Oregon GOP and dam removal 080709

Our Klamath Basin Water Crisis
Upholding rural Americans' rights to grow food,
own property, and caretake our wildlife and natural resources.

www.heraldandnews.com

GOP and dam removal

Letter omits parts of state GOP’s platform

Herald and News 8/7/09 by Ty Beaver

A letter to the editor from Republicans Doug Whitsett, Bill Garrard and George Gilman quoted part of the state’s platform regarding dam removal, but not in its entirety.

The letter quoted part 4.3 of the Oregon Republican Party’s platform, reading “We oppose the breaching of dams and support additional storage sufficient to the needs of sound water management, hydroelectric power and environmental policy based on verifiable science.”

The full platform point reads as follows:

“Water is essential to provide food, fiber and energy. Vested and adjudicated water ights must be protected and preserved. We oppose the breaching of dams and support additional storage sufficient to the needs of sound water management, hydroelectric power and environmental policy based on verifiable science. This should be encouraged with due regard for the habitat of aquatic life.”

Whitsett, the letter’s writer, said the omission was made to meet the Herald and News 300-word limit for letters, but that the omission doesn’t change the meaning of the platform.

“I think the purpose of 4.3 in the platform is quite clear to me,” he said.

Garrard said he was not aware of the final sentence in the platform but that other lawmakers have told him there’s enough verifiable science to determine dam removal is not the best option.

Commissioner Cheryl Hukill said she was disappointed the letter didn’t include portions of the platform.

“That really is important we get the full thing in,” she said.