Archive 45 - February 2006
also  see main archive page

Dave Sabo, by Dan Keppen 2/27/06.
Bye Dave! Being thrown in between the Cowboys and Indians and enviros and government agencies, trying to please all, certainly was a tough spot. May God guide you to peaceful waters. KBC
PRESS RELEASE: Klamath Project’s Sabo Moving to Upper Colorado Region, Bureau of Reclamation 2/21/06

On short notice, trollers react to likely salmon season limits, The World Link, posted to KBC 2/26/06.
HERE for Fishermen Page

$393 Million Spent to Save Pacific Salmon, LA Times, 2/26/06
HERE for more on money spent on Endangered Species Act.

Crowd rebounds for Czech festival Dancing, sausages and Bohemian beer celebrate immigrants who settled in the Klamath Basin, H&N 2/26/06 "A band of about 60 settlers was drawn by a colonization project sponsored by a Bohemian agricultural magazine, Hodspoda. They named their settlement Malin after a Czech city that suggested 'wonderful country, a paradise where crops never fail,' according to an account by the Klamath County Historical Society."

Siskiyou Annual Farm Bureau annual dinner 2/25

KWUA Statement on California Mitigation Agreement, 2/24/06, by Greg Addington, KWUA Executive Director, "In no way has KWUA given up the fight on our power rates or on the legality and rationale of the Klamath River Basin Compact."
Pacific Power: Transition Rates for Klamath Water Users Association Customers, dated 1/30/06, Public Notification to Customers in Pacific Power's California Service Territory, printed on page 5 of a 6-page local paper Lost River Star February 22, 2006, by Pacific Power. Notice includes web address for comments and rate-hike schedule.
Power Page go HERE
KWUA website, go HERE.
FERC order: "To this end, we are issuing notice of our intent to set the annual Government dam use charges for Klamath Project No. 2082 at the graduated fixed rates set forth at 18 C.F.R. § 11.3(b), effective upon expiration of the 1956 Contract (i.e., April 17, 2006). Interested persons will be afforded 30 days from the issuance date of this order to file comments."

2005 Tulelake Irrigation District Crop Report: yield, production and value. Lands served by the district, 2/24/06

Farm numbers down, sizes up, Capital Press, posted to KBC 2/24/06

OREGON: PacifiCorp seeks 13 percent rate increase, 2/24/06. (Perhaps taking out the hydropower dams on the Oregon Rivers will be a solution? KBC)

Top Bush Environmental Advisor to Speak to Family Farm Alliance Conference Next Week, FFA 2/24/06

Tribes, farmers say they understand each other, Capital Press 2/24/06  Said Tucker (Karuk Tribe): “We’re just finding ways to scratch each other’s back.” “Eventually,” said Kandra, President KWUA, “we hope this will lead to substantial discussions on conflicts.”

Nature Conservancy partners with feds for Klamath wetlands, Capital Press 2/24/06
Lands taken out of irrigated agricultural uses and converted to wetlands as the primary usage above Upper Klamath Lake, "Wetlands use over 2ce as much water as ag lands."

National Academy begins K2 review Did NOAA Official threaten NAS group or just warn them? by Pat Ratliff, Klamath Courier staff writer 2/23/06
More on Dr. Hardy Studies, go HERE.

More traps to be set in basin for pest, H&N 2/23/06 (for potato tuberworm)

PFUSA Grange announces an upcoming conference focusing on eminent domain abuse and conservation easements, PFUSA posted to KBC 2/23/06

Following is the conclusion from the report of the Supreme Court’s decision: Oregon Article 37, posted to KBC 2/23/06

People Take the Initiative to Limit Eminent Domain, posted to KBC 2/23/06

CSP watershed meetings get under way this week, H&N 2/23/06

The National Research Council meeting was in Sacramento on 2/13.  They are going to peer review Reclamation’s NFS and then Hardy II with NFS plugged in.  They will be meeting in Klamath Falls on May 2 and July 25. 

I want to go back, Klamath Courier Reporter 2/22/06. Tulelake Fish and Wildlife Refuge story.

Letter of response by Rudy Hiley, Tulelake, 2/22/06, followed by Modern History Sourcebook: Nikita Krushchev: Address to the UN General Assembly, Sept. 23 1960 More on the BIG PICTURE page.

PRESS RELEASE: Pombo, Cardoza: Keystone Center Reaffirms Need to Update and Modernize the ESA, Group Makes Recommendations Similar to House-Passed TESRA posted to KBC 2/22/06

Owl Be Damned, Wall St Journal posted to KBC 2/22/06

PRESS RELEASE: Klamath Project’s Sabo Moving to Upper Colorado Region, Bureau of Reclamation 2/21/06

Drug Traffickers Find Haven in Shadows of Indian Country, Tribal Underworld, posted to KBC 2/20/06

Tulelake students get FFA farm growing by Jessica Hemphill, Tulelake, posted to KBC 2/19/06

KLAMATH: Eagle Myths from Jim Beers, Retired Wildlife Biologist, Refuge Manager, Special Agent US Fish and Wildlife Service, followed by A winter sky alive with bald eagles, Oregonian letter  2/19/06

Feds give Klamath settlement talks time, Times-Standard, posted to KBC 2/19/06. "Federal energy regulators gave more time to agencies, tribes, fishermen, farmers, environmentalists and a power company to resolve issues surrounding dams on the Klamath River, a sign that a settlement could be close. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Friday agreed to give the groups until March 29 to file comments and recommendations."

Snow levels at 143 percent, Pioneer Press, posted to KBC 2/19/06. (Although there were floods on the Klamath this year, 143% snow, extremely above average precipitation, the Dept of Interior mandatory water bank demands 100,000 acre feet, or 1/4 of our stored irrigation water this year from Klamath farmers. HERE for waterbank page. KBC)

Playing God And Stealing Land, posted to KBC 2/19/06, American Daily. "The ESA was used to bludgeon the farmers in Klamath Falls, Oregon..."

NEWS RELEASE: FWS road closure, posted to KBC 2/18/06

Klamath irrigators, tribes engage in productive dialogue, Capital Press, posted to KBC 2/18/06. "The Irrigators share the Tribes’ goals of increased fish population and understand that it is in everyone’s interest to improve habitat and restore historical habitats." "Greg Addington is executive director of the Klamath Water Users Association. Howard McConnell is chairman of the Yurok Tribe, and Leaf Hillman is vice chairman of the Karuk Tribe."

Klamath tribes, farmers pledge collaboration, Times Standard, posted to KBC 2/18/06

Ag Safety Workshop posted to KBC 2/18/06

Wolf protection is coming soon to Oregon; here's a story from Idaho: Vicious predators devastate herds and must be removed from Idaho, posted to KBC 2/16/05

***"National Animal Identification System", including home surveillance, every animal ID forms; collection of information. "Indeed, beyond the expense, the specter of these government agents entering onto citizens' property to find  possible unregistered homes and animals brings to mind the actions of a frightening police state, not the actions of a government agency whose mission should be to assist rural people, not to hunt them down." 2/15/06 

McClosky's ESA vs. Pombo's TESRA: the facts speak for themselves, Randall, posted to KBC 2/15/06

Early California: A Killing Field -- Research Shatters Utopian Myth, Finds Indians Decimated Birds, University of Utah 2/13/06

Tulelake Irrigation District well water levels, 2/13/06

NEWS RELEASE: Bush Administration asks Congress to Fully Fund the Wetland Reserve Program, Ducks Unlimited Great Lakes/Atlantic Regional Office 2/10/06 "250,000 acres for USDA’s #1 Wetlands Program"

Annual dinner for Farm Bureau is Feb. 25, Pioneer Press, posted to KBC 2/12/06

(Klamath) Tribal members lack information, Klamath Courier, posted to KBC  2/12/06

Water quality questioned on Klamath, Can the Expectations be attained, Pioneer Press, posted to KBC 2/12/06

MEDICINE LAKE: Geothermal projects move forward, Pioneer Press, posted to KBC 2/12/06 "Officials have stated that the company is committed to producing the clean, efficient, cost-competitive electricity for its customers. Calpine generates over 26,000 megawatts of electricity -- enough to meet the needs of more than 26 million households in a state with 30 million residents".

NOAA, state seek to maintain funding for coastal coho despite non-re-listing, posted to KBC 2/10/06

New leaders for SOSS, Pioneer Press, posted to KBC 2/12/06

Dredge Miners granted intervention status in litigation between Karuks and DFG, Miners 2/12/06. See Miner Page

Beef industry backs ID system, 700 tons of beef goes to Japan, Pioneer Press, posted to KBC 2/12/06

According to the NRCS, Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Klamath Basin snowpack in 158 percent of normal.

Bureau: Project water bank succeeding, H&N 2/11/06. ( After 2001 water shutoff, the Bureau of Reclamation told Project Irrigators they must participate in the "water bank" which would downsize the Project by 1/4, or else the Klamath Project would be shut down. Is that voluntary? KBC). More on Water Bank Page.

* PRESS RELEASE: Reclamation's Mid-Pacific Region  regarding Conservation Implementation Program Draft 3. February 9, 2006

* Bureau of Reclamation's Klamath River Basin Conservation Implementation Program Draft 3, February 9, 2006, pdf file

Klamath Lake Levels and River Flows posted to KBC 2/9/06

Fisheries Scientist David Vogel statement on the 2002 Klamath fish die-off directed to Fish and Game's , March 11, 2003, rerun on KBC 2/9/06

Vogel addresses flawed Hardy Flows in Salmon Rearing Habitats in the Main Stem Klamath River.  Key concerns outlined in the report: GO HERE for summary and report. 12/12/03, rerun on KBC 2/9/06

Judge To Greens: Show Me The Green, High Country News, posted to KBC 2/9/06. More on our forests, go HERE.

They did not restore the Klamath salmon in 20 years; And now they want more money to manage fish and farms, Klamath Courier 2/8/06 "They misspent the $21 million dollars, they ruined the fisheries, and they blamed the Klamath irrigators for lack of fish. And now the group wants to be reauthorized and receive more funds," Moore said."

PRESS RELEASE: Udall Requests Hearing in House Forestry Panel on Recently Published Study; Walden Responds Affirmatively; Forests & Forest Health Subcommittee to hold hearing on recent OSU research, 2/8/06

PRESS RELEASE: Key Challenges for Science Identified by the USGS to Support Western Water Management, USGS 2/8/06
USGS report: Water availability for the Western United States; key scientific challenges, 2/8/06 pdf file

Budget cuts timber payments, H&N 2/7/06

PRESS RELEASE: President seeks more than $2 billion for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2007 budget, posted to KBC 2/7/06 "This total includes a requested increase of $2.0 million for restoration work in the Klamath Basin"

PRESS RELEASE: Reclamation's FY 2007 budget request is $971.6 million, posted to KBC 2/7/06 "$24.8 million for the Klamath Project to increase studies and initiatives related to improving water supplies to meet irrigation, wildlife refuges, and Tribal trust obligations; continue a water bank; and coordinate Reclamation's Conservation Implementation Program"

Pacific Power invited Klamath Irrigators to talk about power issues  HERE for report on meeting.4/14/04. THE VOICE OF THE IRRIGATORS TO PACIFIC POWER.
Tule Lake was up to 30 feet deep lake.	"Mr A said, "I always thought we (irrigators and the power company) were partners.  This basin was cut in half, storing water on the other half.  Power companies begged for our excess water.  They run on our excess.  I'd hope in 2006 we are still partners.  If they aren't, we are done." Here for Power Page

Karuk Tribe does not have a federally-recognized or protected fishing right on the Klamath River. This conclusion was confirmed by the Associate Solicitor for Indian Affairs in a 1994 memorandum. Posted to KBC 2/6/06

Klamath electric rates are down to the wire, Capital Press, posted to KBC 2/6/06.

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Task Force from Family Farm Alliance, posted to KBC 2/6/06

A Bad Law Must Be Repealed, Tom DeWeese, posted to KBC 2/6/06

A history of recent and current attacks on suction dredge mining in Oregon, by Tom Kitchar – President, Waldo Mining District, posted to KBC 2/6/06. HERE for MINING PAGE.

"They misspent $20 million dollars", Coos County Commissioner weighs in on fisheries management and agriculture,  Klamath Courier, posted to KBC 2/6/06.

Fall salmon could reach record low on Salmon River, Capital Press 2/2/06.

Paying for water, H&N 2/6/06 “By damming the Upper Klamath River they've been able to generate power,” he said. “If it were a free-flowing river, there would have been times they wouldn't have had any water at all. The Project has made it work.”

California Farm Bureau Friday Review, posted to KBC 2/6/06.("Today's Friday Revew discusses the Governor’s water supply and flood protection bond proposal and AB 674.")

Falling supply means more demand in Klamath Basin, Capital Press, posted to KBC 2/6/06

 Water bank deadline Feb. 16, H&N posted to KBC 2/6/06. HERE for more on waterbank

Brief Klamath Basin water update:
    Klamath Lake Levels and River Flows posted 2/2/06, go HERE. Go to this link and look at the difference between 2005 and 2006 flows. If the Bureau of Reclamation had developed storage or put storage study on fast forward, these millions of gallons of surplus water could have been saved for a dry summer day.
    The perception is that, with the 50% higher snowpack this year the farmers will get enough water to irrigate.  Thanks to the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Department of Justice who hired Dr Hardy to create science for an opinion to eliminate Klamath Basin irrigators, our Biological Opinion allows irrigators less water on high water years. The Bureau is already soliciting irrigators to fallow fertile farmland and continue to pump water from our dwindling aquifer to meet the Biological Opinion, while the Klamath River and tributaries flood. KBC

Nature, Not Man, is Responsible for West Coast Salmon Decline, John Carlisle study, posted to KBC 2/2/06, A Publication of the National Center for Public Policy Research. "The immense influence of the oceanic cycle on salmon should give politicians and bureaucrats considerable pause before implementing costly policies that penalize people. Even if this natural cycle was not the culprit, the failure of past attempts to maintain or increase salmon populations suggest that a regulatory approach is not advisable."

Comment period extended for cougar management plan, Oregon Dept of Fish and Wildlife, posted to KBC 2/2/06

Wolves may drop off endangered list (in Rockies) posted to KBC 2/2/06.