impacts of klamath river dam removal dr richard gierak 090112

Our Klamath Basin Water Crisis
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IMPACTS OF KLAMATH RIVER DAM REMOVAL

by Dr. Richard Gierak, 5814 State Highway 96, Yreka, CA. 96097

Sept. 1, 2012

Bachelors Degrees in Biology & Chemistry, Doctorate in the Healing Arts, Director of Interactive Citizens United, Director of New Frontiers Institute, Inc. Prior Participant of FERC’s FPAT (Fish passage advisory team) and HET (Hatchery evaluation team) at Iron Gate Dam, Prior Vice President of Greenhorn Action Grange, Prior California State Grange Spokesman for the Water Committee, Prior National Whip of the Property Rights Congress of America, Representative of the Grange States of California, Oregon, Washington and Idaho regarding EFH regulations. Presently Science Consultant to Siskiyou County Water Users Association.

1. Violation of the Federal Endangered Species Act

A) Killing hundreds of indigenous species by release of 20 million cubic yards of toxic sludge into the Klamath.

B) Destruction of Bird Flyways above the dams

C) Listing of Coho, which is a non-indigenous species

D) Illegal listing of threatened under the ESA only involves water and substrate concerns per the Magnusson Stevens Act and the Sustainable Fisheries Act

E) Release of a biomass quantity of Yellow Perch which will decimate Salmon spawning grounds.

F) The loss of Iron Gate Hatchery which provides over 6 million Salmon based on their present protocols which will decimate Salmon production in the Klamath Basin.

G) Loss of established premier beneficial species habitat.

2. Violation of Congressional mandates

A) Department of Commerce has authority over salt water species and in this illegal action the Department of the Interior has abused their authority.

3. Violation of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act

A) Release of 20 million cubic yards of toxic sludge will change the physical characteristics of the Klamath River.

B) California North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board TMDL requirements only have to meet the water quality at the time the Klamath River was designated in 1981under this act.

4. Violation of Cal Fire’s ability to control wild fires.

A) Removal of reservoirs will force fire helicopters to travel much greater distances to re-fill their buckets to fight forest fires placing all at risk.

5. Violation of California State Water Rights Board

A) In 1960 the State Water Rights Board approved the construction of Iron Gate Dam. , “The dam will serve for both power and flood control, thus lessening flood danger in the Klamath area“. Removal of dams will subject communities and property owners to inundating floods downriver.

B) Loss of potential beneficial fisheries water flow management and control.

6. Violation of Siskiyou County’s regional Income and Water supply

A) Dam removal will result in loss of Recreational use and regional income.

B) Disruption of the water supply to the City of Yreka.

7. Loss of irrigation water in Rogue Valley Irrigation District in Southern Oregon

A) Four Mile Lake, Howard Prarie Lake and Hyatt Lake waters, which get their water from the Klamath Basin Watershed, may no longer be available to the Rogue Valley as “environmental water” would be used in the Klamath River for Salmon.

8. Violation of the Constitution of the United States

A) Siskiyou County voters clearly stated in the 2010 election by a vote of 80% to retain the dams on the Klamath River. What happened to BY THE PEOPLE---FOR THE PEOPLE.

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