by Ruth Atkins, Eel River Project Coordinator
The visioning process for the Upper Eel Watershed continues with a wide array of partners and ambassadors. On the 6th of September, representatives from Tribes, non-governmental organizations, the US Forest Service, County of Lake, various homeowners’ associations, environmentalists and recreation enthusiasts joined CalWild for a full day workshop at the Robinson Rancheria and Casino in Nice. The first half of the day was spent listening to the history of the land and peoples in the Upper Eel Watershed, the current landscape, challenges and opportunities, and the lists of ideas that have come through our various listening sessions so far this year. A moment of silence was held and honor was paid for the painful history and Native genocide within the region. Participants offered thanks for the time together, and recognition of the land for both the meeting and the scope of the vision.
From the beginning, CalWild and participants were eager to keep the conversation focused on the entire region of the Upper Eel Watershed, rather than simply the question of dam removal. The US Forest Service provided some data on the full scope of the project. Figures were provided regarding homestead sites, camping and recreation facilities, road conditions, communication challenges and history of fires in the region. The CalWild Coordinator reviewed a list of proposed vision elements, projects and ideas, giving time for questions and for table discussions.
In the second half of the day, small groups spent time discussing the things they had heard, reviewing the list of ideas, projects and considerations, and providing their own contributions. Participants and groups were invited to share their feedback for additions and edits and discuss the feasibility of these propositions. As groups shared with the room what they had discussed, questions were raised, feasibility and challenges shared. By the end of the day participants remarked how meaningful that the project seeks to engage representative of all residents of the local region. Next steps were gathered, with valuable suggestions including that CalWild help to organize a Tribal-only listening session. CalWild is eager to help support our Tribal partners in such an effort in any meaningful way.
Future workshops are scheduled for November 2024 and February 2025. This fall, the group will discuss opportunities in the region for fire prevention and resiliency, as well as recreation opportunities. In February the group will review the draft vision report, hopefully endorse its recommendations, and look to next steps to utilize this momentum and effort to leverage implementation of the report’s recommendations.
