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

Senator Doug Whitsett, Oregon - for 2015: "For residents of the Klamath Basin, 2014 was a year of immense challenges. Intense drought conditions, coupled with various administrative actions, caused undue hardship for those who rely on water. I predict that 2015 will be spent fending off bad (legislative) proposals that could worsen the situation. My top priority for the year is to try to prevent it."

‘In God We Trust’ would be a helpful reminder, by Charymane Beskow, letter to the editor of H&N 1/16/15. KBC Note: in H&N poll it is 66% pro and 34% opposed to displaying "in God We Trust" in the commissioners room.

* Senator Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, townhall meeting at 3:30 Saturday Jan. 17th in the College Union at Oregon Institute of Technology

< (Tulelake) Pelican Pointe resident turns 108:  ‘I just take things as they come,’ says Nelle Takacs, H&N, posted to KBC 1/15/15  HERE for our People Page

Commission backs Clear Lake water storage study.  Cost, feasibility, other questions raised as major roadblocks, H&N 1/15/15.

New wolf activity confirmed west of Klamath Falls; animal sighted in the Keno Unit, H&N, posted to KBC 1/15/15. HERE for KBC Wolf Page

< Batkid documentary to show Jan. 24. Story of Miles Scott’s wish reaches far beyond his Tulelake home, H&N, posted to KBC 1/15/15  HERE for our People Page

Work on Basin’s water policy results in division, H&N, posted to KBC 1/15/15

Basin snowpack at 37 percent of normal; No predictions for irrigation season, H&N, posted to KBC 1/15/15
"The current storage is 283,000 acre-feet. Average storage is 275,000 acre-feet."

Dams prove sticking point in water accord by Harvey Houston, H&N letter to the editor, posted to KBC 1/15/15

KBC NOTE: Several of our readers have asked us if the KBRA / Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement  has been extended past the Dec. 31, 2014 deadline. Changes in the 2012 KBRA Amendment allows for extensions: Amendment to the KBRA/Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement. Page 3, 7.6.1. Cure for Potential Termination Event, it previously read that the KBRA would terminate, which was replaced by the words "be terminable."

* COMMENT BY Dec 31 - Fee increases proposed at Lava Beds National Monument. Public feedback will play major role in decision-making process, H&N, posted to KBC 12/7/14

Tulelake Irrigation District special meeting 12/19/14 at TID office 10 a.m: vote by acreage rather than one vote per person, change director's eligibility, water measurement, and change district boundaries.

*Comments due Crater Lake fee hike by 12/22/14

Irrigation water block is no guarantee for Basin by Tom Mallams Klamath County Commissioner for Herald and News 12/16/14. "In the Dec. 13 Herald and News, I was incorrectly quoted as saying there is a “guaranteed” block of water for Project irrigators in the proposed water agreements. I have never said this. I have consistently said they only “claim” or “attempt” to have a guaranteed block of water for Project irrigators..."

Water pact failure results from history of bad choices, by Maudie Smith, Klamath Falls, letter to H&N 12/14/14. "I believe we’ve gotten to this point because of a long-term effort to secure tribal funding at the expense of agriculture..."

Sen. Doug Whitsett receives award for geothermal advocacy, H&N 12/14/15

Letter from Klamath Falls City Councilman Bill Adams to Congressman Walden, Senator Jeff Merkley and Senator Ron Wyden, posted to KBC 12/16/14. "...While their is mixed support by members of our agricultural community, I believe it is only because they have their backs against the wall.  The majority of this community does not support this bill because it requires Dam Removal.  This was shown by the election of all three County Commissioners who have opposed the KBRA and recently sent you a letter opposing SB2379..."

12/7/14 - On December 7, 1941, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor (article by oathkeepers.org. 

KBC News Page of Japanese demand for Tulelake land

Velma Robison <  tells how they felt the day their irrigation water was shut off in 2001, comparing it to Pearl Harbor Day. Velma and Fred Robison, 1947, when they won their homestead. photo by Anders Tomlinson, of Fred and Velma Robison in 2001.  Velma holds Reclamation ERA magazine of 1947.

* COMMENT BY Dec 31 - Fee increases proposed at Lava Beds National Monument. Public feedback will play major role in decision-making process, H&N, posted to KBC 12/7/14

* Calif. State water Board comment period Dec. 21, 2014 of proposed amendment to water quality control policy for Clean Water Act.

* North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board staff is looking for public comments for the Basin Plan by January 9, 2015 This plan will regulate and fee your water discharge.

Water bill stalls in Congress. House won’t sign off on the legislation, H&N 12/7/14

SENATE BILL 2379 - Adams, Kellstrom differ on reaction to water accord. (Klamath Falls) Councilman opposes dam removal, supports bill’s intent, H&N, posted to KBC 12/7/14.

Council votes to back water pact with letter. 3-2 vote will send document before congressional debate, H&N, posted to KBC 12/7/14.
KBC Note: In Klamath County Commissioner Tom Mallam's presentation to City Council, he cautioned them not to support the SB2379 legislation for the KBRA since it not only would destroy four hydropower dams, but also being discussed by the KBRA stakeholders and Karuk spokesman Craig Tucker regards destroying Keno Dam, which would eliminate Lake Ewauna and much of the water used for Klamath Reclamation Project. Klamath Water Users Association director Greg Addington had also attended the KBRA stakeholders' meetings and denied there was discussion about Keno Dam destruction. Here is previously circulated agenda of a KBRA secret PAIL meeting including mention of Keno and Link River Dams removal discussions, and "avoid advocating for science..." 1/28/09) {Keno Dam removal and avoiding science are marked by KBC with ** in link above}
HERE is Video with Karuk spokesman Craig Tucker speaking of Keno Dam destruction, and Klamath farmer's being the enemy. HERE for GreenCorp-trained Tucker biography.

Adolph Drazil, Malin, Oregon, obituary.

Statistics show loss and gain of Oregon farmland varies by region. The amount of land in farms in Oregon fell slightly to 16,301,578 acres in 2012, H&N, posted to KBC 12/7/14. "Klamath County reported a whopping 21 percent decrease in number of farms..."

Task force: Tighten Oregon rules on dredging for gold, H&N, posted to KBC 12/7/14

Joint letter from Klamath County Commissioners and Siskiyou County Supervisors opposing SB2379 - Klamath River Dam Removal and Klamath "Agreements", posted to KBC 11/30/14. "The Commissioners of Klamath County, Oregon, and the Supervisors of Siskiyou County, California -- the elected officials representing two thirds of the Klamath River Watershed -- strongly oppose Senate Bill 2379...."

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

RERUN - Why Willamette Valley farmers should watch Klamath Falls' water rights fight, Statesman Journal, reposted to KBC 11/29/14. “This is, in my opinion, a blueprint to shut down wells whenever and wherever they want ... This is not just a Klamath Basin issue. This is a state issue. This is a national issue.”

* Comment period for fee hike at Crater Lake now open until December 22, H&N 11/22/14. "Under the proposal, single vehicle entrance fees would increase from $10 to $25..."
* Comments Due November 28: changes in stream designations for salmon habitat will affect state wetland and waterway permits

Japanese quest for Tulelake 1000-acre monument - KBC News Page
     New Tule Lake Unit fence is more than just a fence, H&N 11/23/14. "...the fence being replaced is not part of the Tulelake Airport, where Modoc County wants to build a new fence to prevent wildlife from entering the runways. Japanese American groups have protested that fence, which they say will reduce public access to a portion of the former Tule Lake Segregation Center."
     Internment camp bill's message: Don't forget, Fresno Bee Sept. 18, 2005: "Tule Lake in 1943 became the site where difficult detainees were sent." (After the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and declared war on America, these detainees would not) "sign loyalty oaths."

More than 60 people packed into the 11/21/14 Klamath County Commissioners public meeting to discuss sending a joint letter with Siskiyou County Commissioners to Congress in opposition to the Klamath settlement agreements. Many opposing the Commissioners' letter criticized the elected officials for opposing the agreements that they were elected to oppose. Several speakers supported the Commissioners. The Klamath Tribes threatened to shut off water to irrigators again if the KBRA did not materialize. After public comment, when it became apparent the Commissioners were going to mail their letter regardless of the criticism and insults, most of the opponents stomped out while the Commissioners were explaining their stance and possible alternative solutions that seemed valid to the Klamath and Siskiyou elected officials and the constituents who elected them.
The room was packed	until Commissioners upheld their plan to send a letter in opposition	Many left, grumbling and laughing by the doorway

Herald and News articles concerning Klamath County Commissioners meeting to send joint letter with Siskiyou County elected officials to oppose the controversial KBRA dam removal agreement. H&N 11/22-23/2014.

Water pact receives backlash, Stakeholders decry county letter on dam removal, H&N, posted to KBC 11/23/14. KBC NOTE: Liskey wants the elected Klamath County Commissioners to not oppose the KBRA. In May 2013, Gail Whitsett, KBRA opponent, won the election as Oregon State Representative District 56. Tracy Liskey, proponent of the KBRA, lost the election. On November 4th, 2014, Whitsett ran unopposed and won the endorsement of Democrats, Republicans and Independents with 97.36% of the votes cast. Liskey is an editorial advisor to the Herald and News. See extended KBC NOTE in the above article link.

Chamber backs water agreement. Members ask Walden to support bill as well, H&N, posted to KBC 11/23/14. KBC NOTE: KBRA supporter Chamber Executive Director Chip Massie is an advisor to the editorial board of the Herald and News.

Can Congress help the Klamath Basin restore itself? It must, according to the Oregonian editors, posted to KBC 11/23/14 KBC Note: perhaps we should continue growing food in the Klamath Basin for a hungry world and our urban editorial boards can restore their own cities to prehuman existence.

Feinstein shuts off California water talks until 2015, Fresno Bee, posted to KBC 11/23/14

November 19, 2014 - BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, PRESS RELEASE / PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE
The Klamath County Board of Commissioners will have a Special Meeting on Friday, November 21st, 2014 at 3:00 p.m. at the Government Center 305 Main Street, Klamath Falls, OR - 2nd floor, hearing room 219.
Objectives for this meeting will include discussion on their opposition to SB 2379, the Klamath Water Recovery and Economic Restoration Act.

What’s wrong in Siskiyou County? by Capt. William E. Simpson, USMM, My Outdoor Buddy 11/20/14.

Groundwater study group meets Nov. 18

KWAPA Agenda-Special Board Meeting 11/17/14

* Comments Due November 28: Essential salmon habitat maps discussed at public meeting; changes in stream designations will affect state wetland and waterway permits

Fish die-off averted; Salmon run going strong. About 2,300 chinook have entered the Trinity River Hatchery, H&N, posted to KBC 11/16/14. "The Shasta River chinook salmon run is already the second largest since 2001...current estimate for the entire run exceeds all but three years since 1978."

(Klamath County) Commission opposes Klamath water pact; House must approve bill before it reaches Obama, H&N 11/16/14. "commissioner Dennis Linthicum: “...our counties don’t support Senate Bill 2379..."

"No dice, no dam removal bill to be crammed through the House in the lame duck session." response by U.S. Congressman Doug LaMalfa (on his Face Book page) to the "lame duck" plan by Senator Ron Wyden in the article below.

Klamath bills pass Senate. Water pact, forestry act take a step forward, H&N, posted to KBC 11/16/14. "Sen. Ron Wyden is trying to move a long-stalled bill through the lame duck session of Congress that would implement agreements to remove four hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River to help salmon."  Oregon Wyden's forestry bill would "create 87,000 acres of new wilderness and 252 miles of new wild and scenic rivers."  It is "...expected to..." more than double current timber harvests (KBC NOTE: which are a fraction of historic harvests.)
Regarding Wyden's claim that the KBRA that destroying 4 hydroelectric dams (that provide flood control, power for 70,000 households, and millions of hatchery salmon) will "help salmon", a speech by Oregon Senator Doug Whitsett offers some perspective: Senator Doug Whitsett speech regarding the KBRA and Klamath dam destruction at Yreka's public listening session put on by Department of Interior on 10/20/11. "The Draft Environmental Impact Statement does not appear to mitigate that 20 million cubic yards of sediment. The Department apparently proposes to simply blow the dams and let nature take its course, washing all that sediment downriver. They appear to consider this option as a “grand experiment” to see what actually happens. That amount of sediment is equivalent to about 2 million ten yard dump truck loads of silt, sediment and organic muck. To put that amount into perspective, lined up head to tail, 2 million dump truck loads of river muck would stretch about 12,500 miles…..about half way around the planet."

Klamath pact supporters press bill’s passage, Capital Press, posted to KBC 11/16/14.

Modoc Rancher of the Year Ray Ackley owns, manages Dry Lake Ranch near Tulelake, H&N, posted to KBC 11/16/14.

Rep. Gail Whitsett has several bills planned. Whitsett also plans to submit an updated version of the groundwater bill HB 4044, H&N, posted to KBC 11/16/14


Groundwater study group meets Nov. 18. Residents can find out more about groundwater rules, H&N, posted to KBC 11/16/14. KBC Note: The KBRA / Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement mandates Klamath Basin irrigators to have a groundwater management plan which will control how much groundwater an irrigator may use on their own property, mandating 'no adverse impacts'. What constitute an "adverse impact" will be decided by tribes, environmental groups, government agencies and a few farmers. Tulelake Irrigation District has already installed this mandate of the KBRA. However, they did tell their constituents that their plan "is not a requirement of...the KBRA..." and "will not regulate groundwater within the Plan area."

Power deliveries yet to be finalized. Group will explore innovative avenues for cheaper power, H&N, posted to KBC 11/16/14

More water security for Basin irrigators, new corporation aims to solidify terms of the settlement pact, H&N, posted to KBC 11/16/14

Questions about Basin water issues continue, H&N letter by Karen Walther, posted to KBC 11/16/14. "I suggest you Google Agenda 21. See how far it has progressed in our Basin. Do you really want this to happen? If you do, then continue fighting for the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement and the like."

Chamber asks EPA to withdraw water proposal. Klamath County: Federal rule-making process needs review and local input, H&N 11/16/14

Public Comment Period Open for Waters of the U.S. Proposed Rule - Comments due 11/14/14

Comments due 11/14/14 on salvage logging of the Westside Fires

Bucket Brigade activist dies. Grant Gerber helped establish the tax-free relief fund during the 2001 Klamath Basin Water Crisis, posted to KBC 11/16/14

Klamath Water and Power Agency / KWAPA Agenda-Special Board Meeting Nov. 17, 2014

Provisions in the controversial KBRA / Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement for giving land to the Klamath Tribes could hamper completion of improvements on the dangerous Highway 97; ODOT (and the public) was not included in the negotiations, Oregon Senator Doug Whitsett's Newsletter 11/12/14

The New 49ers Newsletter November 2014 Issue by Dave McCracken, November 2014. "We have come into written correspondence from the District Attorney of Siskiyou County which is rejecting to prosecute suction dredgers for not having a permit as a result of the recent Third Appellate published Decision." KBC Note - Notice that many of those protesting suction dredge mining are many of the "stakeholders" in the KBRA / Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement that promises to downsize agriculture and private property and water rights.

TID public meeting on water quality permits 11/6/14

California - Water Bond Proposition 1
* Water Bond Drowning in Pork Spending, YouTube 5 minutes by David Spady,  Americans for Prosperity California, October 2014
* Prop 1 Water Storage Bond Facts by Rex Cozzalio October 26, 2014
* Prop 1 Stop the Pork by Rex Cozzalio
* Klamath Basin Dams Resolution by the Siskiyou County and South Siskiyou County California Federated Republican Women 3/15/09
*Urgent Bulletin and Groups opposing Prop 1 by Richard Marshall, Jerry Bacagalupi, and Loise Gliotto Oct. 2014

Relation between rivers, groundwater under scrutiny. New committee to draft upper Basin groundwater regulations,  followed by Open house aims to answer public’s questions on water H&N, posted to KBC 10/27/14 "The draft rules are being prepared to reinforce groundwater regulation guidelines outlined in the recently signed Upper Klamath Basin Comprehensive Agreement (UKBCA)."

For October 2014 chronological news, see Archive 149
For Main Archive Page go HERE.