May 12, 2021
Liz Writes Life
Last Friday, I listened to a significant zoom meeting. It was
held in Tulelake with our Siskiyou Co. Board of Supervisors cooperatively
meeting with Modoc County Supervisors and the Klamath County Commissioners. The
goal of the meeting was to approve two letters: One to California and Oregon
Congress officials and state legislators asking for financial help regarding
the Klamath Project due to its tragic lack of irrigation water for 2021. The
second was to U.S. President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. also asking for help.
Our Siskiyou Co. Board Chairman, Ray Haupt, made the motions
to approve both letters, which passed overwhelmingly.
The situation is dire for not only agriculture, but many
businesses throughout the Klamath Basin as unemployment will jump and the
resulting domino effect will be felt. Bankruptcies will happen.
Ray told me this is a “human tragedy” and will also hurt the
county with a “significant tax loss.” Much of the Tulelake area is part of the
Klamath Project. In previous columns, I have discussed this 2021 and the 2001 losses
of legal irrigation water to the Klamath Project farmers. During the zoom
meeting, farmers explained their predicaments. These issues were addressed in
the letters approved by the three county boards. Because the wording is so
succinct, I have included several paragraphs, below:
“As you are aware, Klamath Project irrigators are at the
beginning of a disastrous water year where the Bureau of Reclamation has
announced 33,000 acre-feet of available irrigation supply from Upper Klamath
Lake, less than 10% of needed project deliveries. In recent weeks, based on
deteriorating hydrology, even this projected amount now appears to be
optimistic. This means that hundreds of family farms will not be able to
produce the crops and livestock that have not only been the hallmark of the
Klamath Basin, but that also provide food and fiber throughout the world.
“In addition, and just as importantly, thousands of farm and
ranch workers will be left without employment, and businesses that rely on
active farming and ranching will experience a profound decrease in business.
Sadly, our National Wildlife Refuges will also suffer, which will have
far-ranging implications up and down the Pacific Flyway.
“In order to assist irrigators through this season so that
they may be able to continue their operations into the future, we request a
minimum of $45 million for funding programs of the Klamath Project Drought
Response Agency (DRA). At this time there is $15 million available, for funding
programs, leaving a shortfall of $30 million. We urge you to continue to work
together with your colleagues and with the Administration to identify and/or
earmark additional funding for farmers and ranchers in the Klamath Project.
“We would welcome the
power of your offices in channeling parties toward constructive prioritization
of real needs. With that said, we are aware that tribal and non-tribal fishing
communities have identified a need for disaster relief. Recognizing the many
arguments about the causes of depleted fisheries, we support all efforts to
pursue financial assistance for those resource-dependent communities for injury
they may experience.”
Both letters can be found on the Siskiyou Supervisors website
and are worth the read. The three counties also said they are concerned about
fractured conditions in the basin and fear that some of the communities may be
exploited by outside interests.
This is not the first time for the three counties to
coordinate and use their clout of representing two states in a regional area
that is continually at risk. Ray said they work collaboratively at various
times, especially on water issues. One has been to defend “saving” the Klamath
dams.
“Solutions must be offered,” Ray said.
I applaud the three county boards for their leadership and
desire to defend and aid their residents. Thank you!
Next situation!
Hundreds of residents in Siskiyou County protested last
Thursday at the Siskiyou Co. Courthouse in Yreka. Inside the courthouse, a
hearing was being held regarding a civil case alleging water from an
agriculture well, in Shasta Valley, was used for the illegal growing of
marijuana. The case cited a county ordinance that does not allow water to be “wasted”
from agriculture wells and alleges that water was wasted when used for a
criminal activity. From what I have learned, no decision has yet to be made
from the hearing.
The protesters held signs saying they deserved to have water.
In my opinion that is not the problem. Yes, they deserve to have water. The
problem is that significant underground water is being used to grow illegal
crops and contributes to organized crime, which Siskiyou Co. Sheriff, Jeremy
LaRue, has said is the biggest challenge facing our county.
I showed-up to see the protest, but couldn’t hear much of
what the suited organizers on the courthouse steps said. I do believe they
interacted with Sheriff LaRue. Police vehicles stopped traffic to the
courthouse-block allowing for pedestrian access and the crowd to stand in
street. From what I could see, it remained calm although there was chanting.
Another reason for the protest was the recent much-tougher urgency
water ordinances the Siskiyou Co. Supervisors’ Board approved on Tuesday. The
first Urgency Ordinance on Well Water makes it illegal to pump and move well
water off the parcel (or adjoining parcel) from which it originates unless
there is a permit issued by the county. Yes, this sounds onerous, but in April
I took a drive up A-12 and was shocked to see so many water tanker trucks
traveling back and forth in just that small area. It is illegal to grow
commercial marijuana in Siskiyou County, so why have 100s of new greenhouses been
built in the Shasta Vista area? Even I have seen the aerial photos of masses of
marijuana plants.
Another new ordinance is centered on any vehicle hauling over
100 gallons of water in the county. It must have a permit to do so and the
ordinance also makes the use on certain roads in the county illegal -- without
authorization. The fine is $100. The ordinances passed. The size of the fine is
established by state judicial rules.
From what I have learned is that these tougher ordinances
place the burden of how the water (being hauled) will be used to the truck
driver and or owner of the vehicle. This is much more cost effective and
simpler for law enforcement. Much more practical to my mind.
I will stick my neck out here and be vocal against these
illegal marijuana grows, illegal use of agricultural water and the massive
organized crime that I allege is the culprit. Sheriff LaRue, CHP and all law
enforcement agencies need our support against any and all criminal activities.
I want our county to be a safe place to live and work for all county residents.
May peace and calm be with you this week. Smile – just cuz it
makes you feel better!
Liz Bowen began writing ranch and farm news, published in
newspapers, in 1976. She is a native of Siskiyou County and lives near
Callahan. Columns from the past can be found at: lizwriteslife.blogspot.com.
Call her at 530-467-3515.
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