Success Stories
Millions of Dollars Appropriated to Reduce Watershed Damage from Forest Roads
In December 2007, Congress passed an appropriations bill that included $39.4 million for urgently needed watershed restoration on National Forest lands. PRC was instrumental in securing this appropriation. This money is being spent in areas where decaying US Forest Service roads contribute to water quality problems, especially to areas that support threatened or endangered species, like salmon and steelhead, and provide clean drinking water for communities.
Court Orders Review Of California's Harmful Fish Stocking Practices
As a result of our successful lawsuit, the California Department of Fish and Game will conduct a statewide assessment of its fish stocking program to identify where native species are being harmed by the program, and to develop strategies to address this harm.
Oregon Coast Coho Relisted
In response to our lawsuit, NMFS officially relisted the Oregon coast coho as threatened on May 12, 2008. This is great news because a federal listing brings new resources and promotes the social willpower needed to restore species that face exactly this kind of situation.
Aquatic Conservation Strategy Restored
The Aquatic Conservation Strategy (ACS), a crucial component of the NWFP, is a science-based strategy that aims to maintain and restore the ecological functions and processes of watersheds and aquatic ecosystems. PRC helped restore the ACS after the Bush Administration attempted to significantly weaken the strategy.
SalmonSafe and the Rivers Council
In 1996, Pacific Rivers Council developed certification guidelines that promote ecologically sustainable agricultural practices for the benefits of Pacific salmon and the clean water they need to survive. As the demands of managing Salmon Safe became higher, Dan Kent, (PRC’s Marketing Director at that time), took the helm. The Rivers Council is proud of the accomplishments that Salmon Safe has achieved and gratified to have established this successful organization.
40 Wild and Scenic Rivers Designated in Oregon
In 1988, PRC took the unprecedented step of crafting the nation’s first large federal river protection act, the landmark Oregon Omnibus National Wild and Scenic River Act of 1988. This Act remains the largest river protection legislation in the nation’s history. It added 40 outstanding rivers totaling 1500 river miles to the National Wild and Scenic River system in Oregon.
ESA listings for 16 Salmon Stocks Protected
We sought to ensure that sensitive salmon stocks retained essential ESA protections and that these protections are not reduced on the basis of abundant hatchery fish. Protection of sensitive species through listing under the Endangered Species Act is an essential ingredient in most conservation strategies. Threatened populations of salmon, steelhead and trout would likely go extinct without ESA protection.
