The Five Counties Salmonid Conservation Program (5C) is a conservation strategy formed by the Five Northwestern California Counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino, Trinity and Siskiyou, in response to the 1997 listing of the coho salmon as a threatened species.

The goal of the program is to seek opportunities to contribute to the long-term recovery of salmon and steelhead in Northern California. The objectives are to: evaluate options for improving County plans, policies, and practices to provide or improve salmonid habitat and water quality overall; identify areas where Counties might be vulnerable to challenges under the ESA; upgrade County Department training programs; and, improve monitoring and reporting procedures.

5C's specific environmental and economic objectives include: identifying potential problem sites through systematic inventories of fish passage barriers and potential erosion sources on County maintained roads; improving County policies and road maintenance practices; increasing the amount of salmonid habitat by replacing inadequate stream crossings with structures that provide for full passage; protecting riparian habitat corridors through education and incentive programs; developing model regulations only where other means cannot be utilized to address land use activities regulated by the Counties; securing grant program and project funding from a variety of Federal, State, and Local sources; and, devising methods to streamline permitting procedures, specifically under the ESA, the Clean Water Act, and California Fish and Game Code.

Many Program objectives have been met, or are well developed toward completion. For example, 50 migration barriers have been improved from 1998-2007, restoring access to 124 miles of habitat; 2,455 miles of roadway have been inventoried for sediment sources and treatments; and, “A Water Quality and Stream Habitat Protection Manual for County Road Maintenance in Northwestern California Watersheds” (Roads Manual) has been written and implemented within the Program Area. The Roads Manual is considered a guide and framework for implementing improved road maintenance practices and has received ESA approval under the NMFS 4(d) rule. The Program's commitment to provide continued Roads, Salmon and Water Quality workshops, Fish Passage engineering training, and Planning and Policy meetings for County and other agency staff will continue to promote improved understanding and support for road-related conservation and restoration efforts. 5C is also becoming more involved in Land Use Planning and Urban Stream restoration efforts. Through providing incentives to private landowners to maintain riparian setbacks, as well as working with County Planning Department’s to integrate specific ordinances into their General Plans that combine an ecological framework with private land development, water quality and quantity can be improved.

Of the many 5C accomplishments, the commitment to working across political boundaries is perhaps the most valuable. County leaders and program managers clearly understand the value of long-term relationships forged internally and with State, Federal and Local agencies. The Program has been highly effective in promoting and sustaining collaborative efforts that capitalize on technical assets of participants and leverage financial support from numerous funding sources. It recognizes that taking on these challenges will lead to a healthier environment, sustainable fisheries, and better County facilities; all of which contribute to a more robust economy. This forward thinking Program understands that the future of County government is about meeting new challenges and reconciling the needs of natural resource conservation while preserving economic activities and setting the foundation upon which the next generation may build.