Posted on November 12 2006
After California’s recent spate of fires, communities are taking action to prevent ash from damaging endangered steelhead and salmon habitat. Fire restoration crews attempt to prevent erosion with tree branches, wattles and bulldozed berms. “When sediment reaches a creek, it settles between pebbles — the same place many fish lay their eggs. If the bottom is silted over, fish fail to reproduce. Sediment also muddies the water, killing off plant life and hence a food source for fish and other wildlife. Sometimes sediment, if severe enough, directly kills aquatic life.” Suzanne Bohan in the San Mateo County Times.