Regional Partners Sign Historic MOU on Eel River Recovery
![Cape Horn Dam [Photo Credit CalTrout_Kyle Schwartz]](https://kymkemp.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Cape-Horn-Dam-Credit-CalTrout_Kyle-Schwartz-long.jpg)
Cape Horn Dam [Photo Credit CalTrout_Kyle Schwartz]
[Thursday], California Trout joined Round Valley Indian Tribes (RVIT), the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), Humboldt County, Mendocino County Inland Water and Power Commission (MCIWPC), Sonoma Water, and Trout Unlimited in signing a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to advance a water diversion agreement associated with Pacific Gas & Electric’s (PG&E) decommissioning of the Potter Valley Project. The agreement marks a critical step in the recovery of the Eel River and its once abundant salmon fishery.
“This MOU represents years of collaboration and tough negotiations,” said Curtis Knight, CalTrout Executive Director. “Our hope is that this agreement sets the standard on how to manage aging infrastructure and modernize water management while prioritizing the health of ecosystems and the communities that rely on them.”
The announcement follows PG&E’s release of a public draft License Surrender Application on January 31, 2025, outlining the removal of both Scott and Cape Horn dams on the Eel River as part of its license surrender and decommissioning of the Potter Valley Project. PG&E is removing the dams because they lose money, no longer generate electricity, and present a seismic safety risk.
“This historic pledge demonstrates the power of regional cooperation and shared commitment to problem-solving,” added Redgie Collins, CalTrout Legal and Policy Director. “The future of California’s fish, water, and people rely on solutions like this—ones that integrate environmental priorities, tribal sovereignty, and water security. We’re especially grateful for the leadership of Round Valley Indian Tribes, Congressman Huffman, and CDFW Director Bonham in this effort.”
The deal details how Russian River water users can continue to divert water, without harming the recovery of salmon species on the Eel River. It commits the parties to support the removal of the last two dams on the Eel River, which will make it the longest free flowing river in the state. It outlines how Round Valley Indian Tribes will hold senior water rights on the Eel River, while receiving payment of up to $2M a year.
Other key provisions of the MOU include:
- The flow schedule for diversions from the Eel River to the Russian River that is ecologically protective, designed to meet performance metrics, includes continuous real time monitoring, and allows for adaptive management;
- All water rights not destined for delivery will be permanently dedicated in stream in the Eel River;
- A water diversion facility designed to mimic a free-flowing Eel River;
- An initial term of 30 years, with a conditional second 20-year term; and
- A unified joint commitment to support the completion of the water diversion facility and restoration projects in the Eel River through mutual support of state, federal, and philanthropic fundraising efforts.
In parallel with the MOU and dam removal efforts – and with funding support from CDFW – CalTrout published the Eel River Restoration and Conservation Plan. Developed by CalTrout, Applied River Sciences, and Stillwater Sciences, and in partnership with the RVIT and the Wiyot Tribe fisheries programs, the Plan will create a roadmap of holistic restoration and conservation actions in the Eel River watershed. The Plan will help ensure that restoration investments in the Eel River are collaborative, efficient, and effective.
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I’m curious as to how the round valley confederacy will hold senior water rights on the Eel.
Will it be an appropriative right?
a cultural right?
and can I get one of those too?
how many acre feet per year?
will the state still retain ownership of the water since it must, unless it want to invalidate itself as a jurisdiction whatsoever…
so, the occupation of California will remain intact, the senior water right is about equity in our time.
yet it may also lead to the powers that be putting the real dam on the middle fork above dos rios like they wanted before.
In 100 years, when the future has forgotten what we did and why it was done.
I’m pro-dam removal, yet I just feel that come futures untold, there may be new dams built by new rationals.
now if we could only get all those hills of sandstone pea gravel out of the river bed on the downriver end.
When you have been here for 13,000 years you will be able to apply ….
I kind of agree Juanita.
Yet I’m torn in a nation that one party continues to promote not as a nation of locals, but as “a nation of immigrants”.
its confused that democrats want native sovereignty and million man migration too.
I’m suggesting again that this should be a nation of locals, so in consistency I cannot deny that natives would have senior claim according to my own anti immigrant worldview.
“It outlines how Round Valley Indian Tribes will hold senior water rights on the Eel River, while receiving payment of up to $2M a year.”
Who is paying out “$2M a year” to the Round Valley Indian Tribes, California tax payers or southern water users? Is it considered a public bribe or just public funding. Now I can see why the Tribes are all on board…
As I understood it, the RVIT water right is devoted to in stream uses and takes in everything except the small portion that’s diverted — this is a truly historic agreement that promotes environmental restoration and gives all parties a large part of what they want.
From the article:
”All water rights not destined for delivery will be permanently dedicated in stream in the Eel River.”
The Eel River is a beautiful river and hopefully this can work and be a benefit to all stakeholders. Yet, the issue that remains is the vast sediment deposits from the 1964 Flood along the entire river. What will be done concerning these sediments???
Nuthin’ I guess.
“In parallel with the MOU and dam removal efforts – and with funding support from CDFW – CalTrout published the Eel River Restoration and Conservation Plan….The Plan will create a roadmap of holistic restoration and conservation actions in the Eel River watershed.”
So, what is CalTrout ? Has anybody here voted for them ?
come back in 200 years, all that sediment will be in the ocean ?
Follow the MONEY ! Money flows down the Russian River.
Send the water south to fight the fires. Says “The One”
Kym ????