Advocacy
ICARE strives to improve the ecological health of streams through science-based projects. Our projects intend not only to improve and sustain the natural environment, but to educate communities and residents. Our efforts include:
1. Performing hands-on, restorative work on streams with collaborative partners whenever possible.
Suscol Creek in east Napa County is one example, where volunteers have removed invasive Himalayan
blackberry and replanted riparian areas with native species.
2. Organizing snorkel surveys utilizing expert stream ecologists.
3. Kayaking and photo-documenting the Napa River in water years when weather conditions and
stream flows allow.
4. Collaborating with the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board (SFBRWQCB) in
a “Napa River Water Quality, Algae, and Bioassessment Project” whose stratified algae samples
resulted in the discovery of new species of algae.
5. Discovering new species of benthic macro-invertebrates (BMI). Currently, ICARE has developed
land access to creeks for some thirty-five individual sites to assist with BMI sampling.
6. Formal training with the SFBRWQCB and the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board
(NCRWQCB) for the monitoring, testing, and reporting of Freshwater Harmful Algal Blooms (FHAB).
7. Organizing a public outreach event and field tour of restoration projects on Big River in Mendocino
County in collaboration with California State Parks, Trout Unlimited, and hydrogeological consultant
Elias Steinbuck.
8. Participating in public education and awareness at annual Earth Day events in downtown Napa.
9. Remaining proactive in Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) developments. In 2018,
ICARE sponsored a day-long public outreach event, the “Citizen Groundwater Empowerment
Workshop”, which educated stakeholders on new regulatory measures required for achieving
groundwater security to benefit current and future generations. Since then, we continue to provide the
public current information on Napa County Groundwater Sustainability Agency meetings and regularly
comment on its Groundwater Sustainability Plan. ICARE continues to promote and value the inclusion
of disadvantaged communities in any/all Groundwater Sustainable Agency/ GSAs and Groundwater Sustainablity PLan/ GSPs.
10. Commenting and educating the public on temporary permits for groundwater storage and
diversion and their respective environmental impacts.
11. Protesting water right applications.
12. Assessing and reporting on unauthorized illicit discharges which may adversely impact surface water,
groundwater, and public trust resources whose beneficiaries are the People of the State of California.
13. Reviewing and commenting upon timber harvest plans (THP) under review by the Department of
Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE).
14. Organizing monthly teleconferenced meetings of the North Coast Stream Flow Coalition, where
stream flows, water diversions, water quality, and individual projects are discussed in-depth. Special
guests have included State Waterboard Staff, prominent water attorneys, and institution experts.
15. Dr Charley Dewberry is collaborating with ICARE currently to compose a book focusing on the past and future of the Napa River watershed. Target date for publication is 2025.
1. Performing hands-on, restorative work on streams with collaborative partners whenever possible.
Suscol Creek in east Napa County is one example, where volunteers have removed invasive Himalayan
blackberry and replanted riparian areas with native species.
2. Organizing snorkel surveys utilizing expert stream ecologists.
3. Kayaking and photo-documenting the Napa River in water years when weather conditions and
stream flows allow.
4. Collaborating with the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board (SFBRWQCB) in
a “Napa River Water Quality, Algae, and Bioassessment Project” whose stratified algae samples
resulted in the discovery of new species of algae.
5. Discovering new species of benthic macro-invertebrates (BMI). Currently, ICARE has developed
land access to creeks for some thirty-five individual sites to assist with BMI sampling.
6. Formal training with the SFBRWQCB and the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board
(NCRWQCB) for the monitoring, testing, and reporting of Freshwater Harmful Algal Blooms (FHAB).
7. Organizing a public outreach event and field tour of restoration projects on Big River in Mendocino
County in collaboration with California State Parks, Trout Unlimited, and hydrogeological consultant
Elias Steinbuck.
8. Participating in public education and awareness at annual Earth Day events in downtown Napa.
9. Remaining proactive in Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) developments. In 2018,
ICARE sponsored a day-long public outreach event, the “Citizen Groundwater Empowerment
Workshop”, which educated stakeholders on new regulatory measures required for achieving
groundwater security to benefit current and future generations. Since then, we continue to provide the
public current information on Napa County Groundwater Sustainability Agency meetings and regularly
comment on its Groundwater Sustainability Plan. ICARE continues to promote and value the inclusion
of disadvantaged communities in any/all Groundwater Sustainable Agency/ GSAs and Groundwater Sustainablity PLan/ GSPs.
10. Commenting and educating the public on temporary permits for groundwater storage and
diversion and their respective environmental impacts.
11. Protesting water right applications.
12. Assessing and reporting on unauthorized illicit discharges which may adversely impact surface water,
groundwater, and public trust resources whose beneficiaries are the People of the State of California.
13. Reviewing and commenting upon timber harvest plans (THP) under review by the Department of
Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE).
14. Organizing monthly teleconferenced meetings of the North Coast Stream Flow Coalition, where
stream flows, water diversions, water quality, and individual projects are discussed in-depth. Special
guests have included State Waterboard Staff, prominent water attorneys, and institution experts.
15. Dr Charley Dewberry is collaborating with ICARE currently to compose a book focusing on the past and future of the Napa River watershed. Target date for publication is 2025.
The Institute for Conservation Advocacy Research and Education/ICARE has developed a freshwater harmful algae bloom/FHAB Monitoring Team after being trained by the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board/RB2, to collect algae and water from three locations on the Napa River at favorite swimming locations frequented by the public:
1.) Zinfandel Bridge 2.)Yountville Eco-Preserve 3.) Alson Park/Redwood Creek.
ICARE will collect these samples one week prior to Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day. The samples will be sent by the RB2 approved lab for analysis to determine if the water is safe for recreation. Cyano-bacteria (algae) can become toxic to humans, pets and other animals. If the lab detects toxins in the sample these sites will be posted and closed to the public by the Water Board in cooperation with Napa County Public Health and other officials.
For more information see here:
https://mywaterquality.ca.gov/habs/where/freshwater_events.html
HAB Reports MapOverview: The HAB Reports Map is maintained by the State Water Resources Control Board (CA Water Boards). This map displays locations where harmful algal blooms (HABs) are reported through the online Report Form or from water monitoring data that is submitted to the CA Water Boards. Reports can come from freshwater, estuarine, or marine locations. Voluntary on-line submitted reports may include suspected bloom locations that are later verified as not a bloom. Updates based on investigations are noted on the map. Note that drinking/potable water advisories are not displayed on this map.
Guidance for recreational notifications and advisories: The CA Water Boards coordinates response to reports with other state and local agencies and may conduct follow-up field investigations and water testing to inform a recreational advisory. Where noted, recommended recreational advisories and corresponding signage are based on California voluntary guidance for recreational waters.
What you can do: Practicing Healthy Water Habits while outdoors is recommended even for waterbodies with no information noted on the map below. When in doubt, avoid contact with water impacted by HABs. For questions, please contact the HAB Hotline by email (CyanoHAB.Reports@waterboards.ca.gov) or phone (1-800-222-1222).
How to use the map: Colored dots on the map represent reported locations with pop-up windows that provide additional details for each report. Dots are symbolized based on the current advisory status and the date since the report was last verified by staff (refer to map legends for details). These details are also available in the adjacent table sorted by county. Updates for a location are added to this map when available. However, when updates are not shared with the CA Water Boards, the location's dot symbol will fade in color after 30 days since the last update (refer to map legend for details).
Disclaimer: The exact location, extent, and toxicity of the reported bloom may not be accurate due to changing environmental conditions. Reported blooms can be localized to a portion of waterbody (specific shorelines or confined coves), move with the water current, or impact the entire waterbody (lake-wide). Please use data presented in this map for general purposes only. The data are subject to change as new information is received; check back for daily updates. If a HAB location is missing from this map, notify the HAB Hotline. To learn more on identifying a HAB, please consult our visual guide.
Latest HAB Weekly Updates List
HAB Reports Map - data and reports voluntary shared
Water monitoring organizations that share data: Several routine water monitoring programs share water testing data to display in this map including the following locations: Klamath Basin, East Bay Regional Parks, Clear Lake, Lake Isabella, Lake Henshaw, and reservoirs along State Water Project. Please reach out to cyanoHAB.reports@waterboards.ca.gov if your organization would like to participate in our program.
Download data: To download the full data set, including reports from all years, go to the California Open Data Portal. The HAB Reports Tracking Map is populated by data in the Freshwater and Estuarine HAB Program's Reports and Monitoring Data System and maintained by the CA Water Boards
1.) Zinfandel Bridge 2.)Yountville Eco-Preserve 3.) Alson Park/Redwood Creek.
ICARE will collect these samples one week prior to Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day. The samples will be sent by the RB2 approved lab for analysis to determine if the water is safe for recreation. Cyano-bacteria (algae) can become toxic to humans, pets and other animals. If the lab detects toxins in the sample these sites will be posted and closed to the public by the Water Board in cooperation with Napa County Public Health and other officials.
For more information see here:
https://mywaterquality.ca.gov/habs/where/freshwater_events.html
HAB Reports MapOverview: The HAB Reports Map is maintained by the State Water Resources Control Board (CA Water Boards). This map displays locations where harmful algal blooms (HABs) are reported through the online Report Form or from water monitoring data that is submitted to the CA Water Boards. Reports can come from freshwater, estuarine, or marine locations. Voluntary on-line submitted reports may include suspected bloom locations that are later verified as not a bloom. Updates based on investigations are noted on the map. Note that drinking/potable water advisories are not displayed on this map.
Guidance for recreational notifications and advisories: The CA Water Boards coordinates response to reports with other state and local agencies and may conduct follow-up field investigations and water testing to inform a recreational advisory. Where noted, recommended recreational advisories and corresponding signage are based on California voluntary guidance for recreational waters.
What you can do: Practicing Healthy Water Habits while outdoors is recommended even for waterbodies with no information noted on the map below. When in doubt, avoid contact with water impacted by HABs. For questions, please contact the HAB Hotline by email (CyanoHAB.Reports@waterboards.ca.gov) or phone (1-800-222-1222).
How to use the map: Colored dots on the map represent reported locations with pop-up windows that provide additional details for each report. Dots are symbolized based on the current advisory status and the date since the report was last verified by staff (refer to map legends for details). These details are also available in the adjacent table sorted by county. Updates for a location are added to this map when available. However, when updates are not shared with the CA Water Boards, the location's dot symbol will fade in color after 30 days since the last update (refer to map legend for details).
Disclaimer: The exact location, extent, and toxicity of the reported bloom may not be accurate due to changing environmental conditions. Reported blooms can be localized to a portion of waterbody (specific shorelines or confined coves), move with the water current, or impact the entire waterbody (lake-wide). Please use data presented in this map for general purposes only. The data are subject to change as new information is received; check back for daily updates. If a HAB location is missing from this map, notify the HAB Hotline. To learn more on identifying a HAB, please consult our visual guide.
Latest HAB Weekly Updates List
HAB Reports Map - data and reports voluntary shared
Water monitoring organizations that share data: Several routine water monitoring programs share water testing data to display in this map including the following locations: Klamath Basin, East Bay Regional Parks, Clear Lake, Lake Isabella, Lake Henshaw, and reservoirs along State Water Project. Please reach out to cyanoHAB.reports@waterboards.ca.gov if your organization would like to participate in our program.
Download data: To download the full data set, including reports from all years, go to the California Open Data Portal. The HAB Reports Tracking Map is populated by data in the Freshwater and Estuarine HAB Program's Reports and Monitoring Data System and maintained by the CA Water Boards
ICARE strives to improve the health of the streams through science based projects. With these projects, it is our intent to not only improve and sustain the natural environment but also to educate our communities
Big River Restoration Walk 2023
If you’ve been curious about the work that’s been going on along Big River, a talk and field tour examining its ecological importance and recent stream restoration efforts was scheduled for Saturday, October 28th beginning at 10:00 a.m. at Preston Hall in Mendocino. The event was hosted by The Institute for Conservation, Advocacy, Research, and Education in collaboration with California State Parks and Trout Unlimited. Terra Fuller, Senior Environmental Scientist for California State Parks, Anna Halligan, North Coast Coho Project Coordinator for Trout Unlimited, and Engineering Geologist Elias Steinbuck spoke about restoration projects to benefit fish, wildlife, and water quality including the newly-completed fish passage project located at Dry Dock Gulch. The public was invited to attend.
https://www.mendocinobeacon.com/2023/11/09/completed-big-river-watershed-restoration-project-presented-to-the-public/
https://mendofever.com/2023/11/05/major-restoration-efforts-planned-for-the-big-river-watershed-along-the-mendocino-coast/
https://www.mendocinobeacon.com/2023/11/09/completed-big-river-watershed-restoration-project-presented-to-the-public/
https://mendofever.com/2023/11/05/major-restoration-efforts-planned-for-the-big-river-watershed-along-the-mendocino-coast/
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Large woody debris buried into the banks to slow turbulant waters
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Large culvert pipes installed to insure fish passage
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Groundwater
icare_sgma_gsp_alt_comments_dft4.2016-1.docx
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ICARE advocates for Groundwater Equity and Sustainability - Click Here
The Lost River Slideshow
napa_river_the_lost_river_f_5.2022.pptx
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The Lost River Slideshow
napa_river_the_lost_river_f_5.2022.pptx
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ICARE comments on Napa County’s Groundwater Sustainability Plan
icare_gsp_4.21.2022_dwr.pdf
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2024 Groundwater comments
icare_gsp_4.21.2022_dwr.pdf
Download File
2024 Groundwater comments
| icare_comments_f2_1.30.24_gsp_work_plans.pdf |
Education, Outreach and Engagement
ICARE educates children at Earth Day about aquatic insects which are the bottom of stream food chain and food for fish.
ICARE Napa River Kayak Trip
The ICARE team kayaked the Napa River in 2021. The goal was to identify and report pollution and illegal dewatering to State and local agencies. A lot of the River is inaccessible to the public from land. The findings were concerning. Our hope is to bring awareness to the public with research such as this. Call or email with further questions or concerns.
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ICARE's engagement with Native Americans to help protect salmon in the Napa River
The Napa River Steelhead Study
The Napa River Steelhead Project was a Napa River watershed total basin snorkel survey project in 32 tributaries for two months in 2000 and 2002. The focus was to understand the distribution and abundance of steelhead in the Napa River watershed. Please contact ICARE for data.
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October 2021 ICARE eye witnessed native Chinook spawning in the Napa River. This is exciting because resource agencies said Chinook in the Napa were stray hatchery Chinook but there was NO notched dorsal fin, marking a hatching fish. We are so excited to let the public know about this!
The North Coast Stream Flow Coalition
The Coalition began in 2008 and consists of a group of 18 non-profits from San Francisco Bay north to the Oregon border. Over 40,000 members are part of this Coalition dedicated to protecting, restoring and preserving flows in Northern California streams.
NCSFC comments on the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) and Napa County’s choice to develop an Alternative Plan to SGMA hence not protecting groundwater by not being sustainable.
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NCSFC comments on the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) and Napa County’s choice to develop an Alternative Plan to SGMA hence not protecting groundwater by not being sustainable.
Learn More
Benthic Macroinvertebrate Study
The Benthic Macroinvertebrate study was conducted between 1999-2006. The focus was to measure the health of the Napa River watershed. Please contact ICARE for complete data or visit the California Environmental Database Exchange Network where ICARE’s data is stored with the rest of the Bay Area BMI data. ICARE is partnering with the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board to randomly sample 35 creek sites to determine water quality in the spring of 2021.
napa_final_2023.pdf
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napa_final_2023.pdf
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Suscol Creek Collaborative Partnership and Restoration Project
This project’s goal is to restore critical aquatic habitat to improve stream health for native steelhead. ICARE works with all stakeholders and other property owners in this watershed to remove invasive Himalayan blackberries, plant native plants, improve stream flows and protect water quality. See below for the most current Study. Please contact ICARE for past reports & data.
A wire mesh cage was installed around the reservoir outfall to prevent non-native fish from escaping the reservoir into Suscol Creek. Previous year snorkel surveys revealed that Suscol Creek was impacted by non-native bass which frequently feed on small salmonids from this reservoir. Since the installment of the wire mesh, the barrier has been successfully eliminating the threat to the native fish population. (See Projects Tab - Suscol Creek Collaborative Partnership Project)
Suscol Creek Collaborative Partnership and Restoration Project Reports
| suscol_final_report_23__attachement_1.pdf |
A beaver moved into Suscol Creek this year proving that our restoration including planting thousands of willows has brought a beaver into this watershed.
Photo taken by Lowell Downey
Photo taken by Lowell Downey
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Suscol Creek Site 1 Restoration:
The ICARE team worked with land owners to prevent cattle from crossing the stream and eating native riparian plants essential to healthy aquatic ecosystems. The first picture (left) was taken prior to 2012 when the cattle regularly crossed Suscol Creek and grazed on the plants. The second picture (right) was taken in 2013 one year after the cattle were removed from the riparian area showing plant rejuvenation and improved water quality.
The ICARE team worked with land owners to prevent cattle from crossing the stream and eating native riparian plants essential to healthy aquatic ecosystems. The first picture (left) was taken prior to 2012 when the cattle regularly crossed Suscol Creek and grazed on the plants. The second picture (right) was taken in 2013 one year after the cattle were removed from the riparian area showing plant rejuvenation and improved water quality.
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Suscol Creek Willow Restoration Site 2:
ICARE has been working with land owners on Suscol Creek for 15 years removing Himalayan Blackberry and planting native willow.
SUSCOL REPORT 2019
Download File
suscol_repf_2020___figures.pdf
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suscol_repf_21_2.pdf
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ICARE has been working with land owners on Suscol Creek for 15 years removing Himalayan Blackberry and planting native willow.
SUSCOL REPORT 2019
Download File
suscol_repf_2020___figures.pdf
Download File
suscol_repf_21_2.pdf
Download File
The Napa River Kayak Study 2017
In the Spring of 2017, ICARE set out to learn about the flora and fauna of the Napa River. Most all of the Napa River is only accessible through private lands. The River weaves itself through the Valley, surrounded primarily by vineyards. The negative affects of development was clearly present, below is a visual snapshot of what the team identified. Clockwise from top; algae blooms, illegal in stream diversions. pollution/dumping, hardened eroded banks, team members Chris Malan & Christina Aranguren
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