Posted on 10/12/2006 9:18:57 PM PDT by calcowgirl
California Governor Schwarzenegger and Oregon Governor Kulongoski today directed their respective state agencies to organize a Klamath Summit to be held before the year ends. The governors have joined forces and are holding the summit to resolve a multitude of complex issues related to the health of the river that impact salmon fishermen, tribes, hydroelectric power and a host of environmental and habitat concerns.
“We have the problems of water quality, water supply, listed species, energy generation, and agricultural sustainability expressed in countless ways in the Klamath Basin,” Governor Kulongoski said. “We must forge a consensus on a sustainable approach to the Klamath.”
“Both our states are recognized leaders in protecting our environment,” added Schwarzenegger. “I look forward to working with Governor Kulongoski and his team to develop a plan that will protect these valuable natural resources while balancing our needs as responsible stewards of the environment.”
The summit follows a partnership between Washington, Oregon and California that was announced on Sept. 18 during California and the World Ocean ’06 in Long Beach, Calif. the three governors signed an agreement to create a partnership that would work to protect the entire Pacific coast. Organizing and holding the summit fulfills a part of that agreement.
Last month, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued a Draft Environmental Impact Report that would allow several dams along the Klamath to be relicensed if certain environmental conditions were met. It estimated that the PacifiCorp hydroelectric project would operate at an annual loss of $27 million if fish ladders were installed. At the same time, the decision of an administrative law judge, acting in a new trial-type proceeding under the 2005 Energy Policy Act, ruled that fish ladders would have to be installed on Klamath River dams, suggesting that PacifiCorp will now have to decide between installing fish ladders or decommissioning dams.
The Governors of Oregon and California well recognize the environmental and natural resource challenges within the Klamath Basin. The summit will bring all groups with Klamath River Basin interests together, states, federal partners, fishermen, Tribes, PacifiCorp and other groups to resolve issues and return the Klamath River Basin to health.
To date, resolving Klamath issues has been a challenge because of the interconnected nature of water, energy, fishing, wildlife habitat, tribal land use and farming needs. PacifiCorp is currently seeking relicensing of its Hydro Project on the Klamath River, while many parties are calling for dam removal and river restoration. At the same time, commercial salmon catch in California and Oregon is expected to drop this year from recent averages, the state and federal lawmakers said in a recent letter to Senate appropriators.
Both Governors have been signatories to letters requesting Congressional relief for west coast commercial fisheries. And Governor Kulongoski has previously extended an invitation to federal agency heads to participate in a Klamath Summit. The joint announcement with Governor Schwarzenegger sets that plan in motion, and expands the Summit invitation focus to include members of Congress who share their concern over the lack of meaningful progress.
“We believe there is an important role for the federal government to play in crafting a long term solution to these challenges,” Governor Schwarzenegger said. “It is appropriate that the Federal agencies and Congress take an active role shaping a sustainable approach to protecting these vital resources.”
In more recent communications to Governor Kulongoski, the Secretaries of Interior and Commerce have voiced their support and commitment to resolving Klamath Basin issues, and in a Klamath summit.
To ensure that the Klamath Summit produces results, the Governors expect interested stakeholders to come prepared to present and discuss specific concepts and proposals, including possible legislative solutions. In advance of the summit, stakeholders will work to identify and prioritize issues and where possible, outline areas of agreement and disagreement, if meaningful progress is to be made.
PacifiCorp operates seven hydroelectric generating facilities along 65 miles of the Klamath River from the Link River Dam at Upper Klamath Lake to Iron Gate Dam. Recently, PacifiCorp has expressed their willingness to consider dam removal, provided that shareholder property rights and cost recovery issues are appropriately addressed.
In recent testimony before the California Public Utilities Commission, PacifiCorp noted that during the past 100 years, circumstances in the Klamath Basin have changed dramatically, impacted by Endangered Species Act requirements, Tribal Trust requirements, and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation water management policies.
According to PacifiCorp, “these and other restrictions cause PacifiCorp to operate the Klamath Hydroelectric Project more for compliance than for generation. Making matters worse, return flow from the Klamath customers is unpredictable, unmanaged, and often occurs during high-water periods. Each of these factors has negative effects on PacifiCorp’s ability to use the Klamath River to generate hydroelectric power.” The testimony continues, “The result at best; PacifiCorp must adjust generation schedules to maintain system balance, compliance with ramp rates, reservoir elevation commitments, and downstream minimum flow requirements; at worst, PacifiCorp must spill water throughout its system and incur risk management costs; and, in no event can PacifiCorp rely on flow from the Klamath Irrigation Project when it schedules generation.”
“In light of PacifiCorp’s characterization of the value, it seems only appropriate that dam removal be explored as part of the discussion and quite frankly, as part of the eventual solution to restore Klamath River health,” said Schwarzenegger.
A date for the Summit will be determined once various schedules can be worked out.
To: marsh2; Carry_Okie; farmfriend; Iconoclast2; Grampa Dave; Issaquahking; AuntB; Jeff Head; ...
"Siskiyou County is supporting efforts such as trucking or bypasses to bring the fish around Iron gate and Copco to see if they will re-establish using adaptive management techniques. This would minimize the damage to other people and the County from ripping out the dams." Geeze! I saw a fish "elevator" at the mouth of the Klamath in the 1970's while on vacation!!!
It was an ingenius contraption being used by an American Indian. He had his Ford tractor hooked to a cable which in turn was hooked to a huge net that extend clean across the river that elevated all the fish that happened to be blocked, waiting to get around the net... RIGHT UP THE BANK AND INTO HIS PICKUP TRUCK!!!
Who the heck needs fish "ladders?" Just put a big net at the base of each dam, hooked to a large crane and lift 'em over!!!
Arnold could have a great "Photo Op" busting a can of compressed envirobullshit repellant over the bow of the crane!!!
So let's see now... If we breach the dams and drain upper Klamath Lake, the endangered short nosed sucker fish ALL die and migratory waterfoul get stranded and the Klamath dries up to a trickle each September/October.
The farmers then all go to the cities and live on taxpayer money and vote for Democrats to keep the money flowing. The rafters and power companies are all left up a well known tributary without the necessary accessories and CA industry shuts down without enough affordable energy at peak periods and the $15 Billion bondage defaults...
Have I got the scenario figured out yet??? If not... Will one of you please straighten me out???
39 posted on 07/24/2004 3:55:46 PM PDT by SierraWasp (LEGALIZE TRADITIONAL AMERICAN FREEDOM!!! Oh! And legalize liberty, too! While you're at it!!!)
I presented to a group of high level CA agency folks on the mid-Klamath last week. They gave me 15 minutes to talk about impact on locals from dam removal, project funding needs for the Scott and Shasta and our cutting edge programmatic incidental take permit. I think this is the first time any of them were ever aware that there were actually people between the Upper Basin and the coast.
Here is a column I wrote for next week's local paper. Hopefully, County government, our local RCDs, SOSS, Save the Dams group and our timber folks can get a seat at the Summit table:
Three events are emerging that may shape the future of natural resources in the entire Klamath River Basin: (1) The “Stakeholder Congress” or Sustainable Watersheds Bring Sustainable Communities conference being held November 7-9 at the Holiday Inn (Hilltop Dr.) in Redding; (2) The Bureau of Reclamation’s CIP (Conservation Implementation Program) working session being held December 6-7 at the Red Lion Hotel in Medford; and (3) The California/Oregon Governor’s Summit to be held in December – either in Klamath Falls or Redding.
If you are a natural resource user, this freight train has left the station and is rapidly rolling down the tracks. If you are not on board, you’d better hustle to grab that caboose and start running toward the engine and its controls.
The “Stakeholders Congress” is a follow-up on the Chadwick sessions held throughout the Klamath to try and bring multiple interests together in “consensus” about issues and projects. This group “consensus” agenda could then be promoted for funding and policymaking from the state and federal government. The flyer says that “participants will be coming together to create visions for resolving water issues that would facilitate restoration and sustainability of the river and all the communities involved.” Sessions will include: (1) We Are One Basin; (2) Progress in the Basin, and (3) Moving Towards Sustainability. Contact: Lindsey Lyons/ Oregon State University Extension (541) 883-7131 http://extension.oregonstate.edu/klamath/watershedconference06/
The Bureau of Reclamation, as part of its mitigation for operational impact on threatened coho salmon, continues to work on the Conservation Implementation Program. “The CIP is intended to coordinate conservation and restoration efforts throughout the Klamath River Basin and provide technical and funding resources to achieve Klamath River Basin ecosystem restoration and water management goals.” It’s four goals are to: (1) Restore the Klamath River Basin ecosystem; (2) Further fulfill tribal trust responsibilities of the Federal Government; (3) Allow continued, sustainable use of water; (4) Foster lasting partnerships between Governments and private stakeholders. A working session will be held to gain agreement on the organizational structure and 1st-year goals for implementing the CIP. http://www.usbr.gov/mp/kbao/CIP/index.html Contact: John Hoey (425) 893-6448
CA Governor Schwarzenegger and OR Governor Kulongoski have recently announced that they will hold a Summit on Klamath River issues in December. All I know is what I have read in the newspapers. According to one article, the Governors are asking “stakeholders” (such as the Stakeholder’s Congress?) to form consensus on prioritized issues and to present proposals and legislation for consideration by the state and the federal government. Invitees apparently will include Klamath irrigators, fishermen, American Indian tribes, PacifiCorp, environmental organizations and Congressional representatives. Note that County government, mid-Klamath interests and resource users are not even mentioned.
In correspondence that I have seen, the tribes and “lower Klamath River” have identified as major issues: (1) Removal of the lower four Klamath River dams; (2) Adequate in-stream flows for fish; (3) Prevention of fish parasites and disease; (4) Addressing poor water quality; and (5) Planning for future dry years. Irrigators in the Upper Klamath Basin want continued cheap electrical rates and a reliable water supply. Both of these regions have identified and articulated the issues that most impact their social and economic interests. What about the mid-Klamath?
My priorities would be:
(1) Respect for local control - the County's land/resource use planning authority, groundwater authority and local water use right adjudications;
(2) Supporting agricultural industry in the Shasta and Scott Valleys by - a) fully funding projects, studies, and monitoring identified by local Resource Conservation Districts and recently endorsed by County Resolution; b) backing the Programmatic Incidental Take Permit (ITP) and 1602 permits for the Scott and Shasta Rivers; and c) simplifying compliance with water quality regulations;
(3) Promoting and supporting a healthy wood products industry for forest-dependent communities along the Klamath and to supply local mills;
(4) Keeping dams in place, but allowing for fish-by-pass and making sure that any agreements recognize and respect the valuable private property interests of landowners around the reservoirs; and
(5) Supporting and respecting our local mining industry.
Although others have already jumped in to set the agenda to center all around fish production, the Klamath and its communities are not entirely about fish. Many other important socio-economic interests related to other natural resource uses are being severely affected by restrictions for fish.
School enrollment in Siskiyou County has declined by 25-30% since 1990 as we have lost many of our young families. Average unemployment during this period has been 12.3%. Poverty has risen 32.9% to 18.6% of the population. Median income for the county in 1999 was $29,530 – compared to the California median of $47,493. Let’s be frank and say that more fish will not fix these problems unless it is accompanied by support of all the resource uses that contribute to our local economy.
Great column and great prioity list from the highest elected official (Siskayou County Supervisor) in the government closest to the people!!! You make me proud!!!
Your analogy of a "freight train" is headed toward a "train wreck!" The two, or three Governors, will be posing and fighting for control of the locomotive and will hit the curve way too fast, crashing the whole shebang over the cliff and into the river, poisoning everything. (reminds me of the Shasta river train-spill-poisoning incident about a decade ago and Barbara Boxer screaming that the Shasta was "dead forever!")
Why don't you fax a copy of that column to Mr. Philp, chief editor of the Sacramento BEE? He needs to assign a reporter to this with his/her first contact being you to "show him/her around" this issue!!!
You are in a position that will be overlooked and overridden if you don't become the "squeaky wheel" that must be greased!!!
I wish I could say that you could count on at least "spiritual," or "virtual" support from this website, but lately I'm getting very discouraged with the response I'm seeing toward "resourse" or "rural" issues compared to what we saw between Y2K and 9-11.
The "Sage Brush Rebellion has lost three champions, Nye County Commissioner Dick Carver, NV Rancher Wayne Hage and both his wives, (the second being former Representative Helen Chenoweth-Hage) and the Jarbidge and the Klamath Bucket Brigade with it's follow-up Klamath Tea Party to keep the water flowing to the potato farmers was all up-staged by 9-11...
The "Rural Cleansing" started by the Clinton maladministration is now going to be resumed by our new GANG-GREEN Governator/Terminator and his two Liberal buddies to the north! The hand writing is ten-foot tall on the Sacramento Crapitol WALL!!!
CalTrans is funding ('scuse me; tax payers are funding) a culvert removal project on Hwy 96 near Hamburg. They're replacing two pipes with a bridge. ($1.5 million, but it'll go higher as the contractor found some rocks that were not in the original survey). The creek is to steep for Coho and probably too much for steelhead. The construction of the bridge has gone like this:
1) build temp. bypass including traffic control signals
2) install temp. culverts
3) excavate down about 20 feet
4) pour concrete scour protection, footings, etc
5) backfill excavation with boulders, progressively smaller rock ending with 'spawning' rock
6) remove temp. culverts
(here's the best part)
7) install black poly 'slip n slide' to contain the water as it disappeared into all that drain rock within a few feet
The only way the new stretch of creek will carry water is if all the voids in the placed rock are filled with fines. The only way that will happen is if the creek 'blows' outlike it did in '97 and moves tons of fines down the stream bed. In the meantime, the fish will have to settle for black plastic. At least it's not a blue tarp!
Ease up, SW. She probably thought it was People magazine. ;-)
The favorite term of the MSM that makes me cringe these days is "bipartisan."
Excellent column, marsh2. Thanks for posting.
My problem is my editor/publisher. I ran a series of columns in his paper on our volunteer fire departments. A few weeks later, I ran it in a rival paper. He punished me for two weeks - refusing to run any of my columns.
Harrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrdy har har har!!!
Don't forget the frightening "Nons!" Non-partisan... Non-governmental... Non-binding... Non-voting... Nonsense!!!
Tell him I said that punishing people like that is "kinky!" He must run a rinky, dinky rag to pull a stunt on someone a good and gifted as the star Siskayou County Board of Supervisors member!!! Are you chairing the board this year?
Yes - till the end of December.
Congratulations!!! That was just a "shot in the dark" on my part!!! (grin)
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