June 23, 20212
Liz Writes Life
Klamath Dams
Well, it has happened – the true beginning of possible
destruction of the four Klamath hydro-electric dams is now in the works.
Last Thursday, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
approved the transfer of the license for the Lower Klamath Hydroelectric
Project from PacifiCorp to the non-profit Klamath River Renewal Corp. Bummer!
An interesting thing is that both states -- Oregon and California -- are also
now co-licensees. This means that both states are on-the-hook for monies needed
for the dams’ destruction and protection from any other financial burden.
Yep, we the taxpayers will be paying for this folly – if it
happens. And it certainly could. Although, it is not a done deal.
But, the shell non-profit corporation, KRRC, will now tout that
dam removal is a done deal. Yes, FERC’s newest order confirms the KRRC has the
ability, financially and otherwise, to undertake dam removal with the two
states as co-licensees. (I certainly question the financial part.)
Fortunately, the surrender application of the dams is still
pending. FERC has not yet made this decision. I believe this is the point where
further environmental review is required under the National Environmental
Policy Act. In other words, very extensive environmental analysis must be
correctly conducted. In the order last Thursday, FERC stated it will continue
to engage with all parties and stakeholders to ensure everyone has an
opportunity to participate in the process. Sure do hope that is true!
Siskiyou County, Siskiyou Water Users Assoc., Copco property
owners, other groups and individuals have fought to save the four Klamath dams.
Significant issues regarding the environmental damage that will occur with dam
destruction, including the damaging water quality effect on Endangered Species
Act-listed coho salmon, have been re-iterated many times.
Case in point: It is estimated more than 20 million cubic
yards of sediment will be released from behind the dams. This will tragically
affect the Klamath River water quality and environment. Another point is the public
safety need for the Copco and Iron Gate reservoirs as water storage and
firefighting assets. Losing stored water is just crazy.
I know Siskiyou County and these groups will be ready to
present their facts and information during the NEPA process.
Still, I admit this is a sad move by FERC to allow the
hydro-power license to be transferred to an entity that does not want to
produce power, but will destroy the ability to make power. Just what we don’t
need when California can’t make enough power in the 21st century for
its residents!
Hackers affected food supply
Early this month, the public learned that a major food supply
company had its computer system hacked – stopping the movement of meats in
North America and Australia. I had never heard of the JBS company that was
hacked, but soon learned that JBS S.A. is the world’s largest processor of
fresh beef and pork. It is a Brazilian company that entered the U.S. market in
2007 with its purchase of Swift & Company. OK, I get it. I just didn’t
realize Swift had been sold.
The world-annual sales of JBS is more than U.S. $50 billion
based on its 2017 records. JBS USA holding’s offices are in Greeley, Colorado.
According to a press release on June 9, 2021, JBS USA
confirmed it paid the equivalent of $11 million in bitcoin ransom to stop the
cyberattack. JBS said that most of its facilities were operational at the time
of the payment, because of its own cybersecurity protocols, redundant systems
and encrypted backup servers. The company said it spends more than $200 million
each year on IT and employs more than 850 IT professionals throughout the
world. Wow!
The FBI investigated and said the cyberattack came from a
Russia-linked hacker group called REvil.
These cyberattacks are certainly a huge threat. And I must
say that I really didn’t realize how globalized our food supply and so many
other aspects of our economy have become. This was an eye-opener to me. Sure
hope the protectors from cyberattack can outsmart the REvil group and other
destructive people.
Garden
The heat finished off the bright orange Oriental poppies as
well as the iris. Guess it is officially “summer,” now that we have passed the
summer solstice.
Nearly everything, including the perennial garden and flower
beds, is now on soaker hoses. Yay! I am still using hand-timers, but starting to
change several lines to automatic timers that go off during the night. The longest
soaker hose irrigates chocolate mint, red bee balm, hollyhocks, comfrey,
chives, basil, Echinacea, transplanted parsley, Black-eyed Susans, zinnia,
marigolds, volunteer potatoes and the rhubarb. But the rhubarb needs extra
hand-watering every day. Yes, I baby the rhubarb.
I harvested the second rhubarb plant, but only took a little
over a third of the plant, removing the bottom stems about half-way up. The
giant leaves make great mulch around the plant. I had a hard time finding folks
to take the rhubarb. Felt like I was trying to give zucchini away!
The second string of 100 feet of soaker hose is mostly on vegetable
plants. I did wind a few circles around another batch of red bee balm that is
nearly five-feet tall. Bee balm likes a lot of water. The three giant pumpkins
and two zucchini are really taking off. Tomatoes are nearly two-feet tall and I
have started staking them. The seven cantaloupes are just getting their fourth
and fifth leaves, but the cucumbers are bigger at four inches tall.
This week, I learned I should be fertilizing heavier than I
typically do with a product called Hawaiian Bud and Bloom 5-50-17. So on
Saturday morning, I soaked everything really well, except for rhubarb, comfrey
and garlic. The not-yet-blooming phlox even got two gallons.
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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