Fall 1997 (Vol. 10, No. 3)

UCD Putah-Cache Bioregion Project Begins Collaborating with the Upper Putah Creek Stewardship

Collaboration is the name of our game. We work closely with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Lake County Flood District, the Bureau of Reclamation at Lake Berryessa and our local newspaper, The Middletown Times-Star .

We are excited to have a new collaborator, the UC Davis Putah-Cache Bioregion Project. This will be a real linkage for more networking, technical assistance and for giving us perspective on the larger watershed picture.

UPCS has completed many watershed enhancement projects

Since its first meeting in 1996, the UPCS has organized several creek restorations, clean-ups and educational outreach projects in the Middletown area. We actively network with other agencies to organize and complete these projects.

Working in cooperation with South Lake Fire Protection District, the Stewardship now has a crew, funded through JTPA (Jobs Training Partnership Act), clearing storm debris from Anderson, St. Helena and Putah Creeks.

The Stewardship is also actively involved in educationoutreach. We participate at local events, such as local park openings, Middletown Clean-up Days, Water Awareness Day, the Earth Day Festival and Middletown Days, with tabletop informational displays staffed by UPCS volunteers.

We have worked closely with the local school district on several educational projects, including a Creek Awareness Day with several technical agencies and the Middletown Miwok Tribe. Over 200 students attended.

Our vision for the watershed's future

Stewardship goals include a comprehensive watershed assessment, more streambankrestoration projects accessible to the small property owner, grant writing for projects and, most importantly to this writer, a paid coordinator. Other goals include a fire-safe education and vegetation management program.

The Upper Putah Creek Stewardship is slowly growing in support and interactions with other groups and private property owners. For more information or to be added to our mailing list, contact Helen Whitney, tel.: 707-928-9812; fax: 707-928-4528, P.O. Box 1019, Cobb, CA 95426.

Helen Whitney is a former County Supervisor. She and her husband, Shaw, live on Cobb Mountain; the spring that supplies their domestic water is one of Putah Creek's headwaters.

Wood Duck Nesting Boxes a Big Success

Last winter's record high water was both a blessing and a curse for the resident wood ducks on Putah Creek behind my house about one mile downstream from Stevenson's Bridge. The creek rose to a level at least six feet above any flood level I have observed during the last ten years and probably attained one of the highest levels since the dam was built in the '50s.

Old almond tree stumps that had been dumped at the edge of the stream channel and had rotted there for decades were swept away. So were four wood duck nest boxes that had survived all previous floods. A fifth box was submerged but remained attached to the tree to which it was bolted.

On the other hand, the flooded side channels and brush provided excellent habitat for the ducks. I saw at times 20-30 wood ducks in small rafts or resting onsnags or small islands within less than 400 feet.

Clearly they liked the flood.

The nesting season started, as usual during the last few years, around the beginning of March and went into high gear by the beginning of April. The last ducklings from a second hatch left their nest box in early July.

All in all, the ten remaining nest boxes, mounted on eucalyptus trees perched high on the bank of the stream channel, became homes for 18 nests, two of which were abandoned. Most nests contained between 12 and 18 eggs, although one nest held 27 (a dump nest that was ultimately abandoned) and another 23 eggs (of which an amazing 18 hatched).

Since one box was occupied by gray squirrels during the early part of the season, we had almost complete double occupancy in all boxes with a new nest being established almostas soon as I cleaned out the box.

In the end, a total of close to 200 ducklings left the nest boxes and headed for the nearby creek where I would catch a glimpse of their diminishing numbers as they grew up. In addition, I am aware of at least two successful nests in natural cavities high in the eucalyptus trees behind my house.

In April, Bob Franco from the California Waterfowl Association Wood Duck program banded five of the incubating hens that we were able to capture on the nest, and it will be interesting to see how many of them will return—perhaps to the same box—next year.

Manfred Kusch lives along Putah Creek. With the help of volunteers and the PCC's sponsorship, he has installed over 30 wood duck nesting boxes on his property and that of his neighbors.

Bioregion Project Gets Off the Ground

The UC Davis Putah-Cache Bioregion Project is heading into full gear after receiving funding earlier this year. The Project is an integrated multidisciplinary approach to the bioregion of the Putah and Cache Creek watersheds.

The Project has been busy this past summer and the following projects are in full swing or have just begun:

• The ecological monitoring of Putah and Cache Creeks is going really well, according Joyce Gutstein, member of the Project's Steering Committee. Faculty and students from UCD are working hard, monitoring the bird, mammal and fish communities of Putah Creek, and the fish communities of Cache Creek.

• This fall, a seminar course will involve more UCD students. This course will introduce them to speakers from all over the watershed. Field trips to the creeks are also planned.

• A proposal has been submitted to the National Science Foundation to create an educational program for the public, which will bring together community and University educational venues and programs that exist in the Putah, Cache and Willow Slough watersheds. This will bring watershed education together in a integrated and effective manner.

• Graduate students have also begun surveying and interviewing long-term residents throughout the watersheds to determine the cultural value of the creeks.

• The writers and artists for the Bioregional Artists and Writers in Residence for 1997/1998 have been chosen, and include both community members and university students. They are: Stuart Allen of Woodland (photographer); Mia Lou Houlberg of Davis (mixed media); Norm Milstein of Davis (musician and poet); Ebertelene Alfonso Paulino of Davis (painter); Amy Boyer of Davis (prose fiction); Jean Jackman of Davis (storyteller); Pamela Moore of Davis (poet) and Norm Schaefer of Davis (poet). These talented people have had their first meeting and will be going out on a field weekend somewhere in the bioregion this fall to seek inspiration for their works. Their projects will be presented next spring.

• • Outreach programs have also begun. A group of 4-H high school students from throughout California spent a half day helping graduate students with their ecological monitoring and research at the South Fork Preserve on Putah Creek this summer. The students—all of them—said they had a great time and learned a lot.

Anyone interested in more information about the Project is encouraged to call the Public Service Research Program at (916) 752-7823.

Native Grasses Planted in Putah Creek Park

The new Putah Creek Nature Park in Winters has entered a new phase of development since volunteers cleared trash and planted over 11,000 native grass plants on the upper banks of the creek during two workdays held earlier this spring.

In preparation for the initial planting, volunteer work crews had previously cleared non-native species of grasses, shrubs and trees from both sides of the creek, between the bridges and the percolation dam.

Varieties planted include creeping wild rye, Barbar'ssedge, blue wild rye, California onion grass and purple needle grass. The native grasses came from John Anderson's farm. He chose these species because they establish quickly, providing a lush appearance and helping to stabilize the creek bank.

The 11,000 small grass plugs were watered by hand twice because of the high winds of lack of rain earlier this year. "The grass plugs are now doing very well," according to Jessica Kilkenny, chair of the Team Winters Putah Creek Committee that is coordinating volunteer development of the future creekside nature park.

Kilkenny reported that 239 hours of labor were donated during the planting days. In-kind contributions of supplies, equipment and labor amounted to $2,750.

Bermuda Bros., a Winters area farm labor contractor, sent 16 workers to help with the project. George Barbosa, a local property owner, was one of many volunteer trash collectors and he also later watered the grass plantings. Kilkenny also wishes to acknowledge the Soroptomist Club of Winters for its purchase of the native grasses and First Northern Bank for its donation of the refreshments provided for the workday volunteers.

Initial development of the Putah Creek Nature Park is occurring because of a $100,000 state grant to the city of Winters. The city and local volunteers are being asked to match that amount with in-kind contributions of supplies, equipment and labor. Anyone wishing to help participate in future workdays may leave their names with the city clerk, 795-4910 or contact Kilkenny at 795-4501.

It's been 40 years!

The Solano Project started delivering water to the cities of Solano County, the Solano Irrigation District, UC Davis, and the California Medical Facility in 1959. The contract for this precious water supply was written to last 40 years and must be renewed by 1999.

The users of Putah Creek water have the right to renew the contracts. However, the terms of the contract have yet to be determined and will be the subject of environmental review under both the California Environmental Quality Act and the National Environmental Policy Act.

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the Solano County Water Agency have begun preparing to start the environmental review process, and public meetings to determine the scope of the review should be held this fall or early winter.

The Putah Creek Council will participate in these public meetings to ensure all the issues we want addressed are included in the Environmental Impact Report. We will also work to make sure other stakeholders are fully informed about the process. Watch for news about the Solano Project's contract renewal in this newsletter, local papers and on your computer (if you're on our e-mail distribution list).

Where We've Been…

Ten years ago:

About 15 members of what is to become Putah Creek Council meet for the first time in November 1987 at the Village Homes Community Center.

Eight years ago:

In response to 14_15 miles of the 25 miles of Putah Creek below Solano dam that went dry in the summer of '89, Putah Creek Council begins raising money to purchase water for the creek. By the fall, only portions of the creek were saved by emergency water releases ( Putah Creek News , September/October 1989). In total, 1000 acre feet were purchased that year.

Seven years ago:

Putah Creek Council decides, "after years of quiet diplomacy" to sue Solano County Water Agency and the Solano Irrigation District in an attempt to secure protection for the public trust values of Putah Creek ( Putah Creek News , September/October 1990).

Also during 1990, Putah Creek Council, which had been under the auspices of the Davis Audubon Society, incorporates as a nonprofit, public benefit corporation.

Six years ago:

In the late summer/early fall, Putah Creek dries up—again.

Last year:
Judge Richard K. Park issues his formal judgment requiring 50 percent more water for the lower Putah Creek (but still less water than the Council sought). Solano parties request a retrial. The Putah Creek Council, City of Davis and University of California defeat this request.

Solano parties then appeal and thereby stop implementation of Judge Park's ordered flows. Putah Creek Council and the City of Davis cross-appeal in an attempt to secure the higher flows not granted by Judge Park for some anadramous fish and periodic flushing of the creek ( Putah Creek News , Fall 1996).

Council Comments on Winters Flood Control

The Council is closely monitoring a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project to provide added flood control protection to Winters and its vicinity.

The project will divert water north of Winters into a canal west of the city and then into Putah Creek. The impact on Putah Creek will be a temporally short, but significant (we believe) increase in flow to the Creek during flood events.

The Council's Board of Directors met with Corps representatives Mark Cowan and Alicia Kerschner. The Board then provided comments expressing concern that: 1) project-caused increased flows may increase the likelihood of actions to remove vegetation from the Creek's riparian zone (in order to expand channel flow capacity); and 2) the Corps hydrologic data were not the most current data available.

In part, the Council recommended that project mitigation include a program of non-native plant vegetation removal. For more information, call me at 753-3628.

Litigation Update:

The Council continues to participate in the mediation process sponsored by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to resolve our instream flow dispute with Solano County agencies. As has been discussed in these pages, the goal of this process is to find a solution that will protect the creek and Solano interests.

Success in this process would result in Solano dropping its pending appeal of Judge Park's 1996 judgment and therefore initiating the effect of his court-ordered flows. Day-long, multiple-party mediation sessions are being held approximately once a month; Joe Krovoza represents the Council in these sessions while maintaining close contactwith our scientific and legal advisors.

Meanwhile, in mid-June the voluminous transcript from the 1996 trial before Judge Park was submitted to the appellate court. This allowed the formal briefing process for the Solano appeal and the Council and city of Davis' cross-appeal to begin.

However, in August the transcript was ruled to be incomplete, delaying the appeal schedule considerably. Solano's opening brief regarding the flows is now due by October 24, 1997. The Solano appeal on attorney's fees is to be filed in late November. Assuming no further delays, the process of filing opposition briefs, replies and the cross-appeals should be completed in mid to late January 1998. Oral argument will then be scheduled before the State's Third District Court of Appeal in Sacramento.

Unfortunately, until a settlement is reached or the appeals are exhausted, Judge Park's flows will not reach lower Putah Creek. Fortunately, this year's rains and high groundwater levels have provided some protection for Putah Creek.

The following people have generously given to Putah Creek Council since we last recognized our donors in the Winter 1997 issue of Putah Creek News

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Allen

Eric Baack

Judy Boshoven

Dorothy Brownold

Nikki Bruchet (Sierra Pacific Resorts)

Emily Burstein

Eva Butler (CNPS President)

Diane Cary

Fred Costello

Richard Curley

Craig Denisoff & Lisa Ramer

Dennis Dingemans & Robin Datel

Jeff Dole

Pat Dressendorfer

M. Kim Fondrick

Lou Fox & Marnelle Gleason

James Frampton

Paul Gepts

Don & Sharon Halberg

John & Regina Hamel

Mrs. Genevieve Hasbrook

Cole Hawkins

Barbara Herren

Susan Hodgson

Betty Houston

Mr. and Mrs. Walter E. Howard

Janet Jacob

Stephen Jett & Miriam Greene

Mr. & Mrs. J. William Julian

John & Nancy Jungerman

Robert and Daisy Kelleher

David Kelley (Kelley & Associates)

John Kemper

Barbara Kendrick

Dennis & Jessica Kilkenny

Robin Kulakow & Bill Julian

Stanley & Sally Kulakow

Manfred Kusch & Jaimie Madison

Fayne & Lillian Lantz

Dick & Joann Larkey

Jennifer LeBlanc

Greg Leo & Eve Lance

Robin Leong

George & Cyndi Lester

Vic Lim

Terry Lyon & James Cook

Nancy & Jim Lyons

Marla Macoubrie

Tom Matoff

Kate Mawdsley

Jim and Andrea Mayer

Mike McCoy

Kelly McGuire & Carmen Kuffno

Janet Mercurio & Cody Craven

Paul & Rosa Maria Moller

Peter & Sally Moore

Glenn Nedwin (Novo-Nordisk Biotech Inc.)

Bill & Lynn O'Leary

Lisa Ono & Aaron Fanning

Julie Partansky

John Pickerel & Melanie Bajakian Pickerel

Bob & Barbara Reid

Michael & Turid Reid

Dana & John Richards

Andy Rockriver

Dave & Lea Rosenberg

Mike & Janet Rushton

George Salt

Norman Schaefer

Phil & Margaret Schaeffer

Marc & Heath Schenker

Bob Schneider & Liz Merry

Peter & Jeanette Schulz

Liz Schwall

John & Mary Seeger

Morgan & Jeanie Sherwood

Allegra Silberstein

Melody & Keith Simonton

Kay Smith

Gary Snyder

Winifred & Arthur Spurr

Sally Summerell

Devin Taylor

Rob & Lacey Thayer

Gene Trapp & Jo Ellen Ryan

Robert Traut

Bill Wagman

Ed Wallace

Anne Wedemeyer

Robert Weidenfeld

Robert D. Westfall

Marilyn Whitney & John Fawcett

Barry & Joyce Wilson

David Wilson

Clint Winger (The Paint Chip)

William & Tami Wintermitz

Kevin Wolf

Jeanette Wrysinski

Judy Wydick

Gus Yates (Jones and Stokes)

Putah Creek News Volume 10, No. 3 Fall 1997

Putah Creek News is a periodic publication of the Putah Creek Council, a nonprofit public benefit corporation dedicated to the protection and enhancement of Putah Creek through advocacy, education and activism.

Editor: Jennifer LeBlanc 756-8272

Design: Selena Littrell 343-3788

Web Page Version: Andrew Fulks

Printing: The Printer 753-2519
Putah Creek Council , P.O. Box 743, Davis, CA 95617