Our Klamath Basin
Water Crisis
Upholding rural Americans' rights to grow food,
own property, and caretake our wildlife and natural resources.
Archive 58
- March 2007
Forest Service Land Management Litigation 19892002, published
2006. "The land management decisions of the USDA Forest Service
have been challenged and appealed frequently in federal court, and
the agency believes such litigation constrains its professional
expertise and frustrates effective forest management."
ARTICLE:
First-Ever Study Shows Complete Picture of Forest Service
Litigation
Lawmakers confront land use, H&N 3/31/07, "Property rights and Measure 37 dominated questions and conversation at a town hall meeting with state Rep. Bill Garrard and state Sen. Doug Whitsett, both R-Klamath Falls, on Friday." It's not fair to accuse someone of not supporting agriculture because they support property rights, Whitsett said. L.A. falling short on (Owens) river, judge says, LA Times, posted to KBC 3/31/07. (KBC note: Owens Valley in Southern California was dewatered several years ago, bought by LA City Water Dept. Eliminating farmers and ranchers. Now that the farmers are gone, a judge ordered water to be put back in the valley. Klamath Basin, wake up.) Ethanol Undergoes Evolution as Political Issue, Former Opponents Clinton, McCain Tout Its Benefits, but Its Campaign Value May Be Dropping, Washington Post, posted to KBC 3/31/07. HERE for ethanol page. FULL NAS report: Delayed upwelling alters nearshore coastal ocean ecosystems in the northern California currents, Proceedings of the National Academy of Science March 2007. HERE for summary, "We devote a large amount of our resources for salmon recovery to in-stream habitat restoration ... but should also be focusing some resources on learning more about the oceanic conditions that effect salmon population health as well." *Comments due re: Lava Beds and Crater Lake fee hike March 31. Tulelake well water levels 3/30/07 Who Got Bought, $60.4 Million for Klamath, Human Events, posted to KBC 3/30/07, "Several members who were reluctant to require withdrawal of U.S. troops by a firm deadline made deals that were greased with bacon from Democratic leadership in exchange for their vote. The final House bill that narrowly passed, 218-212 contained a whopping $24 billion in earmarks that will pay for many pet projects in the home districts of several Blue Dogs." Washington congressmen aim bill at salmon-munching sea lions, The Daily News, posted to KBC 3/30/07. "Hastings said taxpayers pay millions of dollars a year to protect salmon while the sea lions gorge themselves on the fish." FORESTS: Judge forbids Forest Service from using 2005 planning regs, E&E News 3/30/07 Farmers to plant most corn since 1944 -- USDA, Greenwire, March 30, 2007Whitsett&Garrard Town Hall Klamath Falls 3/30/07 North Coast Harvest Options Shrink For Chinook, Better For South, NW Fishletter, posted 3/20/07. "The improved outlook for Klamath River chinook in 2007 should boost fishing opportunities significantly off the southern Oregon and northern California coasts. Managers have estimated the Klamath chinook age-4 component at the lowest level on record, around 26,000 fish, but the age-3 component, is estimated at the highest level on record--515,400 fish. Most spawners are age-4's." (KBC NOTE: We hear continually by the enviros and tribes that the Klamath salmon will become extinct unless the 4 Klamath Dams get removed. What's with this 'highest level on record' forecast?")
Species Protections Should Be Based On Current, Not Historic
Range,Memo Says, DOI, posted to KBC 3/30/07 Rare Salamanders Will Be Considered For Endangered Species Act Protection, according to Center for Biological Diversity: "In response to a 2004 petition and two lawsuits brought by conservation groups, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determined today that the Siskiyou Mountains and Scott Bar salamanders may warrant protection as threatened or endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. The agency initiated a 12-month review of their status, posted" 3/30/07 Appeals court upholds water for fish before farms, Oregonian 3/28/07. "A federal appeals court Wednesday upheld a ruling forcing a federal irrigation project to boost flows in the Klamath River to help threatened salmon even if it means shutting off water to farms." More salmon, longer seasons could be on tap for area anglers, The Register-Guard, posted March 28, 2007 Report pushes for dam removal, H&N 3/28/07 The Klamath Riverkeeper is filing a lawsuit today in the U.S. District Court in San Francisco against Warren Buffett's PacifiCorp for polluting the Klamath River, Indy Bay posted 3/28/07. spokesperson "Craig Tucker received his B.S. in biochemistry from Clemson University in 1993. He went on to get a Ph.D. in biochemistry from Vanderbilt University in 1999. After graduate school he gave up laboratory science for a career as an environmental and social justice activist. In 2000 Craig joined Green Corps, the field school for environmental organizing. While in Green Corp, Craig learned fundamental grassroots organizing skills. After Green Corps he worked as Outreach Director at Friends of the River, developing grassroots campaigns on a variety of California water issues. Each campaign was based on the connection between sustainable environmental policy and social justice. Currently Craig is the Campaign Coordinator for the Karuk Tribe's 'Bring the Salmon Home' campaign. The goal: removal of four dams on the Klamath River which would represent the largest dam removal project in history." Federal suit filed against California hatchery, MLive.com, posted to KBC 3/28/07. "Klamath Riverkeeper, part of an environmental alliance headed by Robert Kennedy Jr., filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Sacramento, alleging that discharges from the hatchery violated the Clean Water Act. At issue is the hatchery at the Iron Gate Dam located on the Klamath River near the Oregon border." Commodity Commissions looking for applicants, OFS 3/28/07 "The Oregon Department of Agriculture is seeking applicants to serve on the states 28 agricultural commodity commissions." Endangered Species Act changes in the works; Officials are considering changing enforcement of the 1973 law to protect animals, a leaked draft reveals, LA Times, FOLLOWED BY: Endangered species reform may be imminent, Western Round Table 3/28/07 Memorial Contributions can be made to: The Russ Brooks Family Fund; c/o Pacific Legal Foundation; 3900 Lennane Drive, Suite 200; Sacramento, CA 95834
The California Energy Commission said today that removing
four PacifiCorp hydroelectric dams from the Klamath
River would be more beneficial than originally projected,
Indy Bay 3/27/07 International Day of Action for Rivers, March 2007. This event has passed, however the feature film with Klamath Water Users and Karuks will be in Klamath this Tuesday at Ross Ragland. Do come...it has been shown up and down the West Coast. HERE for info on Tuesday's showing. You probably did not see this on tv, but HERE is a slideshow of the "Gathering of the Eagles" who marched last week. Take a moment. Here is their website: http://www.oldwardogs.us They support veterans and their country.
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