Van Duzen Project article
from Eel River Reporter Fall 2006

In 1992, the Environmental Protection Agency listed the Van Duzen River Basin as 303(D) sediment impaired. In November 1999, Pacific Watershed Associates prepared a document for the EPA entitled, "Sediment Source Investigation for the Van Duzen River Watershed." This study identified the amount of sediment delivered to stream channels from the various erosional processes throughout the watershed. The study divided the Van Duzen Basin into three sections and determined that the section from Grizzly Creek to the mouth was the most impacted due to management activities, with potentially controllable sediment yield accounting for nearly 36% of the total lower watershed yield.

Then very little happened to protect the Van Duzen River Basin. Except for the work of the Eel River Watershed Improvement Group and restoration projects in the parks, little was done to improve conditions. However, in 2002, Pacific Lumber Company released their Watershed Analysis of the Van Duzen declaring that everything was OK, and that all critical buffer zones around streams would be reduced from 150 feet to 50 feet. In 2002, Friends of the Van Duzen River (FOVDR) in their Citizens' Report disputed these finding. In 2004, Pacific Lumber Company and the California Department of Forestry approved 5000 acres of timber for harvest in one year in the Van Duzen River Basin. All approved plans were valid for a three year period. This was 25% of the available harvest for PALCO's holdings in the Van Duzen River Basin.

In November 2004 Resolution 1-2004-00878 was passed, directing the WQCB to develop work plans for establishing TMDLs in the North Coast Region. TMDL is an acronym for total maximum daily load which translates to the capacity of a water system to move sediment in a timely fashion. Almost all the rivers and streams on the North Coast have been declared 303(D) impaired. Our project is consistent with the goals and objectives of the TMDL work plans being developed by the Water Quality Control Board, Region 1. The primary goal is to improve conditions in sediment impaired water bodies along the North Coast. To that end, it involves working with non-profit organizations to develop methods of sediment reduction, and implementing a water monitoring strategy to provide the Regional Water Board with feedback on the recovery of these sediment impaired streams.

Toward that goal, FOVDR in collaboration with Friends of the Eel River (FOER) will be collecting, quantifying, and analyzing data, and collaborating with residents, students, the Department of Fish and Game (CDFG), Humboldt State University, and all landowners and stakeholders who wish to participate.

We are pleased to announce that our project: "Toward a Working TMDL: Establishing a Watershed Plan for the Van Duzen River Basin," has been funded by the California Water Quality Control Board. We will be working through the Integrated Management Watershed Program Planning Division with the goal of developing a watershed plan to provide the Water Quality Control Board with recommendations for the recovery of the sediment impaired Lower Van Duzen River Basin.

Over a two-year period, teams of scientists, community members, and students will monitor water quality at ten specific sites along the main stem and tributaries of the Van Duzen River. Stakeholder and landowner meetings, as well as community workshops will be conducted to establish protocols and provide recommendations for project protocols. Residents will participate in an upcoming Citizens' Monitoring Training Session in honor of October 18th being World Water MonitoringDay. Students from four elementary schools, including Scotia, Hydesville, Cuddeback, and Bridgeville will study local streams, incorporate these studies into classroom science projects, and generate empowerment to become stewards of their local environment. Chris Ramsey of CDFG and Kristina Darby of Scotia Scientists in the Schools GATE Program will continue to work closely with FOVDR in organizing educational projects.

With Ed Brenneman as Science Educator, Cuddeback School will serve as a central collection site for samples and data analysis for turbidity. More intensive analysis of suspended sediment will be conducted at the Salmon Forever Laboratory directed by Clark Fenton. Samples representing extreme turbidity will be further analyzed at Redwood Sciences Laboratory. Karen Bromley, working at the Waste Water Utilization Laboratory of Dr. Kristine Brenneman at Humboldt State, will conduct additional tests for water quality. Dr. Brenneman and Clark Fenton, as well as Randy Klein from Redwood National Park will serve on our Science Advisory Committee. Additional studies of the Van Duzen River Basin will include macro invertebrate sampling conducted by entomologist Nick Simpson, stream cross sections by geologist Dave Heaton, and habitat typing by scientists from CDFG. Jesse Noel will provide consultation and help implement key monitoring stations on the main stem of the Van Duzen River.

We are pleased to have Dr. Paul Trichilo as the Director of our project. A native of Humboldt County, Paul has developed an expertise in population biology, GIS, and watershed management, and has been a long time supporter of Friends of the Eel River and Friends of the Van Duzen River. Some of the GIS analysis will include digitizing logging roads from orthorectified aerial photographs and using these data to quantify the impact of roads, such as road density and road-stream crossings. Analyses will be conducted to correlate water quality with upslope conditions including tree size, timber harvest history, road density, geology, and other variables - all of which will be necessary to demonstrate watershed conditions and movement toward recovery and adaptive management. As a co-writer of the Water Quality grant proposal, Dr. Trichilo brings vision and an organized strategic plan to the Project.

As the other co-writer of the Project proposal, Sal Steinberg is the Community Coordinator for Friends of the Van Duzen River, and will serve as our Field Manager. Mr. Steinberg has 30 years of experience in education, and will collaborate with landowners, stakeholders, scientists, and schools to share information regarding conditions in the Van Duzen River Basin. He will also organize operational efforts in the field. Reports and photos will be made available through our WebMaster Tom Travis at www.fovd.org. A documentary of the project will be filmed through the lens of Barbara Domanchuk an experienced videographer and local resident. Doug Renwick of Copia Group will provide technical expertise.

Friends of the Van Duzen River and Friends of the Eel River are currently seeking office space in Fortuna to facilitate mutual projects and to establish an environmental center. We are looking forward to this opportunity.

We are pleased to have Ms. Janet Blake from the North Coast Water Quality Control Board, as our grant manager on this project. We will be working closely with her to reach a final grant agreement and hope to make a significant contribution toward a working TMDL and a watershed plan for the Van Duzen River Basin.

For any further questions or if you wish to volunteer for projects implemented by the Friends of the Van Duzen River, please contact us at either stein@humboldt1.com or ptrich@asis.com