Fall 2011 River Exchange Newsletter

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THE RIVER

EXCHANGE NEWSNews and Information about the Upper Sacramento RiverWATERSHED and the people who care for it

Dear Friend,

Promoting Healthy Watersheds Through Community Involvement in Stewardship, Restoration and Educa

Vol. 15, No. 2, Fall 2011

Introducing New Executive Director Dan Olstein

Printed on recycled paper

s the newly-appointed Executive Director, I am incrediblyrateful to have the opportunity to lead the River Exchangend work closely with our dedicated staff and Board mem-ers.

or most of the past 12 years I have worked for The NatureConservancy in Florida, North Carolina, and California. Thepportunity to be part of an organization that is respectedor its collaborative approach to promoting healthy water-

heds was an opportunity I could not pass up. This is anxciting time for our organization as we complete some bigrojects and begin new ones.

n Mt. Shasta, City Park staff haveut the final touches on im-rovements to the Sacramento

River Headwaters site. This pro-ect has restored the riparianrea, added additional interpret-ve materials, and provides great-r access, allowing more people

o learn about this areas uniqueatural resources.

As you will read inside, our Board of Directors adopted therganizations new Vision 2020 Strategic Plan. I am deeply

mpressed with the thoughtfulness and effort with which thislan was developed and eagerly embrace the challenge of

working with our partners to make this Vision a reality.

ooking ahead, we are embarking on an ambitious projecto develop an Integrated Regional Water Management Planor the Upper Sacramento River Region. The River Ex-

hange will lead this two-year effort that will foster discus-ion among stakeholders and incorporate differing perspec-ves from across the region to identify opportunities for jointffort in managing our precious water resources. Develop-

ment of an IRWM Plan, funded by the State, opens theoor to bring financial resources from outside the area to

mplement projects locally (read more inside about the nextteps in the IRWM process).

I am deeply appreciative of the Board and staff, and ecially outgoing ED, Dea Knox, for making my transitiosmooth as possible. Dea has left a lasting impact on thorganization through her dedication and service. I wisDea all the best in her future endeavors.

Lastly, I want to thank all who have welcomed me andwife, Megan, to the community. I look forward to meetmany more of you soon.

With thanks for all of your support, Dan

Farewell to Dea KnoxAfter serving as our brave Executive Director for tpast year, Dea Knox left the River Exchange in Ocber. We will miss her dearly, but wish her well as stakes on new opportunities. Deas efforts with tRiver Exchange as a volunteer, Board member, P

ject Director and Executive Director since 2007 hmade a large impact on several projects. The list

programs and projects below was initiated or copleted during her time with us:

Springs Mapping of the Upper McCloudWatershed: Inventory, status, andOpportunities for Restoration (funded byBella Vista Foundation)

Sacramento Headwaters Restoration andTrail Project (funded by the CaliforniaNatural Resources Agency River Parkways Grant Program)

Managed development of the River

Exchanges Vision 2020 Strategic Plan Oversaw completion of the Castle Crags

Wilderness Recreation Inventory (fundedby the National Forest Foundation)

Co-authored Integrated Regional WaterManagement Planning grant and initiatedplanning process (funded by the CaliforniaDept. of Water Resources)


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State of the watershed

A Message from Rene HeneryWith respect and deep appreciation, I wanted to sharthe news of my resignation as Research Director withthe River Exchange. As some of you may be aware,last year the opportunity for my wife Tatiana to pursu

graduate education inspired us to relocate to the BayArea. For me, the move offered the potential to re-engage with Californias complex water dynamics froa new perspective, framed by the landscape of thecentral portion of our state. With this in mind, when Iwas recently offered the opportunity to join TroutUnlimited as coordinator of their CA Science Programincluding assuming a role as a lead fish ecologist onthe Technical Advisory Committee for the San JoaquRiver Restoration, I accepted it enthusiastically.

I am grateful for my time with REX and all of the oppo

tunities it afforded me to learn, grow, connect with peple, and be of service to the watersheds and communties in the greater Mt. Shasta region. Supported by anew strategic plan, and at the outset of their role aslead agency in the Upper Sacramento Region Inte-grated Regional Watershed Management Process, this an exciting time for REX.

I look forward to watching REX's work expand andflourish as they continue facilitating partnerships, builing trust, and enabling collaborative stewardship to-wards healthier watersheds. Should life lead me back

to Siskiyou County, I hope to re-connect with REX. Fothe time being, I support REX as a member, collaborator, and friend from our new outpost in Berkeley.

River Exchange Vision 2020 strategic plan adopted

After over a year of hard work visioning the future of the organization, the River Exchange Board of Directorsvoted to adopt the new Vision 2020 Strategic Planin June. The plan outlines the Mission and Purpose that wguide the organization through the next decade, as well as strategic goals in support of that mission and the specific objectives necessary to achieve them.

In the course of developing the plan, we collected input and feedback from our membership and community, aswell as our Board and staff, synthesizing it all into a strategic framework. Grounded in this broad pool of perspetives, we believe that the plan will guide us to serve the health of the regions watersheds and communities evenmore effectively in the years to come. The new strategic plan not only serves as a roadmap for the organizationbut also provides interested parties with the most comprehensive window into the River Exchanges approachand priorities.

Whether you are a long-term supporter of the River Exchange, or in the process of learning about us, the Vision2020 plan can serve as an informative resource that we encourage you to explore. The complete plan is avail-able for download from our website www.riverexchange.org/about.html. As we enthusiastically embark on thenext decade of watershed coordination and stewardship, we would like to offer a sincere thank you to all of youwho supported the development of this exciting next step in our organizations evolution.

Board Member Spotlight:

Phil DetrichWe are delighted to introduce Board member PhilDetrich. Phil joined our Board of Directors in June2011, after retiring from his 25-year career as a wild-life biologist.

Early in his career, he researched birds of prey onShasta Lake and in the forests of the Mt. Shasta re-

gion. During the 1990s, heled the U.S. Fish and Wild-life Services (USFWS) For-est Species program inCalifornia, and helped com-plete the public acquisitionof several thousand acresof privately-owned old-growth redwood groves inHumboldt Co. From 2001until 2010, he supervisedthe USFWS office in Yreka,CA, negotiating on KlamathRiver hydroelectric dam reli-

censing, irrigation deliveries, and salmon harvest.

Phil has lived in Mt. Shasta for 15 years, and enjoysbirding, rafting, and fly-fishing. His enthusiasm andexperience have already had a tremendous positiveimpact on the River Exchange, and we couldnt behappier to have him join us. Welcome aboard Phil!


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CALENDAR OF EVENTSOctober 2011 February 2012

ustainable Watershed Seriesopic and Date To Be Announced

e would like to hold a Sustainableatershed Series event this fall. Dou have a idea for a water-relatedrum or film? Give our office a calld let us know!

hen the Series event is finalized, details will be emailed toembers and will appear in local newspapers.

Are you on our

email list?If not, give us a call oremail us to receive our

event reminders!

REX Board of Directors

Chris Stromsness, PresidentNora Silber, Vice PresidentGene ORourke, Secretary & TreasurerRichard Rico TinsmanCarol WinstonMike DeanMary Ellen Colberg

Phil Detrich

ember Appreciation Partyuesday, January 17, 2012 5pm-7pmunsmuir Community Resource Center740 Dunsmuir Avenue, Dunsmuir

ur members are crucial to the work we do, and we want toow our gratitude! Join us for appetizers, door prizes, wine andtworking as we thank you for your generous support. Theening will include a presentation of our annual accomplish-ents, current programs and projects.members and partners are welcome! No RSVP needed.

FebruaryBald Eagle/Winter Water Fowl Field tripSaturday, February 25, 2012 9am-4pmDriving Tour

Chris Stromsness will lead an all-day trip to theKlamath Basin area. Well carpool to strategicviewing locations in the basin to observe bald and golden eaghawks, snow geese, owls and much more. We meet at Hwy 9A-12 (10 miles north of Weed). Bring warm clothes, walkingshoes, lunch, water, binoculars and walkie-talkies (if you havthem). There is a $5.00 outing fee; please call us to register.

REX Staff

Daniel Olstein, Executive Director

Robin Singler, Administrative Director

Phyllis Skalko, Finance Director

Board of director updatesOver the years, our Board has consisted of a variety of local and regional river lovers who lend their unique skillsto our mission to promote healthy watersheds. Our selfless Board members make time from their busy lives tokeep the River Exchange on a course of success.Our Board has seen a few changes since our last newsletter that we want to share with our members.

Goodbye to Fred Gordon: Local fly fishing guide, artist and educator Fred Gordon has left our Board to spendmore time on his artistic pursuits. Fred has been a delight to have on our Board, and will continue to lend us ahand throughout the year when his talents are most needed. Thank you, Fred, for all the hard work you havegiven to the River Exchange since 2006!Welcome Phil Detrich and Nora Silber: As mentioned on the previous page, Phil Detrich joined our Board of Di-rectors in June. We also welcome long-time River Exchange volunteer, Nora Silber, to our Board of Directors as

of July. Watch for our next newsletter, which will feature a Spotlight on Nora.

Contact Information

Mail: P.O. Box 784, Dunsmuir, CA 96025Office: 5937 Dunsmuir Avenue, DunsmuirPhone: (530) 235-2012Fax: (530) 235-2439E-Mail: [email protected]: www.riverexchange.org


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WATERSHED projects

Sacramento headwaters restoration:Mission accomplished!

If you have been to the gorgeous Sacramento River Headwaters site in Mt.Shasta City Park since last summer, we hope you noticed some changes!We have been completing improvements to the Headwaters site, in a part-nership with the Mount Shasta Recreation & Parks District. The grant tofund the improvements was provided by the California Natural ResourcesAgency River Parkways Program (Prop 50).

The project included restoration of the riparian area and stabilization of thedegraded spring wall. The viewing platform was also improved, and awheelchair-accessible, paved trail has been completed from the playgroundparking lot to the viewing platform. An additional trail meanders downstreamfrom the Headwaters to the southern parking lot, and a new interpretive signhas been installed near the viewing platform (see upper photo).

We completed all of this work without needing extra contingency funds, sothe California Natural Resources Agency granted permission to use those funds to complete additional improvements. As a result, additional old park furniture has been replaced with new, recycled-content benches and pic-nic tables. Also, additional plants have been placed at the spring outlet to further stabilize the area and to re-establish native species that once flourished there. We ask visitors to please stay off the rocks above the springoutlets so the plants can thrive. We again thank Marrone Construction, Alan Pardee Landscape Architect, TracyTuttle, Sousa Ready Mix and the Mt. Shasta Recreation and Parks District for making this project a success!

IRWM Planning project Update

In January 2011, we were awarded $590,000 in newgrant funding to oversee the development of an Inte-grated Regional Water Management Plan (IRWMP)

for the Upper Sacramento, Lower Pit and McCloudRiver region. The funds stem from voter-approvedProposition 84, and is administered by the CaliforniaDept. of Water Resources (DWR).

The first stakeholder meeting was held in June; peo-ple from various organizations, agencies and thegeneral public participated to give their input towardsdeveloping a steering committee charter that willguide the planning groups activities for the next twoyears and beyond. The completion of the charter willbe the focus of the next meeting, which will take

place in January.

As of October 21st, the grant agreement betweenthe River Exchange and the California Dept. of Wa-ter Resources has been finalized. We expect to hirea Program Director, Lead Consultant and facilitatorby the end of the year. We will be announcing thesedevelopments in the Mt. Shasta Herald and throughour IRWMP group contact list.

Tauhindauli river trail updat

The condition of the half mile trail between DunsmuirCity Park and Tauhindauli Park has not changed sincour spring update. The middle section of the trail that

traverses steep terrain above the Sacramento Riverremains closed. The Department of Fish & Game(DFG) advises the public to avoid using this hazardousegment of the trail as it is not safe.

The initial grant funds that helped to install the trailhave been exhausted, and there are no DFG grantsavailable at this time to cover the additional construc-tion costs to permanently remedy problems with unstable soils, erosion, and threats to the large Douglas firtree that stabilizes a very steep region of the trail. DFGstaff surveyed the trail in May, and have been evaluat

ing various options for the trail that will provide the bestability for the site and maintain the trees and vegetation, while not presenting a safety risk to trail users.

Due to DFG availability of staff, budget considerationsand uncertainty in contracting options, this section ofthe trail will remain closed into spring of 2012, and pehaps longer. DFG is keeping us informed as they worto find a solution, and we will continue to inform thepublic with updates as we receive them.


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Event Sponsors ($500+)City of DunsmuirCJ Berry FoundationChris & Sharon Stromsness

Dunsmuir Rotary ClubTed Fay Fly Shop

Golden Rock Sponsors ($250+)Aiello, Goodrich & TeuscherPeter Arth, Jr.Berryvale GroceryCalifornia TroutChitwood Energy ManagementCross PetroleumStarlight Productions

Stewardship Partners ($125+)Aldous LandscapingConfluence OutfittersEdward Jones InvestmentsRobert KasterMt. Shasta Area NewspapersMt. Shasta ResortPusherShasta Mountinn Retreat & SpaSpiritualSingles.comStreamwiseThriftway Foods

Wayne Eng Fly Fishing

Watershed Restorers ($75+)Leslie Andrews, M.D.Aqua Terra Consulting

Best Western Tree HouseCartwright RentalsClemens Waste RemovalCornerstone Bakery & Caf

Churchill InsuranceThomas Clifton, CPAGarys Pizza FactoryDave Holst, M.D.Marrone ConstructionHon. Laura MasunagaMeyer & Sons HeatingMickis Better BurgerMt. Shasta Ski ParkMt. Shasta SupermarketPepsi Bottling CompanyPremierWest Bank

Scott SilberScott Valley BankShasta VisionsTri-Counties Bank; Mt. Shasta BranchWorkforce Connection

River Friend ($35+)Alpine RealtyAmmiratis MarketAndaman Healthy Thai CuisineBoxcar GalleryBurger Barn

Burger ExpressCaf MaddalenaCave Springs MotelCedar Lodge MotelChris Schneider Design

Cold Creek InnCouch Critics Movies & GamesDunsmuir Brewery WorksDunsmuir Hardware

Dunsmuir LodgeGene Erickson TruckingHealthy GardensKens PaylessKim SolgaLake Siskiyou ResortLaw Office of Timothy StearnsManfredis MarketMark GibsonMcGuires RestaurantPeter MitchellMott Mini Storage

Mt. Shasta AudubonMt. Shasta Tire CompanyJames Parker, M.D.Petals Flower ShopPersonnel PreferencePoncho & LefkowitzRed Door Gallery/ StudioLiinkSay Cheese PizzaShasta Base CampShasta Yoga CenterSoul ConnectionsSpring Hill Nursery

The Fifth SeasonVillage BooksWayside GrillWeed ChiropracticWise Mountain Botanicals

Thank you to our 19th Annual Great River Clean-up

businesses that care sponsors

Introduction to fly fishing clinic

Our Introduction to Fly Fishing Clinic on August21st was a fun and educational event, and wecouldnt be more thrilled to plan on having anotherclinic next year. Students of all abilities took awaya lot of practical tips from local fly fishing gurusWayne Eng and Fred Gordon, who were both en-tertaining and full of knowledge about the UpperSacramento River and its inhabitants.

Thank you to all of our students, and to Wayneand Fred for volunteering their time for the com-munity! Thanks also to Bob Grace of Ted Fay FlyShop, who donated flies to give to our students.


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TheRiverExchange

P.O.Box784

Dunsmuir,CA96025

The River Exchange is a registered 501(c)(3) n

profit organization. Your contribution is tax

deductible as allowed by law.

Fed. I.D. #91-1818846

Thank You!

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RETURNSERVICEREQUESTED

YES; I WANT TO SUPPORT THE RIVER EXCHANGE!Gifts can be mailed to The River Exchange, P.O. Box 784, Dunsmuir, CA 96025

_____ Other_____ $250 River Sponsor_____ $125 Stewardship Partner_____ $75 Watershed Restorer_____ $35 River Friend NEW RENEWALSupporter Name: ___________________________________________________ Phone: _________________________

Address: ________________________________________________________________________

City, State, Zip: __________________________________________________________________

Email: _________________________________________________________________________

Documents

Fall 2011 River Exchange Newsletter