http://www.triplicate.com/news/story.cfm?story_no=6297
Calif. Ocean
Protection Council to hear Klamath settlement talks
October 24, 2007
by Michelle Ma, Triplicate
California Ocean Protection Council members will be in
Humboldt County this week to hear an update on Klamath
River settlement talks and discuss other issues.
Council members will take a boat tour along the Klamath
River today to learn more about the river and issues of
fish health and water quality. The council meeting will
take place Thursday in Eureka.
At Thursday's meeting, the Ocean Protection
Council—whose members include Lt. Gov. John Garamendi and
Secretary for Resources Mike Chrisman—will hear its first
full presentation on the progress of the Klamath River
settlement negotiations since they began about three years
ago.
Twenty-six parties are taking part in these
discussions, including representatives from state and
federal agencies, counties, tribes, environmental groups,
commercial fishing and the agricultural community, said
Greg Hurner, senior adviser to the director of the
Department of Fish and Game. Hurner is acting as the lead
negotiator for the Administration on the Klamath
settlement.
"I hope to provide a little perspective to the council
members on where things have been historically, the
progress of the group so far and the timing of when we're
hoping to reach a resolution," Hurner said.
These negotiations are taking place as the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission considers relicensing
PacifiCorp's dams on the Klamath River to operate for
another 30 to 50 years.
Hurner said he is bound by the confidentiality
agreement on settlement talks and can't go into details
about the negotiations at Thursday's public meeting. But
he hopes to emphasize the group's hard work and
collaboration.
Negotiation parties have met at least four days every
month, with many conference calls and smaller group
meetings in between, Hurner said.
As the process moves along, they have been meeting for
three or four days almost every other week.
"The group is working really hard right now and trying
to work out the last remaining difficult issues," he said.
The council also will discuss at Thursday's meeting a
possible commitment of $7.5 million to mapping
California's ocean waters, a key project in the council's
strategic plan, said Council Secretary Sam Schuchat.
Reach Michelle Ma at mma@triplicate.com.
If you go:
What: California Ocean Protection Council meeting
When: Thursday, Oct. 25, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: The Warfinger Building, #1 Marina Way, Eurek |