Press Release

April 2, 2012

From:

Cal-Ore Bi-State Alliance: Grassroots groups represents five counties -- Siskiyou, Modoc, Klamath, Jackson and Josephine with three sheriffs participating, including Siskiyou Jon Lopey, Modoc Mike Poindexter and Oregon’s Josephine Sheriff Gil Gilbertson.

Press Release writer: Liz Bowen

Whistleblower coming to Klamath and Siskiyou

The newly-formed Cal-Ore Bi-State Alliance is bringing independent scientist Paul. R. Houser Ph.D. to Klamath and Siskiyou Counties the first week in May.

Meetings will be held on both sides of the border with Dr. Houser, who was fired for his allegations of scientific and scholarly misconduct regarding the federal government’s environmental reports on the Klamath dams.

Dr. Houser was hired by the Bureau of Reclamation in April of 2011 to serve as the agency’s top ranked scientist and was one of the highest ranking scientists in the entire federal government. His job was to review and insure the scientific data and honesty in the Klamath dam removal project. But federal government officials did not like his conclusions and he faced internal reprisal and then employment termination.

“We are showing our support for Dr. Houser and invite the public to attend these meetings,” said Frank Tallerico, a leader of the Bi-State Alliance. “Come and listen. He has much to tell us.”

The first meeting held will be in Klamath Falls on May 6. Time is 5 p.m. at the Triad School, 2450 Summers Ln. The Yreka meeting will be on May 7^th at the Siskiyou Golden Fairgrounds Flower Building at 6:30 p.m.

Science is the issue.

Members of the Bi-State Alliance have long complained that fraudulent science is being used by government agencies to advocate the destruction of four hydro-electric dams on the Klamath River. Three of these dams are in California and the J.C. Boyle dam is on the Oregon side. But complaints about poor science have fallen on deaf ears, even at the Oct. 20, 2011 Dept. of Interior meeting that gathered public comments on the EIR/EIS of dam removal.

In February, Dr. Houser made news, locally, when he filed a “whistleblower” complaint and sent a letter to the Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors asking for support.

Dr. Houser did not know members of the Bi-State Alliance have alleged, for years, that much of the science being used to advocate dam removal is fraudulent.

“I was not aware of how contentious this was,” said Dr. Houser in a recent interview. And it never crossed his mind that he would be fired for submitting his report alleging misconduct.

“I am saddened by this process. I was doing what I was hired to do,” Dr. Houser explained. “I want science to make a difference -- to help people.”

One of Dr. Houser’s allegations is the intentional falsification motivated by DOI Secretary Ken Salazer’s 2009 public statement that the Klamath Dam removal “will not fail” indicating a pre-determined intention in favor of dam destruction. Dr. Houser further states that the Summary of Key Conclusions: Draft EIS/EIR and Related Scientific/Technical Reports “intentionally distorts and generally presents a biased view of the Klamath River dam removal benefits.”

Dr. Houser plans to appeal his termination of his Bureau position. “I have been treated wrongly by the Department of the Interior,” said Dr. Houser. He was hired to be the “integrity” advisor.

“The Bi-State Alliance will advocate for Dr. Houser,” added Tallerico. “We are heartened by his personal integrity regarding science.”

For more information, contact Frank Tallerico at 530-841-1848.