Time to Take Action
 

Archive 139 - December 2013
also  see main archive page

==========================================
 

 

 

The angels Announce Jesus to the Shepherds, and Walk as children of light, sent by Frank Tallerico for weeks of Dec 22 and 29, 2013.

KWAPA - On Project Plan Newsletter 12/2013, "On behalf of Dan Keppen and KWAPA I would like to send you a copy of the final OPPortunities Newsletter,"  from Chelsea Shearer, Executive Assistant to Greg Addington, KWUA. "At the last OPPAC meeting considerable discussion centered on one potential demand management option still under consideration—the “Farmer Leaseback Program” or “Beginning Farmer Program”. If this option were implemented, KWAPA would use up front money to purchase land outright, and use these lands over the long-term to help provide a means of generating water savings through demand management activities."

Water issues will likely dominate session work, Senator Doug Whitsett, 12/29/13. "The Oregon Water Resources Department has made clear its intentions in 2014 to shut down as many as 130 irrigation wells due to alleged interference with surface water rights...."

Snowpack is meager. Drought brings dismal measurements, but all hope is not yet lost, H&N 12/31/13

November sees job loss in Modoc, Siskiyou counties, H&N 12/26/13. Unemployment 10.3% in Modoc, 11.8% in Siskiyou

Water pact awaits tribal approval; Tribes’ support hinges on tree farm acquisition, H&N 12/24/14

Feds begin barred owl kills to help spotted owl, H&N, 12/21/13. "Major cutbacks in logging in old growth forest that spotted owls prefer as habitat have not turned around their population decline, and scientists want to see if removing competition from the more aggressive barred owl will make a difference."

Public comment period regarding Yreka casino ends Dec. 27

PUC grants small rate hike for customers, H&N, 12/21/13. "the additional revenue will help pay for three main expenses: relicensing a hydroelectric project on the Lewis River in Idaho, installing upgrades at the Jim Bridger power plant in Wyoming and purchasing emergency equipment mandated by the Federal Communications Commission." KBC NOTE: PacifiCorp has increased Klamath Project power rates by over 2400% in the past decade, and they are charging all power customers a fee for their proposed controversial Klamath hydroelectric dam removal serving 70,000 customers.

Oregon wildfire protection, newsletter by Senator Doug Whitsett, 12/19/13.

California gun owners warily eye rifle, shotgun database requirement, Sacramento Bee 12/16/13
Gun webpage
HERE
California webpage HERE

Oregon webpage HERE

* Karuk Tribe advances Yreka casino proposition, H&N, posted to KBC 12/15/13.
       KBC NOTE:
this is Shasta Territory, not Karuk
*
Karuk Tribe casino plans unveiled; public input session open until Dec. 27, posted to KBC 12/15/13. KBC NOTE: Karuks provide no online copy of proposal
*
Karuk Tribe of California Proposal to the Governor for an Off-Reservation Class III Gaming Facility in Yreka, 11/18/05.
* HERE for Karuk Tribal agenda of destroying American hydrodams.
* Gaming funds to be used to destroy Klamath hydroelectric dams, page 14: "the Tribe has been working with the State Water Resources Control Board on the issue of decommissioning of Klamath River dams which serve no constructive purpose and, to the contrary ,have been demonstrated to be harmful to the river and surrounding environs. To this end, the Tribe would commit a portion of its casino revenue to the Dam Decommissioning Fund which is proposed by state officials for the purposes of assisting local communities affected by future dam decommissionings. To this end, we have been working with Arthur G. Baggett, Jr., the state’s lead negotiator on this issue and will continue to do so. The Karuk people have an inherent need to repair the Tribe’s ancestral lands..." KBC NOTE: this land is Shasta Tribe's ancestral land, and the Shasta's oppose destroying the hydro dams.

Local groups work to lower irrigation costs, H&N, posted to KBC 12/15/13. "But even if the rate was locked in at the current low federal price, it would not be the final cost to consumers. “Some of the preliminary analysis is showing costs are higher than anticipated,” said Klamath Basin Task Force facilitator Ed Sheets. The tier rates are wholesale prices and only cover costs to deliver the electricity to a substation in Malin. Once power reaches Malin, it will be transmitted along cables and infrastructure owned by Pacific Power, meaning the company can tack on additional metering charges. Even though the charges may only be pennies, they could drive the new price near what irrigators pay now, according to Greg Addington, executive director of the Klamath Water Users Association." ... "The KBRA and the related Klamath Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement seek to establish reliable water supplies and affordable power rates for irrigators, restore fish habitat, help the Klamath Tribes acquire the 92,000-acre Mazama Tree Farm and remove four dams on the Klamath River."

KWUA, officials review pact, H&N, 12/14/13. "Conditions of the AIP include reducing agricultural water use by 30,000 acre feet through permanent buy out, or “retirement,” of some upper Basin irrigators’ water rights. Jerry Jones, who owns 20 acres in the upper Basin, said irrigators who are not in desperate financial straits are unlikely to sell their water rights or vote in favor of the AIP. 'Not everybody has a gun to their head. It’s not going to work,' he said." KBC NOTE: according to the last Task Force meeting, the permanent downsizing of water rights is "voluntary." However, if they do not agree to the terms of the KBRA/dam removal/tribal land acquisition mandate, then they probably will continue to have their off-project water shut off like they did this year.

Officials oppose Oregon spotted frog habitat; all three commissioners voted to send an opposition letter to USFW, H&N, 12/7/13. "Klamath County commissioners are voicing their opposition to designating more than 56,000 acres in Oregon as critical habitat for the Oregon spotted frog, which the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to list as a threatened species...of the 53,866 acres in Oregon considered for critical habitat, 27,825 are in Klamath County and 8,823 acres in Klamath County are on private land."

(Oregon) Court spells out law on farm activities, Capital Press 12/5/13. "The Oregon Court of Appeals has ruled that weddings and corporate events aren't permissible on farmland, but smaller-scale events that feature agricultural education, like birthdays, are allowable."

High praise for Water Task Force; dignitaries visit basin, H&N 12/5/13

* KBRA / Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement
* VIDEO of Governor's final Task Force meeting to implement the KBRA/KHSA re: Klamath River hydro dam removal, 12/3/13. 127 minutes.
* FINAL Report and Recommendations from the Klamath Basin Task Force to Senators Wyden and Merkley, Congressman Walden, and Governor Kitzhaber 12/3/13. Task Force received this report 12/2/13 and had one week to give input. The public did not receive final 'draft' before 12/3/13 to comment on.
* Klamath Task Force webpage
* Klamath Adjudication webpage
There is a rush to get an agreement and legislation in the next few weeks to provide millions of dollars to destroy the dams, give land and money to the tribes, permanently downsize ag, and possibly get affordable power rates to irrigators. Contact your representatives with your opinions!  

Luke 11:9-10: So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Sent by Frank Tallerico.

Task force work winds down; Power costs left unresolved Basin water dispute close to settlement. Deal between Tribes, irrigators key to legislation H&N, posted to KBC 12/4/13. "initial estimates for the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) delivering inexpensive power to off-project users may not be as cost effective as planned....“We do not have and will not have this worked out for a year or two before we know exactly what the final solution will be,” he said...the tribe also hopes to acquire a 92,000 acre Mazama tree farm for economic development, which would be funded by the proposed congressional legislation. Early last summer, the tribe called for its water right, forcing the shutoff of hundreds of water users in the upper Basin. About 100,000 acre feet of water was shut off. The economic impact of that was estimated to be up to $500 million annually..."

Final Task Force meeting today; Proposed water pact to be made public; solutions for refuges remains unclear, followed by Tribes, irrigators sign water pact; Details of ‘Agreement in Principle’ topic of public meetings 12/3/13

Hebrews 6:7-8: For the earth that drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessings from God; but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to be cursed, whose end is to be burned.

*VIDEO: Author Holly Swanson: Set Up & Sold Out ~ Training for Treason @ Know Your Rights in Klamath Falls Nov. 16, 2013, filmed by Kevin Goodrich, posted to KBC 12/1/13. "Holly Swanson proclaimed a serious warning about the Green Agenda overtaking America's schools, thereby infiltrating the governmental infrastructure. Included was the Executive Order that's meant to prepare the United State for 'climate change.' " 15 minutes

* VIDEO: Ramona Hage-Morrison and Danny Martinez on Property Rights @ Klamath Falls 16 Nov 2013,  filmed by Kevin Goodrich, posted to KBC 12/1/13. Ramona Hage Morrison has been actively involved in a successful 22-year long case involving her family's ranch vs. the USFS and BLM...She served as a title witness in her family's case, U.S. v. Hage. She will talk about the landmark Hage litigation, and why an exhaustive chain of title was the key evidence necessary to defend their vested water rights, forage rights, range improvements and rights of ways.
     Danny Martinez was born into a first generation Arizona ranching family in 1944. He is the CEO of Liberty and Property Rights Coalition and is involved in the livestock industry in Arizona, New Mexico and Nevada. He currently has a property rights case involving his family's ranch before the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.

Klamath Tribes, irrigators ink tentative water-sharing pact, 12/2/13

Why Freedom is personal to me, by Igor Birman, 12/1/13. "For the thirteen years I lived in the Soviet Union, I saw first-hand a totalitarian government that brutally repressed dissent, created shortages and regulated every aspect of a citizen's life..."

Expansion of power of the Executive Branch of our federal government, by Oregon Senator Doug Whitsett, posted to KBC 12/1/13

 

Home Contact

 

              Page Updated: Wednesday February 26, 2014 02:23 AM  Pacific


             Copyright © klamathbasincrisis.org, 2014, All Rights Reserved