KBC NEWS

"Silence in the face of evil is itself evil. God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act." Dietrich Bonhoeffer - Christian Pastor executed by Nazi Germany 1945

* KBRA / Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement

Definition of Tyranny

* 7/21/14 comments due Waters of the U.S. Under the Clean Water Act
* EPA set to explain water rule that has U.S. farmers riled. The American Farm Bureau Federation has come out against the proposed rule, H&N, posted to KBC 7/16/14

Proposed Rule Issued April 21, 2014  US Navigable Waters by Elaine Willman 7/17/14  Elaine Willman bio

From Fish and Wildlife on wolf at Medicine Lake 7/17/14

 7/18 Comments due of spotted frog critical habitat.

KBC NEWS: A property owner at Medicine Lake reported to KBC that he spotted the Or 7 wolf (from a pack known to kill livestock, that wandered into California) in the Medicine Lake headquarters campground June 18th. Howls were heard in that location July 13th. There have been NO warnings from Forest Service to alert campers or residents.

Medicine Lake Campground to close for tribal gathering (July 18-21), H&N, posted to KB 7/16/14. KBC NOTE: In 2003 was the first annual traditional gathering of Indians on a large scale. The H&N article does not explain that there are 4 other campgrounds open to the public that weekend. HERE for Medicine Lake page

SPRAGUE RIVER - No time to spare. Fast-moving fire outruns Moccasin Hill residents, H&N 7/16/14. "Six homes and 14 other structures were destroyed on Sunday alone..."

Ongoing California drought wreaks significant economic damage. Crop, job losses take heavy toll on state, H&N 7/16/14.

Dorris - Running from drought, dry conditions force wild horses onto private land, H&N, posted to KBC 7/16/14

Oregon Caves bill goes to U.S. House. U.S. Senate passes measure unanimously on Wednesday, H&N, posted to KBC 7/16/14. "The Congress is again considering legislation to expand the Oregon Caves National Monument nearly tenfold....Logging and other operations allowed on Forest Service lands are banned on Park Service holding..."

State reaps most timber since 2006. Logging harvest intake tops 4 billion board feet, H&N 7/16/14.  "Oregon’s timber harvest was 9.74 billion board feet in 1972... Volume plunged in the 1990s as environmental issues led to cutbacks in logging on federal lands."

6/24+25 meetings Klamath On Project plan. Comments due July 15

Plan stalls: PacifiCorp fee halts talks. Power transition for local irrigators at standstill, H&N, posted to KBC 7/3/14.
* "I think you guys are taking a windfall off the irrigators’ backs,” said board member Gary Wright."
* "The fee could mean a 2- to 3-cent per kilowatt increase for Basin farmers, according to Dean Brockbank, vice president and general counsel of PacifiCorp." "
* "Cannon (KWAPA director) said he estimates that for every penny the power rate goes up, PacifiCorp collects an additional $1.3 million. Since 2006, PacifiCorp has taken an extra $13 million per year out of the Basin, he said."
* " 'It’s a giant crapshoot. I think a lot more of this information should have been brought forward in good faith a long, long time ago,' (Matt) Walter (Upper Klamath Water Users Association leader)said."
* "The federal power program is part of the 2010 Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement and the Klamath Basin Hydroelectric Settlement. The agreements seek to establish reliable water supplies and affordable power rates for irrigators, restore fish habitat, help the Klamath Tribes acquire the 92,000-acre Mazama Tree Farm and remove four dams on the Klamath River."

BOR reduces Iron Gate Dam flows, H&N 7/3/14

Wolves worry ranchers. Wolf population increases by one third statewide, H&N 7/3/14. "If you see a wolf kill your livestock you can’t take any lethal means against it.”

CFBF Friday Legislative Review 7/3/14. "Efforts by the Assembly Leadership to put forward a measure modifying provisions of the $11.14 billion Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act currently scheduled to go before California voters this November have again stalled."

In dry California, water fetching record prices, Capital Press 7/2/14. "...growers would ultimately pay $775 to $980 an acre-foot.."

KWAPA public board meeting Agenda July 1, 2014. Discussion with PacifiCorp, Groundwater, well monitoring, On Project Plan, .....

Letter from disillusioned Upper Klamath Water Users Association leader and KBRA/KHSA proponent regarding PacifiCorp and KBRA, posted to KBC 7/1/14. "I do not believe PC has bargained in good faith as implied in the KHSA. We have been working on the federal power delivery concept (Interconnect Study) for more then 4 years. We have spent 1000's of man hours and 100k"s of tax payer dollars to get to where we are today. The conclusion of 3/4 to 1 cent benefit which in the words of the consultant "is in the margin of error" is a poor result for all the work...."

PacifiCorp responds to KWAPA/Klamath Water and Power questions regarding KBRA-promised power rates, transitioning to federal power, consequences if people leave PacifiCorp, posted to KBC 7/1/14. "...Responses to specific KWAPA questions: 1. What is the cost for an irrigator to leave PAC energy? Answer: PacifiCorp does not intend to propose an exit fee for an irrigator to leave PAC energy.  However, the OPUC and other customers will be concerned about shifting costs to other Oregon customers as a result of irrigators moving to federal power.  As discussed above, the OPUC may impose a transition charge on irrigator loads switching to federal power.  This transition charge could be as high as 6-8 cents/kwh...."

California Farm Bureau Federation Friday Legislative Review 6/27/14. Proposed bills: unlimited tax increases, renewable resources, GM labels, private property tree harvest regulations, funds to clean up illegal pot farm pollution, billions$ for climate change, river "protection," & "sustainable...", groundwater management, minimum wages, paid sick leave mandates...

CA added just 5 dams Since 1959, CALWATCH.COM, POSTED TO kbc 6/27/14

Water shutoffs effects felt on (Klamath) area’s farms and ranches; cattle, hay come at steep premium, H&N, posted to KBC 6/20/14. "Crume said he might have enough water to get by until his first cutting of hay, but if the water to his field is shutoff, it’s likely his remaining 75 cows will have to go."

Council mulls options for drought response; possible well shutoff draws varied reactions, H&N, posted to KBC 6/20/14. " Kyle Gorman, the OWRD  South Central Region manager, said the two city wells and 10 private wells that received shutoff notices were deemed to have “timely and effective” impacts on surface water."

SPOTTED FROG COMMENTS DUE - 300 acres added in Klamath County; Comments sought on land for endangered amphibian, H&N, posted to KBC 6/20/14. "...officials may designate 68,500 acres and 24 stream miles throughout Washington and Oregon as critical habitat for the disappearing amphibian. The proposed critical habitat 30-day public comment period opens today and closes July 18."

Hearing What We Want to Hear, by Jim Beers, posted to KBC 6/20/14. Beers comments on Herald and News report by Lacey Jarrell regarding his wolf presentation in Dorris, Calif. Jarrell's article was "Worries about wolves; Wolf opponents list multiple reasons against reintroduction"   Beers is a retired wildlife biologist and refuge manager, government whistleblower, and wolf expert.

Well shutdowns: Impacts too early to tell. Two municipal, 10 privately owned wells ordered to limit or curtail use, H&N 6/14/14. "(Klamath Falls City Manager) Cherpeski acknowledged that city and county officials need to begin developing policies to mitigate impacts of water shortages. 'It’s more about the future of the Basin. We should think about the community and reducing water simply because we live in the desert,' he said."
KBC CORRECTION on above H&N article: Klamath Basin was a lake up to 30' deep before we diverted much of our water INTO the Klamath River, and INTO a meadow east of Tule Lake to evaporate so WWI and WWII war veterans could grow food for a hungry nation. Does Klamath Falls city manager not know the history of our basin he calls a "desert" ?

City of Klamath told to shut off wells. Tribes, Project make call on water; Sky Lakes, OIT may be affected, H&N 6/13/14. "A comment period is open for a grant to evaluate Crater Lake National Park’s options to mitigate potential water shutoffs and keep the park open during extreme drought...Written comments can be submitted until 5 p.m., June 27"

Water shutoffs begin in the Basin; Klamath Tribes expected to make its ‘call’ this week, H&N 6/10/14

<  Niilo Hyytinen 2/23/1926 - 6/4/2014 former Tulelake businessman and WWII veteran

The Senate Hearing is on June 3rd at 2:30 Eastern time:
* Letter signed by Klamath County Commissioners and Siskiyou County Supervisors opposing Klamath Dam Removal Agreements to U.S. Congressman Tom McClintock, 5/30/14
* Letter signed by Klamath County Commissioners and Siskiyou County Supervisors opposing Klamath Dam Removal Agreements, to U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, 5/30/14

VIDEO: Wolves and the Environmental Species Act - Jim Beers, in Dorris, California May 2014, filmed by Robert Exter.

Video, and transcribed quotes from Klamath In the Balance, Forum to discuss dam removal process on Klamath River. The stated purpose was to bring all the conflicting Indian Tribes and environmental groups together with the common goal of destroying the Klamath River Dams.
Green Corps trained activist, a founder of Klamath Riverkeeper, and negotiator for the Karuk Tribe as voting stakeholder on the KBRA, Craig Tucker: "we worked with the Klamath Project irrigators, the enemies of the tribes since those guys showed up; we did work out a water sharing agreement. ...We did not solve all the problems in the Klamath Basin with these agreements. We did not get rid of all the farmers, we did not rebuild all the wetlands, but we do pull off the biggest dam removal in the history of the world...and if we're still gonna deal with water quality issues at Keno, at the end of the day, I can guarantee the Karuk Tribe and Craig Tucker will be in the front seat dealing with that next." (KBC NOTE: that refers to destroying the Keno Dam, which provides water to the Klamath Project irrigators). KBC NEWS reminder: In the KBRA: hydro dam destruction is permanent. Destruction of fish hatcheries is permanent. $45 million plus land gift to the Klamath Tribes is permanent. Downsizing agriculture is permanent. Mandate of no water storage may be used by irrigators is permanent. However any benefits to the farmers in the KBRA end in 50 years, but, as detailed in this video, any benefits are superseded by the ESA, Clean Water Act and Biological Opinions.

Written speech about wolves given in Dorris, California at a Town Forum on 18 May 2014, by Jim Beers, posted to KBC 5/25/14.

Informing the ‘misinformed’ about wolves; reintroduction, recovery goals are backed by questionable motivations, M. David Allen guest writer, H&N 5/25/14

* Wyden, Merkley Feinstein, Boxer Introduce Klamath Basin Legislation, posted to KBC 5/23/14.
* Meeting of Klamath County Commissioners and Siskiyou County Supervisors, all eight elected officials oppose the Klamath water agreements, commentary on KFLS 14.50 radio station by Oregon Senator Doug Whitsett, posted to KBC 5/23/14.
* LETTER TO: "Congressman McClintock: You have been most helpful and steadfast if helping the ranchers and farmers in the Klamath River Basin in our on going battle to save the hydro-electric facilities and water allocations to ranchers and farmers in Siskiyou, Modoc and Klamath counties. Attached  are two documents that a joint unofficial task force, known as the Cal-Ore Bi-State Alliance have put together and presented at a joint meeting of the Siskiyou County Supervisors and the Klamath County, Ore. Commissioners.  These alternatives to dam removal suggestions are far less expensive, and more doable than taking out the dams, destroying the hydro-electric facilities and allocating limited water resources. As in the past, your continued support for maintaining these facilities, that were developed on sound science and common sense, is sincerely appreciated. Respectfully, Frank Tallerico (board member of Siskiyou County Water Users Association and participant in the Bi-State Alliance). Subject: Bi-State Alliance Handouts at the 5/5/14 Klamath Co./Siskiyou Co. mtg."
* Cal-OR Bi-State Alliance ALTERNATIVES to the KBRA and KHSA (Klamath dam-removal agreements), May 2014. (Both agreements mandate Klamath River Hydro-electric Dam removals)
* Saving the Klamath River Dams, the best alternative for Siskiyou and Klamath Counties, May 2014, Cal-Or Bi-State Alliance

* Jim Beers in Dorris 5/18/14 regarding Wolves, property rights, Agenda 21.  Jim Beers biography

The Upper Klamath Basin Comprehensive Agreement, by Oregon Senator Doug Whitsett, posted to KBC 5/16/14: "Many farm and ranch owners... were advised that most who refused to sign would no longer be allowed to use either their surface or groundwater rights in most years. Many of those water rights date to 1864 priority. They were further advised that those who refused to participate would likely be subject to severe restrictions on the use of their land due to the “potential listing” of new endangered species....The transfers to in-stream flow will require the permanent dewatering of as much as 30 square miles of currently irrigated productive pasture and farm land...required management practices are enforceable by a third party. In this Agreement, the third party is ultimately controlled by the Tribes...In total, when combined with other provisions of the KBRA, the Tribes would receive more than $147 million in direct funding. The money is mainly dedicated for the purchase of land, ecosystem habitat enhancement, water quality improvement and economic development for the Tribes...the Ninth Circuit Court determined that the Tribes are entitled to no more, or no less water than they were currently using for a moderate standard of living at the time of the Court decision. Further, the Court stated that the amount of water the Tribes are entitled to cannot be interpreted to be the amount they were using at the time of the 1864 Treaty. The Court had no intention of returning the land to a wilderness servitude. The Oregon Water Resources Department appeared to ignore the latter part of the Court ruling in their March 2013 Final Order of Determination...others are rightfully concerned that the Agreement infringes on their First Amendment right to free speech because the document prohibits signatories from speaking or writing in opposition to any of the agreements. Others believe the Agreement infringes on their Fifth Amendment rights to own and enjoy the benefits of private property, including their irrigation water rights..."

Threats (by Klamath tribal members) delay tribal meeting, H&N 5/16/14. "...some Klamath Tribes members have been campaigning to organize a hostile takeover of the meeting. Threats included chaining and padlocking doors to force the Tribal Council and meeting attendees to remove Gentry from the council and to overturn the results of a recent referendum vote. The referendum vote under attack was certified by the Klamath Tribes election board as in-favor of a water settlement, known as the Proposed Upper Klamath Basin Comprehensive Agreement, between the Tribes and upper Basin irrigators." KBC NOTE: Upper Basin irrigators were not allowed a vote; they were only blackmailed as explained in Senator Doug Whitsett's newsletter.

Klamath Tribes of Oregon PRESS RELEASE: Threats against Klamath Tribal Council by Klamath Tribal membership,  5/16/14 (regarding Upper Klamath Basin Comprehensive Agreement.)

California Farm Bureau Federation Friday Legislative Review 5/16/14. Proposed bills for billions of $ for groundwater and water management and control, bill to label genetically modified food products, disclosure of extreme fuel costs from California's carbon taxes, more...

Oregon Congressional Candidate Dennis Linthicum, 5/16/14, current article "The truth will set you free" responding to Congressman Walden's comments.

California's Cap and Trade, Kitzhaber headed that direction, Oregon Senator Doug Whitsett 4/30/14

Oregon's welfare growth highest in nation, Oregon Senator Doug Whitsett 5/6/14. "The welfare to work program was designed to provide temporary assistance during the time required to teach families to become accountable for their own welfare and financial security...The audit found that Oregon ranked dead last in the nation for TANF clients participating in work, or work related activities..."
Senator Doug Whitsett KBC News webpage HERE

Senator Roberts and Western Caucus urge EPA to halt Waters of the US rule, 5/8/14

Wolves, gun control topics for Dorris Forum Meeting, H&N 5/9/14.

Why Willamette Valley farmers should watch Klamath Falls' water rights fight, Statesman Journal, posted to KBC 5/10/14. "The agency identified 130 wells (including Mallams) that could interfere with surface water sources, meaning he and other farmers could lose both sources of water this summer. 'You virtually cannot prove there isn’t interference because of the way they did the modeling,' Mallams said. 'I am considered guilty unless I prove myself innocent and I cannot prove myself innocent.' For Whitsett, that means the OWRD can do the same thing to any watershed in Oregon."

Short video: No water, no farmer, no food; government mismanagement causes water crisis, AFPC 5/9/14.

California Farm Bureau Federation Friday Legislative Review, 5/9/14: school districts to impose unlimited tax on property owners, honeybee access, registering stockponds for livestock and irrigation, $18 billion for water projects and conservation, immigration laws, labor laws...

Weather Warfare: Beware the US Military’s Experiments with Climatic Warfare; ‘Climatic warfare’ has been excluded from the agenda on climate change, Global Research by Professor Michel Chossudovsky, posted to KBC 5/9/14. This was on the History Channel May 8, 2014

<KBC News photo
Joint county groups decry water pact; Mallams calls it ‘blackmail,’ H&N  5/7/14. "Collectively, the supervisors and commissioners agreed to send letters to federal and state legislators opposing planned legislation by Wyden to fund the newly signed agreement. At last month’s ceremonies, Wyden said he will introduce legislation this month to make the agreement law. The (Siskiyou County) supervisors/(Klamath County) commissioners draft letter says the agreement’s “fatal flaw” is its tie to the KBRA and KHSA. According to the letter, “this irrational stubbornness cannot outweigh the exorbitant costs, environmental risks and losses of water supply, flood control, and clean energy that would accompany dam removal... the KBRA and KHSA have been strongly opposed by voters in both Siskiyou and Klamath counties.”

Upper and lower basin representatives continued their cooperative efforts Monday in Dorris as Klamath County commissioners met with the Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors to discuss agreements on the Klamath River, Siskiyou Daily News, posted to KBC 5/7/14

Here for Klamath River Science Misconduct page

< in Yreka, Klamath River Basin in 2011: communities (farmers, ranchers, miners, loggers)coming together opposing their federal government using suckers, frogs, owls, and faulty science to strip resource users of their property and resources.

Trout Unlimited Run by Wall Street Banks & Energy Giants, and Klamath Basin Crisis: Farmers Know Trout Unlimited All Too Well, byToni Thayer April 29, 2014, Watching-the-Watchers.com. "One day you're farming, minding your own business, and life's good. The next day, and for the following nine years, you're fighting thieves who want your property and your livelihood. Using junk science and lots of propaganda, the thieves band together in meetings to hammer out the details of stealing your property and divvying it up amongst themselves. And you, the lawful property owner, are only one against the massive den of thieves."

Key parties offer their opinions on County Home Rule Charter 18-93 to appear on the May 20 ballot, H&N 4/27/14
followed by:
Is an administrator the right choice for Klamath County? Area voters must decide
(KBC Note: go to www.heraldandnews.com to vote on their unofficial poll. All 3 elected Klamath County Commissioners and conservatives who elected them oppose the charter (vote no on poll). The liberals "progressives" vote yes on poll. )

Farming tradition ends, Boyd family says goodbye after 74 years, H&N 4/24/14.

Klamath Basin - Lack of bird refuges plan spurs lawsuit, H&N 4/25/14.

California Farm Bureau Federation Friday Legislative Review Proposed bills: 4/25/14 Pesticide application regulations, GMO food labeling, budget increases for Fish and Wildlife and Water Resources Board, over $4 million to Department of Education, $19 million plus $2 annually to pay FWS overdue tax bills (FWS has $ to buy private land, then they don't pay their decade-overdue taxes), employees could file lean on their employeer's property if they claim they weren't paid, $8.5 billion for clean water, protect rivers, climate change, Delta Sustainability and water storage, Groundwater management, more.

Siskiyou, Modoc jobless figures worse than state’s. Counties’ unemployment rates improve, but still lag behind California averages, H&N 4/22/14. "...the unemployment rate in Siskiyou County dropped from 15.5 percent in February to 14.9 percent, while the drop in Modoc County was from 13.5 to 12.9 percent. In comparison, the California unemployment rate dropped during the same period from 8.5 to 8.4 percent, while the national average shifted from 7.0 to 6.8 percent."

County taxpayers deserve more input in irrigation agreements, H&N letter by David Hurst, posted to KBC 4/25/14. "The upper Basin ranchers and farmers are not given a lot of choices in any of the agreements. The tribe had to vote on the agreement: Why doesn’t the taxpayer have the same choice?"

Klamath Falls - Oregon Tech's renewable energy by Oregon Senator Doug Whitsett 4/25/14
National Unemployment Newsletter by Oregon Senator Doug Whitsett 4/9/14
Medical Marijuana Dispensaries by Senator Doug Whitsett, 3/26/14
Forest Practices Act Newsletter by Oregon Senator Doug Whitsett 3/20/14
Short Legislative Sessions by Oregon Senator Doug Whitsett 3/11/14
Support Oregon's Rule of Law by Oregon Senator Doug Whitsett 2/27/14
HERE for Senator Doug Whitsett webpage

Siskiyou County Supervisor Brandon Criss' Newsletter, posted to KBC 4/22/14. "...a list of the broad sector of support for saving the Klamath River Dams, including county and local governments, non-profits, agricultural organizations, and the nearly 80% vote of the people of Siskiyou County.  It was important to...counter the other side’s false rhetoric that the Klamath Basin supports dam removal."

NASA Expert Warns of Rogue Geoengineers and Chemtrail Consequences; The Risks Are Massive: “Will Likely Lead to Famine and Civil Unrest," dprogram 4/22/14. KBC NOTE: Watch the 12 minute video. Watch the skies. Why would anyone want to modify the weather in Klamath Basin to cause a drought? Look up. The above article was sent to us by a retired EPA scientist.
More info on Geoengineering Watch

Historic pact to be signed Friday, H&N 4/17/14.  KBC NOTE: What a deal! Free transportation to and from the casino too! Lunch... 

Klamath Tribes approve water pact, H&N, posted to KBC 4/15/14. "A $40 million economic development package for the Tribes...the Tribes also would receive $1 million a year for five years from DOI to care for tribal transition needs this year."

Freedom of speech is key when talking irrigation, by Bruce Topham, Sprague River letter to H&N, posted to KBC 4/15/14. "This is what is currently being demanded of those of us who are ranchers in the north half of Klamath County. A foreign sovereign government (aka the Klamath Tribes) is requiring that for any water settlement to be met for irrigation or drinking water for our livestock we must surrender our right as Americans to express any opinions contrary to those advocated by the Klamath Tribes..."
Upper Klamath Webpage
Water Task Force webpage

Protesting the vote; Klamath Tribal members demand a new vote, H&N, posted to KBC 4/15/14.

Zero acre-feet of water; East Side Klamath Project irrigators to see little or no water; idling funds also are in short supply, H&N 4/15/14. "Moxley said the newly designed pivots can reduce his irrigation water use up to 50 percent. But last week, the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) announced that irrigators, who rely on water supplies from Clear Lake Reservoir, will get zero acre-feet for the 2014 irrigation season." KBC NOTE: When Klamath Reclamation Project was built, Clear Lake was a meadow. Suckers do not live in meadows. To create farmland, water was stored in Clear Lake (meadow) to so it could be used for irrigation if needed. The U.S. government made it into a bird refuge and decided to create habitat for suckers who historically did not live in this meadow, mandating lake levels and denying access in most of that area to the public.

Difficult season ahead, insufficient water for full Project deliveries. No water will be released from Clear Lake Reservoir, H&N, posted to KBC 4/15/14