[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 59 (Friday, May 13, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 13, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
          RUSSIAN RIVER FISHERIES AND RIVERBED RESTORATION ACT

                                 ______


                            HON. DAN HAMBURG

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 12, 1994

  Mr. HAMBURG. Mr. Speaker, the Russian River Fisheries and Riverbed 
Restoration Act which I am introducing today along with Congresswoman 
Woolsey, is a necessary step in the process of restoring this once 
famous river to a healthy condition.
  The Russian River flows from its headwaters in Mendocino County 
through Sonoma County to the ocean. Its once abundant runs of steelhead 
and salmon are severely depleted due to the actions of humans. Its main 
channel has downcut and degraded in a fashion that threatens bridges 
and other manmade structures, as well as the health of the river 
system.
  A primary cause of this degradation was the building of dams by the 
Federal Government. A dam was built at Coyote Valley on one fork of the 
river with no thought for the fish populations which spawned upstream. 
A second dam was constructed at Warm Springs without sufficient 
mitigation for loss of habitat.
  Timber harvesting, gravel mining, agricultural uses, road building, 
and urban encroachment have contributed significantly to problems in 
the river but a new awareness among the citizens of the Russian River 
Basin makes an improvement in the health of the river possible at this 
time.
  The Russian River Fisheries and Riverbed Restoration Act will 
authorize funds to begin badly needed restoration efforts in the 
tributaries where experts agree the critical need exists. This 
restoration will essentially create natural steelhead nurseries in the 
streams, according to a plan being develop by the California Department 
of Fish and Game. In an example of intergovernmental cooperation, the 
bill will provide funds if necessary to help complete the plan 
currently being prepared by the State of California. The Soil 
Conservation Service will administer the funds, working with willing 
landowners, and the Department of Fish and Game.
  The health of the main channel of the river is also important to fish 
and other wildlife, as well as the people who live along its banks. As 
a result of human intervention, the river has downcut into one deep 
channel as opposed to its former more meandering course. The California 
State Coastal Conservancy has appointed task forces to study this 
problem and is producing a resource enhancement and restoration plan 
for the main stem of the Russian River. Funds will be provided by this 
act of construct a pilot project to carry out the recommendations 
developed by the Coastal Conservancy task forces in Mendocino and 
Sonoma Counties.
  We will never restore this river to its natural condition. But with 
thoughtful effort and cooperation between those who share the vision of 
a healthy river, we can reinvigorate it and return its once plentiful 
populations of salmon and steelhead.

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