SCWUA
Siskiyou County Water Users Association Inc.
347 North Main Street
Yreka, Ca. 96097

PRESS RELEASE

SCWUA responds to KBRA extension

January 1, 2013

Relative to the announcement of the signing of the extension of the KBRA, the Siskiyou County Water Users Association is disappointed but not surprised.

We are disappointed because significant information has been provided regarding the misuse of the scientific process by the Department of Interior and the revelations of Dr. Paul Hauser, and now by the revelation of the situation in Marin County, with the oyster farm by Senator Diane Feinstein and Dr. Corey Goodman. Apparently, Secretary Salazar has clearly indicated that he can make decisions without being confused by good science. It is clear that the decision to try to remove four perfectly good and productive dams is politically motivated and has nothing to do with the Coho salmon. The current Salmon run numbers are indicating one of the best runs ever. This fact is further illuminated by the findings of Dr. Nathan Mantua of the Farrallon Institute and the JISAO study by the University of Washington marine scientists, who have tied the volume of Salmon production to the Pacific Decadal Oscillation process. The riverine system is at the tail end of the process when it comes to returning Salmon. The DOI has indicated that any study of the impact of the ocean environment on the Coho is not within its jurisdiction and should not be considered. The recent decision by Judge Dixon of the Siskiyou County Superior court (Siskiyou Farm Bureau vs CDFG) raises questions concerning the Department of Fish and Game motives and ability to manipulate the process for their own ends. They are one of the main signatories to the KBRA.

We are not surprised that the signatories to the KBRA have decided to extend the time frame. It is to be noted that significant pressure was brought to bear on those ranchers and farmers who decided to sign up or face potential impact to their power and irrigation water availability, in the event that the project went ahead without their being a party to it. The Tribes and NGO’s, in our opinion, obviously are not ready to give up on the opportunity to raid the public treasury. The significance of the hundreds of millions of dollars which are involved in the KBRA cannot be under estimated.

In the end, we believe that the right decision will be made, leaving the dams in place producing blue power for our region and the issues confronting the Salmon at sea and as they enter the riverine system will be resolved.

Richard Marshall

President,

Siskiyou County Water Users Assoc.