Case of Rotter Dam

I cannot understand why government and Pacific Power is bowing to the demands of a few whacked out wanna-be-Indians. All I hear on the news lately is the extreme drought California is going through. It is so bad farmers are being denied water for their crops because of fish. And here I thought humans were at the top of the food chain and fish toward the bottom! Does this tell us how we got into the financial mess we are in today? It used to be "we the people" were in charge with the politicians on the bottom but like bottom feeding fish the wheel as turned and humans again are on the bottom of the food chain and we the people are no longer a factor.

Did I get it wrong, that dams were built for several reasons, one of which was to keep water in check from run off so water would be available in times of drought? Have the dams held back serious flooding like they were meant to do? Are we in an energy crisis? Does hydroelectric energy produce power we need at no cost to the environment? Is the age of reason on the endangered species list? It appears to be so.

Why do people lose all common sense when a few whacked out individuals, high on Indian power, rattle a few gourds and wiggle their nose and presto, this county will be set back to pre-Columbus days? If this is what they want, then let them have it. The county could give them the reservation they do not now have and recognition as a tribe the federal government has not given them. Give them the reservation they want and seem to need so badly but give it with the understanding they live the way they did before Columbus.

I realize only a small number of zealots want this so it wouldn't take much to give them the means to have what they want, no welfare, no vehicles, no electricity, take away the homes they now have and let them build their Hogans or what ever brush shelter they want to live in and they can eat fish and dig roots till their hearts content. We promise to leave them strictly alone to become as spiritual as they want to be.

It was my understanding no property owners were represented at the meeting held in Yreka. Why not? Property owners are the ones to be most effected but they have never been asked how the dam removal will affect them, their animals, and property and income. My brother-in-law's property will lose its value because he owns river front property. I think he should be compensated for value lost in income, property value, and use of animals. This is a governmental taking and just compensation should be given. If not then sue the tribe and all involved in this nonsense.

Did you know the name Klamath means stinking river? This Wild and Scenic river we now have will revert back to the stinking river that gave it its name. How will the salmon survive when tens of thousands of tons of toxic sludge come rolling down the river? It's been building up for decades behind these dams and it has to go somewhere. Gravity will see to it that it will roll to the ocean and create a stinking river in its aftermath.

We should take a stand and say enough is enough. The people of Siskiyou County need to have a rebellion and say no to Sacramento and the feds. This is our county and we will defend it. History may well repeat itself and the State of Jefferson may emerge in spite of government and whacked out Indians.

John Robinson, Seiad ValleyCase of Rotter Dam