Feds fine Healdsburg grape grower for salmon kill
Kevin McCallum
The Press Democrat
05/11/2010
Federal fisheries officials fined a Healdsburg grape grower $115,000 Tuesday for killing endangered coho salmon by drawing water from a creek during frost efforts in 2008 and 2009.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of General Counsel for Enforcement levied the fine against Green Pastures Valley, LLC for water diversions from Felta Creek, a tributary of Dry Creek, which flows into the Russian River.
The diversions killed 31 fish in 2008 and another five in 2009, according to the agency.
After the first event, Green Pastures Valley was informed of the impact its frost protection measures were having on the creek, but allegedly continued the practices the following year, the agency said.
“This penalty should send a strong message that we put a high priority on protecting species listed under the Endangered Species Act,” said Don Masters, the agent in charge of the Southwest Division of NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement.
“But make no mistake, we would much rather work with landowners to find ways to protect these fish instead of issuing penalty assessments.”
Farmers in Mendocino and Sonoma counties spray their grapes and pears during cold spring temperatures to protect them from deadly spring frosts.
When too many growers draw water from waterways, the level of the stream or river can be reduced dramatically, stranding fish.
Coho salmon in the Russian River watershed are listed as “endangered” under the Endangered Species Act. Chinook and steelhead salmon are also found in the watershed, and are listed as “threatened.”
