By Stephanie Keith

HOOPA, Calif. (Reuters). California Department of Fish and Wildlife officials have launched an unprecedented campaign to save more Chinook salmon. It is also a campaign which may be able to preserve the way of life of a Native American tribe.

Salmon hatched in the Klamath River’s Iron Gate hatchery in June were temporarily transported to a Trinity River hatchery, Northern California. These fish, which measured just a finger in length, were not released to the Pacific Ocean as scheduled because they were concerned that the river would be too hot and full of parasites to sustain them.

They were released in the last two weeks as yearlings of six inches (150mm), when their natural mortality rate is lower, and the water temperature is slightly colder.

This is one way to reduce the threat to the fish population that has declined after the damming of the Trinity and Klamath rivers in the early 20th century.

There are bigger measures in place: In the coming three years, four dams on the Klamath River will be removed in what are officials calling the biggest dam removal project in American history. The Klamath River downstream from Trinity will be better for the health. This is part of the path that Chinook salmon use to return to the sea, as well as their upstream spawning areas.

The Klamath’s biggest tributary, the Trinity, flows through it. These two rivers meet at the Hoopa Valley Reservation where they are home to around 3,200 residents. This is the story of the Hupas, which illustrates how climate change often impacts marginalized and indigenous communities.

Hupa are a Native American group from Hoopa Valley who have lived on the Trinity River for hundreds of years. Salmon fishing is still subsistence. The Trinity will not be restored, but it will benefit the salmon upon which the Hupa rely.

Jill Sherman-Warne (55), says that the river or “hun” in Hupa is “in mine heart.”

Sherman-Warne, who was standing at the riverbank in a cap worn once by her great-grandmother, said that “When I need to think calm thoughts, I listen the the river and birds and water.”

She explained that the hun’ speaks to her sometimes, saying, “Saying,” “Help me.” You have to help me or we will be gone.

Hupas’ beloved Hun is being drained. Trinity Lake’s inflow, formed by Trinity Dam, accounts for about half. It is used to water rich farms and satisfy the thirst of other people.

LIVING AWAY FROM THE RIVER

Joe Davis (chairman of Hoopa Valley Tribe Council) stated, “The threat that our fishery has regard to any possible extinction and total destruction is definitely real.”

According to the Hupa and California’s environmental lobby, salmon are an indicator of overall environmental health, which has benefits for both humans and animals. According to estimates by state Fish and Wildlife, salmon are a source of income for an industry worth $900 million.

About 50% of the state’s water reserve is released by the state for environmental reasons, ultimately draining into Pacific Ocean. Critics see that as a waste. California has created an unprecedented drought to force water scarcer states into water crisis. This is in order to save the fish dying, and deny the $50 billion worth of agricultural industries their most precious resource.

Wade Sinnen (a senior state Fish and Wildlife scientist in environmental science) said that competing interests reminds him of Mark Twain’s famous quote, “whiskey’s for drinking, water for fighting.”

It really comes down to what your values system is, right? Sinnen said.

Francine Lewis (64), is worried about what the fight will bring.

The Hupa woman stated, “If our river dried out, we’d die.” Because we live on the river, “the Hupa woman said.