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Council praises Feather River cleanup, approves letter to governor seeking help on illegal dumping and salmon‑habitat degradation
Summary
Council members commended volunteer cleanup efforts and approved a letter to the governor requesting state assistance addressing illegal dumping and threats to salmon habitat along the Feather River; volunteers and organizers reported roughly 200 participants and about 10,000 pounds of collected trash during a recent event.
The Oroville City Council on Oct. 7 approved a letter to the governor requesting state assistance to address illegal dumping, habitat impacts and public‑safety issues along the Feather River.
Brian Wilson, a community organizer, told the council he led a Feather River cleanup on Sunday, Oct. 20, that drew about 200 volunteers. "We collected a weighed 10,000 pounds of trash from along the river," Wilson said during public comment, and he thanked partner organizations including the city, the Department of Water Resources (DWR), the Hope Center, Jordan's Crossing, Kiwanis and local high‑school key clubs.
Following public comments and staff briefings, staff proposed a draft letter asking the governor’s office for assistance coordinating state resources and stakeholders for long‑term solutions. Staff noted multiple partner agencies — CHP, DWR, Fish and Wildlife, State Parks, county and non‑profits — have roles in the corridor, and that city crews and partners are spending significant staff time on cleanup.
Nut graf: The council approved the staff‑drafted letter, with direction to include all councilmember signatures and to present the request as a collaborative invitation for state support rather than an adversarial demand. The clerk recorded the vote as "Motion passes 6 yeses, 1 absent."
Council discussion emphasized the environmental and public‑safety stakes. Councilman Weber, who participated in a cleanup, described extensive human waste, abandoned camps and debris in sensitive spawning areas and urged strong action. Vice Mayor Smith reminded council members that forthcoming state stormwater and drain requirements will increase municipal obligations and urged careful phrasing as the city seeks state support.
Ending: The council asked staff to finalize the letter, secure signatures from all council members and transmit the request to the governor; staff signaled they will continue multi‑agency coordination and pursue local enforcement and habitat protection measures.
