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       Intro to Smith River Report

This web document explains the interactions between the river, land, forests, climate, human beings, and fish. It's a clear-eyed and realistic appraisal of the status and future of the salmon and steelhead runs of the Smith River in northwestern California. The report explains how the migrations and reproduction of fish, in particular salmon and steelhead, depend on seasonal cycles of creation and destruction of river habitat. Building on this understanding, and considering the opinions of prominent fisheries biologists, this report discusses the most promising actions for increasing fish populations. The report discusses the reality that sustainable management of the Smith River, or any river, will live or die based on how well it involves local community members.