Klamath Basin Water Crisis
Upholding Americans' rights to grow food,
own property, and caretake our wildlife and natural resources.

Water Quality and WOTUS/Waters of the United States

USGS Klamath Lake water quality and sucker distribution updates.

Bureau of Reclamation Hydrology database of the Klamath Project.

State Water Quality Control Board website on Klamath TMDL's: http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/rwqcb1/programs/tmdl/klamath/klamath.html

State Water Quality Control Board on blue-green algae: http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/bluegreenalgae/index.html

North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board regarding TMDL Implementation Policy Statement for Sediment Impaired Receiving Waters in the North Coast Region: http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/rwqcb1/programs/basinplan/tipfsiw.html

Power Point Presentation: Nutrient loading in the Klamath Basin: Agriculture and Natural Sources, Special Report 1023, , by K.A. Rykbost and B.A. Charlton, Oregon State University/Klamath Experiment Station. Posted 1/10/07

Strategy to form the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement: Cal/EPA Environmental Justice Action Plan May 18, 2005. Lead Agency: State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB)

Nutrient Loading of Surface Waters in the Upper Klamath Basin: Agricultural and Natural Sources, by Dr. Ken Rykbost, Superintendent Professor, and B.A. Charlton, Faculty Research Assistant, Klamath Experiment Station, Klamath Falls, Oregon October 2006

Historical information on Klamath Watershed Hydrology and water quality in the Upper Klamath Basin Presented to the National Research Council Committee on Hydrology, Ecology and Fishes in the Klamath River Basin by Klamath Water Users Association, posted to KBC 10/13/06

Solution save Klamath Dams: To the attention of Mr. Craig Tucker, fellow (anti-dam)campaigners and Klamath Water Users, from Sean McKinney, Australia, 7/4/07.

Farming practices and water quality in the Upper Klamath Basin, by TID Manager Earl Donosky and UC Davis Agronomist Steven Kaffka, Final Report to the Ca. State Water Resources Control Board (4/16/02) posted to KBC 9/11/06

Algae:
California Department of Public Health:
http://www.dhs.ca.gov/ps/ddwem/bluegreenalgae/index.htm
State Water Resources Control Board:
http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/bluegreenalgae/index.html
National Center for Disease Control:
http://www.cdc.gov/hab/cyanobacteria/facts.htm

North Coast Regional Water Board: Klamath Water Quality Report Card: released October 2016

EPA

LETTERS, ARTICLES, TESTIMONY

Speak up about River Democracy Act by Matt McElligott Oregon Cattlemen’s Association 1/26/22. "...River Democracy Act that Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley are pushing...why are some of the designated streams not streams at all, but dry washes? Why are the stream buffers increased from a quarter a mile to half a mile? The act has pages of coordinates of the streams, rivers, and dry gulches to be protected, but not one map...This act talks a lot about fire resiliency, but supplies no details as to how locking up 3.1 million acres of federal land will reduce threat of fire to land, lumber and lives. What will the long-term economic effect of this bill have on rural Oregon?..Wyden’s bill has a $30 million price tag...every year — forever.,,"

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall
Uncertainty over latest WOTUS regs may require Supreme Court to sort out issue, Farm Bureau speakers say, Capital Press 1/12/22. "Potentially, the regulation of ephemeral waters would apply to ditches and other drainage areas, as well as low spots that collect water on fields, she said."

Agriculture seeks clarity in revisions to U.S. water rules, CFBF Ag Alert 1/12/22
"The public comment period is scheduled to close Feb. 7." "Groundwater should continue to be excluded from the text of the rule and farm ditches, canals, ponds and similar features should continue to be excluded from the definition of WOTUS."

Court strikes down Navigable Waters Protection Rule, Capital Press 9/3/21. "...American Farm Bureau Federation said it is “extremely” disappointed in the ruling..."

Court upholds Trump water rule, WOTUS, Capital Press 7/21/21.

25 Years ago: Converting 3000 acres Tulana Farms to wetland to improve UK water quality, H&N May 1, 2021 This week in Klamath Basin History. "...Mark Stern, project coordinator for the Nature Conservancy, said a general agreement has been reached for the purchase of Tulana Farms, a 4700-acre tract at the mouth of the Williamson River. Most of the land would be flooded..." KBC NOTE: 97,160 acres of agricultural land has been converted into wetlands from ag as primary water usage through 2006 above Klamath Lake. Wetlands use nearly 2ce as much water as ag lands.

Supreme Court scales back scope of groundwater pollution ruling, Capital Press 4/29/2020.

The Executive Director of the California State Water Resources Control Board issued a water quality certification for the Lower Klamath Project License Surrender and certified the Final Environmental Impact Report for the Lower Klamath Project License Surrender, posted 4/14/2020

State Water Board Issues Key Documents That Further Efforts to Remove Klamath River Dams 4/7/2020

Farmers welcome new federal rule on water quality WOTUS, CFBF 1/29/2020. "...The new rule also describes what is not subject to federal control, such as features that only contain water due to rainfall; groundwater; many ditches; prior converted cropland; farm and stock watering ponds; and waste treatment systems..."

EPA News Release: More Widespread Support for EPA and Army's Navigable Waters Protection Rule – A New Definition of WOTUS, 1/24/2020
"Congressman Doug LaMalfa (CA-01): "The Obama Administration’s ill-advised attempt to expand the WOTUS definition left a major burden on private landowners and farmers. I commend President Trump for empowering state and local governments to protect water resources by establishing the Navigable Waters Protection Rule. This is a common-sense change that gives landowners the flexibility to maintain their own land without overreaching federal input."
"House Committee on Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Greg Walden (OR-02): "For years, farmers and ranchers across Oregon have expressed their concerns to me about the heavy-handed Obama-era definition of WOTUS. They stressed that their intermittent stream or irrigation ditch would be subject to the burden of overreaching federal regulation. The EPA’s new definition of WOTUS will both protect our environment and our rural communities. Today’s announcement is welcome news for rural Oregon. I applaud President Trump and his administration for listening to the concerns of America’s farmers and ranchers and delivering on the promise to revise WOTUS."

Response by Siskiyou County Water Users to KRRC article in Siskiyou Daily News regarding Denial by California Water Resources for Clean Water Permit for Klamath Dam Removal 10/9/19. "...Water Quality Board which is the lead agency for the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) is stating that KRRC has not met the stringent requirements imposed to protect the environment. The Water Board therefore cannot certify the project without proper protection...Besides this issue the KRRC which was gifted more than Twenty-five Million Dollars by the California Natural Resources Agency as part of an eventual total of taxpayer dollars exceeding $250,000,000 (Bond Funds) much of which appears to have been spent in a creative and complex public relations effort, is a long ways from getting Federal Energy Resources Commission (FERC) approval. An additional $200,000,000 will come from PacifiCorp ratepayers. This shouldn’t be surprising as until 2016 the KRRC didn’t exist except as an idea hatched in a law firm in New York City..."

EPA chief finalizes repeal of WOTUS, Capital Press 9/12/19.

California State Water Resources Control Board denies water quality certification to KRRC, Klamath dam removal group 9/3/19.

Farm Bureau testifies in favor of new water rule, California Farm Bureau Federation Ag Alert 6/19/19.

Federal judge rules against WOTUS, Capital Press 5/31/19

Klamath Dams, water quality, temperature and 20 million yards of toxic sediment, by engineer Don Mausshardt for H&N 4/2/19. "...In the late 1990s and early 2000, environmental organizations have taken several thousand of acres of farmland adjacent to the upper end of Klamath Lake and turned them in to marshlands. This can also be contributing to the warming of the waters in the Lake...Could the data presented show that the creation of new marshlands has had just the opposite effect and is now really detrimental to the sucker fish?...the real question of the 20 million cubic yards of “toxic” sediment behind the dams as reported in the Herald and News. There was no explanation offered by the representative on how that would be managed...the silence was deafening..."

Dam removal a far cry from a done deal, by The Siskiyou County Natural Resources Department for H&N, posted to KBC 3/28/19. “Dam removal on the Klamath River is a natural-resource-management decision that PacifiCorp, as a regulated utility, is unwilling to undertake because of the substantial risks and uncertain benefits,” said PacifiCorp in comments to the California State Water Resources Control Board (Water Board) on Feb. 26...One major concern is whether KRRC will be able to afford the cost of dam removal, or that it will truly shoulder the significant liabilities facing PacifiCorp and its customers if the dams come out. Not only do the dams provide flood control, they also hold at least 20 million cubic yards of polluted settlement behind them..."

DEQ offering free well water testing in Klamath Basin, H&N 3/12/19

Klamath lake system and water quality, by Werner F. Hoyt, P.E., Lake Shastina, California, October 8, 2018.
Comments to the Klamath Facilities Removal, Public Draft, EIS/EIR by Werner F Hoyt, Mechanical/Marine Engineer, pdf 12/30/11. HERE for Word Document. . "...The basic premise of the removal is the requirement is to restore upper basin as salmon and steelhead habitat is a predetermination of the KRBA. Evidence not presented in the EIS/EIR is that there was not habitat above Keno due to the reef at Keno. In absence of the Keno Dam the natural reef would prevent any migration further into the Klamath basin. Coho were introduced in 1895 by DFG...."

(Public Comment) meeting on J.C. Boyle Dam removal Tuesday at OIT, H&N 6/10/18. "Written comments are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, July 6" * Response by Senator Dennis Linthicum

Water quality: State issues JC Boyle removal draft certification. Public hearings June 12 at OIT 5/30/18. "Klamath River Renewal Corporation (KRRC) submitted its application to the DEQ in September 2016 for water quality certification..." Who is the KRRC?

*** PUBLIC COMMENT: Klamath Dam Removal ODEQ Meeting Notice for June 12th, and Response by Senator Dennis Linthicum, Oregon District 28 5/28/18."...There is estimated to be in excess of 20 million cubic yards of accumulated sediment behind these structures...equivalent of 2 million ten-yard dump truck loads of silt, sediment and sludge which should be removed. Is ODEQ willing to dump that into the river system? ...if your company owned 100 dump trucks it would take 20,000 round-trip excursions to remove and discharge that much debris somewhere on our pristine landscape...there won’t be any reservoirs available for flushing-flows or regulating the volume of dilution flows and the result will be degraded river conditions..."

Tule Lake Basin Advisory Group Membership for North Coast Regional Water Board Program for Discharges of Waste Associated with Agricultural Lands in the Tule Lake Basin. (quote from Klamath Riverkeeper's website in 2010: "Our successful lawsuits, nonstop policy advocacy, and targeted grassroots pressure forced PacifiCorp to sign a stakeholder agreement to un-dam and restore the Klamath River in 2010.

18, California Farm Bureau Federation AgAlert. "The 2015 WOTUS rule developed by the Obama administration will not be applicable for the next two years, while we work through the process of providing long-term regulatory certainty across all 50 states about what waters are subject to federal regulation."

PUBLIC COMMENT: PacifiCorp - Iron Gate Dam Spillway Dewatering Project; Public Notice for Water Quality Certification and/or Waste Discharge Requirements (Dredge/Fill Projects). KBC News Question: Why is Iron Gate chosen for inspection? Are all California dams being dewatered and inspected? Is there a suspected problem with this particular dam? 9/8/17

EPA Disregard for "WOTUS" Prior Converted Cropland Exclusion Kills Ag Jobs and Contributes to National Security Risk, Canada Free Press by Laurence Kogan, 4/29/17

US Food Security and Farmers’ Livelihoods at Stake in “Waters of the US” Rule Rewrite, WLF by Lawrence A. Kogan, 4/20/17.

Siskiyou County Water Users Association letter to State Water Resources Control Board 2/1/17. Comments are due today Feb 1 regarding Klamath River dam destruction and water quality. http://klamathbasincrisis.org/waterquality/waterboards/notices/klamathnop20161222_dammeetings.pdf

Rescheduled! Water Board scoping meeting: Jan. 26, 5-7pm Yreka, Ca.
Water Board scoping meeting for Klamath River Dam destruction in Yreka.. NO meetings are planned in Klamath Falls area. Comments Due 2/1/17

* State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) has rescheduled the January 10, 2017 public scoping meeting in Yreka, California to January 26, 2017.

CANCELLED and rescheduled for January 26*** Jan. 10, 5-7pm Yreka, Ca. Water Board scoping meeting for Klamath River Dam destruction. NO meetings are planned in Klamath Falls area. "The KRRC is proposing to remove sufficient portions of the LKP to create a free flowing Klamath River and provide for volitional fish passage through the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license surrender process. The EIR will evaluate potential impacts of the LKP to water quality and other resources within California as compared to the environmental baseline, and will also evaluate a range of alternatives...."
State Water board email received by KBC 1/3/17 with links and info: "the State Water Board released a Notice of Preparation and Scoping Meetings for an Environmental Impact Report for the Lower Klamath Project’s License Surrender (NOP). State Water Board staff will hold scoping meetings to solicit comments from trustee agencies, responsible agencies, and other interested persons in January 2017. The meetings dates and locations can be found in the NOP. Comments in response to the NOP are due by 5:00 pm on February 1, 2017."

Stateline Compost Comments Due Aug. 2

Compost project gets airing: pushback, some support, H&N 7/30/16. KBC NOTE: This article twists the facts a bit. It says "The DEQ has also evaluated the site for risks to ground water, surface water and odors, finding low to potential risks for the site." The DEQ webpage, http://www.oregon.gov/deq/pub/061016stateline.pdf, says, ""...Type 3 feedstocks include dead animals, meat and source-separated mixed food waste and industrially produced non-vegetative food waste. They also include other materials the department determines pose a low level of risk from hazardous substances and a higher level of risk from physical contaminants and human pathogens compared to type 1 and 2 feedstocks. Surface water risk screening - poses potential risk: ...the proximity of this site to irrigation drainage waters and the potential for this water to reach the property, or for any uncontaminated runoff from this property to reach drainage waters elevates the potential risk level for surface water. ...Odor risk screening- poses potential risk...". KBC NOTE continued: There were nearly 40 attendees and less than a handful supported the site at this location.

* Date for public hearing on Stateline Compost set July 28, Comment Period Extended, H&N 6/25/16. "Stateline Compost anticipates processing 30,000 tons of feedstock from agricultural, municipal and industrial sources..." (on Lower Klamath)
*Past info regarding compost site on Lower Klamath: Proposed Solid Waste Permit for Stateline Compost.
It was also in Herald and News June 9
   * “It is anticipated that up to 30,000 tons per year of feedstock will be processed at the facility. This total includes the combined volume of type 1, 2 and 3 feedstocks.
   * Surface water risk screening (poses potential risk)
   * Groundwater screening (low risk)
   * Odor risk screening (poses potential risk)"
Facility would be 1/4 mile from California border by highway 97.
This is within 4 or 5 miles of Strait's Drain, where water goes toward the Klamath River

Judge rules Obama administration water rule should be halted, Yahoo News 8/27/15

Toxic algae levels still increasing, H&N 8/25/15. “We haven’t had any reports (of wildlife die-offs) specific to Upper Klamath Lake this year,”...

New EPA rule muddies the water. With a pen stroke, it pushes aside ‘navigable water’ limitations, by Oregon U.S. Rep Greg Walden, 6/2/15

* Calif. State water Board comment period Dec. 21, 2014 of proposed amendment to water quality control policy for Clean Water Act.

* North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board staff is looking for public comments for the Basin Plan by January 9, 2015 This plan will regulate and fee your water discharge.

Public Comment Period Open for Waters of the U.S. Proposed Rule - Comments due 11/14/14

* 7/21/14 comments due Waters of the U.S. Under the Clean Water Act
* EPA set to explain water rule that has U.S. farmers riled. The American Farm Bureau Federation has come out against the proposed rule, H&N, posted to KBC 7/16/14

Proposed Rule Issued April 21, 2014 US Navigable Waters by Elaine Willman 7/17/14 Elaine Willman bio

"Watch over the legitimacy, and the truthfulness, of what we call science," by Oregon Senator Doug Whitsett, posted to KBC 6/23/14.
* "Upper Klamath Lake TMDL is based on the false assumption that development of the Upper Basin by European man has resulted in significant increases in the phosphorous concentration that helps to cause poor water quality in Upper Klamath Lake...."

2/12/14 - California Regional Water Board to demand permits from Tule Lake irrigators: "Agricultural Lands in the Tule Lake Watershed: The Regional Water Board is committed to working with stakeholders to address concerns, identify opportunities, and uphold state policies and requirements. Regional Water Board staff have been working with a Stakeholder Advisory Group made up of representatives of a variety of stakeholder interests. The purpose of the Advisory Group is to provide input to Regional Water Board staff on permit elements and alternatives prior to the formal public review period, which will precede consideration of the permits by the Regional Water Board. A list of current Advisory Group members, Regional Water Board staff contact information, and more detail on the Program are provided on the Agricultural Lands Discharge Program web page: http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/northcoast/water_issues/programs/agricultural_lands/"

EPA and Clean Water Act; another step toward a Banana Republic, Oregon State Senator Doug Whitsett, 11/14/13

State lawmakers confer in three-day session; Gail Whitsett in favor of independent OIT board. U.S. Rep Greg Walden addresses water quality rules. Klamath Tribes chairman Don Gentry visits White House, H&N 11/22/13. “President Obama has committed to following through with obligations to tribes and to honor treaties,” Gentry said. During the conference, Gentry spoke about the Mazama Forest acquisition at an economic tribal development breakout session. He said the session was an opportunity to open a dialogue about generating support and finding administrative consultants for the 90,000-acre acquisition, which is part of the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement signed in 2010."

PUBLIC COMMENT to EPA WATER CONTROL EXPANSION EXTENDED TO NOV. 13

*** EPA wants to control ALL waters, not just "navigable". Nov. 6 PUBLIC COMMENT DEADLINE EXTENDED TO NOVEMBER 13TH. EPA Corps Jurisdiction Comments. Get your comments in by Nov. 13th or sooner.

Jackson County landowner sentenced for illegal ponds, gets 90 days for storing rain and snowmelt runoff, H&N, posted to KBC 5/4/13.

October 23rd, 9-1 at KWUA, Klamath Water Users Association building, North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board, Tulelake and Butte Valley meeting agenda. Also agenda for Scott, Shasta and Mid-Klamath on October 24th.
North Coast Ag Lands Advisory Group: Ag Lands Conditional Waiver Overview Water Quality Management Plans Info "Regulatory actions...can include (among others): water quality performance standards, discharge prohibitions, planning requirements, monitoring and reporting requirements, fees, and other procedural details..."

North Coast Stakeholder Advisory Group Meeting Schedules Tulelake/Butte Valley Oct. 23 and tour, at KWUA, 9 a.m. Scott/Shasta Oct 24 Yreka.
*Strategy to form the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement: Cal/EPA Environmental Justice Action Plan May 18, 2005. Lead Agency: State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB)

Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) – Part 1, Column by Siskiyou County Supervisor Marcia Armstrong 9/18/12. "IWRM was born out of The Dublin Statement on Water and Sustainable Development created at the International Conference on Water and the Environment held in Ireland in 1992. ..“Integrated Water Resources Management” was featured in Chapter 18 of Agenda 21.."
General information on IWRM - The Global Agenda - IWRM - a Blueprint for Control, by Siskiyou County Supervisor Marcia Armstrong

NORTH COAST REGIONAL WATER QUALITY CONTROL BOARD DRAFT Agricultural Lands Discharge Program Scope and Framework, September 2012

North Coast Stakeholder Advisory Group Meeting Schedules, posted to KBC 8/26/12.
Sonoma_Oct 15, Humboldt Oct.18, Tulelake/Butte Valley Oct. 23 and tour, Scott/Shasta Oct 24 Yreka.

Blue-green algae study on Klamath reservoirs frustrates tribes; PacifiCorps says treatment is safe, Times Standard 9/9/12.

Battered Communities, by Siskiyou County Supervisor Marcia H. Armstrong, 6/4/12. "The paper chronicles the relentless series of lawsuits by fishermen, environmentalists and tribes to reduce water available for irrigation in the upper Klamath Basin. It shows the use of the Clean Water Act Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) to render agriculture a “permitted” activity controlled and curtailed by the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board. It shows the CA Dept of Fish and Game’s efforts to take water from pre-1914 water right holders through the 1602 streambed alteration agreement, coho incidental take permit and flow studies. Then there are the repeated attempts to create a “basinwide” governance structure, such as the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement, where unelected bureaucrats, tribes and environmentalists will write restoration plans, reallocating water from farmers to the environment."

North Coast Irrigated Lands Discharge Program, Tulelake May 8, Scott and Shasta Valleys May 9

Oregon Dept of Agriculture Water Quality Program FAQ, posted to KBC 3/6/12

Judge says Oregon's river temperature standards need more scrutiny, The Oregonian 2/29/12

Mark Baird's response to Regional Water Quality Control Board staff, PienPolitics, posted to KBC 2/23/12

Supremes: EPA actions 'Outrageous.' Argument comes in dispute over agency threats to Idaho family Sacketts, WND 1/9/12. "..the penalties that the federal agency could apply to the family, if officials chose, would be $75,000 per day. That would be $37,500 per day for violating the Clean Water Act, even though that hasn’t been adjudicated, and another $37,500 daily for violating the mandatory “order.” Given the four years that have passed since the dispute erupted, the total penalties at this point would be in the range somewhere above $110 million."

Water quality issues, Siskiyou Daily 1/9/12. "The North Coast region’s advisory group will be advised by four sub-regional advisory stakeholder groups. The groups are: • Tulelake area and Butte Valley; • Scott River watershed, Shasta River watershed and the Upper Mid-Klamath Region; • Del Norte County, Humboldt County and Trinity County; and • Sonoma County, Medocino County and Marin County."

Big government hijacks Clean Water Act, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, posted to KBC 11/21/11

This week the U.S. Senate will vote on the Barrasso-Heller Amendment, blocking any funding for the Army Corps that's used to expand wetlands jurisdiction, AFP 11/15/11.OREGON -EPA signs off on new Oregon water quality rules--strictest in the nation, Oregonian 10/19/11

Pollution limits under review by DEQ, H&N 10/19/11

Oregon Set to Enact Strict, New Water Quality Standards to Satisfy EPA, Tribes, Marten Law 8/23/11. "The new standard for fish consumption is 10 times higher than the previous one, and assumes Oregonians will eat 23 eight-ounce meals of Oregon caught fish per month. That rate of consumption translates into dramatically lower permissible discharge levels for 106 pollutants...which in turn could dramatically increase treatment costs for municipal sewage treatment, agriculture, and many manufacturing industries, including paper mills at a time when those industries are already struggling."

EPA & Army Corps Seek to Expand Clean Water Act, Comments extended to 7/31/11

Scoping input on the Klamath Settlement EIS / EIR Process 7/19/10, by John Menke PhD and Jennifer Menke.

Letter to Mr. Ben Zabinsky, Water Resources Control Engineer, from scientist John W. Menke, PhD. followed by letter from Mr. Zabinsky posted to KBC 7/18/11. "Are you also aware that that board lied to a landowner in the Redding/Anderson area when he refused to join a coalition which that board threatened him with up to a $1,000 per day fine if he did not sign up to join that coalition? And are you also aware that..."

Water quality process at standstill, H&N 7/16/11

EPA & Army Corps Seek to Expand Clean Water Act, Comments extended to July 31 "...proposed draft Guidance that would expand the Agencies' Clean Water Act (CWA) regulatory authority over more land. In addition, the Agencies are seeking to implement this Guidance without formal input from farmers and ranchers, and other impacted groups." CFBF posted to KBC 6/25/11
Western Business Roundtable on Clean Water Act comment deadline July 1. (extended to July 31)
http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/guidance/wetlands/CWAwaters.cfm.

Environmental Quality Commission Approves Revised Water Quality Standards for Oregon, ODEQ, posted to KBC 6/26/11

California water rules rile farmers - Would mean radical changes for industry, Monterey County Herald, posted to KBC 6/25/11

EQC adopts Administrative Rules for Water Quality Standards in Oregon, OFS by attorney Elisabeth E Howard for Dunn Carney, posted 6/19/11

Oregon adopts strictest standard for toxic water pollution in the nation, The Oregonian 6/17/11 (KBC NOTE: Oregon is one of highest states of unemployment in nation)

Letter to Bryan McFadin, staff of North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board, from Liz Bowen, President Scott Valley Protect Our Water. "...We checked with the Siskiyou County Public Health Dept and in the last 50 years, there has NEVER been a case reported by a doctor of someone getting sick from swimming in Scott, Shasta or Klamath Rivers....Insinuations are misleading and false. They also destroy trust...Under the Constitution, government is established to serve the people NOT destroy their lives and livelihoods. We stand resolute... We will NOT obtain a Permit to Farm under any kind of name."

Environmental groups urge Klamath water quality regulations; Klamath settlement parties anticipate legislation this month, Times-Standard, posted to KBC 5/16/11

EPA Guidance Seeks to Clarify Reach of Clean Water Act, Somach, Simmons and Dunn Law, posted to KBC May 12, 2011.

Representative Denham Responds To EPA “Guidance” To Expand Clean Water Act Jurisdiction, 4/27/11. HERE for entire letter from Congressmen to EPA and Army Corp of Engineers: "170 House Republicans and Democrats recently wrote to EPA and the Corps of Engineers to express their concerns that the agencies are circumventing the proper regulatory process in order to push through this expansion of federal jurisdiction."

Review is good for potentially costly standards for Klamath River, H&N 4/27/11

Sediment regulations rankle Scott Valley landowners, Capital Press 4/22/11

Oregon - Ag water quality bill moves to House floor, Capital Press 4/22/11

Oregon DEQ accepts water petitions (from Klamath), H&N, posted to KBC 4/16/11

EQC adopts Administrative Rules for Water Quality Standards in Oregon, OFS by attorney Elisabeth E Howard for Dunn Carney, posted 6/19/11

Taps for future of Oregon's natural resource based economy, Oregon Senator Doug Whitsett, posted to KBC 6/19/11

Scott Valley Watershed Forum, Ridin Point by Siskiyou County Supervisor Marcia Armstrong, posted to KBC 3/21/11

Oregon Senator Doug Whitsett: More job killing rules from ODEQ 3/11/11. "The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is in the process of adopting the most restrictive water quality standards in the nation...These new rules have the potential to profoundly affect the fiscal soundness of businesses, agriculture and forestry in the state. They may be expected to have an extreme negative effect on Oregon’s future job growth and economic recovery...the scientific relevance of these studies is at best pathetic and at worst criminally negligent."

City Council right to fight unrealistic water standards for Klamath River. Herald and News Editorial February 22, 2011

Appeals court grants standing for challenges to impaired water listing, Siskiyou Daily 2/11/11

State Water Board public input deadline is 2/15

State Water Board Seeks Public Input (Deadline Feb 15) in Preparing Environmental Impact Report for Wetlands Policy and Dredge and Fill Regulations, Somach, Simmons and Dunn law firm February 8, 2011

Wetlands Comment Deadline Extension Requested by RCRC, 2/5/11: "RCRC has joined a variety of organizations in requesting the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) to extend the comment deadline by 90 days for the Notice of Preparation (NOP) of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and Initial Study (IS) relating to the State Water Board’s Wetland Area Protection Policy and Dredge and Fill
Regulations. The existing deadline for comment is February 15."

Oregonians for Food and Shelter 1/26/11
* DEQ Proposes Revisions for Water Quality Standards to Help Reduce Toxic Pollutants in State’s Waterways; Comment deadline has been extended to Wednesday, February 23rd
* ODA offers three new publications
* Enviro's file another suit - this one effects the entire nation, not just the Northwest.
* Timber group sues FWS over 'secret meetings' on spotted owl

Farmers assess implications of Klamath water quality plan, California Farm Bureau Federation, posted to KBC 1/26/11

EPA to impose stricter water quality standards for lower Klamath River, KDRV, posted to KBC 1/8/11

EPA approves Klamath River TMDLs, Siskiyou Daily 1/5/11

Water regulations may affect irrigation, H&N 1/5/11, followed by EPA approves water quality plan for Klamath River by JEFF BARNARD. KBC links to KBRA "friends" (Including PCFFA Glen Spain and Klamath Riverkeeper/Craig Tucker) who sued State water boards to force unattainable mandates on Klamath irrigators. This is the same water board that is the lead agency with Klamath River Tribes strategizing how to increase flows and downsize agriculture.

EPA PRESS RELEASE: EPA Approves Historic Salmon Restoration Plan for Klamath River, with additional media PCFFA and Calif State Water Control Board 1/5/11 (KBC NOTE - PCFFA sued to mandate unattainable water quality rules)

Klamath River pollution limits approved; New rules for Oregon, California likely would be costly for city, agriculture, H&N 1/5/11, followed by Pollution plan under review

WATCH OUT TODAY FOR THE DANGEROUS CLEAN WATER EXPANSION ACT, by Fred Kelly Grant 12/22/10

State issues final order on pollution limits, EPA has 30 days to approve or reject the order, H&N 12/22/10. HERE for Water Quality page.
Related info: who is demanding our water quality requirements: Posted 11/4/10 - California State Water Resources Control Board demands impossible TMDL's/water quality demands of the Klamath Basin considering that the source of the water is naturally high in minerals. Klamath Water Users Association/KWUA wrote the board July 2009 explaining the "unachievable load allocations" demanded by the water board.
These unattainable demands are the result of KWUA's friends on their KBRA agreement, PCFFA/Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen, and tribes and other environmental groups, litigating to demand these regulations. Water Board Adopts Pollution Limits for the Klamath Basin, Indybay 9/8/10. "Representatives from the PCFFA, Karuk Tribe, Yurok Tribe, Klamath Riverkeeper, the Klamath Forest Alliance and the Sierra Club testified at the meeting in support of the TMDLs." (KBC NOTE: a KBRA author Craig Tucker, spokesman for the Karuk Tribe and former environmental activist, is a member of Klamath Forest Alliance and founder of Klamath Riverkeeper.
Their KBRA, Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement, says, "The Parties commit, subject to Applicable Law, to support the development and implementation of appropriate TMDLs and other water quality improvement programs adopted by the states within the Klamath Basin."

TMDL bureaucrats blindly enforce regulations, Pursue legal action; federal, state policies arbitrary, unreasonable, H&N guest writer Dennis Linthicum, posted to KBC 12/8/10.

Oregon’s Integrated Water Resources Strategy Issue Papers, open to public review and comment deadline is March 1, 2011, on IWRS website: http://www1.wrd.state.or.us/pdfs/November_18_2010_Issue_Papers_v2.pdf

Environmental Quality Commission to Consider Adoption of 401 Water Quality Certification Rules, posted to KBC 11/29/10

TMDL's public comment period coming soon. This Notice is being sent by the California Water Boards on behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 11/17/10. "On November 12, 2010, U.S.EPA approved California’s 2008-2010 Section 303(d) list of impaired waters requiring TMDLs, and disapproved the omission of several water bodies and associated pollutants that meet federal listing requirements. U.S.EPA identified additional water bodies and pollutants for inclusion on the State’s 303(d) list. U.S.EPA is providing the public an opportunity to review its decisions to add waters and pollutants to California’s 2008-2010 Section 303(d) List. U.S.EPA will consider public comments received..."
Strategy to form the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement: Cal/EPA Environmental Justice Action Plan May 18, 2005. Lead Agency: State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB)

(Klamath) County officials want answers to proposed TMDL, H&N 10/7/10. Meeting tomorrow, Monday Nov 8. Scroll down to Nov. 4 post on TMDL's. More on Water Quality page.

Posted 11/4/10 - California State Water Resources Control Board demands impossible TMDL's/water quality demands of the Klamath Basin considering that the source of the water is naturally high in minerals. Klamath Water Users Association/KWUA wrote the board July 2009 explaining the "unachievable load allocations" demanded by the water board.
These unattainable demands are the result of KWUA's friends on their KBRA agreement, PCFFA/Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen, and tribes and other environmental groups, litigating to demand these regulations. Water Board Adopts Pollution Limits for the Klamath Basin, Indybay 9/8/10. "Representatives from the PCFFA, Karuk Tribe, Yurok Tribe, Klamath Riverkeeper, the Klamath Forest Alliance and the Sierra Club testified at the meeting in support of the TMDLs." (KBC NOTE: a KBRA author Craig Tucker, spokesman for the Karuk Tribe and former environmental activist, is a member of Klamath Forest Alliance and founder of Klamath Riverkeeper.
Their KBRA, Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement, says, "The Parties commit, subject to Applicable Law, to support the development and implementation of appropriate TMDLs and otherwater quality improvement programs adopted by the states within the Klamath Basin."

State issues final order on pollution limits, EPA has 30 days to approve or reject the order, H&N 12/22/10. HERE for Water Quality page.

Comments on Klamath River Basin TMDL, to California State Water Resources Control Board by Tom Mallams, President Klamath Off-Project water Users, and Chairman, Klamath Headwater Local Advisory Committee, posted to KBC 9/15/10

State Water Board approves Klamath TMDLs, Siskiyou Daily, posted to KBC 9/14/10

State to set rules for improving Klamath River water quality; owner of dams sees proposed regulations as flawed and unrealistic, Times Standard 9/4/10

Water Quality and Suction Dredging, Letter by Gerald Hobbs 8/28/10, President of Public Lands for the People.

City: DEQ proposal too strict, expensive, H&N 6/9/10

111th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 5088 Clean Water Act, posted to KBC 6/4/10. Government would control, "all other waters, including intrastate lakes, rivers, streams (including intermittent streams), mudflats, sandflats, wetlands, sloughs, prairie potholes, wet meadows, playa lakes, or natural ponds..."

**Input sought on (Klamath) water quality plan, Public DEQ meeting will be Thursday night , H&N, posted to KBC 5/12/10

Clean water bill ends local control, 5/4/10

Klamath TMDLs accepted by water board at Eureka meeting, Siskiyou Daily News 4/2/10

Letter to Steve Kirk, Oregon Dept. of Environmental Quality, by Tom Mallams, Off-Project irrigator, posted to KBC 3/27/10. "Since the development of the Klamath Reclamation project, and irrigation development in the upper basin, there is a recorded increase of 30% in flows downstream (study done by Mark Van Camp, a hydrologist). Without the project all the water from Lost River would never reach the Klamath River. Before the project, Lost River ended up in Tulelake and simply evaporated away there."

DEQ standards for Klamath River system are unreasonable, H&N editorial, posted to KBC 3/26/10

Senator (Whitsett) questions science behind pollution rules, H&N 3/18/10

Cook and Bennett to present county’s TMDL concerns, Siskiyou Daily News, posted to KBC

Presentation on (Klamath)River, Clean Water Act, planned by Klamath Riverkeeper, Tuesday 5:30-7 (Clean Water Act raises hackles, Capital Press 7/2/09. "The move brings the country one step closer to the largest federal land grab in our history, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association said.") KBC NOTE: Riverkeeper opposed the KBRA, and was formed by Craig Tucker, board member and also supporter/stakeholder on Klamath Agreement as Karuk Tribal spokesman. Tuesday meeting supports CWA, which will destroy private property rights

Dam removal: Making the decision, H&N, posted 2/13/10. "However, the effect of Upper Klamath Lake in the equation is the “600-pound gorilla,” Anderson said. The hope is that restoration activity impacting the nutrient load into the lake will reduce the amount of nutrients exported down river. (KBC NOTE: National Academy of Science professor William Lewis, in 2004 workship, " When asked if it would work to control the significant part of the ph load, Lewis responded that the lake is 140 square miles...that is not feasible to change."

* Klamath River and Lost River TMDL Implementation Plan, Workshop, public comment period ends 2/9/10

TMDL's, Total Maximum Daily Load for the Klamath River and Lost River - implementation plan, comments by Rex Cozzalio, 1/29/10

Support, concern and questions expressed at TMDL workshop, Siskiyou Daily News 1/29/10

Klamath TMDL revisions presented to public, Siskiyou Daily, posted to KBC 1/29/10

Klamath TMDL, by Siskiyou County Supervisor Marcia Armstrong, posted to KBC 1/24/10. "The North Coast Water Quality Control Board will be receiving oral comments on the Klamath and Lost River Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) on Wednesday, January 27 at 10 a.m...."

TMDL workshop (Jan. 27th) addresses changes to the Klamath plan, Siskiyou Daily News 1/21/10

Clean Water Act fix may not be navigable in 2010, E&E 1/21/10

California Regional Water Quality Control Board agenda for Yreka, Santa Rosa, and Klamath, Calif., posted 1/10/10. HERE for more on workshop and TMDL comment period.

These TMDL mandates are the result of a court action by Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen, a "stakeholder" at the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement negotiations.
* Klamath River Temperature, Dissolved Oxygen, Nutrient, and Microcystin TMDLs, public comment period ends February 9, 2010.
*Notice of Availability of Draft Documents, Public Comment Period, Public Workshop, and Public Hearing for Klamath River and Lost River TMDL Implementation plans
* Klamath River and Lost River TMDL Implementation Plan Workshop Jan 27, 2010 Yreka, 10 a.m.

EPA representative describes relationship to Klamath TMDL by David Smith, Siskiyou Daily News 9/25/09. "According to the Environmental Protection Information Center Web site, the consent decree was entered at the conclusion of a lawsuit filed against the EPA titled “Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations, et al. v. Marcus.” The site states that the suit was aimed at compelling the EPA to create the TMDLs for 17 north coast rivers and streams..."

* Public Comment! until 8/27/09 Ca.** Regional Water Board action mandates regarding Draft Klamath River Total Maximum Daily Loads. This this is a draft mandate to improve naturally warm and mineral-laden water.
What do you think of a gigantic water plant to clean the naturally mineral-laden water coming from springs and Klamath Lake? How about 100's of MILLIONS of dollars to decommission roads, clean the water, pipe water, monitor all water, reroute water? It is very important that you read this lengthy volume of draft mandates for water in the Klamath watershed and send comments by 8/27/09!
HERE for CA Regional Water Board draft mandates, money you will spend, what you must do to make your water pristine.
Here for Tulelake KBC report 3/16/09 > Regional Water Quality Control Board wants Klamath Project's historically putrid water to become cold and clean. Lawsuit by Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement parties causes Water Board to target Klamath Project water users.
Transcripts from the four public scoping meetings held in N. California in Oct. regarding dam removal and environmental concerns. They were held by the Calif. Water Quality Control Board. Full transcripts of the public comments are included, as well as introduction and explanation of the purpose of the meetings. Please send comments to the board by Feb. 23. Yreka Klamath Orleans Eureka Two groups at the Klamath settlement table, North Coast Environmental Center and Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen, support taking out the Keno Dam as well. People at the Yreka meeting presented testimony objecting to dam removal. Most of those objecting are not allowed at the table. Eureka.
Strategy to form the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement: Cal/EPA Environmental Justice Action Plan May 18, 2005. Lead Agency: State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB)
Comments Klamath River Total Maximum Daily Loads and Action Plan Addressing Temperature, Dissolved Oxygen, Nutrient, and Microcystin Impairments, by Marcia Armstrong posted to KBC 8/20/09

Klamath TMDL peer reviewer concerns addressed in report, Siskiyou Daily News 9/18/09

Klamath TMDL both supported and opposed at meeting, Siskiyou Daily News 9/18/09

Supervisors discuss comments to Klamath TMDL plan, Siskiyou Daily News, posted to KBC 8/30/09. "Not a single person present at the meeting spoke in favor of any portion of the Draft TMDL analysis and action plan."

Public Comment! until 8/27/09 Ca. Regional Water Board action mandates regarding Draft Klamath River Total Maximum Daily Loads. This this is a draft mandate to improve naturally warm and mineral-laden water.

Comments Klamath River Total Maximum Daily Loads and Action Plan Addressing Temperature, Dissolved Oxygen, Nutrient, and Microcystin Impairments, by Marcia Armstrong posted to KBC 8/20/09

New clean water bill should clarify federal law, not muddy it, by Dan Keppen, guest writer H&N 7/26/09

County comments on Klamath TMDL analysis/ action plan, Siskiyou Daily News, posted to KBC 7/14/09. “We have a full scale EIR going on in regard to suction dredge mining,” noted supervisor Armstrong. “We have sent you information about the lack of bad effects from dredging. It seems like you’ve already made up your minds about dredging.”

Questions, public comments probe Klamath TMDLs, Siskiyou Daily News, posted to KBC 7/13/09. "A woman representing the Klamath Riverkeeper organization spoke during the session as well, voicing her support for the TMDLs, saying that she supports fishermen and tribes and would like to see the TMDLs be as stringent as possible and that she does not want to see the process left to self regulation." (KBC NOTE: it's interesting to note that Riverkeeper, supporting TMKL's that will severely impact agriculture and suction dredge mining, opposes the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement, however Riverkeeper's board is comprised of Craig Tucker, Karuk spokesman at the KBRA table , and Leaf Hillman, on the Karuk Tribal Council)

July 7, '09 The Ca Regional Water Board met in Klamath Falls to discuss Klamath River Total Maximum Daily Loads and Action Plan. Although the historic Klamath Lake was undrinkable and laden with natural minerals, the board has models that they think tell how bad the water was before we humans made it worse, and we need to try to purify it before it is diverted into the Klamath River. Remember, Link River historically went dry, and the water where we now farm historically did not go into the Klamath River. Very few attended because they didn't know about this public meeting. KBC. Public comment is extended to August 23rd. See TMDL mandates in documents here >***Basin Wide TMDL (water quality) plan for public review from Calif. North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board, 7/2/09

***Notice of Availability of Draft Document, Public Comment Period, and Public Workshops, For the Klamath River Total Maximum Daily Loads and Action Plan Addressing Temperature, Dissolved Oxygen, Nutrient, and Microcystin Impairments:
Regional Water Board staff, in conjunction with staff from EPA Region 9 & 10 will host public workshops to present the Public Review Draft Klamath River Total Maximum Daily Loads:
7/6/09, 6 p m Klamath Falls, Oregon State University Ag Extension Office
7/7/09 6:00 p.m. Yreka Miner's Inn
***The North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board will be giving a presentation on the Klamath TMDL to the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday July 7 at 10:25 a.m. (second floor, Courthouse Yreka)

Klamath TMDL in a nutshell, by Siskiyou County Supervisor Marcia Armstrong 7/3/09
***Basin Wide TMDL (water quality) plan for public review from Calif. North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board, 7/2/09
Excerpts from the Klamath TMDL compiled by Siskiyou County Supervisor Marcia Armstrong 7/2/09
Cal/EPA Environmental Justice Action Plan for Klamath, May 18, 05. Lead Agency: State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB)

EPA enforcement plan must address runoff, utilities say, Greenwire, posted to KBC 12/20/09

Clean Water Act raises hackles, Capital Press 7/2/09. "The move brings the country one step closer to the largest federal land grab in our history, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association said."

***Immediate Action Alert: S. 787 Clean Water Restoration Act To Be Marked Up Thursday, June 18 @ 9:30 a.m. PLEASE write!

Water board discusses Klamath with county leaders, Siskiyou Daily News, posted to KBC 4/10/09. "Measurements at the state line show Oregon has problems,” ...Overall opportunities for improvement, he said, might include centralized treatment facilities and reduction of nutrients and organic loads through wetlands and other treatment systems." (KBC NOTE: Last month the state water board came to Tulelake. Residents from Oregon and Calif. explained to the board that the water in Upper Klamath lake is naturally high in Phosphorus, and 100,000 acres of Off-Project Ag land.have already been taken out of production and turned into wetlands. The result was less water available because of evaporation and worse water quality. Here for Tulelake report > Regional Water Quality Control Board wants Klamath Project's historically putrid water to become cold and clean. Lawsuit by Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement parties causes Water Board to target Klamath Project water users. KBC report 3/16/09

KBC responds to Felice Pace article, Keno Reservoir and Interim Dam License Conditions – A Klamath Sleeper Issue, posted 3/29/08. Pace wants to downsize ag more and create more wetlands (there are already more than 100,000 acres of wetlands) or build a treatment plant, the same possibly proposed requirements as the Calif. water board. National Academy of Science Dr. William Lewis said this water was historically naturally saturated and laden with phosphorus. Also, 70 million tons of bird poop makes a lot of natural nitrogen, much being certified organic.

March 27 - Comments due on draft Klamath River TMDL implementation plan in Calif.

Lawsuit Aims to Protect Northern California Salmon Habitat, posted to KBC 3/20/09. Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen, North Coast Environmental Center, Klamath Riverkeeper are among Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement stakeholders suing the Calif. Water Quality Control Board to regulate water quality in the Klamath Basin. The historically warm, mineral laden water must become clean. February 2009 lawsuit. Court petition HERE.

TMDL Implementation Scoping Workshop Power Point Presentation at Tulelake by Calif. Regional Water Quality Control Board, March 2009

Regional Water Quality Control Board wants Klamath Project's historically putrid water to become cold and clean. Lawsuit by Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement parties causes Water Board to target Klamath Project water users. KBC report 3/16/09

Klamath TMDL public comment period drawing to a close, Siskiyou Daily News, posted to KBC 3/16/09

The public comment period will close at 5:00 p.m. on March 27, 2009.

Notice of availability of draft document, public
comment period, and public workshops
concerning development of the water quality
restoration plan for the Klamath River Basin
in California: Draft Scoping for TMDL
implementation, posted to KBC 2/25/09
Public Workshops: Regional Water Board staff
will host five public workshops to present the
Water Quality Restoration Plan and to receive
oral and written comments from the public. The
workshops will be held as follows:
March 4, 2009, 6:00 p.m. Tulelake-Butte Valley
Fairgrounds Floriculture Room, Tulelake
March 5, 2009, 6:00 p.m.Willow Creek
School, 5321 York Rd, Montague
Draft Klamath River TMDL's, Implimentation
Plan, Summary and Scoping, posted to KBC 2/25/09. "
North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board:
The Water Quality Restoration Plan will be available
for review on or before February 19, 2009 at:
http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/northcoast/water_
issues/programs/tmdls/klamath_river/

PLF PRESS RELEASE: New Fund Will Aid Family Farmer’s Defense Against Abusive Clean Water Act Regulators, posted to KBC 3/13/09

Klamath TMDL, by Siskiyou County Supervisor Marcia Armstrong 3/6/09. "...rather than attempt to clear algae from reservoirs, PacifiCorp/Power’s ratepayers may be asked to fund the establishment of wetlands in the upper basin to filter nutrients or perhaps fund a water treatment plant at a narrow point like the Klamath Straits Drain to treat the water or mechanically remove algae and organic matter before it comes down river."

March 4, Tulelake, public meeting and comments regarding Water Quality regulations.

*Response to Klamath Hydroelectric Project (FERC 2082), Water Quality Certification, request to extend the February 23, 2009 comment deadline. More info on comments needed.**Response to Klamath Hydroelectric Project (FERC 2082), Water Quality Certification, request to extend the February 23, 2009 comment deadline.

VERY IMPORTANT!! March 27 - Comments due on draft Klamath River TMDL implementation plan in Calif.

Yreka - Residents sound off at dam meeting, Siskiyou Daily News, posted to KBC 10/29/08.
Water board mulls PacifiCorp project; Locals say they want Upper Klamath Basin dams to remain, Capital Press, Article and VIDEO
IMPORTANT! KBC INFORMATION from Ca. Water Board - Send written comments regarding the Klamath Hydroelectric Project Environmental Impact Report to the address below. Identify a contact person in case the board has any questions about your comments. Comments must be received by 4 p.m. FEB 23, 2008.
FERC’s Final EIS is available at: http://www.ferc.gov/industries/hydropower/enviro/eis/2007/11-16-07.asp

Attention: Jennifer Watts
State Water Resources Control Board
P.O Box 2000
Sacramento, CA 95812-2000

Phone: (916) 341-5397
Fax: (916) 341-5400
Email: jwatts@waterboards.ca.gov

Comments on Draft Scoping for TMDL Implementation in the Klamath Basin, 3/25/09

Agencies ordered to share documents with environmentalists, Capital Press, posted to KBC 2/27/09.

EPA - Agencies Revise Guidance to Protect Wetlands and Streams, 12/3/08
Clean Water Act definitions of "Waters of the United States."

Water quality comments submitted for Siskiyou County by our environmental consultants to the State of California Water Resources Control Board on the likely impacts of considering dam removal as a cure for water quality issues (algae, temperature) in the operation of the hydroelectrioc dams.

Harvesting Klamath algae, H&N, posted to KBC 10/30/08, followed by, Why is there so much algae in the lake?

Notice of preparation and of scoping meetings for an environmental impact report for 401 water quality certification of the Klamath hydroelectric project, posted 10/5/08.
MEETING NOTICE - Ca State Waterboard explains the Environmental Impact Report for water quality certification, followed by public comment. posted 10/5/08 Important to attend!

Judge rules on toxic algae regulations, H&N, posted 6/16/08.

EPA affirms clean water permits, EPA News Release, posted 6/10/08

Water Quality, Shasta Valley, Wetlands & Riparian, by Marcia Armstrong, Siskiyou County Supervisor, posted to KBC 5/4/08

Commentary: The truth about the Clean Water Restoration Act, CFBF 4/16/08

Power Point Presentation: Nutrient loading in the Klamath Basin: Agriculture and Natural Sources, Special Report 1023, , by K.A. Rykbost and B.A. Charlton, Oregon State University/Klamath Experiment Station. Posted 1/10/07

California Regional Water Quality Control Board Notice of public workshops and CEQA scoping meetings concerning the development of Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) and Action Plan for the Klamath River., EPA, posted to KBC 11/30/06

Water Quality Control Board 11/27-30

2006 Proves to be a Good Year for Suckers and Water Quality Conditions in the Upper Klamath River Basin, Bureau of Reclamation, posted 10/31/06

Dr. Ken Rykbost presentation in Yreka at the Greenhorn Grange October 20, 1006 on Nutrient Loading in the Upper Klamath Basin, notes by Katherine Lehman

State says Klamath smothered in sediment, Times Standard 10/29/06

Tribes ask for Klamath algae limits, Times Standard, posted to KBC 10/27/06

How the Klamath's polluted, by Jim McCarthy, ONRC in Sacramento Bee , posted 9/16/06, with KBC commentary.

Water Conditions During Upper Klamath Lake Fish Tracking Study Analyzed, DOI and USGS Report, pdf file, posted 9/14/06. Press Release HERE.

Farming practices and water quality in the Upper Klamath Basin, by TID Manager Earl Donosky and UC Davis Agronomist Steven Kaffka, Final Report to the Ca. State Water Resources Control Board (4/16/02) posted to KBC 9/11/06

Blue-green algae impacts debated, Siskiyou Daily News, posted to KBC 9/6/06

Supervisor Jim Cook discusses TMDL's, Siskiyou Daily News, posted to KBC 9/6/06

An Assessment of the Effects of Agriculture on Water Quality in the Tulelake Region of California, 1995, pdf file, by S.R. Kaffka T.X. Lu and Dr. Harry L. Carlson, University of California Intermountain and Research Extension Center.

Another view: Water use on Klamath not so simple by Greg Addington -- Special to The Sacramento Bee, published 8/27/06 "The Bee Editorial attempts to connect Klamath Project agriculture to the toxic algae blooms behind hydroelectric reservoirs on the Klamath River. It alleges that “In the Klamath, fertilizers from farms on the Oregon-California border flow downstream”. The Bee is making claims that it can not substantiate."

NEWS RELEASE: Siskiyou County Public Health, Current Blue Green Algea blooms, "Irongate Reservoir, Copco Lake and Lake Shastina are known to have seasonal blooms of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria). Irongate Reservoir and Copco Lake are currently experiencing a bloom. Blooms typically occur between June and October when temperatures rise and water conditions are favorable for algal growth...
ALGEA, by Dr. David Herfindahl from Siskiyou County Public Health, posted to KBC 11/7/05

Final paper prepared by a task force to improve and update the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), August 1, 2006
These comments were drafted by KWUA that will be submitted to EPA regarding their proposed rule on water transfers. The comments, due early next week, support a proposed EPA rule clarifying that water transfers are not subject to regulation under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), 8/1/06

Scott River TMDL Action Plan, Marcia Armstrong, Siskiyou County Supervisor District 5, 6/29/06

***Irrigation water leaves Klamath Project cleaner, colder than it comes in, by Bob Gasser, guest columnist, 6/18/06
FOLLOWED BY: Water in bad shape when it leaves Project - but can be improved by Felice Pace, employee of the Yurok Tribe

Geese blamed for Lake Tahoe pollution, SF Gate, posted to KBC 6/17/06. "A 10-pound Canada goose can produce four pounds of nitrate- and phosphate-rich feces every day..." (KBC comment: In the Klamath Basin, more than 100,000 acres of ag land has been converted to wetlands for birds by government agency and Nature Conservancy acquisitions. This evaporates twice the amount of water used by ag land, and worsens the water quality.

Wildlife blamed for bacteria growth, Roseburg News Review, posted to KBC 6/7/06. (In the Klamath Basin, one of the guises for buying more than 100,000 acres of ag land from 'willing sellers' by The Nature Conservancy and government agencies is 'water quality." Agencies and enviros blame agriculture and replace it with wetlands which use 2ce as much water as agriculture and worsen water quality. KBC)

Good news -- Judge Coughenour has endorsed the stipulation removing the Oregon Coastal Coho from the Washington Toxics injunctive order that imposed buffers for use of certain pesticides near coho streams in this ESU. A copy of the signed order is attached, Terry and Paulette, Oregonians for Food and Shelter. pdf file of Wa Toxics Coalition, plaintiffs, vs EPA and Croplife America.

To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to clarify certain activities the conduct of which does not require a permit, OFS 3/6/06.

Water quality questioned on Klamath, Can the Expectations be attained, Pioneer Press, posted to KBC 2/12/06

DEQ to Close Klamath Falls Branch Office, bend.com, posted to KBC 6/25/05

Complex interstate pollution limits move forward in Klamath Basin Tam Moore Oregon Staff Writer 6/24/05

Upper Lost River and Clear Lake Reservoir Watershed TMDL Analysis, Klamath Water Users Association (KWUA) posted to KBC 10/8/04. This is a letter from KWUA to Mr. Bill Hobson,
California Regional Water Quality Control Board.

Pollution rules confuse Calif. farmers, SeattlePI, 4/28/04.

Oregon’s 1010 wrap stirs controversy
by TAM MOORE Oregon Staff Writer, Capital Press

"Technically, he said it appears that the state could construe leaves falling from a willow planted as part of streamside restoration as pollution because the source is the result of a landowner’s action" Posted to KBC 3/18/04

ranchers Bill Kennedy, left, and Glenn Barrett

State has new water standards to protect fish, Salem Statesman Journal, 3/3/04, "The change: The state now has online maps of Oregon waterways with descriptions of the optimal temperature for the survival of salmon and trout species for each tributary and time of year. The old standards used an all-encompassing 64 degrees for the endangered fish."

Farmers fear new state rule would eliminate flood irrigation, 10/23/03

Lost River Sub-basin Agricultural Water Quality Management Area Plan 9/23/03