For three decades, the County of San Luis Obispo has harmed endangered species in Arroyo Grande Creek through its operation of Lopez Dam. Despite warnings from state agencies, the County has repeatedly failed to release enough water from Lopez Dam to sustain fish and wildlife in the Creek, which once served as historic spawning grounds for steelhead. Thirty years of putting endangered species at risk of extinction is far too long.
Now, California Coastkeeper Alliance and local environmental groups have filed a lawsuit in federal court against the County for violations of the Endangered Species Act. The goal of the lawsuit is to ensure that the County releases sufficient flows of water from Lopez Dam to support endangered wildlife. The lawsuit also asks that the County secure fish passage past Lopez Dam so that steelhead can access spawning grounds in the headwaters of Arroyo Grande Creek in Los Padres National Forest, and commit to other essential habitat restoration for endangered species.
Steelhead are a keystone species for the San Luis Obispo region. In the 19th Century, the San Luis Obispo and Santa Ynez regions supported the largest runs of Southern steelhead throughout their range, likely between 20,000 to 30,000 adults per year. Today, their populations are estimated at fewer than 500 adults.
Arroyo Grande Creek has only about 20 percent of historical estuarine habitat remaining. Despite these losses, Arroyo Grande Creek and its tributaries have been identified by federal and state resource agencies as essential habitat for the survival and recovery of South-Central California Coast steelhead.
If our government will not step up and enforce the County’s egregious violations of the Endangered Species Act, we will. This is a unique opportunity for local leaders to commit to sensible measures that balance the needs of people with the needs of a waterway, and ensure that the region does not drive these ecologically and culturally valuable species to extinction.
Our next step is a court hearing on October 2nd where we will argue for a preliminary injunction to prevent the imminent extinction risk to steelhead. Our motion requests injunctive measures tailored after recommendations by the County’s own experts. As one federal resource agency put it: “SLO County has been blowing us off for decades.” It is time the County be forced to act.
Executive Director Sean Bothwell leads CCKA’s initiatives to fight for swimmable, fishable, and drinkable waters for all Californians.
