Human habitat
“ Tuolumne River fish will get $80 million in habitat improvements from MID, TID and SF ,” (modbee.com, Dec. 18, 2023)
The good news: In two recent articles in The Bee, we learned that good local leadership, along with cooperation and carry-through by the state government, are going to vastly improve public access to the Tuolumne River, its floodplain and surrounding riparian forest. I am referring to the new boat launch near Neece Avenue and the opening of the Dos Rios Ranch State Park. The prospect of being able to launch an inner tube, kayak or canoe in Modesto and enjoy several miles of scenic river sounds great.
Now, the bad news: In a recent op-ed, we learned that if the irrigation districts have their way, they will implement artificial (and proven inadequate) means to protect native fish instead of doing it the natural way: by leaving enough water in the river to keep it cool, clear and clean. By continuing to divert more water than is healthy, we will ensure that the river is warm, choked with invasive aquarium plants and not navigable by boat.