"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

Klamath River Hydroelectric Dam Page and the former KBRA/Klamath Basin Restoration "Agreement" and related Klamath Dam Removal settlement agreements, articles, letters, videos, press releases, documents, and Who's Who
KBC's KRRC / Klamath River Renewal Corporation (Dam Destruction Group) Page  
Includes:
* Who's Who  Who are these people, groups, and tribes who have shut down: more than 40 saw mills, Klamath River Basin's suction dredge mining, and much use of surface and well water to irrigate. And who do they have associations with. Who have they sued over logging, mining, and water rights. 

Walden to host Klamath Falls town hall Friday, January 18. H&N, posted to KBC 1/15/19

H-2A minimum wage hearing set for Jan. 28, Capital Press, posted to KBC 1/15/19. "...It has increased from $14.12 to $15.03 in Washington and Oregon, the highest in the nation..."

AB 178 - To exempt California disaster victims from $15,000+ new residential home solar mandate, California Assemblyman Brian Dahle, posted to KBC 1/15/19

TID regular public board meeting agenda 1/15/19.

California Farm Bureau Federation Legislative Review, posted to KBC 1/15/19. Governor Newsoms' appointments, State Budget Proposal of $209 billion, Cap and Trade, Departments: Food and Ag, F&W, Cal Fire, State Water Resources Control Board, Transportation, ...Ag Ed, Cannabis, Commodities, Hemp, Land Use, Pest Management, Water

Oregonians for Food and Shelter Legislative Review, posted to KBC 1/15/19. Bans neonicotinoids, aerial pesticide prohibition, forest practice bans, dairy size prohibitions and regulations, Articles: Carbon Cap, Wolf talks, Klamath Refuge Management Attacks, Walden townhalls.

PRESS RELEASE - Oregon legislature takes aim at 2nd Amendment – again! Oregon State Legislature, posted to KBC 1/15/19

Klamath Water Users in transition: 'Nasty' water year takes toll on former director, KID's watermaster resigns, and Pay-out coming for drought relief applicants, H&N, posted to KBC 1/15/19

KID taps Henley High grad as manager, H&N, posted to KBC 1/15/19

< A Merry Christmas card, December 25, 1944, to a soldier's parents in California. He was 18, WWII, in Paris, later to win a Tulelake, Klamath Project, homestead with water rights forever, for his service in the war. He was lonesome and homesick, trying to be optimistic and give his family hope, but not knowing if he'd survive to return home. Veterans, we appreciate your service!

Jordan Cove pipeline public hearing on Monday January 7, H&N 1/5/19. Public comments due February 3

COMMENTS DUE Feb. 26 - Public comment sought on Klamath dam report for draft EIS from Cal Water Resources Control Board, H&N, posted to KBC 1/5/19. "The license surrender is one step toward the proposed decommissioning and removal of four PacifiCorp dams on the Klamath River, three of which are in California."
MEETINGS:
***(Klamath Falls: ZERO meetings)
*Tuesday, Feb. 5, 5 to 8 p.m., Best Western Miner’s Inn, 122 E. Miner St., Yreka
* Wednesday, Feb. 6, 5 to 8 p.m., D Street Neighborhood Center, 1301 D St., Arcata, Calif.
* Thursday, Feb. 7, noon to 3 p.m., Karuk Tribe Council Chambers, 37960 Highway 96, Orleans, Calif.
* Friday, Feb. 15, 1 to 4 p.m., CalEPA Building, Sierra Hearing Room, 1001 I Street, Second Floor, Sacramento

Strategy to form the Dam Destruction/Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement: Cal/EPA Environmental Justice Action Plan May 18, 2005. Lead Agency: State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB)

Rancher loses sixth animal to wolves, Medford Tribune 1/5/19. “I’ve done everything by the book between the state and the federal people and tried to be cooperative with everybody, and we’re just kind of starting to strike out,” Birdseye said. "OR-7 and his pack will not be subject to lethal removal by ODFW because they are in Western Oregon, where gray wolves are federally protected under the Endangered Species Act."
Rogue wolf pack kills seventh cow, Medford Mail Tribune 12/24/18.

Agency analyzes impacts of removing Klamath River dams, H&N, posted to KBC 1/5/19. "Plans to remove four hydroelectric dams on the lower Klamath River would benefit the region far more than keeping them in place, according to a draft environmental impact report by the California State Water Resources Control Board."

Reclamation finalizes Klamath Project Biological Assessment, BOR Press Release, posted to KBC 1/5/19
BOR releases Klamath Project Biological Assessment, H&N, posted to KBC 1/5/19. "It’s analyzing, assessing, the impacts of the Klamath Project operation on all these (endangered) species...The services are going to use this Biological Assessment that we did … to create the bi-Op...We’re allowing the public to view it but there’s no comment period..."
The 2018 assessment and its appendices are available at www.usbr.gov/mp/kbao
Reclamation's guiding water document, Biological Assessment, released, H&N 12/23/18

Swan Lake hydro’s future awaits FERC decision, H&N, posted to KBC 1/5/19. "...able to power approximately 600,000 homes (or 1,187 gigawatt-hours) annually for 45 years once operational..." “This project, of which we will receive no benefit, will bisect our farmlands and remove property from agricultural production. The development of roads and placement of power poles will increase costs of irrigation and farming, cause erosion, dust and weed control, and interfere with our quality of life and our property values...Other comments issued reaffirmed public concerns over location of power lines, adverse impacts to property values, impact to agricultural operations and groundwater availability, and the draft EIS’ lack of a no-action alternative..."

Water talks to continue in Medford, Redding. Mikkelsen to stay the course in wake of Zinke departure. H&N 12/19/18. “At some point we may be getting into a public meeting situation where we would have public meetings..."

THE GREAT EXPERIMENT
Contractors prepare for Klamath dam removal, H&N 12/16/18. “We work as a team with KRRC...It’s a really good way to deliver a complex project with this since there may be a lot of unknowns. It removes some of the risk and uncertainties to both sides.... If it works, more water could become available for irrigators."

Water issues group making some headway, H&N 12/14/18. "The meetings are by invitation only and the press is not permitted to attend."
Back in August Mikkelson said in article: Mikkelson continues (Klamath) water talks; details vague:“We believe that it will be a process that will be open and will lead to public discussion and involvement across the board,”

Congress approves $400 billion for farmers, forests, poor, H&N, posted to KBC 12/15/18. "the bill doesn’t include: tighter work requirements for food stamp recipients...the White House asked Congress to make changes to the forestry section in response to deadly wildfires in California, giving more authority to the Agriculture and Interior departments to clear forests and other public lands. The final text doesn’t significantly increase the agencies’ authority..."
New Farm Bill a Win for Conservation, The Nature Conservancy 12/11/18, "...increase the flexibility and direct resources going toward public-private partnerships and easements. It also extends the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration program..."
5 reasons senate farm bill is a conservation powerhouse, Environmental Defense Fund June 2018
What you need to know about the new farm bill,  Sierra Club 12/14/18. "The new farm bill doesn’t make any significant changes to SNAP (food stamps, about $70Billion)...The House was forced to drop nearly all of its demands for increased logging of national forests...Overall funding for conservation programs remained almost even with prior levels, at around $60 billion...more funding for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program...Several new animal rights measures are in place...allowed family farms to add extended family members—like cousins, nephews, and nieces—in order to increase the size of their farm subsidies, even if those relatives do not do any physical labor..."

Wildfires amplify concerns over forest management, Capital Press 12/13/18. "There have been numerous multi-thousand acre wildfires in several western states in the past decade, the most recent being the Camp Fire in northern California that burned and destroyed the community of Paradise and killed 85 residents. 'People are taking this issue much more seriously now...They are looking in earnest at the recovery of forests after catastrophic fires and now are also talking about making forests more fire resilient.' ”

CFBF / California Farm Bureau Federation Friday Legislative Review, posted to KBC 12/15/18. "The Commission formally accepted a petition to list Northern California summer steelhead under CESA and formally received the Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (DFW) petition evaluation of a petition to list the 2 Klamath-Trinity river spring Chinook salmon under CESA. DFW determined that the request for listing may be warranted in its evaluation of the spring Chinook petition. This determination means there is little doubt that the Commission will vote to make that run of Chinook salmon a candidate in the near future."
CFBF Friday Legislative Review 11/30/18.

Congress OKs bill to allow killing sea lions to help salmon, H&N, posted to KBC 12/15/18. "...sea lions...dramatically increased from about 30,000 in the 1960s to about 300,000 following enactment of the 1972 Marine Mammal Protection Act."

DeFazio wolf comments uncalled for, H&N by Capital Press, posted to KBC 12/15/18. "...Rep. Peter DeFazio, a Democrat who represents Oregon’s 4th District, in defense of keeping federal protections on wolves. He called the bill “a talking point for a few idiots..."
House wolf debate features OR-7, WSU, ‘idiots," Capital Press 11/20/18

Deputy Reclamation commissioner tours Klamath Basin, H&N, posted to KBC 12/15/18.

Press Release, Writ of Mandamus, Siskiyou County Water Users Assoc. (SCWUA) 11/27/18. SCWUA filing of Writ of Mandamus with the DC circuit to require FERC to respond to their petition

SCWUA / Siskiyou County Water Users Association letter to FERC regarding KRRC plan to destroy the Klamath River hydroelectric dams, posted to KBC 11/26/18. "...The destruction to be done in accordance with an agreement which was entered into illegally, in our opinion, by the States of Oregon and California known as the Amended KHSA (Klamath Hydroelectric Service  Agreement). We feel this was ill advised at the least and illegal at most because the entering into this agreement was done without considering the Klamath Compact which governs the use of the Klamath River and supports the hydro facilities established there..."

Why California burns — its forests have too many trees, by Professor Thomas M. Bonnicksen, SF Chronicle, posted to KBC 11/26/18. "...greenhouse gas emissions from one acre of burned forest are about the same as the exhaust from 13 cars for one year...These gases stay in the atmosphere warming the climate for centuries..."
Climate Change, Forestry, and Wildfire by Dr. Thomas M. Bonnicksen, Professor Emeritu, posted to KBC 11/26/18
7 myths about forest fires by Dr. Thomas M. Bonnicksen, posted to KBC 11/16/18.

House wolf debate features OR-7, WSU, ‘idiots," Capital Press, posted to KBC 11/26/18.
* "Oregon Rep. Earl Blumenauer said wolves balance ecosystems..."
"The House could have used the hour set aside for the debate on wolves to work on education policy, the budget or a farm bill, said DeFazio, D-Springfield. “But, no, we are here on a talking point for a few idiots...We are not having catastrophic predation on cattle in southern Oregon. We could accommodate more wolves.”
< 5/24/14: "More than 100 busy ranchers, farmers and fellow citizens, concerned about introduction of wolves, came to hear Jim Beer's presentation (in Doris, California.) He told about human deaths, dozens of wolf-carrying diseases, predation on livestock and pets."
KBC News Wolf Page

How gun-free zones invite mass shootings, Chicago Tribune by John Lott Jr, President of the Crime Prevention Research Center, posted to KBC 11/26/18

CFBF Friday Legislative Review, posted to KBC 11/26/18. Climate, air quality, ag education, pesticides, Prop 65...

KWUA / Klamath Water Users Association Executive Director Scott White Resigning, KWUA PRESS RELEASE, 11/19/18. "KWUA attorney Paul Simmons will serve as interim executive director, according to (KWUA president Brad) Kirby."

Saving the sucker species, Summit with Senator Merkley, H&N, posted to KBC 11/19/18. "There are about 50,000 Lost River sucker left in Upper Klamath Lake..."
Record number of suckers recovered. Biologists find 732 juvenile suckers near A Canal screen, H&N 12/18/15. "...biologists with the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) found the largest number of juvenile Lost River and shortnose suckers since fish salvage operations began in the Klamath Project in the late 1990s."
Lower Klamath Refuge construction an effort to save salmon (on the Columbia River). Habitat restoration aimed at dispersing (baby-fish-eating) Caspian Tern populations, H&N 2/14/18. "...According to Beckstrand, the Caspian tern population along the Columbia River has been responsible for around 15 million to 20 million salmon smolts being eaten annually. The cormorant population growing on East Sand Island is estimated to be responsible for an additional 11 million young salmon each year..."
More articles on imported fish-eating Caspian Terns HERE

Suckers thrived in warm water with low lake levels, H&N, posted to KBC 11/19/18

Congressman Doug LaMalfa addresses Community Meeting in Oroville regarding Camp Fire 11/12/18 by KBC News. "An informational meeting was held in Oroville this evening with local and regional elected officials and firefighters speaking to a crowd of people, many who lost everything in the Camp Fire, and most did not know if their homes burnt down."

John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."

County of Siskiyou submittal to FERC regarding KRRC Definite Plan to obtain and destroy the four Klamath River Dams, 11/2/2018

Mikkelsen, water users respond to dropped lawsuit. BOR official tours Project next week, H&N 11/9/18.

Klamath Tribes drop ESA lawsuit against BOR. Merkley to hold PRIVATE Sucker Recovery Summit November 16 in Klamath Falls, H&N 11/9/18.

California Farm Bureau Federation Friday Legislative Review 11/9/18: "...regulatory requirement if the goal of retiring 12,000 tier 0, tier 1, and tier 2 tractors by 2024 is not met,'' hemp, fertilizers, purchase of ag conservation easements, habitat restoration, climate change briefings, pesticides, proposed regulations regarding Prop 65, ...
CFBF Friday Legislative Review 11/2/18: Climate change, hemp, OSHA regulations, pesticides, water, wildlife.

Mikkelsen forms 'coalition of the willing,' claims Tribes unwilling to 'engage,' H&N, posted to KBC 11/9/18

Fourth wolf kill found near Fort Klamath, H&N, posted to KBC 11/9/18

Those who want dams removed will benefit, while others will not, H&N letter by Rex Cozzalio, posted to KBC 11/09/18

Wolves implicated in three cattle kills in Fort Klamath, H&N 10/26/18.

Walden lauds Trump’s signing of major water legislation, H&N, posted to KBC 10/27/18. "...It’s $10 million a year for the next four years as needed, and I think that’s a real important safety net as we work on longer term solutions in the Klamath Basin,”...

Farmers, ranchers are 'endangered species,' H&N letter to the editor by Bill Boyd, Chiloquin, posted to KBC 10/27/18

Water rights of non-Indian purchasers of Klamath Indian Reservation lands, To: Commissioner of Indian Affairs From Solicitor 3/14/58

Klamath Irrigation District celebrates 100th anniversary, H&N 10/21/18.
MERRILL — Klamath Irrigation District invites the public to attend its “100-years of Water and Infrastructure” event on Friday, Oct. 26, according to a news release. A light luncheon will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Merrill Civic Center. An RSVP is requested no later than 4:30 p.m. Oct. 22 by contacting the KID office at 541-882-6661.

< Elaine Willman. Summit Exposes Violations of Indians’ Rights, Fringe Left Freaks, The New American 10/18/18. "(Cherokee Elaine) Willman highlighted some of the work done by the Citizens Equal Rights Alliance (CERA), where she sits on the board, to help Indians having problems with their tribal governments. “Many of my friends are tribal families,” Willman said, noting that she spent decades living on Indian reservations. “We provide whatever resources we can to tribal persons at odds with their tribal government. Within those tribal governments, members do not have the First Amendment, they do not even have parental rights.” In some cases, she said, tribal governments deprive parents of their parental rights and take their children away as a result of disagreements with tribal officials...Fringe left-wing groups and their “fake news” allies went wild in the days before the conference, but the summit nevertheless succeeded in educating citizens, policymakers, and lawmakers from across the region."
KBC NOTE: Flashback to 10 years ago, Letter by Becky Hyde who blasts Klamath Basin Alliance, Elaine Willman of Cherokee descent/author/film maker/past National Chairman of Citizens for Equal Rights, Philip Brendale and attorney James Buchal. Response by a KBC editor, May 20, 2008. Even 10 years ago Cherokee Willman and her mentor Cowlitz/Hawaiian Brendale were considered by our Klamath Basin "fringe left" to be anti-Indian and a threat, and using "scare tactics."

DEUTERONOMY 8:10 "When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you."

CORRECTION: In the article below, Capital Press edited out 1/2 of Mallam's sentence. The sentence should read: "Modeling experts have also examined OWRD's modeling and their analysis actually includes the word 'fraudulent.' " Capital Press left out of the sentence: "...and their analysis actually includes the word 'fraudulent.' "

KLAMATH BASIN: Oregon state agencies out of control, by Tom Mallams for Capital Press, posted to KBC 10/22/18. "Their computer model claims wells interfere with surface water, if the well is within one mile of any waterway. This year’s shutoffs include 2 wells for the city of Klamath Falls, all of Bly and all of Chiloquin. Also shut off are many wells used for irrigating crops, watering livestock and some homes that use spring water. Additionally, wells used for major businesses including Jeld-Wen, Running Y Ranch Resort and Harbor Links golf course were issued shutoff notices. Each year, the number of wells being shut off grows...Problem is, OWRD, when pressured, actually admitted that the one mile number could be expanded...you are automatically deemed guilty unless you prove your innocence. Not exactly what the Constitution says. The way OWRD modeling is framed, it is literally impossible to prove your innocence. OWRD even admitted that this is indeed the case...Thousands of Oregon businesses and citizens will be denied their ability to survive in this openly hostile state governmental environment..."

LaMalfa PRESS RELEASE - House Republicans Welcome Executive Action on Western Water. U.S. Congressman Doug LaMalfa, California's First District, posted to KBC 10/22/18. "...Communities across California have also been devastated as senseless government regulations have mandated that billions of gallons of water be flushed out to the ocean and wasted..."

Trump orders cut to red tape on (four) water projects in West, including Klamath Irrigation and Columbia River, followed by Interior News Release: Secretary Zinke Applauds President Trump’s Memorandum on Western Water KTVZ.com, posted to KBC 10/22/18.

Rep. Reschke lays out his platform for re-election, by E Werner Reschke, H&N, posted to KBC 10/22/18. "...I am pro-life, pro-liberty, pro-Second Amendment, pro-small business, pro-hydropower and pro-agriculture. I have been nominated to represent the Republican Party of Oregon, the Independent Party of Oregon and the Oregon Libertarian Party for the general election in November..."

Klamath City Councilman Adams details his conservative bent, H&N, posted to KBC 10/14/18. "Why is Todd back in our community and now working for Pacific Power?...Pacific Power is responsible for the four dams being taken out on the Klamath River. It seems like when we had the advisory vote a few years ago that about 3/4ths of the voters were opposed to dam removal...Look at your power bill and see who is paying for that dam removal. What about the loss of tax revenue, recreation, and property values?..."

Aerial tour of Klamath River dams adds environmental perspective, H&N, posted to KBC 10/14/18

Critical Klamath Project relief money passes Congress, and comment, H&N, posted to KBC 10/14/18

Clear Skies with more fires around the corner, by Oregon State Senator Dennis Linthicum, September Newsletter 2018. "Today, we invest more time, energy, and resources fighting fires than we do proactively reducing wildfire severity and fostering forest resiliency..."

Rogue Wolf Pack kills guard dog, Medford Mail Tribune, posted to KBC 10/14/18. "

California Farm Bureau Federation Friday Legislative Review, posted to KBC 10/14/18. Pot, commodities, federal milk marketing order, air pollution monitoring, food safety rules and packaging mandates, land use bill, increased penalties regarding livestock, specialty crop grants, pest control, $3 million for monarch butterfly habitat.

Klamath lake system and water quality, by Werner F. Hoyt, P.E., Lake Shastina, California, October 8, 2018.
Comments to the Klamath Facilities Removal, Public Draft, EIS/EIR by Werner F Hoyt, Mechanical/Marine Engineer, pdf 12/30/11. HERE for Word Document. . "...The basic premise of the removal is the requirement is to restore upper basin as salmon and steelhead habitat is a predetermination of the KRBA. Evidence not presented in the EIS/EIR is that there was not habitat above Keno due to the reef at Keno. In absence of the Keno Dam the natural reef would prevent any migration further into the Klamath basin. Coho were introduced in 1895 by DFG...."

Siskiyou County Water Users oppose dam removal, SCWUA guest opinion, Siskiyou Daily News, posted to KBC 10/8/18. "Siskiyou County Water Users Assoc. is compelled to respond to the recent opinion co- written by Chrysten Lambert and Brian J. Johnson. These two individuals cannot provide an impartial report on the issue of Dam Removal of the Klamath Dams, as they are long time proponents. Lambert is a former Obama appointee to the Klamath Compact. Her father is James Root, a Board Member of the KRRC. He is also a former board member of Trout Unlimited, so all groups benefiting from removal are intertwined..."

California Farm Bureau Federation Friday Legislative Review, posted to KBC 10/8/18. Hemp, labor, land use, pests, seed, transportation

Bids for Klamath dam removal out to contractors, H&N, posted to KBC 10/8/18.

10/8/18 - Herald and News has a poll regarding delisting wolves in Oregon. VOTE! and COMMENT https://www.heraldandnews.com/local_surveys/should-wolves-in-southwestern-oregon-be-removed-from-the-endangered/poll_acac4ecc-c360-11e8-a26f-03da1d4fb9f8.html

**Reclamation extends comment period on draft environmental document for Cold Creek Coho Passage and Screening Project to October 10, 2018, posted to KBC 10/1/18

9/23/18, letter to KBC News from Rex Cozzalio, Hornbrook rancher, regarding  the Cold Creek Project to be carried out by Trout Unlimited

COMMENTS DUE September 25! Press Release 9/18/18: Reclamation releases draft environmental document for Cold Creek Coho Passage and Screening Project. 43 page Draft Environmental Assessment Cold Creek Coho Salmon Passage and Screening Project. “The project would be funded in the amount $116,054.77 by the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) and administered through National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) to Trout Unlimited (TU) as part of the 2016 Klamath River Coho Habitat Restoration Grant Program (Grant Program).” More on TU and Klamath HERE

'Storms' underway in Klamath water talks; are they failing? Mikkelsen to return to Basin in November, H&N, posted to KBC 9/23/18.

PRESS RELEASE - CA Congressman LaMalfa Urges Strong Forest Management in Final Farm Bill Conference Report, posted to KBC 9/21/18

Project water relief funding advances, H&N, posted to KBC 9/21/18.

$500,000 in water study funds cut, H&N, posted to KBC 9/21/18. "...Klamath Tribes stated in a press release last week there is now no flexibility to even consider water allocation negotiations until significant progress is made on improving water quality in Upper Klamath Lake..." KBC Note: Klamath Tribes have been suing Klamath Water Users to shut down our deeded irrigation water all summer.  

FAA supports Tulelake airport sale (to Modoc Tribe of Oklahoma) as settlement hearing (with Tule Lake Committee) looms, H&N, posted to KBC 9/21/18.

Klamath's JC Boyle Dam removal complies with water quality, H&N, posted to KBC 9/21/18. 

Mikkelson continues (Klamath) water talks; details vague, H&N, posted to KBC 9/21/18. “We believe that it will be a process that will be open and will lead to public discussion and involvement across the board,” ...Mikkelsen was vague on the details of an agreement in process but said he could say more on his next visit."

Tule Lake Committee seeks injunction to stop airport sale, H&N, posted to KBC 9/1/18. KBC NOTE: The H&N editor again did not collect comments from the agricultural community, which consists primarily of WWI and WWII veteran homesteaders and their families who are dependant on the Tulelake Airport for crop needs, emergency services, and the many services of an airport. It services a 200x200 mile area (40,000 square miles). The activist Tule Lake Committee has continuously sued our town, county and Macy's Flying Service for many years petitioning against an airport security fence to save lives of pilots and passengers. Their stated goal is to acquire our airport, along with the 1400 acres already acquired to tell their story of being relocated here for 4 years after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor. The city chose to sell the Tulelake Airport to the Modoc Tribe from Oklahoma because the tribe committed to keeping our airport as a functioning airport to service our communities. For more on the legal attacks on our community by this group for several years, and their ties with CAIR, go here:  Japanese vs Tulelake controversy

TuleLake Committee 1st amended complaint for Injunction: TLC vs Tulelake and Modoc Tribe from Oklahoma 8/22/18.
TuleLake Committee Injunction, TLC vs City of Tulelake and Modoc Tribe from Oklahoma 8/21/18

Finch and Fires, by Oregon State Senator Dennis Linthicum, posted to KBC 9/1/18. On wildfires and dam destruction

"But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.," Hebrews 3:13

DOI Secretary Ryan Zinke: ‘Environmental Terrorist Groups’ Play Role in Western U.S. Wildfires, Breitbart, posted to KBC 8/18/18. Excellent Audio of interview with Zinke in the Breitbart link. Follow above link regarding ESA, forest management, ... “We have been held hostage by these environmental terrorist groups that have not allowed public access — that have refused to allow [the] harvest of timber,” Zinke told Washington Deputy Political Editor Amanda House on Breitbart News Saturday on SiriusXM Patriot 125. This includes as many as 80 million acres of land filled with trees that have died from beetle infections or other causes..."

KID's manager, office specialist on administrative leave, H&N, posted to KBC 8/18/18.

California Farm Bureau Federation Friday Legislative Review 8/17/17. Proposed bills: replacement of diesel agricultural vehicles and equipment; industrial, agricultural and large commercial sector energy efficiency programs, sellers of electricity to procure a minimum of 60% of their electricity products from eligible renewable generation resources by 2030, forestry, hemp, Farm Bureau opposed land use bill, waste hauling, wildfire preparedness and response,  WILDLIFE: "...if AB 2528 were to pass the state would require additional protects for salmonids in the areas of the state the bill designates as strongholds..."
CFBF Friday Legislative Review 8/10/18.

OFS Oregonians For Food and Shelter legislative update e-newsletter 8/17/18. Suspected carcinogen lawsuits, WOTUS is back, Ryan Zinke: 'Environmental Terrorist Groups' Play Role in Western U.S. Wildfires, forest management, politics.

Renowned wolf OR-7's a father again, Mail Tribune, posted to KBC 8/18/18. OR-7 was "the first wolf in western Oregon since 1937..." According to OPB, there are at least 124 wolves in Oregon and 12 packs, and growing: https://www.opb.org/news/article/oregon-wolf-population-2018-count

Water case moves to Portland, H&N 8/15/18. "A Klamath County court case that could affect both endangered Lost River and shortnose sucker and the outcome of the irrigation season in the Klamath Basin has been moved from San Francisco to Portland...in the case brought by Klamath Tribes..."
Judge transfers Tribes' lawsuit to Oregon court, denies injunction, H&N 7/26/28.

Klamath Project Drought Response Agency hires help, Forms committee to negotiate with BOR, H&N 8/15/18. "A group tasked with facilitating the disbursement of $10.3 million in drought relief funds..."

Judge urges state to act on Upper Klamath Lake water distribution, H&N, posted to KBC 8/15/18. "...judge...ruled in favor of the Klamath Irrigation District...by urging the Oregon Water Resources Department to make a determination on the distribution of water in Upper Klamath Lake..."

Klamath County Commissioners float concept of new gauge in Wood River, H&N, posted to KBC 8/15/18. "...The goal here is to make sure that we have captured all the water in the river so that we have accurate data for all the stakeholders..."

*Tulelake Irrigation District notice of election to file for board of directors, deadline Aug 10.

Tulelake Irrigation District Notice of Election for Board of Directors, Filing deadline August 10, H&N, posted 7/18/18.

City of Tulelake election for 3 council members. Nomination papers due to office of Tulelake City Clerk by August 10, 2018.

Oregon State Senator Dennis Linthicum comments to ODEQ regarding JC Boyle Dam removal, posted to KBC 7/18/18.

Tribes oppose irrigators’ $50 million bond request, H&N 7/18/18. "...the Tribes filed a motion for a preliminary injunction directing BOR to maintain lake levels at a minimum required to ensure fish survival...the Tribes are required by federal law to put forward financial security to cover losses incurred as a result of the injunction...the annual crop value of irrigators within the Klamath Project was reported at $169 million in 2016..(Klamath Tribe) chose to seek a remedy at a time that would inflict the worst possible damage on the agricultural community...
(Court hearing is) this Friday in San Francisco before Judge William Orrick.."
KBC NOTE:
* There are 10's of thousands of suckers in Klamath Lake
* There is no number of how many suckers the tribes or government want in the lake to unlist them as "endangered"
* After the 2001 complete water shut off to the Klamath Project, the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences in 2004 wrote that the 2001 Klamath Project water shut-off was not scientifically justified. This was after there were millions of dollars worth of crop and contract losses, bankruptcies, heart attacks, suicides, and mass exodus of our Hispanic Community that had lived and worked here for decades.
*Land in the south end (Tulelake) of the Klamath Project was historically a navigable lake, up to 30' deep, over where our crops are now. It was rerouted and diverted OFF that land and INTO the Klamath River to "feed a hungry nation". Now the Tribes and government agencies want to deny us 2 feet of water to irrigate our crops.

* The biological opinion calls for historically high water levels in the Klamath Lake. Before the Klamath Project was created, the Klamath River occasionally went dry. (no water, no fish).

*Klamath Project irrigators supported removal of Chiloquin Dam, an experiment that was supposed to bring back 90% of sucker habitat, restore the suckers and irrigation water certainty. In spite of that permanent experiment, the Klamath Tribe has called on irrigation water.
* 97,160 acres of land was taken out of agriculture from ag as primary water usage (above Klamath Lake) just through 2006.  Government agencies and TNC promised that these farm and ranch acquisitions would save water, improve water quality, benefit fish, and store water for the rest of the irrigators and put more water into the Klamath River. The opposite was true.
*Dr William Lewis Jr NRC/National Research Council said we should not count on retiring agricultural land land for saving suckers, and fish kill information does not support that fish are dying by changing water level.
*"Caspian tern population along the Columbia River has been responsible for around 15 million to 20 million salmon smolts being eaten annually." So they made artificial islands on Tule Lake and Klamath Lake to lure these fish-eating Caspian Terns to the Klamath Basin.

Tule Lake Committee (Japanese activists) makes counter offer for Tulelake airport land, H&N, posted to KBC 7/15/18.
HERE for Japanese vs Tulelake page. KBC NOTE: Read about their constant litigation against our airport to shut it down; they want it in addition to the already 1400 acres of Tulelake Land already acquired to tell their 4-year story of the Japanese at the Tulelake relocation camp after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor. Their website calls us locals "white supremacists." And in the above article they claim to want to "work with all parties in good faith."

Tulelake council approves first step to sell land underlying airport, H&N, posted to KBC 7/15/18. "Tulelake City Council held the first reading of an ordinance authorizing the sale of the land underlying the airport to the Modoc Tribe of Oklahoma. The airport itself is owned by Modoc County... In two legal challenges, the Tule Lake Committee, which includes Japanese Americans who were incarcerated at Tule Lake and their families, fought the construction of the (security) fence..."

Tulelake City Council ordinance to sell Tulelake Airport land to Modoc Tribe of Oklahoma, July 2018

< Soaring through the ranks, H&N, posted to KBC 7/15/18.  The U.S. Air Force promoted Andrew P Hansen, from Klamath Falls, to brigadier general this past month.

Why I stand in opposition to dam removal along the Klamath River, by Oregon State Rep E Werner Reschke, posted to KBC 7/11/18.

County intervenes in Klamath Tribes water allocation lawsuit, H&N, posted to KBC 7/11/18. "...On May 29, the Tribes requested an injunction that could lead to a shutoff of irrigation water...Multiple other parties have filed their intents to intervene in the case, including the Hoopa Valley Tribe, Yurok Tribe, IFFR/Institute for Fisheries Resources, Klamath Riverkeeper and PCFFA/Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations. The case is assigned to Ninth U.S. District Court Judge William Orrick, in San Francisco..." KBC NOTE, FYI: Klamath Riverkeeper was formed by and includes Karuk Tribe spokesman Tucker and director Hillman and Klamath Tribe board members. PCFFA created IFFR.

Lava Beds re-designation effort resuming, H&N, posted to KBC 7/11/18. 

President Trump Pardons Dwight & Steven Hammond, LaMalfa Press Release, posted to KBC 7/11/18

Comments due July 6 for Klamath refuges acquiring irrigator's water

KWUA pushes back on (Klamath) Tribes lawsuit, H&N, posted to KBC 7/3/18. “ 'I would suspect that if the Tribes prevail, we could expect a shutdown extremely soon after that,' said Scott White, executive director of the KWUA..."

Science behind listing of endangered fish should be public, by Christine Hankins, Bonanza, letter to H&N 7/3/18. "...has anyone ever wondered how the ”endangered” short-nosed sucker existed for millennia before the local dams ... made it possible to keep lake and river levels so high?"

Tulelake City Council Meeting 7/3/18 to read ordinance for sale of Tulelake Airport to Modoc Tribe of Oklahoma

"A meeting to discuss ways to work with the Modoc, Klamath and other tribes and with Rep. Doug LaMalfa, who's far Northern California congressional district includes Modoc and Siskiyou counties, (was) planned 1 p.m. Monday, (July 2) at the Natural Resource Conservation Office, 611 Main St., in Tulelake," H&N 6/29/18

American Indian tribes (Modoc Tribe from Oklahoma) used by convicted payday lender Scott Tucker settle with feds, Kansas City Star 6/26/18

What is the Modoc Tribe of Oklahoma? Tribe in negotiations to purchase Tulelake Airport, Herald and News, posted to KBC 6/27/18.

 

Bly imposes water restrictions, H&N, posted to KBC 6/27/18
 

PRESS RELEASE: Reclamation releases 2018 Klamath Project operations and drought plans, Bureau of Reclamation, posted to KBC 6/27/18

Department of Interior adviser Alan Mikkelsen in the Klamath Basin: Water solutions a long way off, H&N, posted to KBC 6/27/18

California Farm Bureau Federation Friday Legislative Review, posted to KBC 6/27/18. Truck rules, CEQA, Commercial Feed, CPUC, Cal Fire and timber harvest, labor, land use, rural crime, taxation...

Environmental, fishing groups sue Oregon over coho salmon, Statesman Journal, posted to KBC 6/27/18. "...Poor logging practices by the Oregon Department of Forestry is causing real harm to the Oregon coast coho and commercial fishing families who depend on these magnificent fish for their livelihoods," Glen Spain (PCFFA/IFR attorney) said, the northwest regional director for the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations and the Institute of Fisheries Resources, both plaintiffs in the case..."

"Rather than seek out yet another unrelated non-profit to funnel the money through, PCFFA created a new organization..." IFR / Institute for Fisheries Resources. KBC NOTE: That link directs you to PCFFA/IFR page detailing their many Earthjustice (partially funded by George Soros) lawsuits against Klamath Irrigators in the takings case, power rate case, shutting down suction dredge mining, Klamath River water quality TMDL's, essentially against timber harvest, farming, mining and river dams.
 

KID forms drought response agency, H&N, posted to KBC 6/27/18
 

Comment period til June 15 for recreation sites after dam destruction
 

Tulelake News: The Disputed Second Life of an American Internment Camp, CityLab, posted to KBC 6/14/18. "...The ( Tule Lake Committee, a Japanese-American civil rights organization based in the Bay Area.) group’s actions to halt the fence project—and their goal of eventually moving the airport—is not sitting well with Macy, or the Tulelake community at large. 'We’ve been here for 65 years and now people are coming in here and saying this belongs to us, you have to leave,' Macy told the Bee. “I think what happened to the Japanese in 1942, we’re back in the same boat, the tables have turned on us, we don’t have any money or political muscle to fight this in the courts.”...The City of Tulelake recently started negotiations with the Modoc of Oklahoma—a Native American tribe based in Ottawa County, Oklahoma—that wants to buy the airport. If sold, it is unclear how tribal sovereignty would interfere with the Tule Lake Committee’s preservation efforts. For the Japanese American members of the Tule Lake Committee, regaining access to the land beneath the airport would be more than another reparation. Instead, the land could serve as testimony to this dark chapter in the country’s history for future generations."

Tribal call restricts Chiloquin water use, H&N, posted to KBC 6/14/18. "...residents in Chiloquin cannot use city water for anything other than human consumption following a call on water by the Klamath Tribes..."

Notice of potential litigation for defamation by Kogan Law Group against Herald & News, Ed Bair, Ross Fleming, Jason Chapman, more... posted to KBC 6/13/18.

* (Public Comment) meeting on J.C. Boyle Dam removal Tuesday at OIT, H&N 6/10/18. "Written comments are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, July 6"  * Response by Senator Dennis Linthicum

***Tulelake Japanese Relocation Camp plan finalized: Press Release on the TuleLake Unit GMP/General Management Plan, posted to KBC 6/10/18
***Tule Lake Unit World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument General Management Plan and Environmental Assessment Finding of No Significant Impact Modoc and Siskiyou Counties, California May 2018.
KBC News editor comments: Lava Beds National Monument Superintendent did not include in his press release that most of the Tulelake Community, settled by WWI and WWII veteran homesteaders, opposed their multimillion dollar GMP plan C and supported Plan A, including Modoc County, the City of Tulelake, Tulelake Growers Association, Tulelake Irrigation District, Macy's Flying Service, and our representative and U.S. Congressman Doug LaMalfa as well as surrounding communities that our airport services (40,000 sq miles). Our local concerns were drowned out by national groups like Tule-lake Committee (Japanese group suing our local airport and deems our local farmers and ranchers as "white supremacists"), our NPS who campaigned for the massive plan C with a national campaign, and Manzanar (WWII relocation camp) Committee's partner CAIR, Council on American-Islamic Relations, which advertised broadly. A driving incentive for these groups is "Under an incoming federal administration that threatens a Muslim registry and mass deportations if not incarcerations, the lessons of Tule Lake are needed more than ever."  http://resisters.com/2016/11/28/adopt-alternative-c-for-public-access-to-tule-lake/
   Stated in the General Management Plan includes how these developments will contribute to getting the designation changes to being Tulelake National Historic Landmark, opposed by our county and community due to the local impacts. The GMP supports willing sellers, easements, land exchanges, partnerships, donations, and acquisitions beyond the 1380 acres already acquired for their construction and agenda.
   HERE for our Japanese vs Tulelake Controversy web page of articles, documents, letters, litigation info against our airport

KWUA: Court should move Tribes case, H&N 6/10/18. "Klamath Water Users Association is asking that a federal court in Sacramento or a federal court in Oregon be used to hold a hearing about the lawsuit, stating that San Francisco is outside the purview of where the case originates...'They (Klamath Tribes) want to require Upper Klamath to be held at an unprecedented and artificially high elevations for suckers year-around,” said Brad Kirby, president of the association and the association’s operations committee chairman, in a news release. “I wouldn’t expect there to be any water at all available for Klamath Project irrigation and wildlife refuges until there are new biological opinions, which is not expected until 2020.' ”

Klamath farmers fear midseason water shutoff, California Farm Bureau Federation Ag Alert, posted to KBC 6/10/18. "They have little guarantee they will receive enough water to finish the season—and continuing legal action could shut off water this summer..."

2 1/2 years ago: Record number of suckers recovered. Biologists find 732 juvenile suckers near A Canal screen, H&N 12/18/15. "A record number of juvenile Lost River and shortnose suckers were recovered from the headwaters of the A Canal earlier this year. According to a news release, biologists with the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) found the largest number of juvenile Lost River and shortnose suckers since fish salvage operations began in the Klamath Project in the late 1990s..."
Klamath Tribes sue to protect fish, H&N 5/25/18

Water, federal aid enroute to Klamath Project, H&N, posted to KBC 6/10/18. "The Bureau of Reclamation’s Klamath Basin Area Office said that there is roughly 55,000 to 56,000 acre feet available to the Klamath Project during June, with a total of about 195,000 to 200,000 acre feet anticipated for the summer irrigation season..."

Siskiyou County Water Users Association / SCWUA Spring Edition Newsletter 2018, "Save the dams, Save the salmon"

Feds OK expert panel for Klamath River dam removal review, Eureka Times Standard, posted to KBC 6/2/18

FERC ignores salmon mandates, recommends keeping Klamath dams, Capital Press 11/16/07. "Federal licensing authorities Friday recommended keeping PacifiCorp's four hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River, siding with the utility and ignoring calls from fisheries agencies to build fish ladders...Federal Energy Regulatory Commission chose trapping and hauling fish around the dams rather than building expensive fish ladders and reducing power production to help salmon..."

Water quality: State issues JC Boyle removal draft certification. Public hearings June 12 at OIT: posted to KBC 6/2/18. "Klamath River Renewal Corporation (KRRC) submitted its application to the DEQ in September 2016 for water quality certification..."  Who is the KRRC?

KLAMATH FALLS - Enviros squabble over governor's (Kate Brown) nominee (Greg Addington) to Environmental Quality Commission, The Oregonian, posted to KBC 6/2/18. "...Addington was the executive director of the Klamath Water Users Association...He was heavily involved in the 2010 Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement and the accompanying settlement to remove four dams on the Klamath River...In a letter to the Senate, Rothert said the historic Klamath agreements would not exist without Addington. 'American Rivers is confident that Mr. Addington would serve the EQC as a constructive member with great skill and integrity.' "
Here for KBC's Who's Who Page for American Rivers: "George Soros helps fund Earthjustice, who pays for American Rivers attorney fees..."

North Coast Regional Water Board: Klamath Water Quality Report Card: released October 2016  supporting Klamath Dam Removal, posted to KBC 6/2/18.

Strategy to form the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement: Cal/EPA Environmental Justice Action Plan May 18, 2005. Lead Agency: State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB)

Dam removal leaves need for new recreation sites, followed by Comment Period extended to June 15, H&N, posted to KBC 6/2/18. KBC Note: with the vast majority of Klamath and Siskiyou Countys' residents opposing Klamath hydro dam removal, the latest strategy seems to be planning destruction of old, and creation of new "recreation sites", and assuming the dams are coming out. After all, that's the statement from Department of Interior, tribes and liberals wanting rural America to be wild and pristine for their vacation enjoyment. Well, not to mention the 20 million cubic yards of sediment between the remaining mucky stream and the devastated communities and obliterated scenic reservoirs.

*** PUBLIC COMMENT: Klamath Dam Removal ODEQ Meeting Notice for June 12th, and Response by Senator Dennis Linthicum, Oregon District 28, posted to KBC 5/28/18."...There is estimated to be in excess of 20 million cubic yards of accumulated sediment behind these structures...equivalent of 2 million ten-yard dump truck loads of silt, sediment and sludge which should be removed. Is ODEQ willing to dump that into the river system? ...if your company owned 100 dump trucks it would take 20,000 round-trip excursions to remove and discharge that much debris somewhere on our pristine landscape...there won’t be any reservoirs available for flushing-flows or regulating the volume of dilution flows and the result will be degraded river conditions..."

* Draft Principles for Potential Klamath Basin Resource Management Discussions, April 30, 2018 * REFINED Draft Principles for Potential Klamath Basin Resource Management Discussions, May 2, 2018 * Mikkelsen visits Basin stakeholders, releases framework for water agreement, H&N, posted to KBC 5/12/18. *  What the Herald and News Mikkelsen article did not mention was that comments were due by June 15th from 'chosen' stakeholders, to be sent to Ed Sheets, the facilitator in the KBRA and allied closed door Klamath Dam Removal 'agreements'. See Ed Sheets page, and his track record in Montana

Klamath Tribes sue to protect fish, H&N 5/25/18.
Klamath Tribes vs USBR, USFWS, NMFS
Klamath Tribes Press Release regarding sucker lawsuit 052418
KWUA PRESS RELEASE - Klamath Water Users Association,Klamath Tribes action will hurt basin, fish benefits unlikely, 5/24/18.  "...why haven't Klamath Tribes shared this information...that lake levels will work now when they haven't for over 25 years..."
Dr. William Lewis Jr, National Research Council, at Science Workshop in Klamath Falls "Lewis explained that the suckers were listed since 1988 because of over harvest.  They stopped fishing in '87 but they did not recover. The lake has gone from 3' range under natural conditions to experiencing 6' deep in current dry years. With charts and graphs he showed the habitat and water quality, algae and chlorophyll. He said that the committee looked extensively at water levels, and they find 'no hint of a relationship'. He also said that there was no relationship between lower water levels and extreme ph levels. And "the committee cannot support the idea that water levels effect algae growth.' "It can not be achieved by lake levels." '92 was the lowest water year, and they expected it to be the least favorable for fish. 'The lowest water year produced the same amount of larvae as other years.' He said that fish kill information does not support that fish are dying by changing water level." 2/3/04

Water on the way to Klamath Project, H&N, 5/24/18. "...up to 3,500 acre feet is available for delivery to Klamath Project irrigators starting today and running through May 31 before deliveries start on June 1..."

Emotions run high as water dips lower, H&N 5/23/18. “I feel like we should have access to the water that’s above the projected Biological Opinion thresholds, and currently we do not, even according to the Bureau’s modeling...Reclamation is currently implementing the court-ordered dilution flows that resulted in 3,000 cubic feet per second in the Klamath River for 13 days, or roughly 50,000 acre feet. Ironically, POI and spore concentrations dropped prior to implementing the flows,” White said in a news release. “Then POI increased when the dilution flows began. Family farms and ranches have suffered this month for another failed experiment and continued mismanagement of the water.”

Karuk Tribe questions restoration of Ruffey Rancheria, Eureka Times-Standard, 5/25/18.  Here for questions and answers from the Ruffey Tribe: Ruffey Rancheria Setting the Record Straight

State water actions taken without first determining what the actual facts are, by Senator Dennis Linthicum, Commentary for H&N, posted to KBC 5/21/18. "Scientific examination would clarify that some wells do impact surface waters while others do not. OWRD seems to suggest that in all cases, at all times, and in all circumstances, groundwater wells impact surface flows...OWRD ought to know with certainty that an individual well is harming a senior water right-holder, before shutting-down specific water resources..."

PacifiCorp lends more water to Reclamation, H&N 5/22/18. " '...the question for the Bureau is how much of that 9,500 acre feet will actually be able to go to the Project and how much of it is to just keep required Upper Klamath Lake levels,' Gravely said."

Malheur occupation's Ammon Bundy to speak in Yreka May 26th, H&N, posted to KBC 5/21/18. "Bundy... plans to share his passion for individual land rights with Siskiyou County residents. 'I think they have some good reasons to be concerned with what’s happening in their area...The destruction of the dams is certainly a part of it...' "

Growers wait on federal drought declaration for aid, H&N, posted to KBC 5/21/18, followed by contacts for Modoc, Siskiyou and Klamath Counties.

'Ruffey' tribal recognition bill passes committee, H&N, posted to KBC 5/21/18

Local water supply faces threat, H&N letter by Scott Bunyard, posted to KBC 5/21/18

Survival mode: Pacificorp, irrigators to share water, H&N, posted to KBC 5/21/18

Ecclesiastics 10:2 - "A wise man's heart directs him toward the right, but the foolish man's heart directs him toward the left."

5/12/18 - USDA FSA and NRCS / The Farm Service Agency offices in Klamath, Modoc and Siskiyou counties are planning an informational meeting on Tuesday May 15. The meeting will begin at 10 a.m. at the Merrill Civic Center 365 Front Street, Merrill Oregon. Topics include reporting requirements needed to maintain eligibility for USDA programs, an overview of prevented planting-failed acreage reporting and available disaster programs.  Representatives from crop insurance, Natural Resource Conservation District and Risk Management have been invited to present information.  For more information contact your Farm Service Agency office.  Klamath County 541-883-6924 x 2, Modoc County Farm Service Agency 530-233-4137 x 2, Siskiyou County Farm Service Agency 530-842-6121 x 2. Modoc County Farm Agency Employees will be available after the meeting to accept acreage reports.

Klamath Irrigation District holds off on water delivery, H&N, posted to KBC 5/12/18. "...Martin said the court-ordered flushing flows by U.S. District Judge William H. Orrick that the Bureau is required to meet, is another reason the district did not start water delivery..."

PRESS RELEASE: Reclamation begins emergency dilution flows early Monday (May 7) in Klamath River; Water releases from Iron Gate Dam will continue through May 21; public urged to take safety precautions, posted to KBC 5/12/18. "The emergency dilution flows will utilize approximately 50,000 acre-feet of water from Upper Klamath Lake..."

WELCOME TO CALIFORNIA! California Farm Bureau Federation Friday Legislative Review, 5/11/18. "...given an additional $2.5 billion funds, the Governor included three main proposals..." "...proposes $28.3 million in 18-19, $21.7 million in 19-20, and 79 positions to fully staff the CalCannabis program at CDFA...." "...Manure management..." "...a new tax on all services purchased by businesses in California..."

The State has turned off all of our water including our wells! by Brandan Topham, Sprague River, Newsletter 5/7/18. "Most of the irrigation wells have been drilled since 1950...we have river data for 32 years before the wells were drilled. In those 32 years the average flow is 860cfs. Since 1951 the average flow is 1052cfs. That means since the wells have been drilled there is almost another 200 cfs in the rivers. That does not sound like the wells are drying up the rivers...Every few years they keep changing the rules to shut off more stuff. This year they figured out how to shut off ~140 wells in addition to what they have been shutting off in the past for the Klamath Tribes. Last year they shut off every thing even with river flows well above average..."

Fish die-off below Keno Dam, H&N, preceded by Not a fish die-off, letter in response by Tricia Tryon Plass, Tulelake, posted to KBC 5/9/18. "Adding a large, false inflow of water into the river at this time of the year and then drawing it down quickly, is going to leave a few fish trapped in artificially made pools... "

Psalms 16:8: "I will keep my eyes always on the LORD. With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken."

* Letter from engineer Stephen Koshy, regarding Klamath dams catastrophic collapse, to our KBC News readers, posted to KBC 5/5/18.

Letter from Ann SeCoy, Beatty, Oregon to Klamath County Commissioners, Oregon State and Federal Representatives & Senators regarding 140 Upper Klamath ag wells shut off, and responses from Senator Linthicum and Rep. Reschke, posted to KBC 5/5/18.
   "At the "Open House" with ORWD tonight at the Sprague River Community Center, all I heard repeatedly was:
1) how their hydrology science is fact, but
2) it isn't perfect, so therefore it is their best estimate
3) how the Klamath Tribes have no need to demonstrate the water they are claiming is being put to good use (unlike the similar demands made of the ranchers, who have 5 years to demonstrate productivity with their well water use or their loose their rights)
4) the law is the law, and it doesn't matter that it isn't equally applied, it MUST be enforced.
   We are all in a horrific position of what on earth we are going to do with the proper management of our fields, pastures, and livestock.  Do we sell our herd of cows in a bad market?  Do we put them out to graze on what is our hay crop that is just coming up?  Do we have to get rid of our children's 4H sheep breeding program?
   All these questions that we would not have to deal with if our well was simply ONE FOOT farther than one mile from the tributary that feeds into the Sprague River..."

$10.3 million in drought relief OK'd, H&N, posted to KBC 5/5/18. "The top-level approval frees up the funds for the Bureau of Reclamation to issue a proposal to distribute the money to on-Project irrigators, Walden said. A proposal from Reclamation could be released as early as Friday or on Monday at the latest... The money is slated to fund pumping, land idling, and disaster relief."

Walden to speed up relief for on-Project irrigators, H&N, reposted to KBC 5/5/18. "Bureau of Reclamation’s Klamath Basin Area Office Manager Jeff Nettleton also addressed the order issued by Orrick, with intentions to appeal it."

Project water delivery discussed following judge's decision. Walden, BOR to address irrigators today, H&N, posted to KBC 5/5/18. "A tentative time frame for Klamath Project water delivery of somewhere between June 1 and 15 was announced Tuesday by the Bureau of Reclamation...Part of BOR’s plan going forward, according to officials, is that the agency is considering asking for a total 14,500 acre feet of water from the Horsefly and Langell Valley irrigation districts. That amount, coupled with 10,500 acre feet borrowed from PacifiCorp reservoirs, could help irrigation districts make it through the month. 'They feel like that would cover KID (Klamath Irrigation District) and Tulelake Irrigation District through the month of May...' "

Tensions rise as OWRD regulates wells in Sprague River; 35% revenue loss expected in Upper Basin, H&N, posted to KBC 5/5/18. "...More than 80 notices to shutoff groundwater wells within up to a mile of surface water in the Upper Basin. Up to 114 of the 140 known wells in the area could be regulated...'They were regulated last year even though we had 140 percent of snowpack.' "

Republican lawmakers are upset with a federal judge's order to spill water that could be saved for other uses from four Snake River dams to help speed migrating salmon to the Pacific Ocean, US News, posted to KBC 5/5/18. "The four dams, built in the 1960s and 1970s, provide hydropower, flood control, navigation, irrigation and recreation benefits, supporters say. But the giant dams are also blamed for killing wild salmon, an iconic species in the Northwest."
Species battle pits protected sea lions against fragile fish, posted to KBC 4/16/18. " the mammals’ numbers dropped dramatically but have rebounded from 30,000 in the late 1960s to about 300,000 today due to the 1972 Marine Mammal Protection Act...Last winter, a record-low 512 wild winter steelhead completed the journey, said Shaun Clements, the state wildlife agency’s senior policy adviser. Less than 30 years ago, that number was more than 15,000...Of all the adults that are returning to the falls here, a quarter of them are getting eaten.”

 

For April 2018 chronological news, see Archive 191
For Main Archive Page go HERE.

God Bless America !