In February 2015, a Feasibility Study was completed to identify alternatives to improve fish passage at the hatchery on both Rowdy and Dominie Creeks. This study was led by Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation and completed by GHD Inc. and Michael Love and Associates Inc. The Rowdy Creek Fish Hatchery (Hatchery) operates its broodstock collection facility on Rowdy Creek at the Dominie Creek confluence in Del Norte County. The Hatchery is a non-profit organization. A Feasibility Study to evaluate and identify options to improve the in-channel passage environment for aquatic species, especially coho salmon, a State and Federally listed species. Coho salmon extend throughout Rowdy Creek and the majority of lower tributaries of the Smith River. The Smith River population of coho salmon is listed as having high extinction risk. Habitat for coho salmon is listed as threatened across Northern California. Rowdy Creek also supports Chinook salmon, rainbow trout, coastal cutthroat trout, and lamprey in addition to many other aquatic species. The Study was funded under the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (CDFW’s) Fisheries Restoration Grant Program (FRGP). Other funding contributors to this Study include the Five Counties Salmonid Conservation Program (5C Program) in coordination with the State Coastal Conservancy and the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation. Many different stakeholders also participated in the Study. The goal of the Feasibility Study was to develop the framework necessary for project stakeholders to assess and select a preferred alternative that can then be developed further during the next phase of design and ultimately construction. The objectives of the Study were to work with stakeholders to identify project parameters such as: project goals, project objectives, project constraints, and project criteria. The Study also provided background information necessary to understand the past and present geomorphic conditions, developed and clearly described feasible alternatives that meet the project parameters, worked with stakeholders to select an apparent best alternative, and worked with stakeholders to select the preferred alternative. Stakeholders included:
- Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation
- Rowdy Creek Fish Hatchery
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife
- Five Counties Salmonid Conservation Program
- National Marine Fisheries Service
- CalTrout
- Native Fish Society
- Smith River Alliance
- California Coastal Conservancy
- Green Diamond Resource Company
- Rural Human Services, Natural Resources Program
- Rowdy Creek Mobile Home Park
The stakeholder participation culminated with a ranking of the developed alternatives as they compared to the developed project criteria. This process produced the apparent best alternative. The Tolowa Dee-Ni’ Nation then selected the preferred alternative: Alternative D. Alternative D includes the reconstruction of Rowdy Creek with a new roughened channel, the reconfiguration of in-channel Rowdy Creek Hatchery (Hatchery) infrastructure, and modification of the in- channel Hatchery infrastructure on Dominie Creek, and some Dominie channel reconstruction. With the completion of the Feasibility Study Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation, GHD Inc., and Michael Love and Associates Inc. have now entered the Design Phase of planning.