History
Friends of Butte Creek formed in 1999 when the conservation
voices in the watershed were excluded from the collaborative
efforts established to help spring run salmon recover. Recognizing
the need for an organization that promoted environmental protection
and restoration, four members of the original collaborative
created the Friends.
FBC has worked closely with several environmental groups and
other supporters of community based groups to bring attention
to the ongoing problems with recovery of salmon and steelhead.
FBC has partnered with Earthjustice, the Sacramento River Preservation
Trust, Friends of the River, California Sportfishing Protection
Alliance, Pacific Coast Federation of Fisherman's Association,
and the Northern California Federation of Fly Fishers
to pursue legal action to ensure that the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, Pacific Gas and Electric, and the state and federal
agencies do everything possible to recover salmon and steelhead
in the most expeditious manner.
FBC has worked with the California Hydro Reform Coalition to
learn about and participate in the FERC Integrated Licensing
Process for the DeSabla-Centerville Hydroelectric project operated
by PGE. FBC has invested hundreds of hours and written dozens
of pages of comments and suggestions for improving the project
and the study plans in preparation the application for a new
30 year license for the project.
FBC has also worked with Streaminders, the Sacramento River
Preservation Trust and others to provide substantive comments
on the CALFED funded Butte Creek Floodplain Management Project.
FBC is the only Butte Creek group submitting comments on the
project.
FBC has also been instrumental in providing field trips for
school groups to view spawning salmon throughout the watershed
to develop a community with a strong appreciation of this natural
miracle. We hope you can share this appreciation and join our
efforts.