West Coast Water Justice

We interview Jesus Alonso and Ngodoo Atume from Clean Water Action in California. Ngodoo is a Senior Water Policy Analyst and Jesus serves as Clean Water Action’s Kern County Gas and Oil Organizer. We learn about California’s Central Valley communities that do not have safe drinking water, some that have to pay for contaminated water, and others whose wells have been poisoned or sucked dry. Jesus shares stories from his community, in Kern County, we hear about what it's like living and attending school next door to an oil pumpjack and the health risks associated. We learn about the fossil fuel industry’s chemical and radioactive-laced wastewater and how it is sold to farmers and used to grow food in five California water districts.DisclaimerThe views and opinions expressed in this program do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Save California Salmon or any entities mentioned. Get involvedClean Water ActionCalifornia State Water Board's "White Paper" a paper about fossil fuels wastewater used to grow foodEpisode creditsproducer: Natalie Kilmerproduction support: Save California Salmon, and Kendall Crakowepisode music: Atomic Tide theme music by Tony Bald, Adam Inguiez, and Danny SnyderSupport the show

This is part 2 of a 2-part interview with Food and Water Watch (FWW) and the second in our Fossil Fuels Series.  In this episode, we interview (FWW) National Policy Director, Jim Walsh, and Tomás Morales Rebecchi, California's Central Coast Organizing Manager. They continue to discuss current issues with the oil and gas industry and its impacts on our clean water and environment. We learn more about the fossil fuel industry's practices that pollute our water, food, and communities and the industry's efforts to roll back environmental regulations throughout California.  Food and Water Watch fights for safe food, clean water, and a livable climate for all of us, protecting people from corporations and other destructive economic interests that put profit ahead of everything else.DisclaimerThe views and opinions expressed in this program do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Save California Salmon or any entities mentioned. Get involvedFood and Water Watch National Pipeline Awareness Episode creditsproducer: Natalie Kilmerproduction support: Kasil Willie, and Kendall Crakowepisode music: The Pleasure Kills theme music by Tony Bald, Adam Inguiez, and Danny SnyderSupport the showSupport the show

This is part 1 of a 2-part interview with Food and Water Watch (FWW) and the first in our Fossil Fuels Series.  In this episode, we interview (FWW) National Policy Director, Jim Walsh, and Tomás Morales Rebecchi, California's Central Coast Organizing Manager, they catch us up to speed on the oil and gas industry and its impact on our clean water and environment.  We also learn about the future of fossil fuels and the false hope of hydrogen and what's at stake. Food and Water Watch fights for safe food, clean water, and a livable climate for all of us, protecting people from corporations and other destructive economic interests that put profit ahead of everything else.DisclaimerThe views and opinions expressed in this program do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Save California Salmon or any entities mentioned. Get involvedFood and Water Watch National Pipeline Awareness Episode creditsproducer: Natalie Kilmerproduction support: Kasil Willie, and Kendall Crakowepisode music: The Pleasure Kills and Strange Citiestheme music by Tony Bald, Adam Inguiez, and Danny SnyderSupport the show

In this episode, we interview Laurel Firestone, a member of the State Water Resources Control Board. We learn about the organization and its work to ensure that every person in the state has a right to clean, safe, and affordable drinking water.  We discuss how far we still have to go to meet California's Human Right to Water.Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Laurel Firestone to the State Water Resources Control Board in February 2019. Prior to joining the Board, Laurel co-founded and co-directed, from 2006-2019, the Community Water Center, a statewide non-profit environmental justice organization based in California’s Central Valley and Central Coast. Her career has focused on building increased diversity, equity, and inclusivity into water decision-making.DisclaimerThe views and opinions expressed in this program do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Save California Salmon or any entities mentioned. Get involvedCalifornia State Water Resources Control Board Attend a Water Board MeetingSAFERReport air, water, toxic substances, pesticides, or solid waste at CalEPA reporting systemReport a suspected Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) at CalEPA HABs systemLearn more about Groundwater contaminants, including PFAs at GAMA GroundwaterLearn more about the location of oil and gas wells visit CalGEM at Geologic Energy Management DivisionLearn more about the CalEPA generally, gather data, or find information resources at CalEPA | California Environmental Protection AgencyFor a directory of California’s nine regional water quality control boards (and branch offices) visit the Regional Water Quality Board Directory | California State Water Resources Control BoardFor public documents related to the water board visit the Public Records Center | California State Water Resources Control BoardFor more information on the State Water Board Meetings, including the upcoming calendar and agenda items visit Board Calendar | California State Water Resources Control BoardState Water Resources Control Board Phone Contacts:Office of Public Affairs: (916) 341-5254Office of Legislative Affairs: (916) 341-5251Office of the Ombudsman: (916) 341-5925Drinking Water information: (916) 449-5577Water Quality information: (916) 341-5455Water Rights information: (916) 341-5300Financial Assistance information: (916) 341-5700Episode creditsProducer: Natalie KilmerProduction Support: Kasil Willie, Kendall Crakow, and Regina ChichizolaPodcast Music by Tony Bald, Adam Inguiez, and Danny SnyderSupport the show

In this episode, we interview Danielle Frank, a Hoopa Valley Tribal Member, activist, and youth coordinator with Save California Salmon. Danielle shares her story of growing up in Hoopa Valley along the banks of the Trinity River near its confluence with the Klamath River. We hear how speaking up for her beliefs, community, and way of life helped her find her voice and become an empowered youth leader and public speaker. At nineteen years of age, some of her accomplishments include leading Native Youth programs, creating informed Native American curriculum for schools, assisting with California State legislation, being a featured Vogue climate activist, and a speaker at the United Nations Climate Change Summit COP 27.DisclaimerThe views and opinions expressed in this program do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Save California Salmon or any entities mentioned. All music is the property of the artist/s and may not be reproduced or shared without their consent.Get involvedSchool Curriculum: Advocacy and Water Protection in Native CaliforniaSave California Salmon DONATE- It is Native American Heritage Month and these funds go directly towards education events and travel funds for Northern California Native youth and Water Protectors, and Klamath Dam removal celebrations for our communities who have worked for 20 years to remove Klamath Dams.Protect ICWAStop the Delta Tunnel PetitionAdvocates for Indigenous California Language SurvivalVogue ArticleEpisode creditsProducer: Natalie KilmerProduction Support: Carrie Tully, Kasil Willie, Kendall Crakow, Regina ChichizolaPodcast Music by Tony Bald, Adam Inguiez, and Danny SnyderMusical break Clip: Maymi Preston-Donahue Photograph of Danielle Frank by Carlos Jaramillo; Styled by Marcus Correa. Reprinted from VogueSupport the show

In this episode, we follow up with Clifford Lee, retired Deputy Attorney General with the California Department of Justice. We dive deeper into water policy and hear about critical changes needed to protect our most valuable resource: water! We are faced with a 27-year delay in the adoption of new scientific recommendations and species protections for the SF Bay Delta, the lifeblood of our state.  While at the same time critical aquifers across the state are being over-pumped and going dry.We learn that California needs to catch up with other Western states on the regulation of groundwater extraction and quantifying river diversions. Clifford, a public servant of 40 years is sounding the alarm and urging us to educate ourselves about our water resources before they are gone. This episode is packed with the information we need now, so we can reform water policy in California for a sustainable future.DisclaimerThe views and opinions expressed in this program do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Save California Salmon or any entities mentioned. Get involvedUpdating California Water Laws to Address Drought and ClimateChange, PCL Recommendations"Federalism and Water" by Clifford LeeSave California SalmonCalifornia Water JusticeCalifornia State Water Resources Control BoardTwitter  Instagram  Facebook Episode creditsProducer: Natalie KilmerProduction Support: Kasil Willie and Kendall CrakowMusic by Tony Bald, Adam Inguiez, and Danny SnyderSupport the show

Currently, California is on track to lose most if not all native fish species within this century if we don't adapt to climate change.   We talk with Clifford Lee;  retired deputy attorney general with the California Department of Justice who served the state for 40 years.  Clifford shares his expertise and recommendations for updating California's water policy to mitigate the effects of climate change. He explains some of the policies that got us here and the nuts and bolts of the agencies that regulate and move water throughout the state. DisclaimerThe views and opinions expressed in this program do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Save California Salmon or any entities mentioned. Get involvedUpdating California Water Laws to Address Drought and ClimateChange, PCL Recommendations"Federalism and Water" by Clifford LeeSave California SalmonCalifornia Water JusticeCalifornia State Water Resources Control BoardTwitter  Instagram  Facebook Episode creditsMusic by Tony Bald, Adam Inguiez, and Danny SnyderSupport the show

Keith Parker, Senior Fisheries Biologist for the Yurok Tribe explains some of the basics that make up a healthy fishery and river ecosystem.  We learn about the different salmon runs and basic salmon genetics. He shares his background in Indigenous ecological knowledge and Western science and how together they inform the Klamath Dam Removal process.  Keith makes it clear that the loss of these fish and traditional foods are as much a social justice issue as a biological issue. To lose species like salmon is more than just a loss of biodiversity, it is a loss of cultural heritage.Get InvolvedYurok Tribe FisheriesSave California SalmonCalifornia State Water Resources Control BoardPetition to Stop Salmon Fish Kills  Instagram  Facebook Support the show

In this episode, we interview Doug Obegi, Senior Attorney at Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). Doug shares his expertise about the history of our archaic and inequitable water rights system and how protections for fish and wildlife, and the tribes, fishing jobs, and communities that depend on these environmental protections, are constantly under threat from industrial agriculture and large corporations. He explains how California's water rights and diversions are over-allocated and under-reported, and discusses how the mismanagement of our most precious resource has made some people billionaires while over 1 million Californians lack access to clean drinking water. We discuss how to protect California's rivers and fisheries from excessive water diversions, and Doug makes it clear that we all need to participate in public comment periods, reach out to our representatives and the State Water Board because it really does make a difference.Get InvolvedDoug's BlogRestore the Delta Save California SalmonCalifornia State Water Resources Control BoardPetition to Stop Salmon Fish Kills  Instagram  Facebook Support the show

We follow up with hereditary Chief Caleen Sisk about the expansive watershed of the Sacramento River from the headwaters of the Winnemem Waywayket all the way to the Bay-Delta and the Pacific Ocean. We learn about the history of this once epic fishery and what it will take to bring the Salmon back home over the Shasta rim dam, and how New Zealand can help.The management of California's Bay Delta and its tributaries is complicated. The Sacramento and San Joaquin River watersheds and Delta have a complicated series of dams and diversions that feed the state and federal Central Valley Irrigation projects. The Shasta and Trinity dams are federal dams, while many of the other dams in the watersheds such as the Feather, Pit, and American Rivers are either primarily part of the state water project or private PGE dams. The state of California and the Federal Bureau of Reclamation manage flows, irrigation water deliveries, and operations from their dams and diversions, through water operations plans and a complicated water rights system. These operations are subject to Endangered Species Act Biological Opinions for endangered species such as winter and spring-run salmon and Delta smelt.  Recent Biological Opinions have not only estimated how much water can be diverted,  without species in rivers below the diversions going extinct, but they also have called for the return of winter-run salmon to their traditional habitats upstream of these dams, such as the McCloud River. This is because spring run and winter-run salmon traditionally used the upper reaches of the cold tributaries of the Delta watersheds. Almost all of their spawning habitat has been blocked by dams. Unfortunately, these Biological Opinions have been subject to political interference by several presidents and many of the runs of endangered salmon have been killed over the last ten years and fish passage efforts have not moved forward. Get InvolvedWinnemem Wintu Tribe Run 4 SalmonPetition to help the McCloud RiverRestore the Delta Save California SalmonMaven's NotebookCalifornia State Water Resources Control BoardPetition to Stop Salmon Fish Kills  Instagram  Facebook Support the show

In this episode, we hear from hereditary Chief Caleen Sisk of the Winnemem Wintu Tribe. Their tribal homelands encompass the Winnemem Waywaket (McCloud River)  and much of the land now flooded by the Shasta Reservoir, California's largest.  The Winnemum Wintu's resistance story exemplifies many of the inequities in California's land and water rights.  Get InvolvedWinnemem Wintu Tribe Run 4 SalmonPetition to help the McCloud RiverRelevant news articles Save California SalmonPetition to Stop Salmon Fish KillsTwitter  Instagram  Facebook Support the show

Dr. Beth Rose Middleton Manning is a Professor of Native American Studies at UC Davis.  In this episode, we learn about water rights in California and how Native lands and communities have been treated as sacrifice zones for national priorities of irrigation, flood control, and hydroelectric development. Beth Rose shares her research on the North Fork of the Feather River and California’s State Water Project, with a focus on Indigenous resistance and activism. We discuss how Indigenous history can better inform conservation measures and the need for Indigenous restitution and recognition.Get InvolvedBeth Rose Middleton ManningUpstream: Trust Lands and Power on the Feather RiverSogorea Te' Land TrustMaidu Summit Consortium Amah Mutsun Land TrustSave California SalmonPetition to Stop Salmon Fish KillsTwitter  Instagram  Facebook Support the show

A call to action from Morning Star Gali, a member of the Ajumawi band of Pit River Tribe. This episode is dedicated to Native American Heritage Month and focuses on Native resistance, justice, and action in California. Join Save California Salmon (SCS) with Native Communities in the fight for our environment and engage in public comments on important salmon, water, and land issues. There are opportunities to speak up about the proposed Sites Reservoir, the Delta Tunnel, numerous California dam removals, destructive water flow diversions, and climate issues over the next few months. Stay involved and connected by visiting the SCS website: CaliforniaSalmon.orgGiving TuesdayWe encourage you to make a donation or buy some gear from Save California Salmon this holiday season. On Tuesday, November 30th, half of SCS donations will be going to the Grant Gilkison and Jordan Allan Endowment Fund for Native Youth. Both Klamath Basin community members recently passed away and were dedicated to supporting Mid Klamath Karuk and Yurok youth water protectors. Thank you for your generosity!Get InvolvedIndigenous JusticeInternational Indian Treaty CouncilDonate Save California SalmonPetition to stop salmon fish killsTwitter  Instagram  Facebook Support the show

We talk with Glen Spain, the North West Regional Director for the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations (PCFFA). Glen shares his experience over the last 40 years working with the Klamath Basin. We hear about how the community has come together to address critical concerns from farmers, landowners and cities, and how they've found a compromise in order to move forward.  He shares data collected over half a century that overwhelmingly indicates that dam removal is the best option.Get InvolvedPCFFAKlamath River Renewal CorporationSave California SalmonPetition to stop salmon fish killsTwitter  Instagram  Facebook Support the show

Brook Thompson (She/Her) is a Yurok and Karuk Native from Northern California. Growing up she lived and fished on the same land that her ancestors have been on for over 12,000 years. Brook fights for water and Native American rights through speaking to groups and frontline activism. She has been an intern for the City of Portland’s BES and the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs in D.C. and the CA Water Resource Control Board. In 2017 Brook was awarded the American Indian Graduate Center’s Undergraduate student of the year and in 2020 she was won Unity’s 25 Under 25 award. Brook has a B.S. in Civil Engineering and a minor in Political Science. Currently, she is in her master’s program in environmental engineering at Stanford University. Miss Thompson’s goal is to bring together water rights and Native American knowledge through engineering, public policy, and social action.Get Involvedbrookmthompson.com@brook_m_thompsonSave California SalmonPetition to stop salmon fish killsTwitter  Instagram  Facebook Support the show

In this episode, we interview Dr. Cutcha Rising Baldy (Hupa, Karuk, Yurok, enrolled Hoopa Valley Tribe) Department Chair and Associate Professor of Native American Studies at Humboldt State University. Cutcha shares her unique perspective growing up in the Trinity and Klamath River Basin. Her personal stories inspire us to follow the example of the Hupa, Karuk, and Yurok Tribes and remind us that despite the colonizing forces of the United States and Gold Rush era, these tribes are still here protecting their home and rivers for more than 12,000 years.   Get InvolvedCutchaRislingBaldy.comCutcha's TwitterNative Women's CollectiveSave California SalmonPetition to stop salmon fish killsTwitter  Instagram  Facebook Support the show

The Klamath River is slated to be the largest dam removal project in the history of the United States. Removing these dams will open up over 400 miles of salmon, trout, and eel habitat. Find out what's at stake and what it takes to protect a watershed. In this episode, we interview Regina Chichizola (she/her), Co-director of Save California Salmon.  She shares some of their 20-year history of advocating for dam removal with communities on the Klamath River in Northern California and Southeast Oregon. This is the first episode in a series about the Klamath Dam Removal process. Get involvedSave California SalmonCalifornia Water JusticePetition to stop salmon fish killsTwitter  Instagram  Facebook Episode creditsEpisode Artwork by Tori McConnellMusic by Tony Bald, Adam Inguiez, and Danny SnyderSupport the show