On September 30, 2026, several senators from both major parties rolled out a 417-page piece of legislation that if passed would change the national landscape of environmental protection. The bill contains major rollbacks of protections in the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Federal Power Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act. The…

On October 1, 2026, the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board (Regional Board) conducted a hearing regarding water quality in the Scott River and Shasta River. The Regional Board considered a five-year extension of conditional waivers for the Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) issued under the Waste Discharge Requirement program.  The Regional Board gave…

The Smith River, whose mainstem and three forks flow a total of approximately 124 miles, flows from the Klamath Mountains to the Pacific Ocean in Del Norte County, California. This waterway is arguably the most beautiful stream in California. For my money, it’s one of the most beautiful on Earth. The Smith River is a…

It takes effort to keep hatchery salmon safe, particularly from live disease-causing agents like bacteria, viruses, and microorganisms, which collectively are called pathogens. The fish hatcheries run by federal and state agencies employ different techniques to ensure the health of California’s salmon populations. In California, the two agencies involved in this effort are U.S. Fish…

State Water Board Plans Adoption on October 28, 29, and (if needed) 30 On September 18, 2026, CSPA joined a coalition of environmental organizations, fishing organizations, and Tribal advocates in comments on the August “Final” Draft Bay-Delta Plan. The State Water Board issued the draft on August 19, 2026. At the center of the proposed…