A human health crisis is developing in California’s largest water resource. The Sacramento River. Not to mention an environmental crisis that will affect a tremendous amount of our states fish and wildlife permanently. This is my attempt to spread public awareness on the issue. At the same time seek public input on the matter. All suggestions and ideas are welcome and greatly appreciated. Possibly together we can address the ongoing disposal of homeless waist and continued pollution of California’s waterways.

Ten years ago during the 250-300 days a year I spent driving my jet sled up and down the Sacramento River as a full time fishing and hunting guide. I would recover somewhere around a boat load of trash that had accumulated over a years time (let’s say 500 pounds). In November or early December I would spend a day gathering up all the trashy eyesores I had seen resting on the banks and brush lines of the Sacramento River. These are things I would noticed during the course of our six month salmon season. Typically on the Sacramento River between Colusa and Red Bluff, Ca. The accumulated trash primarily consisted of bigger object. Not so much household trash as we are seeing now days. I can recall things like a road cones, plastic totes, port-o-potty, tires, inflatable floaties, air mattresses, and tarps, ect.

Remember this key point for a comparison. I only spent one day a year, and filled up roughly one boat load of trash annually prior to the homeless crisis. For the most part this would eliminate most of the garbage visible to boaters. In hindsight it really wasn’t a big issue. I think I noticed these things more than most, due to the excessive amount of time I spent on the river. Seeing these eyesores day after day prompted me to remove them when time would allow. My clients never seemed to notice these types of things like they do now, and I don’t remember being embarrassed by the few items of trash I saw bank side like I am now. It’s gotten so bad at current time that I try to depart the boat launches prior to daylight so my clients don’t see the massive homeless encampments. Littered with hoards of trash. However this only delays my embarrassment as we must return to the boat ramps at some point when completing our guided fishing trips. It is at this time when when the clients start to notice the extensive homeless encampments strung out through the entire length of Red Bluff along the Sacramento River. Downtown Redding, Ca if possible is even worse off. As I drive by these very visible encampments I watch my clients point and stare quietly at what they are witnessing. Their demeanor changes instantly when we arrive back at the Red Bluff, Ca city park and boat launch facility. Where our fishing trip ends, we are instantly greeted by pan handlers, hustlers, and drug addicts. These aren’t just down on their luck homeless. There is an extensive criminal element to these transients, and they are always looking for anything that can make them some quick drug or alcohol money. That’s an entirely different topic for a separate blog. While seeing my clients to their vehicle and saying goodbyes I can feel the uncomfortable and anxious nature created by our surrounding. As they exit the parking lot they get a final look at the tents, tarps, and pallets that construct the tent cities that are established in several “plain sight” locations throughout the park. They also get to witness the destruction of the public bathrooms. Which have had the doors ripped off, no lights, graffiti, and vandalism. Leaving the restrooms a place where rapes, drug deals/sales, and prostitution take place. Overdoses, homicides, suicides, assaults, and strong armed robberies take place. This city park was something local citizens were once thrilled with after its construction in 2016. It was something to be proud of and utilized constantly by anglers, boaters, families, and visitors. By the winter of 2020 this park had been all but overtaken by Red Bluffs homeless population. Who staked claim to the public property they are constitutionally entitled to utilize. The rest is history. It has all been destroyed and now seldom used by “normal” citizens who refuse to be victimized by the lawless atmosphere of this place.

As if what happens on land isn’t bad enough, the real atrocities are taking place on the Sacramento River itself. Where pollution has been heavily tainting the rivers waters, and the rivers banks. Completely littered the by countless tonnage of homeless trash that is swept away each winter rainstorm. The last three winters of above average rainfall in Northern California have caused the Sacramento River to reach moderate flood stage annually. With these flood events the homeless encampments along the entire Sacramento River are swept down river. With these encampments are tons and tons of trash and waist. Which get evenly distributed on the gavel bars and willow runs throughout the entirety of the river system. Certainly an unknown amount of this pollution ends up in the California Delta and eventually the Pacific Ocean. There isn’t a fifty foot section of river bank on the Sacramento River that doesn’t have some kind of homeless trash on it. Let me give you a comparison. As I mentioned earlier, in the past I recovered one boat load of trash during a years time. When California’s drought ended in 2021 I witnessed the first environmental catastrophe on the Sacramento River in respect to the homeless crisis. As flood waters receded I could not believe my eyes. The entire Sacramento River I have spent most of my life making a living on was completely littered with homeless trash. The Sacramento River looked like it belonged in a third world country. Initially I was heartbroken, which quickly turned to anger. Who was responsible for this? What is the solution? And how does one go about cleaning up such an environmental disaster? Especially when for the majority of folks it goes unnoticed. We’ll get to the answers to these questions soon enough. As far as the comparisons go from past to present I’ll let you know what I found. Consumed by the magnitude of this crisis I set out to see what I myself would be able to accomplish in a days time removing the trash. Figuring if I spent a full day removing trash in a section of river, I would be able to mathematically come up with a estimated time frame and work and effort needed to complete the task of restoring the river to its pre-homeless condition. I’ll be completely honest in saying what I set out to do wasn’t even in the realm of reality. Realizing this problem was far beyond what one person, even a small team of people could accomplish in even a months time. This would be a monumental task that would include far more resources then I even knew to exist. My initial attempt at the homeless trash recovery only took me two hours to complete. Filling my jet sled with a heaping pile of every kind of trash imaginable. All this trash recovered on this first attempt at a cleanup was gathered on the first island south of the Red Bluff, Ca diversion dam. The island is several acres in size and is mostly comprised of willows and some smaller cottonwood trees, with a large gravel bar at the north end. When I filled my jet sled up to what I considered to be a heaping but safe load of trash to haul off. I realized at best I had only cleaned a half acre of the island. When I hauled this load to the Red Bluff landfill it weighed roughly 1,700 pounds. Nearly a ton of homeless trash recovered in a minuscule area of the river bottom. Words can’t describe how this left me feeling. There was absolutely no way for me to even estimate the amount of work needed with the data I had gained. Basically I came to the conclusion that an army would be needed to reconcile this catastrophe. I left my personal quest to tackle this disaster using my own resources far behind. Failure has never been an option for me, but in this instance it was just not possible. A much more strategic and aggressive approach is needed at this point.

Some very simple math will tell you that three wet winters later the homeless trash has been compounded by three times. With each high water or flood event bringing literally tons more trash down the Sacramento River. Has anything been done to rectify this yet? Absolutely not! Will this continue? Absolutely yes! What is the solution? I have no idea quite honestly. Starting a nonprofit is the first thing that comes to mind, but tackling that may be I am seeking any ideas or suggestions from you readers. I am a full time fishing guide so this agenda is limited to the time I have away from my business. I figured the first step had to be public awareness, and here we are. If you feel the need to add input on this matter I’m all ears. In the meantime let me list some things the internet has had to offer on the subject…

The Sacramento River, a vital waterway in Northern California, is a lifeline for ecosystems, agriculture, fisheries, and communities. However, in recent years, it has become a dumping ground for trash and debris from homeless encampments in cities like Red Bluff and Redding. Encampments that line the river banks, and control the city and county parks. Piling up literally tons of trash they drag it back to their compounds. Trash hoarding I guess you could say. Always along the water ways. Until it rains….This waste doesn’t just stay localized—it travels downstream, polluting the Sacramento River, the California Delta, and eventually the Pacific Ocean. The situation is not just an eyesore; it’s an environmental crisis that demands immediate attention. Let’s dive into the issue, the agencies responsible, and what can be done to address it.

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**The Problem: Trash and Pollution from Homeless Encampments**

Homeless encampments along the Sacramento River have grown significantly in recent years, particularly in Red Bluff and Redding. While homelessness is a complex social issue, the environmental consequences of these encampments are undeniable. Trash, including plastic waste, discarded clothing, broken furniture, and even hazardous materials like needles and human waste, often ends up in trees, bushes, and gravel bars along the Sacramento River. On a massive scale.

During rainstorms or high water flows, this debris is swept into the Sacramento River, where it travels downstream. The California Delta, a critical ecosystem and water source for millions, becomes a repository for this pollution. Eventually, much of it reaches the Pacific Ocean, contributing to the global marine debris crisis.

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**Environmental Impact**

The pollution from these encampments has far-reaching consequences:

1. **Wildlife Harm**: Animals can ingest or become entangled in trash, leading to injury or death. Plastics, in particular, break down into microplastics, which infiltrate the food chain.

2. **Water Quality**: Human waste and hazardous materials contaminate the water, posing risks to both wildlife and humans who rely on the river for drinking water and recreation.

3. **Ecosystem Damage**: The Delta and surrounding wetlands are home to endangered species like the Delta smelt. Pollution exacerbates the challenges these species already face due to habitat loss and climate change.

4. **Marine Pollution**: Once trash reaches the ocean, it contributes to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and harms marine life.

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### **Who’s Responsible?**

Addressing this crisis requires accountability from multiple levels of government. Here are the key agencies involved:

1. **Local Governments**: Cities like Red Bluff and Redding are responsible for managing public spaces, including riverbanks. They are tasked with enforcing anti-camping ordinances and organizing clean-up efforts.

2. **State Agencies**:

- **California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW)**: Protects wildlife and habitats but often lacks resources to address pollution from encampments.

- **California State Water Resources Control Board**: Oversees water quality but struggles to enforce regulations in areas with homeless populations.

- **Caltrans**: Manages state highways and adjacent landfs, where encampments often form.

3. **Federal Agencies**:

- **U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)**: Responsible for protecting waterways and enforcing the Clean Water Act.

- **U.S. Army Corps of Engineers**: Manages flood control and riverbank stabilization projects, which can be impacted by encampments.

- **U.S. Forest Service**: Oversees national forests, including areas near the Sacramento River.

**What Can Be Done?**

Solving this crisis requires a multi-pronged approach:

1. **Increased Clean-Up Efforts**: Local governments and state agencies must allocate more resources to regular clean-ups of encampments and riverbanks.

2. **Homelessness Solutions**: Addressing the root cause of homelessness is critical. This includes expanding affordable housing, mental health services, and addiction treatment programs.

3. **Public Awareness Campaigns**: Educating the public about the environmental impact of littering and illegal dumping can help reduce the problem.

4. **Enforcement of Laws**: Strengthening enforcement of anti-camping and littering laws, while ensuring humane treatment of homeless individuals, is essential.

5. **Community Involvement**: Volunteer clean-up programs and partnerships with local environmental groups can make a significant difference.

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### **Where to File Complaints**

Angry citizens who want to take action can file complaints with the following authorities:

1. **Local City Governments**:

- **Red Bluff**: Contact the City Manager’s Office or Public Works Department.

- **Redding**: Reach out to the Redding Police Department’s Community Services Division or the Public Works Department.

2. **State Agencies**:

- **California Department of Fish and Wildlife**: File a report online or call their regional office.

- **State Water Resources Control Board**: Submit a water quality complaint through their website.

3. **Federal Agencies**:

- **U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)**: File a complaint online or contact the Region 9 office, which covers California.

- **U.S. Army Corps of Engineers**: Report issues related to riverbank encampments through their local district office.

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### **Facts About the Pollution**

- A 2021 study by the Sacramento Riverkeeper found that homeless encampments are a significant source of trash in the river, with thousands of pounds of debris removed annually.

- The California Delta provides drinking water for over 27 million people, making pollution a public health concern.

- Microplastics from degraded trash have been found in 90% of water samples taken from the Sacramento River and Delta.

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### **Conclusion**

The trash crisis along the Sacramento River is a stark reminder of the interconnectedness of social and environmental issues. While homelessness is a humanitarian challenge, the pollution it generates cannot be ignored. By holding agencies accountable, advocating for solutions, and participating in clean-up efforts, we can protect the Sacramento River, the Delta, and the Pacific Ocean for future generations. It’s time to stop being “trashy AF” and start being part of the solution.

If you’re angry about this issue, don’t just complain—take action. File a complaint, join a clean-up, or advocate for policy changes. Together, we can make a difference.

Mike's Fishing Guide Service for Sacramento River fishing targeting King Salmon, Striped Bass, White Sturgeon, American Shad and Rainbow Trout. The Best Sacramento River Salmon Fishing Guide and Striped Bass Fishing Guide on the Sacramento River.