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 Our Klamath Basin Water Crisis
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Archive 66 - November 2007
also  see main archive page

Around 1900, Link River, between Upper Klamath Lake and Lake Ewauna, occasionally went dry before the Klamath Project was built. There was no hydropower, no hatcheries, occasionally no fish (fish need water), no artificially-raised river flows or lake levels.  HERE for more

Water law proposal alarms, Organization opposes bill that would redefine waters addressed, Capital Press 11/30/07. "If this passes, the federal government will have the authority to control all our water and activities affecting our water, thus pre-empting state and local government authority over land- and water-use decisions..."

Imported food supply leaves nation vulnerable, Capital Press 11/30/07

More than one to blame on ESA rulings reversal, Editorial Capital Press 11/30/07, followed by related article by Dan Keppen, Executive Director Family Farm Alliance

Bible lesson by Jim Foley 11/30/07 Lost and Found

KBC opinion of the FERC final Environmental Impact Statement supporting relicensing the Klamath Dams, 11/29/07. Revised.

Karuk Tribe and Environmentalists Play on People's Emotions, by Nita Still, Pioneer Press, posted to KBC 11/29/07. "The environmentalists, Craig Tucker, spokesman for the Karuk Tribe and Cultural Biologist, Ron Reed, are playing upon the emotions of people. Saying that if the dams are not removed "could mean 'destruction' of tribal cultures who have long subsisted on the various salmon species that once thrived in the river." (And still do.) ...'The Karok inhabited the banks of Klamath River from a few miles above Happy Camp in Siskiyou County down to Redcap Creek in Humboldt County and Salmon River up to the Forks of Salmon.' That is no where near the dams they want to get rid of."

Klamath Fishing Tales, Pioneer Press, posted to KBC 11/29/07. "Meanwhile, a San Francisco Chronicle article published last week and written by Jim Webb, described as an avid recreational fisherman from San Luis Obispo County, shows that some within even the ultra-liberal SF media are pro dam."

Money ($10 million) could have been spent better, H&N, posted 11/29/07. "...now we are paying for a $10 million levee demolition project that will give the sucker fish larval a better chance because it will provide lower water habitat?..."
 
 
 ***National Academy of Science News Report: National More comprehensive analysis of Klamath River basin needed to aid decision makers; 2 studies could assist if improvements are made, 11/28/07. [NAS free report online: http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12072 ] (KBC NOTE: When you read the dozens of green media releases in the coming weeks, keep in mind this actual report and recommendations, and also, keep in mind who it is that the journalists are quoting.)
 
11/29/07, KBC NOTE: Thank you journalist Dan Bacher for correcting your indybay article title which states farmers with enviros and tribes blasted the FERC recommendation of keeping the Klamath Dams which provide green clean power for 70,000 households annually. Farmers did not blast the FERC report.
 
California is disbursing $33 million in Federal Disaster Relief Assistance this week to fishermen and fishing businesses, according to Cal Fish and Game, 11/27/07. Federal disaster relief for California (fishermen) -- how it's split up, Times Standard, posted to KBC 11/28/07
 
Redwood Adventures Tours to Offer Fresh Water Fishing Tour Packages, "our rivers are brimming with salmon and trout.- Russavage explained. '...our Klamath Basin is full of fish and ready to support any and all anglers and area visitors..." {Note from KBC reader: "That is a great idea!  Let's let the local National Park vendor promote folks to come up and catch the threatened salmon.") 11/28/07
 
***Announcement: Retired EPA scientist to speak on Suction Dredge Mining and the Environment Dec 3, 2007. See Mining Page for Karuk lawsuit against miners, California Dept Fish and Game's attempt to shut down mining on the Klamath River, and with bills introduced to end mining.