| Coalition Formed to Enhance the Lower Tuolumne River
The Lower Tuolumne River Coalition endeavors to enhance public access and recreational opportunities, compatible with private interests, while improving the natural environment along the river throughout Stanislaus County. This new collaboration aims to create a mosaic of interconnected public and private projects on the Central Valley stretch of the Tuolumne River. This portion of the Lower Tuolumne River is one of the most significant natural resources in California’s Great Central Valley. As the largest tributary of the San Joaquin River, the Tuolumne drains a 1,900 square mile watershed that includes the northern half of Yosemite National Park. As it emerges from the Sierra Nevada foothills into the Central Valley, the Lower Tuolumne travels 52 miles to the San Joaquin River, carrying precious agricultural and municipal water supplies to a highly developed and diversified regional economy. Agriculture, ranching, mining, and tourism dominate the region and depend on the river for their sustained livelihoods. An enormous biological community also depends on the Tuolumne River. Vast Fremont cottonwood and valley oak riparian forests once insulated the Tuolumne River banks, extending several miles wide in the lower San Joaquin Valley, and merging into riparian forests of the neighboring Merced, Stanislaus, and San Joaquin rivers. These forests provided foraging and breeding habitat for a diverse array of resident and migratory bird and wildlife populations, including tremendous populations of migratory waterfowl. Despite recent declines, the Tuolumne River still supports the largest naturally reproducing populations of chinook salmon remaining in the San Joaquin Valley. The Tuolumne River also provides habitat for a wide variety of other fish species. The Lower Tuolumne River Coalition brings together 25 agencies and organizations to integrate existing
plans, increase public awareness, and obtain financial support to build the public/private mosaic. It involves city and
county agencies, water districts, local non–governmental organizations, as well as state and federal agencies. Participants
in the Coalition include: This uncommonly diverse group drafted a vision statement enumerating nine goals including habitat values,
open space, public recreational opportunities, buffers from regulatory conflict for private landowners, flood management
benefits, educational programs, and more. Most recently, the Coalition worked closely with state representatives to secure $5 million in funds
through the state budget process for projects, such as development of boating and fishing access points, preservation of
open space and riparian habitat restoration, and planns for the Tuolumne River Regional Park. Future projects include
easement acquisition from willing sellers in the floodplain and salmon restoration projects. The next steps for the Coalition are the development of a Master Plan integrating the existing county,
city, and habitat plans for the river; support participating agencies in identifying and securing funds for projects;
and outreach to bring other organizations and private landowners into the Coalition. The Lower Tuolumne River Coalition demonstrates that local citizens and groups can enhance the Tuolumne’s
natural environment and improve recreational and educational opportunities, while maintaining the character of the watershed. California Biodiversity News: Volume 8, Number 2 |