"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 Basin Settlement Page including current Klamath Dam removal settlement efforts and failed 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  

Matthew 5:8 - "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."

Dr. Richard Gierak's letter to the Supreme Court regarding Klamath hydroelectric dam removal, posted to KBC 3/23/2020.  KBC Note: FYI, go to this link on more of dam engineer Stephen Koshy's information of the imminent catastrophic collapse of these clay-core hydroelectric dams if there is an attempt to remove them. Included is his biography.

Oregon water regulators exceeded authority, judge rules, Capital Press, posted to KBC 3/20/2020. "In 2018, OWRD established a rule that wells within one mile of a waterway in the Upper Klamath Basin will substantially interfere with surface waters and thus can be regulated off at the tribes’ request...The judge has now agreed with the plaintiffs’ argument that Oregon’s water law doesn’t allow for such a restriction without OWRD going through the formal process... the agency would have to show that wells are substantially interfering with surface waters and determine how much water irrigators can sustainably withdraw from the aquifer each year...Without that opportunity, the agency unconstitutionally deprived them of property rights without due process, the judge said."

SCWUA and Jackson County letters to FERC, and Motion To Dismiss, regarding Klamath dam removal, posted to KBC 3/23/2020.

Homeland Security deems agriculture as ‘critical infrastructure’ amid COVID-19 pandemic, AgriPulse, posted to KBC 3/23/2020. "The Trump administration has labeled agriculture as a critical industry in the wake of the Coronavirus outbreak, allowing businesses to continue operating as usual amid current and potential restrictions created to stem the spread of the virus."

OREGON: Governor Brown is for democracy, just not your vote, posted 3/23/2020 "Oregon Gov. Kate Brown has signed an executive order directing state agencies to reduce Oregon’s greenhouse gas emissions through more stringent standards for fuels, new buildings and consumer appliances, imposing by fiat what she was denied by Republican legislators...Republican legislators who walked out wanted the Democrat majority to put their plan on the ballot so Oregonians could give it an up or down vote. We agreed that a measure that would radically impact the economy while having an infinitesimal impact on the climate should be put to a vote..."

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times," by Tom Mallams, Klamath County March 15, 2020. "...Offer help and support to others when possible. Use your basic common sense in all our actions and reactions. President Donald J. Trump declared on Friday a National Day of Prayer for Sunday (March 15), shortly after declaring a state of emergency amid the fast-spreading coronavirus pandemic: "We are a Country that, throughout our history, has looked to God for protection and strength in times like these....," Trump tweeted. "No matter where you may be, I encourage you to turn towards prayer in an act of faith. Together, we will easily PREVAIL!..."

Matthew 5:7 - "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy"

*** Klamath 'takings' case filed with U.S. Supreme Court, Capital Press, posted to KBC 3/14/2020. "Agricultural producers in the Klamath Project have taken the water “takings” case to the highest court in the land..."

“Fish Passage” Siskiyou County Water Users response, by SCWUA to KRRC/Klamath Dam Removal group, posted to KBC 3/14/2020. "The real solution to the issues at hand is to retain the hydro facilities and to improve the damage done in the “1964 floods” (increasing the capacity of existing “redds”) to the Klamath River and find other solutions to water quality coming from Oregon.  This river damage included severely impairing the hydrography of the Klamath River. Let’s hope that sanity will prevail at some point to provide economically doable solutions."

On the subject of Klamath salmon restoration, by Werner Hoyt, PE, Lake Shastina 3/14/2020. "What were the annual runs through the 1980’s.  On the Klamath we had bumper runs up through the 70’s.  What happened?
* Marine mammals protection act.  We now have upwards of 300,000 to 500,000 from San Francisco to Vancouver Canada
* Salmon are a transpacific migratory fish.  Heavy fishing in Asia has obliterated returns.  Mechanized fishing outside of the 200 mile economic zone by foreign fisheries as well
* Increase in ocean surface temperature moving the migration paths north.
    We have increasing pressure by all three of the above conditions and a power generation and operating history on the Columbia of 80 plus years.  Tend to believe that while there may be some impact by power generation if we look at the whole picture, power plant removal is not warranted.  Glad the feds recognized this."

Brown signs an expansive order targeting climate change, Capital Press, posted to KBC 3/14/2020. “At the end of the day, her directive could lead to a cap-and-trade style program that is far more sweeping than any proposal contemplated by the Legislature in recent years and will inevitably lead to significant cost increases for consumers and businesses alike, while offering little in the way of meaningful environmental benefits,...”  " During Monday’s Emergency Board meeting, Richard Whitman, director of the Department of Environmental Quality, said that the new hires would help complete initial rulemaking for a greenhouse gas reduction program by 2022. That’s roughly the same timeline laid out in the bill killed last session to reduce greenhouse gas emissions..."

No new trial in $1 billion Oregon timber verdict, Capital Press, posted to KBC 3/14/2020. "A judge will not order a new trial or overrule a jury’s verdict awarding $1 billion to local governments that sued Oregon over logging restrictions on state forestlands..."

Response to KRRC (dam destruction corporation) Budget for Klamath Devastation, by Rex Cozzalio, 4th generation Iron Gate resident 3/9/2020

Failure To Lead, by State Representative E. Werner Reschke, Southern Klamath & Lake Counties, 3/9/2020. "Rather than focus on shared-values and budget priorities, such as addressing homelessness, health care, housing, wildfire prevention, education and public safety..."

Matthew 5:6 - "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled."

Klamath Project irrigators face challenging water year, H&N 3/6/2020. "Irrigators could see 50% or less of the normal water supply for irrigation this spring and summer..."

KRRC budget submitted to FERC ahead of dam removal, H&N, posted to KBC 3/6/2020

Maximum price set for removing Klamath River dams, H&N, posted to KBC 3/6/2020

Feds reject breaching Snake River dams, Capital Press, posted to KBC 3/6/2020.

Yurok vs. Reclamation case moved to March 6, H&N, posted to KBC 3/6/2020

Drought declared in Klamath County, H&N, posted to KBC 3/6/2020. "The action is due to a snow water equivalent that has dipped to 65% of normal with a forecast of warm weather on the horizon. A drought declaration is aimed at providing opportunities for farmers to apply for aid to supplement losses..."

3/6/2020 - SCWUA requested that we run their letter again concerning the Klamath Compact Commissioner's, Chrysten  Lambert's, conflict of interest regarding Klamath dam removal. "(Lambert) was appointed in 2015 by then President Obama to act as Federal Representative to the Klamath Compact.  Under her leadership no meetings were conducted until the recent June 18, 2019 meeting in Klamath Falls at OIT.  Our letter explains our reasoning for requesting that she be removed from office and a new Federal Representative be appointed to represent the current President, Donald Trump..."

KWUA to hold public meeting on drought, irrigation water supply March 5th

KRRC awards contract for Klamath dam removal, H&N, posted to KBC 2/27/2020

'Make every drop count'; Klamath, Modoc Counties face drought possibilities, H&N, posted to KBC 2/27/20.

PRESS RELEASE - Senator Dennis Linthicum Representing Constituents by Denying Quorum, 2/25/2020. "Cap and trade should be referred to the ballot to let the people decide..."

Klamath Project farmers say question marks loom over coming season, Capital Press 2/19/2020. "Without those plans — known collectively as the Klamath Project Biological Opinion, or BiOp — Kirby said he cannot predict how much water will be available for the 400-plus family farms and 65,000 irrigated acres in his district...a lawsuit filed by the Yurok Tribe in California, Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations and Institute for Fisheries Resources also seeks a preliminary injunction to keep another 50,000 acre-feet of water in-stream for Klamath River salmon this year..."  KBC NOTE: "PCFFA, IFFR and Yurok Tribe, all signatories to the closed-door Klamath water "agreements," have sued Klamath Irrigators in the Takings Case claiming they should must not be reimbursed for the 2001 water shutoff, when many family farmers, with deeds signed by a U.S. president with "water appurtenant" to their land, went bankrupt." Those groups petitioned against the farmers on water quality, water quantity, and are still demanding that the Klamath River hydro dams are removed.

Salmon Cannon company presents in Siskiyou County, H&N 2/18/2020. "Dearden emphasized that the technology does not harm or kill any fish. It takes just seconds or minutes for a fish to be transported past a dam, versus the hours or days it takes for the fish to complete the task on its own. And Whooshh’s system costs just 10 to 30 percent of a traditional fish passage option...Dearden confirmed during his presentation that only SCWUA had reached out to Whooshh regarding providing an alternative to removal of the Klamath dams...The company has deployed the system at the Chief Joseph and Cle Elum dams in Washington and has reported success with both projects." " '...The KRRC (Klamath Dam removal group) exists simply to implement the Klamath Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement. We do not examine alternatives to the agreement,' (KRRC Community Liaison) Meurer stated."

Oregon governor calls for breaching 4 Snake River dams, H&N 2/16/20. "...The dams generate electricity, provide some irrigation and flood control and allow barges to operate all the way to Lewiston, Idaho..."
Columbia-Snake River litigation has 90,000-plus acres in balance, Fruit Growers News 1/24/20

WHY - Rep Reschke among walkouts from Cap and Trade Bill, H&N 2/16/20. "Thursday’s early exit from a critical House policy committee, was done in protest to the fact that the committee purposely did not hear any public testimony on a highly controversial bill, or provide time to discuss among committee members regarding the policy of the bill." “We have tried to engage with our colleagues on this issue, but have repeatedly been denied the opportunity to represent our districts in this conversation. Cap and trade will raise costs of living on all Oregonians, drive business out of the state, and hand control over to unelected bureaucrats. Oregonians are being denied access..."

Merkley facilitates follow-up summit on sucker recovery, H&N, posted to KBC 2/17/20. "Merkley has delivered $23.5 million to the Basin since 2013 to find a way toward a solution..."
KBC NOTE: Did Merkley address the fact that our government spent millions of $ to build manmade islands in our Klamath basin refuges: to lure fish-eating Caspian Terns from the Columbia that were eating millions of tiny salmon? Now tiny suckers? "...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 Refuge Page. Did he address the fact that the NRC Chairman Dr William Lewis Jr stated at a Klamath Science Workshop: "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." Here for KBC's Science Page

Environmentalists And Timber Industry Reach Agreement On Forests, Avoiding Oregon Ballot Fights, OPB, posted to KBC 2/17/2020.

February 2, 2020 - Matthew 5:16 Let your light shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven

Klamath dam removal draws closer, KRRC awaits FERC decision in March, H&N 1/28/2020.  According to KRRC Community Liason, “None of the water that is stored in hydroelectric reservoirs is used for agriculture,” he said. “It’s not used for municipal diversions. It’s not used for farms and ranchers – that water is used to produce hydro-power.”

EPA News Release: More Widespread Support for EPA and Army's Navigable Waters Protection Rule – A New Definition of WOTUS, 1/24/2020
"Congressman Doug LaMalfa (CA-01): "The Obama Administration’s ill-advised attempt to expand the WOTUS definition left a major burden on private landowners and farmers. I commend President Trump for empowering state and local governments to protect water resources by establishing the Navigable Waters Protection Rule. This is a common-sense change that gives landowners the flexibility to maintain their own land without overreaching federal input."
"House Committee on Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Greg Walden (OR-02): "For years, farmers and ranchers across Oregon have expressed their concerns to me about the heavy-handed Obama-era definition of WOTUS. They stressed that their intermittent stream or irrigation ditch would be subject to the burden of overreaching federal regulation. The EPA’s new definition of WOTUS will both protect our environment and our rural communities. Today’s announcement is welcome news for rural Oregon. I applaud President Trump and his administration for listening to the concerns of America’s farmers and ranchers and delivering on the promise to revise WOTUS."

Farmers welcome new federal rule on water quality WOTUS, CFBF 1/29/2020. "...The new rule also describes what is not subject to federal control, such as features that only contain water due to rainfall; groundwater; many ditches; prior converted cropland; farm and stock watering ponds; and waste treatment systems..."

Senator Jeff Merkley needs to talk to Klamath ranchers, by Bill and Nedra Boyd, Chiloquin, for H&N 1/29/2020. "With no real substantial solutions to this problem since 2013, Sen. Jeff Merkley is now adding another $11 million to the Basin plus $5.1 million to the Klamath River this year, to be added to the $23.5 million given to the Basin in 2013 for this study...Until the facts are in place and it is a water issue, the Tribes and OWRD should not be able to shut off the water in the Basin."

* Comments Due February 7, 2020 - http://waterresilience.ca.gov State Agencies Release Draft Water Resilience Portfolio.   "The California Natural Resources Agency, California Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Food and Agriculture developed the draft to fulfill Governor Gavin Newsom’s April 29 executive order calling for a portfolio of actions to ensure the state’s long-term water resilience and ecosystem health.
  2020 Water Resilience Portfolio - http://waterresilience.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/California-Water-Resilience-Portfolio-2019-Final2.pdf : Manage groundwater, assist in Klamath Dam Removal, plan for climate change, plan for upcoming 500 million people in California...

For January 2020 chronological news, see Archive 212
For Main Archive Page go HERE.

God Bless America !