117 



there were numerous culverts with high diversion potential. 

 Problems identified should be remedied as soon as possible to 

 prevent further decline in habitat quality and fall chinook salmon 

 in the Mad River. Some key watersheds listed in Johnson et al. 

 (1991) such as Bluff Creek and Red Cap Creek have widespread 

 disturbance associated with timber harvest. "Storm proofing" these 

 watersheds is probably prudent to protect fall chinook stocks and 

 summer steelhead. 



The Shasta Trinity National Forest controls a substantial 

 portion of the South Fork Trinity River watershed. Spring chinook, 

 fall Chinook, coho salmon, and summer steelhead are all at 

 extremely low levels. A major factor in the decline of these fish 

 has been sedimentation. Because the watershed is large and current 

 assessments are incomplete, implementation of such a program in 

 this basin may require longer lead time. 



We are now faced with the very real prospect of widespread 

 extinction of Pacific salmon stocks. As a nation, we are all 

 concerned about our current budget deficit and what portion of that 

 debt we will leave to our children. If we fail to act decisively, 

 to save Pacific salmon, what will be the economic and cultural 

 deficit that we leave to future generations? Congress should enact 

 legislation to begin an ambitious watershed restoration program to 

 prevent widespread loss of Pacific salmon stocks. The public 

 recognizes the value of Pacific salmon and healthy river systems 

 and will support sound solutions. The time for leadership has 

 arrived. ^ 



References 



Johnson, K.N. , J.F. Franklin, J.W. Thomas, J.Gordon. 1991. 



Alternatives for Management of Late Successional Forests of 

 the Pacific Northwest. Report for Merchant Marine and 

 Fisheries Committee, U.S. House of Representatives. 



Higgins, P.T., S. Dobush, D. Fuller. Factors Threatening Northern 

 California Stocks With Extinction. Humboldt Chapter American 

 Fisheries Society, Areata, Calif. 



U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1991. Long Range Plan for the 

 Klamath River Basin Fisheries Conservation Area. Klamath 

 Field Office U.S.F.W.S., Yreka, Calif. 



