Friday August 19, 2022
State Water Resource Control Board —
As sustained drought conditions reduce water in streams and riversto critical levels, the State Water Resources Control Board yesterday readopted anemergency curtailment regulation for Mill and Deer Creeks in Tehama County topreserve minimum flows for the survival of multiple fish species and protect threateneddrinking water supplies. The existing one-year regulation would have expired on Oct. 4.
The creeks, which are tributaries to the Sacramento River, also provide water foragriculture, livestock and fire protection.
“Climate change has brought about hotter and drier weather that requires decisiveaction if we are to preserve flows and habitat for threatened and endangered fish,” saidJoaquin Esquivel, chair of the State Water Board. “Today the board acted to extendcurtailment authority in Mill and Deer Creeks, which are critical watersheds for thestate’s iconic salmon and steelhead trout species. Maintaining sufficient flows in thesecreeks can prevent potentially catastrophic impacts. We strongly encouragecollaborative efforts among area residents to combat increasingly challengingcircumstances.”
The updated regulation, which must be approved by the Office of Administrative Lawbefore becoming effective, includes minor changes to address stockwatering needs andauthorizes the State Water Board to do the following: