Yurok Tribe Environmental Program (YTEP)
The mouth of the Klamath River.
P.O. Box 1027
Klamath, CA 95548
(707) 482-1618
YTEP Webpage
Mentors:
Ken Fetcho, Interim Program Director-Water Division
Mentor Biography
kfetcho@yuroktribe.nsn.us
Bill Patterson, Environmental Protection Specialist
Mentor Biography
kfetcho@yuroktribe.nsn.us
Current Members:
Arieh Scharnberg
Member Biography
Scott Sinnot
Member Biography
Site Description:
The Yurok Tribe is the most populous Tribe in California with over 4,700 members. The reservation consists of 56,000 acres of land along the Lower Klamath River from it’s mouth at the Pacific Ocean upstream to the Trinity River confluence. The reservation and Tribal members are literally defined by the Klamath River. A healthy fishery is the top priority for the Tribal government and its members. The mission of the Yurok Tribal Environmental Program (YTEP) is to protect and restore Tribal natural resources and community health through the exercise of sovereign rights, culturally integrated methods and high quality scientific practices in coordination with the community, Tribal departments, Tribal Council and other agencies. The Environmental Program is responsible for a wide array of environmental monitoring and assessment ranging from water quality, air quality and pesticide use. The purpose of the Water Division within YTEP is to monitor and assess the conditions and trends of surface water, groundwaters and coastal water of the reservation, primarily related fisheries impacts. The Division is also responsible for the establishment and enforcement of water quality standards.
Members will assist in the collection and analysis of watershed and water quality data in the Lower Klamath River sub-basin (LKRSB). Field activities include hydrologic and sediment monitoring of LKRSB anadromous tributaries, water quality monitoring of the mainstem Klamath River, watershed assessments, restoration design/evaluation and estuary/coastal monitoring. Members will learn quality control/ quality assurance procedures and other scientific processes. The results of the members’ work will be used for the development of TMDLs, adaptive land management strategies, prioritization of restoration activities, upper basin water management recommendations and community outreach. Members will be encouraged to participate in all aspects of the Tribe’s water quality program from beginning to end. The members will experience the unique opportunity of working for a Tribal government in a Tribal community. Salmon is the most cherished resource of the Yurok people. Community outreach activities may include classroom presentations, participation at Tribal and local events, conducting interviews and/or developing interpretive displays. In all, members will experience a challenging scientific and culturally enriching term of service.
Katie Cowan enjoying a day in the field conducting water quality monitoring.
Time members spend on each of the following tasks at their site (WSP trainings and mandatory events not included in this breakdown):
Monitoring - 40%
Restoration - 5%
Field Surveys and Data Collection - 25%
Report Writing and Data Entry - 15%
Lab Work - 0%
Education - 10%
Outreach - 5%
Member comments:
“It’s a good experience to work on such a controversial issue here on the Klamath because the data we collect is really significant, and we learn to collect solid, defensible data. There is also a wide variety of different work at this site, and you’ll learn a lot of useful skills that are good preparation for jobs in hydrology or water quality.”
– Alex Wong, year 13 member
Mentor comments:
"Come do a year of service with YTEP and get a chance to work with experienced Natural Resource professionals who are working hard to protect the Klamath River’s resources and culture."
- Ken Fetcho, mentor
"We have a highly qualified and award winning crew of dedicated natural resource professionals here at the Yurok Tribe Environmental Program that perform top quality scientific work for the protection of the Klamath River; and we enjoy sharing our experience with the up and coming generation who have a similar commitment to the protection of our resources."
- Kevin McKernan, Director
For a sample calendar of WSP member duties at this site, click HERE.
Alex Wong and a class of students on a field trip.
Taking flow measurements on the Klamath.
