"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 and related settlement agreements, articles, letters, videos, press releases, documents, and Who's Who

Our Federal and State Governments reject the voices of the Klamath River Basin people:
* POLL - Should the four Klamath River hydroelectric dams be removed? Herald and News Poll, 9/24/16 results:
NO - 581 votes   YES  180 votes   No Opinion  8 votes.  Should the four Klamath River hydroelectric dams be removed?
* November 2010 election: 80% of Siskiyou County, home of 3 Klamath River Hydroelectric Dams targeted for destruction, oppose the KBRA / Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement that mandates 4 Klamath Dams be removed. Nearly 50% of Klamath County oppose their current County Commissioners' being at the table in support of the KBRA They voted out Klamath County Commissioner John Elliott who supports the KBRA, and voted in a newcomer, Dennis Linthicum, who opposes it. They voted to keep a state representative Bill Garrard who opposes the KBRA, and voted against Karl Scronce, a supporter. 77% of Tulelake voters opposed the KBRA/Dam removal.
* VIDEO 2011: Toby Freeman, Pacific Power's Community Manager, speaks about being "forced" "into an agreement that would result in dam removal," YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibZUMJ96ywA,  6:14 minute video
* KBC News KBRA and dam removal videos, polls and petitions
* 12/29/08 - Karuk Tribe petition against dam removal. 250 signed petition
* Klamath County Commissioners and Siskiyou County Supervisors (elected officials) voted against supporting the Klamath dam removal agreements.

Utility, renewal corporation file to remove 4 hydro-dams, H&N 9/23/16. "There is also opposition to dam removal, both in Klamath and Siskiyou counties. Both county commissions are on record opposing the removal." "It will be the largest dam removal project in U.S. history."

Upper Klamath Basin Nonpoint Source Pollution Assessment and Management Program Plan; Klamath Tribal Water Quality Consortium, Aug 16, 2016, Comments WERE due Sept 18, 2016. Who knew about this plan to eradicate agriculture and all the dams in the Klamath River Basin? received and posted to KBC 9/20/16. KBC NOTE: Participants are 6 tribes (including Karuk and Hoopa), many federal and state agencies, Trout Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy, Klamath Basin Rangeland Trust, California Coastal Conservancy, ODEQ, State and Regional Water Quality Control Boards, and dozens more; most of the agencies, tribes and environmental groups are "stakeholders" in the Klamath Basin dam-removal agreements.  "Given the large volumes of water in the Klamath Basin, very large wetlands (on the order of thousands of acres or tens of thousands of acres) would be necessary to have basin-scale effect...", they want to get rid of "... water rights, water availability, and landowner willingness issues...", " TNC recently acquired approximately 4,000 acres adjacent to Agency Lake Ranch and Barnes Ranch which it is in the process of restoring back to wetlands", Wetlands, by the way, evaporates nearly 2ce the amount of water used by irrigated agriculture, "The Upper Klamath Basin Comprehensive Agreement...calls for inflows to Upper Klamath Lake to be increased by 30,000 acre-feet per year to be achieved by reducing the net consumptive use of water for irrigated agriculture," Roads that are no longer necessary would be considered for ... removal,"..."The Consortium supports reduced irrigation and improved grazing management as a method to reduce irrigation demand," "Once plans are developed for how to remove the dams and appropriate permits are obtained, the dams should be removed. The KHSA targets 2020 as the year in which dam removal would occur."
Comments on the Klamath Tribal Water Quality Consortium by Siskiyou County Water Users Association Rex Cozzalio, received by KBC News 9/20/16

< Tulelake Parade Marshal; A grand time for Jerry LeQuieu, H&N, posted to KBC 9/20/16. "

Resist the bad liberal ideas in Legislature, H&N letter to the editor by E. Werner Reschke, Republican for State Representative, posted to KBC 9/20/16

The case against removing the (Klamath) dams, H&N letter to the editor by Dr Richard  Gierak, Yreka, posted to KBC 9/20/16

Fixing the VA, letter from Congressman Doug LaMalfa, California's 1st District 9/18/16

*** Energy Bill’s Hidden Provisions Undermine Western and Rural U.S. Property Owners, Western States Constitutional Rights LLC, posted 9/18/16. "Senate Bill S. 2012 (Murkowski, AK) has secretly swallowed up S. 3085 (Roberts,KS) - a Forestry Management Bill that transfers management of any national forest within 100 miles of a tribal reservation, or to any tribe with ancestral or cultural ties to a national forest.  This will give tribal governments: 1) control of all water (snowpack mountain run-off); and 2) let tribal governments determine appropriate uses of the national forests regarding hunting, fishing, trail-hiking, recreating by non-tribal citizens. When strong opposition emerged opposing numerous forestry management bills in the Senate and House that were transferring forestry management to tribal governments, Senators and Congressmen played "hide the ball" quickly last week by tucking this egregious Tribal Forestry Management provision into an Energy Bill that is close to a vote - perhaps this week or next. Call your Senators and Congressmen and raise holy hell.  This could easily transfer national forestry management to tribes for every national forest in the Western States." Elaine Willman

PRESS RELEASE - Jeffrey Nettleton Selected as the New Area Manager for the Klamath Basin Area Office in Klamath Falls, Oregon, BOR, posted to KBC 9/18/16

(Klamath) Irrigators intervene against Hoopa Tribe lawsuit, H&N, posted to KBC 9/18/16

Dam removal advisory vote remains on ballot, H&N, posted to KBC 9/18/16. "PacifiCorp will not own any of the land..." if the Klamath River dams come out. Presently, "....overall, the utility pays about $1.6 million annually in county taxes..."

California Supreme Court Rules in Favor of State Authority over Mining! – September 2016, The New 49ers. "Now that the California Supreme Court has ruled, my best guess is that any prospector using a motor to remove or process streambed material within 100 yards of an active waterway without a permit (which is not being made available), if caught, is likely to be successfully prosecuted." Link includes link to memo by miner's attorney James Buchal

Oregon Legislative Review, and Whitsetts' highest conservative rating in Oregon, 9/13/16

White House as Originator and Promoter of Klamath Basin Agreements, Canada Free Press by Laurence Kogan, posted to KBC 9/13/16.

California governor signed climate change mandates and farm labor overtime after 8 hours, CFBF Friday Legislative Review 9/13/16

The Myths, Lies and Deceptions Behind the Klamath Basin Agreements by attorney Lawrence A. Kogan (Submitted to the Capital Press but never published), posted to KBC 8/29/16

PRESS RELEASE: ITSSD seeks added public transparency and accountability: files revised Bureau of Reclamation FOIAs and Oregon State Government public records requests, posted to KBC 8/29/16. These FOIAs and public records requests, BELOW, are regarding the Klamath Settlement "Agreements" which effect water rights, support destroying Klamath River hydroelectric dams, .... There are names listed: Dan Keppen, KWAPA, Greg Addington, Becky Hyde, to name a few, included in the requests for information.

* ITSSD (Institute for Trade, Standards, and Sustainable Development) FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) "requesting that the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation release in paper or digital form the following agency records: ..."
* ITSSD "Second Revised FOIA Request is hereby filed requesting that the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Mid-Pacific Regional Office release in paper or digital form the following agency records:..."
* ITSSD - "Pursuant to the Oregon Public Records Law ORS 192.440, it is hereby requested that the Office of the Governor of Oregon release in paper or digital form the following agency public records:..."
* ITSSD - Pursuant to the Oregon Public Records Law ORS 192.440, it is hereby requested that the Oregon Department of Energy (“ODE”) release in paper or digital form the following agency public records:..."
* ITSSD - "Pursuant to the Oregon Public Records Law ORS 192.440, it is hereby requested that the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (“ODEQ”) release in paper or digital form the following agency public records:..."
* ITSSD - "Pursuant to the Oregon Public Records Law ORS 192.440, it is hereby requested that the Oregon Water Resources Department (“OWRD”) release in paper or digital form the following agency public records:..."
* ITSSD - "Pursuant to the Oregon Public Records Law ORS 192.440, it is hereby requested that the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (“ODFW”) release in paper or digital form the following agency public records:..."

Parties Keep Up Pressure As (Klamath River) Dam Removal Proceeds, Capital Press, posted to KBC 8/29/16.

Protest filed over Klamath River dam removal vote, H&N 8/27/16

Klamath County Commissioners finally voted, after 6 years, to allow the public to vote on whether they support the dam removal. This would be an advisory vote to direct the commissioners. "Are you in favor of removing the four hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River?"

8/25/16 - Petition for different ballot title: Tracy and Susan Liskey, Ed Bair, Greg Carleton (Klamath Agreement proponents) VS Klamath County Commissioners. The petition includes complaints of the Pro-KBRA/dam removal Klamath County irrigators, and at the bottom the wording of the Klamath County Commissioners' dam removal vote. Again, dam removal proponents oppose allowing the citizens an advisory vote, much less a real vote.

Klamath Agreements mandate destroying the 4 Klamath River hydro dams. KWUA/Klamath Water Users Association, some Klamath River tribes, many environmental groups and government agencies negotiated a closed-door deal with no vote of the citizens. KWUA wanted water certainty and affordable power rate (which the KBRA does not mandate) and the environmental groups wanted to destroy the hydroelectric dams. 3 of the 4 dams are in Siskiyou County, yet Siskiyou County is not allowed at the negotiating table because Dept. of Interior wants the dams out, and dam destruction would further decimate the economy of Siskiyou County. Siskiyou County held an advisory vote several years ago, and the public voted more than 80% against destroying the hydro dams that serve 70,000 families. The public's voices ARE NOT WELCOMED.

California Farm Bureau Federation Friday Legislative Review posted 8/27/16: climate change mandates with no oversight, bills that regulate cow farts and chase dairies out of California, overtime bills that would end up reducing hours that farm laborers would work, wool, stolen bee hives, water control board stuff and more...

Sediment washed down from Tibble Fork could devastate popular trout fishery, The Salt Lake Tribune 8/22/16 by Brian Maffly. "The fine-grained sediments turned water black below Tibble Fork Dam, leaving a trail of dead trout and potentially degrading habitat for all sorts of aquatic life, according to observers."It would be a surprise if anything could live through this. It is suffocating the fish it is so thick," said Brian Wimmer, president of a Utah County chapter of Trout Unlimited. "There is 4 inches of this disgusting mud 3 feet above the high water mark..."
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." 
KBC's Science Misconduct page includes details by renown scientists of the mass destruction that would occur if Dept of Interior proceeds with it's Klamath Dam destruction agenda.  

BETCs, Biofuels and Booddoogles, by Senator Doug Whitsett, posted to KBC 8/25/16. "I have observed little, if any, improvement in either the level or quality of services provided to our residents during my three terms serving in the Oregon Senate. What I have observed instead is rampant crony capitalism, where favored industries and constituencies receive huge chunks of public money with little or no accountability for what that money buys."

A Tribute to Senator Allan Bates,  by Senator Doug Whitsett, posted to KBC 8/25/16.

US Fish and Wildlife Service: Klamath Basin leaseland farming on the refuges with hundreds of new proposed regulations that would shut down leaseland farming. COMMENT PERIOD is extended to August 4th. Follow this link for FWS documents > https://www.regulations.gov/docketBrowser?rpp=25&so=DESC&sb=commentDueDate&po=0&dct=SR&D=FWS-R8-NWRS-2016-0063
*** This link for sending comments > https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=FWS-R8-NWRS-2016-0063-0374

***Dozens of Sprague River wells shut down by Klamath Tribal call on irrigation water, Senator Doug Whitsett, posted to KBC 7/31/16.

Stateline Compost Comments Due Aug. 2 Compost project gets airing: pushback, some support, H&N 7/30/16. KBC NOTE: This article twists the facts a bit. It says "The DEQ has also evaluated the site for risks to ground water, surface water and odors, finding low to potential risks for the site." The DEQ webpage,  http://www.oregon.gov/deq/pub/061016stateline.pdf, says, ""...Type 3 feedstocks include dead animals, meat and source-separated mixed food waste and industrially produced non-vegetative food waste. They also include other materials the department determines pose a low level of risk from hazardous substances and a higher level of risk from physical contaminants and human pathogens compared to type 1 and 2 feedstocks. Surface water risk screening - poses potential risk: ...the proximity of this site to irrigation drainage waters and the potential for this water to reach the property, or for any uncontaminated runoff from this property to reach drainage waters elevates the potential risk level for surface water. ...Odor risk screening- poses potential risk...". KBC NOTE continued: There were nearly 40 attendees and less than a handful supported the site at this location. * Date for public hearing on Stateline Compost set July 28, Comment Period Extended, H&N 6/25/16. "Stateline Compost anticipates processing 30,000 tons of feedstock from agricultural, municipal and industrial sources..." (on Lower Klamath) *Past info regarding compost site on Lower Klamath:  Proposed Solid Waste Permit for Stateline Compost. It was also in Herald and News June 9    * “It is anticipated that up to 30,000 tons per year of feedstock will be processed at the facility. This total includes the combined volume of type 1, 2 and 3 feedstocks.    * Surface water risk screening (poses potential risk)    * Groundwater screening (low risk)    * Odor risk screening (poses potential risk)" Facility would be 1/4 mile from California border by highway 97. This is within 4 or 5 miles of Strait's Drain, where water goes toward the Klamath River.

Klamath Riverkeeper history & accomplishments, 7/31/16. "Our successful lawsuits, nonstop policy advocacy, and targeted grassroots pressure forced PacifiCorp to sign a stakeholder agreement to un-dam and restore the Klamath River in 2010...we continue to partner with the Karuk Tribe in their ongoing and highly successful battle to end harmful suction dredge gold mining on California rivers..."

KID lawyer claims bias by newspaper by former Klamath Irrigation District attorney Lawrence Kogan, letter to the editor of Herald and News, posted to KBC 7/31/16

Second KID attorney responds to ethics complaints, H&N, posted to KBC 7/31/16

Recall launched against three KID board members, H&N, posted to KBC 7/31/16

PRESS RELEASE: ITSSD Seeks added public transparency & accountability: files revised Bureau of Reclamation FOIAs and Oregon state government public records requests, 7/28/16. "Today, in furtherance of its effort to bring government public transparency and accountability to the Klamath Basin, the nonprofit Institute for Trade, Standards and Sustainable Development (“ITSSD”) filed Revised Freedom of Information Act Requests", posted to KBC 7/31/16

Klamath River Stakeholders may sue federal agencies, H&N, posted to KBC 7/25/16. "The Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations (PCFFA) (Glen Spain), Institute for Fisheries Resources (Glen Spain), and Klamath Riverkeeper (Craig Tucker), released the 60-day notice to let two federal agencies know they could be sued under the federal Endangered Species Act if they fail to improve water management in the Klamath River." KBC NOTE: These 2 men were in the stakeholders group of the KBRA / Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement, and KHSA, Klamath Dam Removal "agreements", posing as 'friends' of Klamath Irrigators. Now that the feds and states, tribes and NGO's managed to get the states to approve of destroying the Klamath River hydro dams with no supposed benefits to irrigators, their coalition is suing for more water, even though this is a high water year. Siskiyou County and Klamath County elected officials oppose the agreements and dam destruction. FYI: George Soros helps fund Earthjustice, the litigators for the Klamath River tribes and environmental groups 

Tule Lake land grab needs to end, H&N letter to the editor by David Misso, Tulelake, posted to KBC 7/25/16

Pollution Protest - (Tribal) Teens march for better water quality, H&N, posted to KBC 7/25/15. "Nearly two dozen teens, who are attending a weeklong Next Generation Climate Justice Action Camp near Ashland, marched in front of the Klamath County government building shouting a call-and-response chant, “When the river is under attack, what do we do? Stand up and fight back!”.."

Sheriff: Land proposal could spark standoff, H&N, posted to KBC 7/25/16. "Sparks flew Monday during a hearing attended by ranchers and environmentalists in the state Capitol on a proposal to turn 2.5 million acres of canyonlands and desert in southeastern Oregon into a federally protected monument...Elias Eiguren, a rancher whose Basque great-grandfather came to the Canyonlands to raise sheep, predicted that grazing rights for ranchers would wind up being litigated if the land became a monument, affecting up to 30,000 head of cattle of Malheur County’s total of 70,000."

Oregon refuge occupier pleads guilty; Bundys stay in jail, H&N, posted to KBC 7/25/16

* TULELAKE IRRIGATION DISTRICT SPECIAL BOARD MEETING
TULELAKE IRRIGATION DISTRICT OFFICE
AGENDA
Tuesday July 5, 2016 9:00 a.m.
1. Call to Order and Roll Call.
2. Public Comment Period.
3. Approve Resolution #2016-1  Requesting District Election.
4. KID Issues - Recall and C-Flume

California's tough gun laws are getting stricter, Leader Telegram 7/1/16. "The Democratic governor signed six bills Friday requiring gun owners to give up magazines holding more than 10 rounds and to undergo a background check before they can purchase ammunition, among other measures...."

California Farm Bureau Federation Friday Legislative Review 7/1/16. Proposed bills on climate change mandates, regulations on livestock methane emissions that would "drive dairies out of California", put solar power projects on "not less than 100,000 acres" permanently retired farmland, pay overtime to farm workers for over 8 hours work, expand forest thinning for fire protection, stockponds, water transfers, ground water wells, more...

Klamath water issues distressingly similar to those in other areas by Elaine Willman, guest writer for H&N, posted to KBC 7/1/16. Elaine Willman Biography. KBC News's Willman Page. "I have been following Klamath water and dam issues since 2003 and have recently noticed commonalities simultaneously occurring in the southwestern Oregon and Northern California area, and on the Flathead Indian Reservation where I live in Western Montana...I have a 30-year career in government, and have researched federal Indian policy for 25 years. I have conducted workshops and keynote addresses across the country, authored two books, and work with numerous expert legal counsels in multiple states. Montana and Oregon landowners are most fortunate to have located and obtained Mr. Kogan’s services. Among strong legal champions, he stands at the top of the list...Landowners here have been unable to find a single Montana attorney willing to protect their property/water rights, their constitutional and civil rights. Landowners were able to locate Lawrence Kogan, a New York City attorney to represent them in litigation just now initializing. Mr. Kogan also represents Siskiyou County and the Klamath Irrigation District... Supporters of this egregious CSKT Water Compact called Mr. Kogan “that New York City attorney,” too... Landowners were able to locate Lawrence Kogan, a New York City attorney to represent them in litigation just now initializing. Supporters of the compact did everything they could to trash him in Montana newspapers and everywhere possible. His clients did not fall for such baloney; his work is fact-based, law-cited and prolific. He’s a legal “street fighter” that knows his way around federal courts, Congress, water law and Indian law. But for Mr. Kogan’s courage and perseverance, and clients who so believe in him, 35,000 people in Montana will have forever lost their water rights, access to water, State and federal constitutional protections, and authority over non-tribal lands on the Flathead Reservation."

Oregon Legislative Update by Rep. Gail Whitsett, House District 56 Jun 25, 2016  

Confused and Confusing: Kepple, Switzer run as Democrats, KlamathNews 6/26/16

Merkley PRESS RELEASE: Merkley and Wyden Announce Key Oregon Wins for Rural Oregon in Senate Appropriations Bill, 6/16/16

* Date for public hearing on Stateline Compost set July 28, Comment Period Extended, H&N 6/25/16. "Stateline Compost anticipates processing 30,000 tons of feedstock from agricultural, municipal and industrial sources..." (on Lower Klamath)

TID board meeting agenda for 6/13/16

Water shutoffs start in upper Basin, Klamath Tribes made the call, Wood River could be next, H&N, posted to KBC 6/11/16

Wind and Solar? It's time to look to expanding natural gas, Newsletter by Oregon State Senator  Doug Whitsett, District 28, H&N 5/26/16

Put aside conflict, move KID forward, H&N letter to the editor by Pat Lunde, Klamath Falls posted to KBC 6/11/16

KID new leadership is doing things right, Letter to the editor of H&N by Ken Schell, Klamath Falls, posted to KBC  May 25, 2016

KID board is doing what was requested, H&N letter to editor by Marvin Cantrell, Klamath Falls, posted to KBC 6/11/16

Email Correspondence from D. Murillo, USBR mid-Pacific Director to L. Kogan, KID attorney Re: C Flume Contract Date, posted to KBC 6/10/16

Attorney Kogan Law Group, representing Klamath Irrigation District and Siskiyou County Water Users, letter to Kevin Eastman, Legislative Director for U.S. Congressman Doug LaMalfa, posted to KBC 6/10/16

CFBF Friday Legislative Review, 6/10/16: "A tentative 2016-2017 budget was reached and will be voted on by the full legislature by midnight on Wednesday, June 15^th, the deadline to pass the budget bill. Some budget details are included in this week’s Friday Review."

YouTube video of Donald Trump from 1980-2015. from 1980-2015. Is his story consistent? posted to KBC 6/10/16

Trump Is Right to Question Judge's Motives, Newsmax by Patrick Buchanan 6/7/16

Proposed compost facility near state line under review, H&N 6/9/16, posted to KBC 6/10/16

COMMENTS DUE TODAY 6/10/16 by 5!

 Proposed Solid Waste Permit for Stateline Compost. It was only in Herald and News yesterday June 9
   * “It is anticipated that up to 30,000 tons per year of feedstock will be processed at the facility. This total includes the combined volume of type 1, 2 and 3 feedstocks.
   * Surface water risk screening (poses potential risk)
   * Groundwater screening (low risk)
   * Odor risk screening (poses potential risk)"
Facility would be 1/4 mile from California border by highway 97.
This is within 4 or 5 miles of Strait's Drain, where water goes toward the Klamath River.
 

Comments can be made on local (Klamath) dams, letter to the editor of H&N by Danny L Hull, Klamath Falls 6/5/16. "

I approve and vote for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission conclusively rejecting — per Docket Number P-2082-027 — both destroying all Klamath River hydroelectric dams, and destroying each dam of any Klamath River hydroelectric dam(s).

.."

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