Happy Solstice!

Reflecting
In 2022 we saw significant progress on Eel River dam removal.

PG&E's license for the Potter Valley Project expired in April, they are now operating on annual license extensions until they finish their license surrender process.
PG&E began their license surrender process, but their plan lacks clarity and firm timelines.
Variances on Potter Valley Project flows have become commonplace, but this years’ was notable in that PG&E maintained a cold water pool for Eel River salmonids, resulting in much less water available for the out-of-basin diversion.
FOER and allies filed litigation against FERC and notice of intent to sue P&GE over violations of the Endangered Species Act.
FERC announced last month that the commission will consider adding interim measures to PG&E's license – this is a big step in the right direction.

We also closed the chapter on our work with the No Coal In Humboldt coalition and have shifted that coalition to focus on supporting and guiding development of the Great Redwood Trail. And in October we filed a public trust lawsuit, challenging Humboldt County’s failure to protect, or even consider, public trust resources in the Lower Eel Groundwater Basin.

Planning
Looking forward to the next year, our priorities will remain much the same. Dam removal is the single best action we can take to support recovery for the Eel River, its fisheries, and communities. So that’s where our focus is. But of course, we will continue pursuing other important work including:

meaningful regulation of groundwater use in the lower river,
participating in the Great Redwood Trail Agency’s master planning process,
seeking federal ESA protections for Northern California summer steelhead, and
creating educational and stewardship opportunities for the public

And of course we do all this work against the backdrop of the climate crisis. So we must also ensure our work takes a proactive approach to addressing impacts like sea level rise and wildfires. The natural world is less predictable now, and we must be similarly flexible in our protection, use, and management of natural resources.