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McCloud flows under consideration at FERC hearings

by Anne-Marie Bakker, President, NCCFFF"

December 2, 2009 -- Over the past few weeks there has been a lot of discussion on blogs about the possible changes to the McCloud river resulting from the dam relicensing process now underway.  We want to set the record straight on what is happening so everyone is aware and able to help.  First, under relicensing, user groups are able to make suggestions for change to how the dam is managed.   That means that all users of the river have a chance to provide input, including fishing organizations.  The Nor. Calif. Council, FFF, Calif. Trout, Trout Unlimited and CSPA have all been working together to provide input to regulatory agencies on what we feel is best for the river.  Here is a link to the NCCFFF website, www.nccfff.org, where you can get an over-view of our collective position from the article we placed in the December issue of California Flyfisher.  Our goal is to improve conditions for the fishery while maintaining the world class fishing. 
 
The contentious piece of this is that the federal and state agencies have made some recommendations that would interfere with fishing in May in above normal water years.  The four organizations representing fly fishers are currently working with the agencies to modify their initial recommendations. 
 
Currently, all recommendations for flows and timing are "draft" recommendations, meaning they are open to change and modification.  We are working to do exactly that, and the agencies are listening.  It is our current understanding the agencies are working to refine their initial recommendations, and are working to accommodate the fishing community.
 
There is no focus on peaked boating flows in the summer, and it is possible flows in the winter could be higher which would allow boating, but we don't fish then anyway.  Getting the early fishing season flows "fine tuned" is the goal, and everyone is working to achieve that outcome.  We'd also like to improve mid summer flows to help the fishery, and improve fishing in July, August and September.
 
Please understand, the NCCFFF, TU, Cal Trout and CSPA are your best representatives in this process.  We have experience in FERC relicensing, understand the process, and we are working 100% of the time for the interests of the fishery and fishers.  Anyone who claims differently is simply mis-informed, or putting out inaccurate information.  Please support us in these efforts.  It makes a difference!"