2024
Conservation Groups Undaunted by Court Ruling: Sites Reservoir is a Bad Deal for Rivers, for Fish, and for California
April 25th, 2024:
Fishermen, Tribal Members, and Residents Ask California Water Board to Support Science-Based Water Plan, Deny Voluntary Agreements
April 16th, 2024
Trinity River named among America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2024
March 14th, 2024:
Coalition Asks Gov. Newson to Amend Salmon Strategy to Add Flows Needed By Ailing Salmon
January 17th, 2024
Organizations Petition the CA Water Board to Set Permanent Instream Flow Requirements for the Shasta River, a Critical Klamath River Tributary
December 20th, 2023:
Sites Lawsuit: Huge California Reservoir Proposal Threatens River, Climate, Fish
December 13th, 2023
New Documentary Series Seeks to Amplify the Voices of Black, Indigenous People of Color and Their Fight for Environmental Justice in California
December 8th, 2023:
Save California Salmon Statement on Release of the Delta Conveyance Project Final EIR
November 17th, 2023
PG&E PLANS TO REMOVE EEL RIVER DAMS IN 2028
Draft Surrender and Decommissioning Plan Offers Two Paths to Freeing the Eel - Soon to be California’s Longest Free-Flowing River
August 9th, 2023:
EPA Accepts Civil Rights Complaint Against California State Water Board
December 16th, 2022:
Civil Rights Complaint Seeks US EPA Oversight of CA State Water Board: Bay-Delta ecological crisis harms California Tribes and Delta EJ communities
November 17th, 2022:
Federal Regulators Green Light Largest River Restoration Project in US History
November 15th, 2022:
COP27: Groups Warn of Severe Climate and Human Rights Risk of New Hydropower Dams and Schemes
August 26th, 2022:
Largest Dam Removal Project in History. FERC Staff Finalizes Recommendation to Remove Lower Four Klamath Dams
August 18th, 2022:
Tribes and Youth Organizations Host Indigenous Science Camp for Youth at Sue-Meg State Park
July 24th, 2022:
Native Teens Preparing to Kayak an Undammed Klamath Set Off from Hoopa in Trinity River Community Float, Will Arrive in Klamath on Tuesday
July 11th, 2022:
Hoopa Valley Youth and Families Participate in Trinity River Clean Up, Learn About History of Protecting the River
July 8th, 2022:
Local Hoopa Valley Youth Fights for the Klamath and Trinity Rivers Featured in Vogue Magazine
January 5th, 2022:
More than 50,000 People Join Tribes and Fishermen to Express Opposition to Sites Reservoir
December 8th, 2021:
Tribal Communities Organize to Stop Sites Reservoir, Provide Clean Water to Salmon and the Delta
November 1st, 2021:
Tribes, Fishermen, Conservationists Demand Action to Restore Flows in Klamath Tributaries
October 21st, 2021:
Request to Establish Instream Flows for the Scott and Shasta Rivers