On 2 April 2014, CSPA joined Felix Smith, Save the American River Association, California Small Stream Council and Public Trust Alliance in filing a complaint with the State Water Resources Control Board regarding the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s (Reclamation) operation of Folsom and Nimbus Dams on the lower American River. The complaint alleges that Reclamation is violating the Public Trust Doctrine, California Fish and Game Code Section 5937. Article X, Section 2 of the California Constitution and the federal Clean Water Act.
Reclamation operates Folsom and Nimbus Dams in a manner that causes irreparable harm to Chinook salmon and steelhead trout in the American River. Both streamflow and water temperatures are inadequate to maintain renewable fish populations and spawning redds during major portions of the year. The complaint asks the State Board to require Reclamation to modify operations and facilities as necessary to protect fisheries, water quality and public trust resources.