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AGRONOMY

Cultivating Sustainable Solutions

Our Agronomy Program focuses on implementing sustainable agricultural practices and promoting soil health to enhance productivity and environmental stewardship. Through our projects, such as fish screen installation and maintenance, alternative livestock watering, cover cropping, nutrient management, and precision agriculture techniques, we provide farmers with the tools and knowledge to optimize crop yields while minimizing environmental impacts. By integrating cutting-edge research and tailored technical assistance, we aim to support a thriving agricultural sector that prioritizes soil conservation, water efficiency, and long-term sustainability.

The Scott River watershed has a collective population of about 8,000 people and encompasses five main towns (Scott Bar, Fort Jones, Greenview, Etna and Callahan). About half the area of the watershed is in private ownership, with the other half belonging to the federal government (U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service wilderness and other land use allocations). The primary use of private land is agricultural in nature, including timber harvest, livestock grazing, and large-scale crop production. Alfalfa, grain, and pasture forage are the most common crop produced in the watershed. Currently, approximately 30,000 acres of land in the Scott River watershed are irrigated (about 6% of the watershed) utilizing surface and groundwater sources.

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Year
Title
Format
Description
Image
Author
Publisher
Pages
13/06/2002
2002 Adult Steelhead Spawning Report - Scott River Tributaries
PDF
Steelhead redd surveys were conducted between 3/21/02 and 5/6/02 on six tributaries within the middle Klamath region. The goal of the SRAMP was to make presence or absence spawning observations, to determine run timing and relative trends over time of the adult steelhead trout. These six streams were surveyed in 2001 and were selected because of the following factors: accessibility because of public land, they were representative of each sub-basin and they had adequate flow. The Shasta sub-basin did not have a suitable tributary, thus was not represented in the survey.
Sue Mauer
USFS
17
11/06/2020
2020 Annual Plan of Operations
PDF
This document has been developed to propose a plan of activities for completion in 2020 that contribute to the goals outlined in the 2020-2024 Long-Range Plan. The activities listed in this Plan of Operations each relate directly back to an identified action item from the Long-Range Plan.
Lindsay Magranet
SRCD
7
11/06/2020
2020-2024 Long Range Plan
PDF
This five-year plan will be the guiding document to determine the priorities for the Siskiyou Resource Conservation District (RCD) in carrying out its mission statement from 2020 through 2024. The document sets forth the goals related to each priority and lists actions that support those goals.
Lindsay Magranet
SRCD
8
25/06/2018
Avian Resources Report for the Scott River Streambank Bioengineering Project
PDF
The purpose of this Avian Resources Report is to review the potential impacts of the proposed Scott River Bioengineering Project (Project) on avian species as required by the California Environmental Quality Act. The resources considered in this report include Federal or State (California) listed Threatened, Endangered, or Candidate species and their critical habitats. The Siskiyou Resource Conservation District is the lead partner on this project.
David Johnson
USFW
14
08/06/2016
CDFW Scott River Salmon Studies 2015
PDF
CDFW Scott River Salmon report from the year 2015.
Morgan Knechtle, Diana Chesney
CDFW
29
20/06/2018
CDFW Scott River Salmon Studies 2017
PDF
CDFW Scott River Salmon report from the year 2017.
Morgan Knechtle, Domenic Giudice
CDFW
27
01/04/2024
CDFW Scott River Salmon Studies 2020
PDF
CDFW
31/12/2021
CDFW Scott River Salmon Studies 2021
PDF
CDFW Scott Valley Chinook Report Annual Report for 2021.
CDFW
01/08/2015
Cooperative Report of the Scott River Coho Salmon Rescue and Relocation Effort: 2014 Drought Emergency
PDF
An extreme drought in the 2014 water year set the stage for the largest scale rescue and relocation effort of juvenile coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) in the history of the California Dept. of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW): an estimated 116,000 coho. Sharing how this complicated effort was accomplished by a diverse array of participants under trying conditions is a primary focus of this report. Recommendations are also made about what went well and what could be done better, in case similar emergency projects need to be implemented in the future.
CDFW, NOAA, SRWT, SRCD, USFS
60
12/07/2023
Evaluating the Hydrologic Effects of the 2021–2022 Scott and Shasta Irrigation Curtailments Using Remote Sensing and Streamflow Gages
PDF
To protect fish populations in the Scott and Shasta rivers, California’s State Water Board issued emergency regulations that curtailed agricultural surface water diversions and groundwater pumping beginning in early September 2021 (when irrigation season was nearly over) whenever instream flows dropped below minimum thresholds. Prior to curtailments, in exchange for payments, three Scott Valley ranches voluntarily agreed not to pump groundwater in 2021 from August through November.
J. Eli Asarian
Riverbend Sciences
69
01/01/1976
Evaluation of Habits Resulting from Streambank Protection Projects In Siskiyou and Mendocino Counties
PDF
In 1975 biologists from the Soil Conservation District and CDFW analyzed 7 projects.
David Patterson
SRCD
15
01/05/2003
Finley Ranch Enhancement Project
PDF
Erosion mitigation project on the Finley Ranch near Fort Jones, CA.
Gary Black
SRCD
8
01/06/2005
Fish Screen Maintenance Manual
PDF
Fish Screen Maintenance Manual from the year 2005.
SRCD
14
01/02/1956
French Creek Reference - Supplmental Report on Water Supply and Use of Water on French Creek Stream System - Siskiyou County
PDF
State of California Department of Public Works
63
01/10/2005
Initial Phase of the Scott River Watershed Council Strategic Action Plan
PDF
The Scott River Watershed Council (SRWC) has developed this plan for the Scott River watershed for the purpose of cooperatively establishing a common strategy for restoration and management actions. Thus, the Scott River Watershed Strategic Action Plan (SAP) will form the basis for setting priorities for future projects and practices to be supported by the SRWC, the communities within the watershed, and the many funding sources.
Rhonda Muse
SRCD, SRWC
258
01/05/2022
Invasive Plant Management Plan - Scott Watershed
PDF
This Plan is directed at prioritizing, coordinating and strategizing objectives and activities necessary for the prevention, reduction, eradication and control of high priority noxious and invasive plants on private and public lands in the Scott River watershed in order to preserve and improve local biodiversity.
Evan Senf
SRCD
33
28/02/1994
Letter to Alvin Lewis - 1994
PDF
Letter from concerned citizen regarding the Rip rap project proposal. Klamath Forest Alliance.
Felice Pace
KFA
12
01/11/2003
Loose Rock Weir, Irrigation Water Conveyance
PDF
The Farmers Ditch diverts water out of the Scott River (RM 51 ). The Farmers Ditch is the second largest diversion in the watershed (36.00 cfs). Site is located at confluence of Sugar Creek and Scott River. This is also the take-out of the Farmers Ditch diversion. It is more particularly located in Sec 1 T.40N R.9W or 122 52' 30" N 41 22' 30" W latitude and longitude. The current method of diversion is to construct a gravel/rock dam using bed load from the channel. The gravel dam is a fish passage barrier when fully installed as the dam extends across the active channel. The intent of the project is to move the diversion up stream and install a vortex boulder weir to replace the gravel dam. Furthermore, we propose to replace the existing fish screen with one that meets CDFG/NOAA screening criteria and protect the diversion from high flows with a headgate and bulkhead structure. This effort is in cooperation with the NRCS and the CDFG. A majority of the cost share is provided by NRCS.
SRCD
01/03/1967
Post-1964 Stream bank Protection Study
PDF
Due to steep erodible banks in which the stream is entrenched for a large part of its course through the valley, erosion of its banks with the resultant loss of agricultural lands is a continuous process.
SRCD
10
12/04/2018
Public Records Request Policy
PDF
N/A.
SRCD
8
01/11/1990
SCOTT RIVER WATERSHED GRANITIC SEDIMENT STUDY
PDF
2008-2009 Season
Sari Sommarstrom
SRCD
175
31/12/2002
SRCD Annual Newsletter - 2002
PDF
SRCD Annual Report & Newsletter
SRCD
4
31/12/2003
SRCD Annual Newsletter - 2003
PDF
SRCD Annual Report & Newsletter for the year of 2003.
SRCD
4
01/02/2024
SRCD Annual Newsletter - 2024
PDF
75th Anniversary Newsletter
SRCD
12
08/02/2002
SRCD Scott River Adult Coho Spawning Ground Surveys 2001-2002 Season
PDF
This project began as a community, volunteer effort to observe and document an exceptional event. Conditions were right this year for the coho salmon that came all the way up the Klamath River, then up the Scott River over sixty miles to spawn and conditions were right for viewing them. A concerted effort was made to bring all interested and responsible parties together in order to begin to understand the rhythms and complexities of the coho salmon in our watershed. Working together we tried to cover as much area as possible and to share our findings with each other. What we have learned is just the beginning.
Sue Maurer
SRCD
122
08/05/2003
SRCD Scott River Adult Coho Spawning Ground Surveys 2002-2003 Season
PDF
As in 2001-2002, this project was essentially unfunded and was accomplished in a cooperative effort by individuals from severaI agencies and organizations and with the cooperation of many local landowners. A concerted effort was made to bring all interested and responsible parties together in order to continue to learn about the complexities of the coho salmon population in the Scott River watershed. Working together, we tried to cover as much area as possible and to share our findings with each other. It is our hope that we can continue to learn together, to build trust and reduce fear and polarization through acquiring knowledge and by workng together toward solutions.
Sue Maurer
SRCD
81
08/10/2004
SRCD Scott River Adult Coho Spawning Ground Surveys 2003-2004 Season
PDF
Adult coho spawning ground surveys were completed in the Scott River watershed from December 2003 through January 15th, 2004. Surveys were completed on the Scott River mainstem, East and South Fork Scott River, Rail Creek, Kangaroo Creek, Sugar Creek, Wildcat Creek, French Creek, Miners Creek, Shackleford Creek, Shackleford-Mill Creek, Kidder Creek, Canyon Creek, Kelsey Creek, and Mill Creek (Scott Bar). Flow barriers, and lack of access prevented some reaches from being surveyed.
Danielle Quigley
SRCD
27
31/05/2005
SRCD Scott River Adult Coho Spawning Ground Surveys 2004-2005 Season
PDF
Adult coho spawning ground surveys were completed in a total of 47.20 stream miles (44.45 miles of tributaries, and 2.75 miles of mainstem) in the Scott River Watershed. Live coho salmon were spotted in the Scott River as early as October 22nd, 2004, with radiotag verification on October 26th, 2004. The survey season was November 16th, 2004– January 14th, 2005. Total counts for the season were 960 redds, 569 Carcasses, and 1577 live fish counts (although some live fish were likely counted twice during weekly surveys).
Danielle Quigley
SRCD
148
01/01/2006
SRCD Scott River Adult Coho Spawning Ground Surveys 2005-2006 Season
PDF
The 2005-2006 Adult Coho Spawning Ground Surveys began in the Scott River and tributaries on November 11th, 2005. Surveys were formally initiated at this time because adult Chinook were observed spawning in Shackleford Creek on November 9th, 2005. Coho surveys were started in an effort to positively identify Chinook redds versus coho redds in areas where the two species were using the same spawning grounds. Adult coho spawning ground surveys were completed in a total of 34.10.85 miles; 4.75 miles of mainstem, and 29.35 miles of tributary.
Danielle Quigley
SRCD
51
31/03/2007
SRCD Scott River Adult Coho Spawning Ground Surveys 2006-2007 Season
PDF
Adult Coho Spawning Ground Surveys were completed in a total of 43.65 miles of the Scott River mainstem and tributaries; 4.75 miles of mainstem were surveyed, and 38.90 miles of tributaries. Surveys were completed between November 14th and January 12th. Flow conditions during December were too high to survey during the second and fourth weeks.
Danielle Quigley
SRCD
24
01/02/2010
SRCD Scott River Adult Coho Spawning Ground Surveys 2008-2009 Season
PDF
In 2008-2009, adult coho spawning ground surveys were continued in the Scott River Watershed in order to expand current knowledge of the endangered fishery. A total of 33.75 miles were surveyed (15.85 miles on the mainstem and 17.90 miles on tributaries).
Brannon Walsh, Danielle Yokle
SRCD
18
03/03/2010
SRCD Scott River Adult Coho Spawning Ground Surveys 2009-2010 Season
PDF
Adult coho spawning ground surveys were completed in the Scott River watershed between December 10th, 2009 and January 14th, 2010. A total of 32.37 miles of survey were completed, 20.82 miles of tributary and 11.55 miles of mainstem Scott River. Adult coho access was limited by low flows, periods of frozen water, and beaver dams for varying periods during the spawning season. A total of five live coho, two coho carcasses, and six redds were observed during the Spawning Ground Surveys. The adult counting facility operated by the California Dept of Fish and Game counted 81 adult coho passing through the weir.
SRCD
21
01/04/2011
SRCD Scott River Adult Coho Spawning Ground Surveys 2010-2011 Season
PDF
In 2010-2011, adult coho spawning ground surveys were completed in the Scott River Watershed in order to continue to further existing knowledge of the distribution and timing of coho salmon. A total of 42.0 miles were surveyed (9.10 miles on the mainstem and 32.90 miles on tributaries). Surveys consisted of trained crews walking established reaches either instream or on the bank in order to collect information on lives, carcasses, and redds.
Danielle Yokel
SRCD
26
01/03/2012
SRCD Scott River Adult Coho Spawning Ground Surveys 2011-2012 Season
PDF
In 2011, adult coho spawning ground surveys were completed in the Scott River Watershed in order to continue to further existing knowledge of the distribution and timing of coho salmon. A total of 21.4 miles were surveyed (3.10 miles on the mainstem and 18.3 miles on tributaries).
Tom Franklin
SRCD
28
12/07/2013
SRCD Scott River Adult Coho Spawning Ground Surveys 2012-2013 Season
PDF
Adult coho salmon spawning ground surveys were conducted between November 20th, 2012 and January 10th, 2013. During the survey a total of six (6) adult coho salmon carcasses and 24 redds were observed. Spawning was observed in a total of six tributary locations including the South Fork Scott River, Sugar Creek, French Creek, Miners Creek, Shackleford Creek and Mill Creek.
Danielle Yokel
SRCD
32
01/04/2014
SRCD Scott River Adult Coho Spawning Ground Surveys 2013-2014 Season
PDF
Adult coho salmon spawning ground surveys were conducted between November 20th, 2013 and January 27th 2014. However, low flow conditions in the Scott River throughout the spawning season created temporal and spatial overlap of Chinook and coho spawning. Coho were observed spawning in the Scott River at various locations between November 21st 2013 and February 7th 2014 (pers. Comm Morgan Knechtle, landowner observations).
Danielle Yokel
SRCD
27
01/04/2015
SRCD Scott River Adult Coho Spawning Ground Surveys 2014-2015 Season
PDF
Spawning ground surveys were conducted by the Siskiyou Resource Conservation District from November 14th 2014 to February 4th 2015 across Scott Valley stream reaches to determine the distribution of coho salmon spawning in the watershed and inform related management decisions over the following year.
Lindsay Magranet
SRCD
25
01/06/2017
SRCD Scott River Adult Coho Spawning Ground Surveys 2016-2017 Season
PDF
A total of 95 coho redds were recorded by surveyors on the Scott River mainstem and the following tributaries (from north to south): Shackleford Creek and its tributary Mill Creek, Patterson Creek, French Creek and its tributary Miners Creek, Sugar Creek and the East Fork Scott River. A total of 22 coho carcasses were recovered, sexed, measured and sampled.
Lindsay Magranet
SRCD
28
01/09/2008
SRCD Scott River Adult Coho Spawning Ground Surveys 2007-2008 Season
PDF
In 2007, adult coho spawning ground surveys were continued in the Scott River Watershed in order to expand current knowledge of the endangered fishery. Similar to 2004, 2007 marked the return of the strong coho brood year. Thus, surveys were completed wherever access, staffing, and environmental variables would permit. A total of 45.95 miles were surveyed (6.45 miles on the mainstem and 3 7 .5 miles on tributaries). Surveys consisted of trained crews walking established reaches either instream or on the bank in order to collect information concerning lives, carcasses, and redds.
Brannon Walsh
SRCD
42
01/05/2020
SRCD Scott River Adult Coho Spawning Ground Surveys 2019-2020 Season
PDF
Spawning ground surveys were conducted by the Siskiyou Resource Conservation District from December 10th, 2019 to January 24th, 2020 to determine the distribution of coho salmon spawning in the watershed and inform related management decisions over the following year. A total of 23.7 river miles were surveyed (3.9 river miles on the mainstem and 19.8 river miles on tributaries).
Lindsay Magranet
SRCD
28
01/12/2021
SRCD Scott River Adult Coho Spawning Ground Surveys 2020-2021 Season
PDF
Spawning surveys began on November 25th, 2020, on Reach 9 of the Scott River (between the river’s confluence with Oro Fino Creek and the Meamber Bridge) and continued through January 22nd, 2021.
Chris Voigt
SRCD
29
01/02/2024
SRCD Scott River Adult Coho Spawning Ground Surveys 2022-2023 Season
PDF
Although spawning ground surveys for 2022-2023 were very limited due to budget constraints, they were conducted as possible by the Siskiyou Resource Conservation District from the period of November 20th, 2022, to January 22nd, 2023 to determine the distribution of coho salmon spawning in the watershed and inform related management decisions over the following year. A total of 20.5 river miles were surveyed (12.5 river miles on the mainstem and 8.0 river miles on western tributaries).
Evan Senf
SRCD
26
08/03/2024
SRCD Scott River Adult Coho Spawning Ground Surveys 2023-2024 Season
PDF
During the 2023-2024 coho salmon spawning season, staff from the Quartz Valley Indian Reservation (QVIR), Scott River Watershed Council (SRWC) and Siskiyou Resource Conservation District (SRCD) conducted spawning ground surveys on 38.3 miles of 17 streams in the Scott River watershed. Between November 2, 2023 and January 16, 2024, a total of 251 coho salmon redds and 168 carcasses were documented in the cooperative survey effort. The highest concentration of redds per survey mile were found at the Scott River at Sugar Creek Confluence, the Middle French Creek, the Lower and Middle Sugar Creek and the East Fork Scott River at Kangaroo Creek reaches.
Various
SRCD, SRWC
80
31/03/2011
SRCD Scott River Fall Chinook Spawning Ground Surveys 2010 Season
PDF
The 2010 cooperative survey began October 111 and ended on December 2nd . There was a storm and high water event during October that forced the cancellation of surveys on both systems; and due to discharges subsequently remaining too high for safe navigation throughout the remaining of the season, Salmon River surveys upon the mainstem and forks were irregular. However, the high water did provide an opportunity to shift surveys to include multiple tributary systems.
Maija Meneks
SRCD
37
30/03/2012
SRCD Scott River Fall Chinook Spawning Ground Surveys 2011 Season
PDF
5493 fish returned for the 2011 season.
Maija Meneks
SRCD
57
17/06/2013
SRCD Scott River Fall Chinook Spawning Ground Surveys 2012 Season
PDF
4390 fish were counted in the 2012 season.
Maija Meneks
SRCD
27
30/06/2014
SRCD Scott River Fall Chinook Spawning Ground Surveys 2013 Season
PDF
Salmon and Scott River 2013 Season Salmon Studies.
Maija Meneks
SRCD
60
01/03/2015
SRCD Scott River Fall Chinook Spawning Ground Surveys 2014 Season
PDF
RCD crews conducted Chinook spawning ground surveys from October 28th though December 2nd 2014. This included a minimum of bi-weekly surveys of Index Reaches 12 through 15 and sections of Reach 16 as landowner access permitted. Surveys were also completed on French Creek, Sugar Creek, Shackleford Creek, Mill Creek and the East Fork of the Scott River.
Lindsay Magranet
SRCD
8
31/01/2017
SRCD Scott River Fall Chinook Spawning Ground Surveys 2016 Season
PDF
RCD crews initiated spawning ground surveys in the Scott River Valley on October 12th 2016 (Appendix A).
Lindsay Magranet
SRCD
12
31/01/2018
SRCD Scott River Fall Chinook Spawning Ground Surveys 2017 Season
PDF
The RCD initiated spawning ground surveys through the Index Reaches of the Scott River Valley on October 17th.
Lindsay Magranet
SRCD
19
31/03/2022
SRCD Scott River Fall Chinook Spawning Ground Surveys 2021 Season
PDF
SRCD Chinook Spawning Ground Survey Final Report for the year 2021.
Chris Voigt
SRCD
10
15/10/2023
SRCD Scott River Fall Chinook Spawning Ground Surveys 2022 Season
PDF
SRCD Chinook Spawning Ground Survey Final Report for the year 2022.
Evan Senf, Christina Giertz
SRCD
8
19/07/2006
SRCD Scott River Fall Chinook Spawning Ground Surveys 2005 Season
PDF
Spawning ground surveys for Salmon and Scott River 2005 Season
Tami Clayton
SRCD
39
31/03/2020
SRCD Scott River Fall Chinook Spawning Ground Surveys 2019 Season
PDF
The RCD initiated spawning ground surveys through the Index Reaches of the Scott River Valley on October 16, 2019.
Lindsay Magranet, Emma Morris, Chris Voigt
SRCD
9
01/10/1991
Scott River Flow & Augmentation Study
PDF
Cursory level investigation into increasing summer fishery flows in the Scott Valley, CA.
Various
DWR
134
01/07/2001
Scott River Monitoring Plan: Sediment Sampling & Analysis - 2000
PDF
This analysis of the 2000 sediment sampling data is the sediment portion of the “Scott River Monitoring Plan” grant by the California Dept. of Fish and Game to the Siskiyou Resource Conservation District (RCD) and the Scott River Watershed CRMP (now Council). The objective of this grant is to “implement a basin-wide monitoring plan over three years to ensure continuous monitoring and assessment of completed projects.”
Sari Sommarstrom
SRCD, SRWC
50
17/09/2009
Scott River Riparian Analysis
PDF
It is the goal of this analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of existing riparian protection and enhancement projects throughout the Scott Valley. This evaluation of previous effort is used to generate a series of recommended restoration and protection techniques that have worked in different areas of the watershed.
SRCD
56
22/12/2014
Scott River Riparian Restoration Project
PDF
The goal of this project was to reduce in-stream sediment and temperature loads in the Scott River by stabilizing actively eroding banks and enhancing the riparian corridor.
Preston Harris, Lindsay Magranet, Danielle Yokel
SRCD
26
01/02/2021
Scott River Stream Restoration and Sediment Reduction Program Final Report 2017-2021
PDF
Under the Scott River Stream Restoration and Sediment Reduction Program, the SRCD has been working to address sediment and thermal inputs to the Scott River with willing landowners through methods that concurrently enhance habitat for salmonid species in the watershed.
SRCD
58
31/03/1993
Scott River Streambank Protection, Riparian Fencing & Planting - Black Ranch
PDF
Rip rap, riparian fencing and planting project proposed by the SRCD.
Gena Evans
SRCD
22
01/11/1993
Scott River Streambank Stabilization Project
PDF
Rip rap project proposal responses.
Carl Harral
CDFW
24
01/05/2006
Scott River Summer Habitat Utilization Study
PDF
Direct observation surveys were performed throughout the Scott Valley and tributaries in the low flow period of 2005, to observe the distribution and density of the strong cohort of rearing juvenile coho salmon.
Erich Yokel
SRCD
69
26/06/2014
Scott River Watershed Restoration Strategy & Schedule
PDF
This document is intended to provide the local community with a tool to leverage funding for high priority restoration locations, as well as document the extent of riparian restoration implemented to date. An additional purpose is to identify the limitation to riparian restoration on the Scott River, given the current hydrologic, economic, and permitting restraints.
SRCD, SRWC
310
25/04/1996
Scott Valley Trib Report 1996
PDF
Objectives for streambank stabilization in the Scott Valley.
Various
NRCS, SRCD
8
01/12/2002
Streambank Soil Bioengineering Field Guide for Low Precipitation Areas
PDF
This Streambank Soil Bioengineering Field Guide is intended as a pocket field guide for many of the soil bioengineering treatments that are used to reduce streambank erosion. It has been prepared for use in the Riparian Ecology and Restoration Workshop which focuses on many of the popular streambank soil bioengineering treatments which are used in drier areas of the American West. This field guide incorporates a general discussion on riparian zones, plant materials selection criteria, and streambank soil bioengineering treatments including installation guidelines and materials requirements.
Chris Hoag, Jon Fripp
NRCS
63
15/06/2022
Underwater Camera Sample Footage
Video
Example underwater camera footage. Youngs Dam. Camera is located in the main dam.
SRCD
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