A FEDERAL COURT RULING MADE TODAY WILL EXTEND PROTECTIONS FOR SALINAS RIVER STEELHEAD. THE DECISION WAS MADE AFTER AN ONGOING DEBATE BETWEEN PROTECTING THE TROUT AND MAINTAINING THE CHANNEL TO PREVENT FLOODING. IF THE RIVER BED WAS CLEARED OF BRUSH AND SANDBARS, STEELHEAD WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SWIM AGAINST THE FASTER CURRENT. THE COURT RULED IN FAVOR OF THE DELTA SMELT AND CLEARING WILL NOT BE PERMITTED. STEELHEAD USE THE SALINAS RIVER TO TRAVEL TO THEIR SPAWNING GROUNDS IN THE ARROYO SECO RIVER.
