Eel River Watershed Improvement Group (E.R.W.I.G.)
is a newly-formed group of active
community members who are interested in pulling together in order to
restore and enhance salmonid habitat in the Eel River subbasins. Our
roots go back to 1985 and are based upon the work of the Eel River
Salmon Restoration Project begun by Scott Downie. It is our goal to
expand the organization and effectiveness of the energy that exists
within the Eel River community.
Our mission is to improve Eel River watershed conditions, which will
provide better stream habitat for native salmon and steelhead. This in
turn should result in improved fish populations and fishing
opportunity. The primary goal of ERWIG is to provide organizational
and technical assistance to landowners and managers - that they may
organize and implement specific watershed action plans in their
particular watersheds, from the ridgetops to the streams. There are
several local watershed groups that need professional expertise to
assist them in their efforts. Our efforts will help owners, managers,
and restorationists positively address the needs of their specific
subbasins in the areas of project organization, fund-raising,
implementation, and evaluation.
ERWIG regular board meetings are held the third Thursday of January,
April, July, and October. They are held at 610 9th Street, at 6:30 PM.
We ask that anyone who wishes to address the board about a particular
issue to approach a board member at least two weeks in advance of the
upcoming meeting.
Following is a list of our current Board of Directors:
Scott Downie; Cal. Dept of Fish & Game, Inland Fisheries Division
Ed Mendes; Barnum Timber Company
Bill Eastwood; Eel River Salmon Restoration Project
Pam Halstead; Fortuna Creeks Project, Fortuna High School
Ken Jorgenson; Cummings Creek Watershed Advisory Commitee
Kim Phelps; KMUD Public Radio, Garberville
John LaBoyteaux; Camp Grant Apple Ranch
Mel Kreb; California Conservation Corps
Dave Stockton; Calif. State Parks Interpretive Society
Murrey Wolfe; Northern Calif. Association of River Guides
Michelle Rose; AmeriCorps, Watershed Stewards Project
James Komar; Natural Resource Conservation Service, Humboldt Co.
ERWIG is currently working towards recieving 501(C)(3) status. We
recognize the need in our local watershed restoration community for a
non-profit organization that is able to assist smaller, more
loosely-knit groups to administer funds for restoration projects.
Completed Projects
ERWIG conducted a successful revegetation workshop for the community in
Garberville last December. Rick Storre from Freshwater Farms Nursery
gave an interesting presentation on some of the concepts and processes
of revegetation, especially in regards to wetland areas. He stressed
the importance of native soil bacteria and microflora/fauna. After
lunch Stuart McMorrow, certified arborist, took the workshop
participants to a local site in need of some reveg work. We all dug-in
and planted various trees and plants donated by the LP Nursery and by
Freshwater Farms. All in all, it was a good basic workshop. We plan
on holding a more in-depth, intensive workshop on more sophisticated
reveg concepts and techniques in the near future.
ERWIG was able to connect with the Fortuna Creeks Project from the
Fortuna High School, and teach them how to conduct spawner surveys for
salmon and steelhead in their local streams. We took them to several
sites within the Lawrence Creek system (Van Duzen River) on Pacific
Lumber Company property. It was quite a thrill for all of us to watch
at least 10 chinook salmon battling and spawning in the riffles. The
students were able to learn much about adult salmon spawning behavior,
location and shape of redds, morphology of male and female adult fish,
and we opened some carcasses for a quick biology lesson. We talked
about the role adult salmon play the ecology of coastal streams, and
how they return and actually contribute biomass to their natal streams.
A tremendous time was had by all.
Bill Matson and the folks in Cummings Creek (Van Duzen River) have been
working hard to pull together on a big road building project. The
biggest challenge in the beginning was certainly for everyone to find
common ground. Once that was achieved, construction of the new road
has gone fairly smoothly. We will have more for you on this model
project of cooperation, compromise, and action very soon.
Results of Projects
Schedule of New Projects
ERWIG is hosting a Forest and Ranch Roads Construction, Repair, and
Maintenance Workshop on Saturday, January 17th, featuring Bill Weaver
and Danny Hagan of Pacific Watershed Associates. The workshop will be
held at the California Conservation Corps Center at 1500 Alamar Way in
Fortuna, and will begin promptly at 8:00 AM. The morning session will
be held indoors, classroom style, and the afternoon will include
visiting field sites in the Carlotta area. Bring a lunch, field
clothing, and rain gear. The cost is $25.00. This includes a very
good handbook. If you already have the book, the cost is $5.00. For
more information or to register, call Bill Matson at 707-677-3778 or
Ruth Goodfield at 707-923-5227.
Watershed Events & Activities
News About Salmon In Our Watershed
Recognition of Watershed Partner of the Month
Who to Contact
Miscellaneous Watershed Information