More Good Land Stewardship

INFO continues with more basic principles of good land stewardship.

In-stream structures like dams and baffles can improve fish habitat and reduce land erosion. There are many different kinds of structures, and ways of building them, depending on local conditions and using locally-available materials (naturally cheaper than hauling in material). (Use local labor, too, and keep local money local!) In our area, structures have to be strong enough to withstand intense winter storms and flooding. Get expert advice during the planning of your project to avoid having all your work blown out in one storm and ending up with a worse problem than when you started.

Salmon need boulders, rocks, logs and the pools they create. The water is cooler in the pools, and there are hiding places for the baby salmon, and resting places for the adult fish heading upstream. That's another reason to leave trees next to rivers and streams -- they provide good fish habitat when they fall in! Also, the decaying wood provides good insect habitat, which is good for the fish because insects are their food.

Responsible timber harvest practices minimize negative impacts on the land. The bare ground and exposed soil that result from logging and logging roads are where erosion begins. The sediment then washes into streams and clogs gravel beds where the salmon need to lay their eggs. Check dams as in this picture are one way to reduce the amount of soil running off into streams. (Actually, a slope this steep might not be a good place to harvest timber to begin with. Major landslides can result from logging steep slopes.)

Tree planting is an investment in the future. Trees are good for the land. Their roots hold the soil in place. Their leaves reduce the impact of rain and wind on the soil and smaller plants. Their fallen leaves make new soil. Their shade cools the air and water. They provide habitat for birds, insects, and small animals. They provide wood for future houses and furniture. They are non-toxic and beautiful. Keep America Green -- Plant Trees!

To learn more about how to reduce erosion on your land and roads, and how to improve the living conditions for the salmon in the Eel River, call MERG at 926-1025 and talk to Loreena Boswell or Ethan Ricca or Norm Fearien or Bruce Handley.

Another excellent resource is Ruth Goodfield with ERWIG (that's the Eel River Watershed Improvement Group) at 923-5227.

You can also call Scott Downey with the California Department of Fish & Game, Eel River Basin Planning Project, in Fortuna at 725-0368.


In-stream structures like dams and baffles can improve fish habitat and reduce land erosion. There are many different kinds of structures, and ways of building them, depending on local conditions and using locally-available materials (naturally cheaper than hauling in material). (Use local labor, too, and keep local money local!) In our area, structures have to be strong enough to withstand intense winter storms and flooding. Get expert advice during the planning of your project to avoid having all your work blown out in one storm and ending up with a worse problem than when you started.	Salmon need boulders, rocks, logs and the pools they create. The water is cooler in the pools, and there are hiding places for the baby salmon, and resting places for the adult fish heading upstream. That's another reason to leave trees next to rivers and streams -- they provide good fish habitat when they fall in! Also, the decaying wood provides good insect habitat, which is good for the fish because insects are their food.

Responsible timber harvest practices minimize negative impacts on the land. The bare ground and exposed soil that result from logging and logging roads are where erosion begins. The sediment then washes into streams and clogs gravel beds where the salmon need to lay their eggs. Check dams as in this picture are one way to reduce the amount of soil running off into streams. (Actually, a slope this steep might not be a good place to harvest timber to begin with. Major landslides can result from logging steep slopes.)	Tree planting is an investment in the future. Trees are good for the land. Their roots hold the soil in place. Their leaves reduce the impact of rain and wind on the soil and smaller plants. Their fallen leaves make new soil. Their shade cools the air and water. They provide habitat for birds, insects, and small animals. They provide wood for future houses and furniture. They are non-toxic and beautiful. Keep America Green -- Plant Trees!