On 23, January 2014, CSPA, California Water Impact Network, Pacific Coast Federation of Fisherman’s Associations, AquAlliance and Environmental Protection Information Center asked the Trinity River Restoration Program (TRRP) to put all channel rehabilitation projects on hold pending a thorough review. The groups noted that the projects are causing rather than mitigating environmental harm.
A draft report by the TRRP’s Science Advisory Board found that the benefits of the projects to salmon are not significant and the program has veered significantly from the intent described in the 2000 Trinity River Record of Decision. Tens of millions of dollars have been spent on the mainstem projects with few results and multiple negative impacts, including turbidity, the spread of noxious weeds, reduction in public access and destruction of adult steelhead holding habitat.