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Adopt and present a resolution recognizing the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Putah Creek Council and its continued advocacy, education and stewardship (Chair Vasquez)
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
Chair Vasquez requests that the Board adopt and present a resolution recognizing the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Putah Creek Council and its continued advocacy, education and stewardship.
SUMMARY:
The Putah Creek Council was founded Feb. 3, 1988 with the goal of uniting people who would work to protect Putah Creek's riparian habitat and water level. At the time, California was experiencing a drought and lower Putah Creek - the 23 mile stretch from the Putah Diversion Dam to the Yolo Bypass - caused areas of drying and fish deaths during the summers of 1989 and 1990, a cause of great concern among conservationists, landowners and nature lovers.
By 1990 the Putah Creek Council sought enhanced, permanent flows of water for the creek, sparking a nearly 10-year-long legal battle. With research and the best available evidence concerning hydrology and fish data, the Putah Creek Council also placed the Public Trust Doctrine at the core of its argument - wherein the state has a duty to preserve its environment related to waterways.
The lawsuit was resolved on May 24, 2000, when the Putah Creek Council, officials from UC Davis, Solano County Water Agency, Solano Irrigation District, the City of Davis, and others gathered at the Putah Diversion Dam to enter into the Putah Creek Water Accord. This agreement not only secured water rights, but led to the formation of the Lower Putah Creek Coordinating Committee, the hiring of a streamkeeper, and funding for restoration.
Today, the efforts of the Putah Creek Council can be seen with the ongoing restoration work being done to improve riparian habitat, improve water quality, and limit erosion. I...
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