Fire, safety, Water, Wildlife

Weed-control work forces closure of recreation area for two days

A popular recreation area along the south fork of the American River in El Dorado County will be closed for two days this week for weed-control work.

The Bureau of Land Management announced that it will close the Cronan Ranch and Greenwood Creek parcels to public access Tuesday and Wednesday, when herbicides will be applied to control invasive weeds.

A notice of intent to apply herbicides will be posted on signs at the trailhead at least 24 hours before the application, and closure signs will be posted during the herbicide application, according to a news release from the BLM’s Mother Lode Field Office.

Broadcast and spot herbicide applications are planned along approximately 14 miles of trail edges to reduce weeds and make trails more accessible for recreational use.

“We are taking an integrated weed management approach to control invasive weeds throughout the Cronan Ranch and Greenwood Creek areas,” Jeff Horn, outdoor recreation planner with the Mother Lode Field Office, said in a written statement.

The weed treatments are needed to reduce invasive plants, predominantly yellow star thistle and medusahead, he said.

Land use practices, Horn said, have created extensive infestations of these invasive weeds throughout the Cronan Ranch and Greenwood Creek areas.

More at SacBee.com >>>

 

safety, Water, Wildlife

Record of Decision for Nimbus Hatchery Fish Passage Project Released

The Bureau of Reclamation and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) on April 10 announced the release of the Record of Decision for the Nimbus Hatchery Fish Passage Project.

Under the selected alternative, the CDFW will recommend to the California Fish and Game Commission a year-round closure of fishing from Nimbus Dam to the UGSS gaging station cable just downstream of the Hatchery. This closure includes Nimbus Basin, a popular spot where anglers have for decades pursued Chinook salmon, steelhead, shad and other fish species on the American River, a major tributary of the Sacramento River that flows through the heart of the Sacramento metropolitan area.

“Reclamation and CDFW have selected Alternative 1C, which will extend the fish ladder from the hatchery to the Nimbus Dam stilling basin and use the basin itself to hold and divert fish into the ladder and will permanently remove the diversion weir,” according to a joint news release from the two agencies. “The selected action was identified as the proposed alternative in the Final Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report, which was released on Aug. 11, 2011.”

More at IndyBay.org >>>

Bike Trail, Events, safety, Water, Wildlife

Celebrate Earth Day by helping out parks

Celebrate Earth Day by helping out parks

Earth Day isn’t until April 22, but you can get a jump on helping the planet Saturday by fixing up one of California’s state parks.

From 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the California State Parks Foundation will run 24 projects across the state as part of its 16th annual Earth Day Restoration and Cleanup.

Pacific Gas and Electric Co. provided a $210,000 grant to the foundation and participating parks for supplies.

Sacramento-area events include:

• Volunteers will clean up around the American River and install animal-proof trash and recycling bins at the Auburn State Recreation Area on Old Foresthill Road.

• At Beal’s Point, part of the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, crews will install 200 feet of fence, treat benches with weather sealant, remove weeds, and clean, paint and repair kiosk panels.

Space is limited, so volunteers must register in advance. Go to the foundation’s website at calparks.org/earthday or call (888) 987-2757.

This year marks the 43rd anniversary of the first Earth Day, which was inspired by outrage over a massive oil spill off the Santa Barbara coast.

More at SacBee.com >>>

Bike Trail, safety, Water

Man Pulled from American River Identified

The body of a 59-year-old man pulled from the American River near Sacramento State Tuesday was identified later that afternoon.

Mark Lauchli was last seen Feb. 12 at his home on McQuillan Circle. The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department says Lauchli was reportedly distraught and left a note that he was going to the river.

His family filed a missing person report after finding his car near La Riviera Drive and Howe Avenue.

Until Tuesday, searches of the area came up empty.

More at Fox40.com >>>

 

Bike Trail, safety, Water

Man’s body found in river near Sac State

Firefighters responded to the American River near Sacramento State University around 7 a.m. on Tuesday after an employee at the Fairbairn Water Treatment plant spotted a body floating in the water.

Sacramento City Assistant Fire Chief Chris Costamanga confirmed the body of a white male was found, and said it appeared the body had been in the water for quite some time due to its condition.

Multiple supporting agencies, including the Sacramento Police Dept. were called to the scene to investigate the discovery.

Costamanga said it was too early to determine whether the man’s death was a result of suicide, homicide, or accidental. However, Sacramento Police said initial findings did not indicate signs of foul play.

From News10.net >>>

Bike Trail, Fish, Rafting, safety, Water, Wildlife

City Survey Shows Support for New American River Bridge

A City of Sacramento public opinion survey about possible bridge construction has been completed. The Department of Transportation says more than three-quarters of respondents ranked a new crossing over the American River between Interstate 5 and State Route 160 as important or very important. Six out of ten people agreed a bridge should have vehicle, public transit, bicycle and pedestrian access.

“Unscientific” survey shows 78% think a new bridge connecting Sacramento with Natomas is a good idea.

Six percent said nothing new was needed.

More at CapRadio.org >>>

Bike Trail, Fish, Rafting, safety, Water, Wildlife

American River flows increasing to boost Folsom Lake flood-control capacity

Flows on the American River through Sacramento will increase by 50 percent tonight to ensure enough flood-control capacity in Folsom Lake.

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, which operates Folsom and Nimbus dams, will boost flows from 4,000 cubic feet per second to 6,000 cfs between 6 and 8 p.m.

The increase is enough to fill an Olympic-size swimming pool every 45 seconds and is expected to raise water levels in the American River by one foot. This is not enough to cause flooding problems. But people traveling or recreating along the river are advised to use caution near the water and watch for rising water levels and faster flows.

Read more at SacBee.com >>>

 

Bike Trail, safety, Water, Wildlife

Conservancy deal would add Camp Pollock site to American River Parkway

In what could mark a turnaround for a troubled section of the American River Parkway, a nonprofit group is poised to take over a former Boy Scout camp across the river from downtown – with plans to transform it into a major recreation spot.

The Sacramento Valley Conservancy is expected to get the state’s go-ahead this month to begin what could be a half-million-dollar upgrade of Camp Pollock, a rustic campground established by the Boy Scouts in 1923.

The State Lands Commission agreed Wednesday to buy the property from the Scouts. It will lease the land to the conservancy, which plans to open it to the public as a nature and recreation center.

Conservancy Executive Director Aimee Rutledge said her group hopes to have the site open for public visits soon after it takes control in January. “This is the first step in a long-term project we are really looking forward to,” she said.

The 11-acre property, nestled among cottonwoods and willows just west of Highway 160, is relatively small. But the effect of Wednesday’s state agreement is potentially large.

Camp Pollock sits near a forbidding section of the 23-mile-long parkway. Known as an illegal camping area for several hundred homeless people, the area has gained a reputation among some parkway users as a place to avoid.

More at SacBee.com >>>
Bike Trail, safety, Water, Wildlife

Folsom Dam to Boost Water Releases

River levels in Sacramento County will rise within a matter of days with a boost in water releases at Folsom Dam.

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation announced Friday that is will increase water releases though Monday to make room for the expected rainfall. Officials want outdoor enthusiast to be aware of the increased velocity of the river.

The American River is expected to rise by 2 feet.

From Fox40.c0m >>>