by Chris Larson
May 10, 2001

Land-based livelihoods and the land itself benefit where we build common ground so that people living on the land can continue to do so, while ensuring that the needs of the fish, soil, forests, and communities are met.

This conviction drew me to the Mattole Restoration Council in 1998 as an intern, trying to learn why the MRC had become well known outside the region.

When I heard that the Council was looking for a new Executive Director, I couldn’t wait to apply! I am excited to be working for the Mattole – healthy alliances between the Council and watershed landowners and residents are being fostered with the realization that we must all work together, but on our own terms, to sustain and improve the economy and ecology of this place.

Our Good Roads, Clear Creeks program is an example of how we aim to serve the needs of residents and the native Mattole salmon and steelhead.

With the specter of the unknown lurking in the form of new water quality rules called TMDLs (Total Maximum Daily Loads -- see newsletter #13 for more info), we have launched a program to address the excessive sedimentation of our creeks and river. We will work with willing landowners in the various tributary watersheds to inventory sediment delivery sites (old roads, landslides, failed stream crossings, etc.), and then seek funding to fix these problems. We hope that this effort will be recognized during the TMDL process as a way for landowners to meet new regulatory requirements in a locally-developed manner. At the same time, the program will satisfy residents’ need for good roads, while also enhancing fisheries habitat by decreasing sediment delivered to the Mattole River and its tributaries.

We all recognize that the salmon runs are not what they used to be, and we all recognize that it’s harder and harder to make a living ranching or as a small timberland owner. Some recognize a connection between these seemingly unrelated problems. In this issue, we explore some of those connections. It’s a big world out there, and with free trade and globalization driving down commodity prices and environmental standards worldwide, reducing our chances to root our livelihoods in a place, we need to be working together more than ever before.

It’s been great meeting as many people as I can in the communities of the Mattole watershed. If you haven’t stopped by recently, come pay us a visit – our office hours are Tuesday through Thursday 10am-3pm or by appointment. I am eager to see the MRC offer services directly to individual landowners and residents. If you think we can be of help, or want more information, please give me a call at (707) 629-3514.

– Chris Larson


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Table of Contents for Mattole Restoration Newsletter, Issue 16 - Spring/Sumer 2001