What do smart California capitol staff
do when the summer temperatures are high in Sacramento
and a High Sierra snowpack melts into the rivers?
They go whitewater rafting,
of course.
California legislative staff members from both sides of the aisle recently came
together for an educational,
active outdoor experience on the South Fork of the American River. Gary Link, director
of public policy in Ducks Unlimited’s Western Region and a whitewater guide for
22 years,
arranged the trip to showcase the river where James Marshall first discovered
gold over a
century and a half ago. In addition to learning the basics of whitewater
rafting, the group discussed
the types of fish and wildlife habitat the American River supports. They also
learned about
the impacts on waterfowl, the benefits of the river
to threatened and endangered species,
the renewable energy created to keep homes cool in summer, and the multiple downstream
benefits to wildlife, agriculture, and California communities.
The American River is part of the Central Valley Project
Improvement
Act, which moves water from
the Sierra Nevada to the waterfowl refuges of the Central Valley, where ducks
flourish. Capitol
staff purchased their tickets to an exciting day on the water, which organizers
believe will
become an annual forum to highlight
the value of riparian habitats for waterfowl, other wildlife,
and people.