7.1 PUBLIC HEARING – Adoption of the Trout Creek Restoration Project Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation, Monitoring and Reporting Program Capital Improvement Program 60-03-37.
Recommended Action: Conduct a public hearing on the Mitigated Negative Declaration (SCH #2010122026); and adopt Resolution 2011-03 adopting the Trout Creek Restoration Project Mitigated Negative Declaration, and Mitigation, Monitoring and Reporting Program.
Though they are not considered species of concern on Trout Creek, the American beaver has garnered a lot of attention. Opinions vary on whether or not they are native residents of the Truckee Tahoe region or if they were introduced early on to encourage trapping and exploration of the West. What is clear is that they significantly modify the habitats that they live in by removing woody vegetation and altering channel morphology. In Trout Creek. their presence has been considered detrimental because their dams create discontinuities in sediment transport that can result in flooding. Beaver dams constructed in the area have caused the channel to braid into several low flow channels and produces some head cutting of meadow sods on the floodplain. If present, it is the Town’s intent to remove beavers and/or beaver dams throughout lower Trout Creek as part of and following the restoration of Reaches 1 and 3 in order to maintain creek function.
Mitigated Negative Declaration
It’s November 7, 2007 all over again! Tomorrow evening will see the city council in Truckee consider the Trout Creek Restoration plan, which has received a great deal of funding and support from the higher-ups and probably represents the kind of backroom real estate trade (you give us a strip mall here and some high density housing here and we’ll fix your little creek) that you often see in today’s watershed restorations. The special thing about this one is that it is based on a Mitigated Negative Declaration that happens to reference the removal of beavers in at least 16 different paragraphs. Of course by ‘removal’ they mean ‘killing’. Seems that all those beavers are ruining their nice ‘natural’ creek, and Truckee is having none of it.
I’m sadly not hopeful about the outcome here. The local paper ran a four page beaver-slam and hasn’t done a great job of printing opposing letters to the editor, even the one written by Mike Callahan of Beaver Solutions. No one has even taken our Sierra Wildlife friends up on their offer to wire wrap trees to protect them. The fine minds involved are clinging to the fraying thread of opinion that says beavers aren’t native and ignoring every piece of research that violently contradicts the notion that beavers are bad for creeks so they can go ahead with their beaver-less plan. The less fine minds are dreading the endangered species lured by the lush beaver habitat that will stop this development dead in its tracks.
Maybe I’m too cynical, but I smell a done deal with a lot of hardscape. If I could suspend my disbelief I’d tell the thoughtful folks of Truckee to go read about what beavers do for the soil, the trees, the birds, the landlocked Kokanee salmon or the see-faring sockeye salmon. I’d suggest they read about what happens when supposed advocates give spurious reasons for trapping beavers. I’d say go read about the historical evidence of beaver in the sierras and then we’ll talk. But I have a feeling this fight isn’t about data.
I’m worried it’s more of a ‘my minds made up don’t confuse me with the facts’ kinda deal. Only a room full of beaver voices will make any difference to this trap-happy steam-roller. Any locals who can possibly be there should, and bring a camera and some children’s drawings.
Although the American beaver is not a special status species, its presence is clear throughout the lower reaches of Trout Creek. Several beavers have created numerous dams along the lower reaches of the creek which causes water levels in the stream to fluctuate frequently based on the stability of the dams. As part of the proposed restoration project, all beaver dams and associated earthen materials will be removed to accommodate channel restoration. Beavers will likely not be present during construction, however, there is the potential for one or more to occur within the project area. Trout Creek and associated riparian habitat are within the jurisdiction of the California Department of Fish and Game. Activities that would affect the bed, bank, or channel of Trout Creek, and consequently have a significant impact on wildlife, would require a streambed alteration agreement with the California Department of Fish and Game pursuant to Section 1602 of the California Fish and Game Code. As part of the streambed alteration permit the California Department of Fish and Game would determine if potential irnpacts to wildlife are significant and identify appropriate mitigation measures. Mitigation measures could include short and long term mitigations to aid in wetland function as well as riparian community stability.
