Wednesday November 13, 2024
MendoFever —
During the Ukiah Valley Russian River Cleanup on September 28, we met a crew from the Pinoleville Pomo Nation at Ackerman Creek. Ackerman Creek, (Ya-Mo-Bida in Northern Pomo) runs through Pinoleville lands, and the Nation is working to restore the riparian habitat. Terri McCartney, Pinoleville Environmental Director, invited MendoFever to come check out the work being done at Pinoleville to preserve and protect Pinoleville natural resources.
Pinoleville is prioritizing the cleanup of Ackerman Creek because it is imperative to remove the toxic waste and plastics before Ackerman Creek restoration begins a cultural burn can be done, which will eliminate invasive species, improve soil quality, and reduce fuel load.
The next steps for the clean-up effort include coordinating a task force of agencies and individuals to develop a long-term strategy for addressing the unhoused transient population living in Ackerman Creek and many of the other creek beds in the Ukiah Valley. The task force will include law enforcement, homeless services, Tribal and County substance abuse programs, Fish and Wildlife, and hopefully a broad spectrum of water agencies and social services.