In looking for a timely and relevant subject for this month’s Conservations Concerns article, I came across a statement from Caltrout regarding their deep concern over the current administration’s EPA decision last February to repeal the so-called “Endangerment Finding” that was established in 2009. Born out of a robust, comprehensive review of peer-reviewed science, the Endangerment Finding states that greenhouse gases (GHGs) threaten public health and welfare. it concluded that six key GHGs—including carbon dioxide and methane—contribute to climate change, causing severe heat waves, wildfires, and rising seas. This finding serves as the legal foundation for EPA regulation of GHG emissions from motor vehicles, power plants, and oil/gas operations under the Clean Air Act. The Endangerment Finding gave the EPA the authority to and responsibility to set and enforce the GHG emissions standards. This repeal essentially removes any obligation by the EPA to enforce limits on GHG emissions, which flies in the face an overwhelming body scientific evidence.
I could go on with this and other appalling grievances, but I want to circle back to Caltrout, as it point out climate change is at the top of the list of threats to native California Salmonids. “The endangerment finding reflects decades of rigorous scientific research showing that climate change poses clear risks to both human and ecological systems,” said Darren Mierau, Director of Science at California Trout. “Science continues to demonstrate that warming temperatures, altered hydrology, and declining snowpack are already reshaping California’s rivers and with them our native wild fish. Moving forward, it’s critical that we continue to rely on sound science to guide climate and water policy to protect California’s freshwater ecosystems and the animals and people that depend on them.”
According to Redgie Collins, Vice President of Legal & Government Affairs at California Trout, “Eliminating the endangerment finding is bad policy. Decisions on climate action must be grounded in science and law, not the political whims of those in power.”
Caltrout has a strong commitment to science in guiding public policy endeavors and in implementing projects to revitalize watersheds for wild fish. In August of last year they announced the launch of an new statewide Science Program. This program will add resources to build upon CalTrout’s existing foundation of scientific monitoring and restoration work. The program will be led by a team of four scientists.
The first assignment for the Science Program team will be to update Caltrout’s Status of our Salmonids (SOS) report. This will be the third SOS report which first took place 2008 and repeated in 2017. The SOS report is a rigorously researched assessment of all 32 of California’s native salmon, trout, and steelhead species, resulting in peer-reviewed biological and ecological species accounts.
Key findings by the 2017 SOS Report Caltrout and U.C. Davis :
- 45 percent of California’s salmon, steelhead and trout are likely to be extinct in the next 50 years if present trends continue. 74 percent will likely be extinct in the next 100 years if present trends continue.
- Only coastal rainbow trout have a good chance for survival if present trends continue.
- The number of species likely to be extinct in 50 years increased 180 percent in the last 10 years — from just 5 in 2008 to 14 today.
- Of California’s remaining salmon, steelhead and trout, 81 percent are worse off today than in 2008.
- California will lose more than half (52 percent) of its native anadromous (migratory) salmonids, and over a quarter (27 percent) of its inland salmonids in the next 50 years if present trends continue.
It will be interesting to see what the SOS III report reveals when it is published in 2027. Although the challenges are great–especially with the continuing worsening effects from climate change–I’m encouraged by the work of dedicated conservation organizations like Caltrout. Santa Cruz Fly Fishing club supports them with annual contributions and they have been generous with some donated items for our annual fundraiser.
Information for this article was partially drawn from the following sources:
https://caltrout.org/news/endangerment-finding-repeal/
https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/nearly-half-californias-native-salmon-steelhead-and-trout-track-be-extinct-50-years#:~:text=The%20University%20of%20California%2C%20Davis,off%20today%20than%20in%202008.
Photo credit: USGS Public Domain
Posted on March 23rd, 2026