Rep. Jimmy Panetta Announces $6 Million Grant for Local Fish Conservation Infrastructure
Santa Cruz, CA – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) secured a $6 million grant to support conservation infrastructure for endangered and threatened fish migrating up the San Lorenzo River.
Specifically, the project will restore fish passage by removing an undersized corrugated pipe culvert and an upstream concrete weir. Those objects currently can act as a barrier for anadromous fish, currently listed under the Endangered Species Act, as they travel upriver to spawn. This significant federal investment will replace the culvert with a spanning bridge, restoring the streambed to mimic natural conditions. The weir will be removed.
“The San Lorenzo River isn’t just an important source of water for our community in Santa Cruz, but a habitat for amazing wildlife,” said Rep. Panetta. “Through this federal investment, we’ll remove certain man-made obstacles for migratory fish that journey upstream. This project will help bolster the population of some endangered and threatened species and buoy our continued responsibility to act as stewards of the environment in California’s 19th Congressional District.”
“We are pleased to be part of this important effort to restore fish passage in an area that previously acted as a barrier for movement,” said Caltrans District 5 Director Scott Eades.
In 1960, it was estimated that there were more than 30,000 fish living in the San Lorenzo River, but human development resulted in a significant decline of migratory fish. Decades of conservation efforts have helped this community begin to restore this population.
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