no on G remember spotted owl klamath dams richard gierak 102610

Our Klamath Basin Water Crisis
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http://www.siskiyoudaily.com/opinions/letters_to_the_editor/x806166375/No-on-G-Remember-the-spotted-owl

No on G: Remember the spotted owl

By Dr. Richard A. Gierak, Siskiyou Daily News Opinion October 25, 2010

Klamath River — A “no vote” assures cheap electrical power... to over 70,000 homes and eliminates the cost of replacing green power of hydroelectric with fossil fuel power that we, the rate payers, will have to pay for. Hydro electric power cost 1.48 ct. per kilo versus fossil fuel of 7.15 ct. per kilo .

A ‘no vote” assures flood protection down river
... and protects infrastructure such as roads, bridges, private property and other structures. The dam serves for both power and flood control, thus lessening flood danger in the Klamath Area.

A “no vote” will sustain salmon fisheries
In 1950 the total salmon catch was 149,000 metric tons and in 2007 403,000 metric tons. The warming of the Pacific Ocean has driven salmon north into Alaska. Dam and hatchery removal will seriously affect future salmon runs.

A “no vote” will save Yreka’s water supply
... and multiple communities and wells of private property owners along the river.

A “no vote” will sustain lake fisheries,
... recreation and wildlife habitat, and protect an ecosystem above the dams that will be decimated by the introduction of bacteria, viruses and parasites that salmon carry.

A “no vote” will save jobs and businesses
... throughout the county and along the river. It will also save County Tax Base (1 million dollars in lost tax revenue).

A “no vote” will impact indian burial grounds
... of the Shasta Nation’s burial grounds.

A “no vote” will protect the Scott and Shasta rivers’
... water for the valley irrigators that are scheduled to sustain Klamath river flows.

A “no vote” will protect our wildlife down river of dams
... as the release of toxic sludge from behind dams will decimate flora and fauna.

Remember the spotted owl. Now it’s the salmon impacting all of us.

Siskiyou County resident Dr. Richard Gierak lives down river.