Environmental Action Committee

Streams & Salmon

During the past quarter-century, much has been done to help salmon populations recover. For more on the history of West Marin salmon streams, click here.

EAC’s Stream Protection Work

Revegetating a stream bank using willow dams

Today, thanks to many volunteers, environmental groups and public agencies, West Marin supports one of the most important salmon populations in California. EAC is part of that success story. We stopped the further conversion of wetland to pasture. We were party to an action that resulted in a court order ensuring adequate flow to Lagunitas Creek. We successfully lobbied for the removal of the seasonal dam and restoration of the Tomales Bay wetlands. We have stopped or altered many developments that would have despoiled salmon streams

EAC IS TAKING ACTION

EAC is working case by case to ensure that Marin’s existing stream protection ordinances are uniformly enforced. Letter to MMWD
EAC is pressing the County to conduct a study to determine how much creekside development is sustainable in terms of the ecological health of the creeks themselves and of salmon and steelhead survival. For more on the key question of how much development can our creeks afford, click here
EAC is working to get improved stream protection policies adopted in the Countywide Plan, which is currently being revised.
EAC has developed a list of simple steps to improve protection for Marin's streams and salmon. In July 2002, the Marin County Planning Department agreed to adopt most of these proposals. To see the list of changes along with the County’s projected timeline and the current status, click here.
Though Tomales Bay is one of the healthiest estuaries on the California coast, the Regional Water Quality Board has declared it "impaired" for pathogens, sediment, and mercury due to causes ranging from illegal dumping, to inadequate septic systems, to overgrazing, to mining. This is bad news for salmon and other wildlife who depend on the Bay and its tributaries, as well as for local residents, visitors, and oyster farmers. EAC is working as part of the Tomales Bay Watershed Council, a coalition of local community groups, farmers, environmentalists, business, individuals, and public agencies to improve the water quality of Tomales Bay. For more information about the Watershed Council’s water quality monitoring program, click here.

Links, Resources & Maps

Marin Coho Salmon Map

Salmon Protection And Watershed Network

Salmon Map
Anadromous Fish and Stream Conservation Area, County of Marin

Save Marin's Coho Salmon Map (pdf)

Marin County Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program’s (MCSTOPP) Caring for our Creeks webpage

McStopp’s Creek Care Guide

For information on beach closures and water quality monitoring results, go to
www.earth911.org/WaterQuality.

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