SACRAMENTO, CA – On Monday, AB 263 passed the state Legislature. The bill protects salmon populations in two key tributaries of the Klamath River watershed by keeping minimum flow requirements in place until the State Water Board can establish new long-term flow regulations. The bill is now headed to Governor's desk for his signature.
"The Shasta and Scott rivers are currently under emergency regulations that took tribal voices and our state's fisheries into consideration when they were developed," said Assemblymember Rogers. "Maintaining minimum flows on these tributaries will help the critical salmon restoration projects in the Klamath watershed continue to flourish. The temporary flow requirements maintained by AB 263 will provide certainty to farmers, fishermen, and tribal communities alike."
AB 263 was introduced in partnership with the Karuk Tribe, California Coastkeeper Alliance, and the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Association (PCFFA). The bill would maintain river flows for at-risk salmon runs on two critical Klamath River tributaries – the Scott and Shasta Rivers. Flow minimums were set by the State Water Board during the drought emergency declared by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2021 and, under this legislation, would stay in place until the Board promulgates long term flow rules. Amendments taken in the legislative process added a five year sunset date and a requirement for the State Water Board to hold an annual meeting to gather feedback from local stakeholders.
Most of the wild Chinook salmon in the Klamath River, which powers the state's commercial and sport fishing industries, are born in the Shasta River. The majority of the wild Southern Oregon/Northern California Coho salmon (a state and federally endangered species) spend part of their lifecycle in the Scott River. This means these rivers are critical to salmon restoration in California.
"Klamath dam removal was just the first step in rebuilding our salmon fisheries," noted Karuk Chairman Russell 'Buster' Attebery. "We must protect flows in key salmon nurseries like the Scott and Shasta Rivers. We urge the Governor to continue his legacy as a Klamath champion and sign this bill into law as soon as possible."
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Chris Rogers was elected to the State Assembly in 2024. As the Assemblymember for the Second Assembly District, he represents Sonoma, Mendocino, Humboldt, Del Norte and Trinity counties. Learn more about Assemblymember Rogers here.
