9/6/11
Three forums will be held this week to discuss the health of the Eel River, covering public health danger posed by toxic algae, the potential for salmon recovery and opportunities for people to get involved in helping restore water quality.
While Chinook salmon and winter steelhead populations are rebounding due to wet weather cycles and productive ocean conditions, Eel River water quality is decreasing, and toxic algae is now pervasive during late summer in the Van Duzen, South Fork and lower Eel rivers.
Harriet Hill of the Humboldt County Public Health Department will present information on Wednesday and Thursday evenings in Fortuna and Redway on toxic algae problems in the Eel River. She will describe what blue-green algae is, what causes it to bloom, what the health hazards are and what people can do to help prevent this condition.
Fisheries biologist Patrick Higgins will present information from a 2010 fall Chinook survey wherein he estimated that 10,000 to 30,000 fish returned to the Eel River watershed, the most since 1985-88 and possibly since 1955-58.
Larry Desmond, owner of Mendocino Waterworks, will make a presentation at a Saturday morning meeting in Willits. He has been involved in all aspects of water development and purification for more than 25 years.
Times and locations of forums are: Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. at the Monday Club, 610 Main St. in Fortuna; Thursday, 6:30 p.m. in Redway at the Healy Center conference room, 456 Briceland Road; and Saturday, 10 a.m. at the Little Lake Grange, 291 School St. in Willits.
There is no charge for admission, and refreshments will be served. For more information, call 707-923-4377.
