Broken Promises
A Call to Protect Public Access to the Truckee River
In September 2024, a hopeful agreement was reached at the Hirschdale Bridge in Nevada County. Local officials, California State Lands Commission, residents, and private landowners came together to affirm a basic truth: the public has a legal right to access the Truckee River—up to the ordinary high-water mark.
But since that agreement, the situation on the ground has only gotten worse.
Our new video, "Broken Promises in Hirschdale, California," exposes how that promise is being violated, and what’s at stake for everyone who loves and uses the Truckee River. Watch the video and read the full script below to understand how recent actions threaten your rights—and what you can do to stand up for public access.
“Broken Promises in Hirschdale, California”
"In September 2024, something hopeful happened at the Hirschdale Bridge. Nevada County officials, CA State Lands Commission, local residents, and private landowners met and agreed on a simple truth — that the public has a right to access the Truckee River, up to the ordinary high-water mark."
"But since then, that promise has been broken."
"Instead of moving signs to honor the agreement, landowners have put up 18 more signs — right along the water’s edge, below the ordinary high water mark. People using the river lawfully are still being harassed and followed back to their vehicles… even when they’re standing on public land."
"This isn’t just frustrating. It’s illegal. California law protects your right to fish and float this river. And it protects you from intimidation, harassment, and interference while doing so."
"The Truckee River belongs to all of us. And we can’t let a few landowners rewrite the rules or ignore the law or the public's right to access the river."
"If you believe in free and fair access to public lands, now is the time to act."
Contact Nevada County officials.
Share your story.
The river is public. Let’s keep it that way.
