Protect American River Canyon begins to plan the Highway 49 Bridge Debris Removal Project

In an attempt to eliminate a public safety hazard in the North Fork American River, Protect American River Canyon (PARC) is working to create a removal plan for metal debris in the water. The debris is what remains of the Highway 49 bridge, which washed away when the partially constructed Hell Hole Dam gave way in an atmospheric weather event in 1964. The debris was never removed because the next year the Auburn Dam Project was passed by Congress and it was assumed the Auburn Reservoir would cover the concrete and metal under hundreds of feet of water. Fast forward 55 years with no dam built, and PARC officials believe this debris is a safety hazard for people who frequent the riverbank for recreation. PARC recently retained Advanced Marine Services to perform an underwater survey of the debris field. The survey was completed in October, and a removal plan is being developed. "We as PARC think it's the responsibility of Caltrans to take the debris out of the water" since Caltrans was the organization that originally declined to take the debris out of the water in 1965, said Gary Estes, a board member of the nonprofit group. Estes said when PARC has informally brought up the project with Caltrans representatives, they were told they don't have any money for the project and they told PARC where they could find money for the project. PARC paid for the survey out of its treasury. "It's not on anyone's budget to go and do this and that is why we undertook doing the project description," Estes said. The permit process, which is part of the project description being created, is made even more difficult by the fact each side of the river falls within two counties. While there are also concrete slabs in the water, the removal project is only focusing on removing the metal portions of the debris. It is PARC's goal to have the debris removed by October, but its next step after a project plan is created is to present it to local politicians to get their support before eventually bringing it to Caltrans. "There are many steps remaining to meet that timeline, but unless we have a goal to pursue, it is too easy to continue to put off the removal," the PARC December Newsletter stated.