March 20, 2018
Liz Writes Life
All of this rain and snow is great! This is how March weather
is supposed to act. We’ve been told that snow in the mountains this late in the
winter season doesn’t pack well and melts quickly. That may be true, but it certainly
is a help to our ground water and is much better than the extra warm temps --
without rain and snow -- that we experienced in January and February.
Iditarod
There was quite the upset, last week, when Norwegian musher
Joar Leifseth Ulsom, 31, crossed the finish line in Nome, Alaska to win the
2018 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. He arrived with his eight-dog team in the
early hours of March 14th having unknowingly passed Nicolas Petit,
38, when Petit had gone off-course during a heavy snow storm.
At 9 days, 13 hours and 1 minute, Leifseth Ulsom’s time was
not as fast as some recent Iditarod wins, but it did the job.
Petit was in the lead over last year’s winner, Mitch Seavey,
58, during the last leg of the trip on March 12th, but missed a
trail marker and headed the wrong direction. When he realized he was off-course
and turned around, he had lost 90 minutes. That was enough for Leifseth Ulsom
to take the lead, who had over-taken Seavey.
The photo of the champion showed Leifseth Ulsom and his lead
dog, Olive, graced with garlands of yellow roses. He will win a new pickup
truck and a check for at least $50,000. I don’t know how the winnings are
calculated, but the finishing teams split $500,000. Leifseth Ulsom said he was
really pleased about winning the pickup, because his 1999 pickup broke down
right before the race. He was also thrilled, because the win was a dream come
true.
Bundy
Ryan Bundy announced he will run for governor of Nevada using
his campaign to educate citizens about state’s rights. While waiting for his
trial, Ryan was held in federal detention, without bond, for nearly two years.
So, he studied law and successfully defended himself, which resulted in Ryan
and his family being released from prison last fall. Ryan represented himself
in the trial where he was able to prove federal prosecutors had filed
trumped-up charges and withheld information. The federal judge declared a
mistrial.
Ryan officially filed as a candidate for governor last
Wednesday as an independent candidate. He will need to obtain at least 250
registered voter signatures before the June deadline to be on the ballot.
Last week, Ryan was quoted: “The state of Nevada needs
someone who will stand up for statehood and recognize that Nevada is a
sovereign state, not just a province of the U.S.
Remember that the Bunkerville standoff in April 2014, by his
ranching Bundy family, was not about grazing or endangered species as the
mainstream media falsely repeats over and over. The protest was about the
federal claim of ownership of land within the Nevada state boundaries. The
Bundy family believes Nevada is the rightful owner of its land.
Besides citing the U.S. Constitution’s 10th
Amendment regarding state’s rights, which is quite plain, Ryan also stands on
Nevada’s statutes from 1979. This was Nevada’s response to the federal
enactment of FLPMA – the Federal Land Policy and Management Act. A series of
statutes declared ownership of and control and jurisdiction over all “public
lands” within Nevada. Ryan believes it is time for Nevada to stand up to the
feds and reclaim and manage its lands.
Klamath dams
So, once again, the Klamath River Renewal Corporation is
espousing its reasoning for destroying four hydro-electric dams in the Klamath
River. The non-profit KRRC held a public
meeting, last night, and continued its false narratives. Never mind that
Siskiyou County and other groups have proven the science and reasoning to be
wrong. In my opinion, this meeting just repeated KRRC’s propaganda.
Remember, KRRC is not a government entity. It is a non-profit
corporation. It can say the dams are coming out, but there are still major
government hurdles that must occur. Yes, it is scary to constantly hear the
drums beating – the dams are coming out. But, just because KRRC says it,
doesn’t mean it is true.
A major hurdle is that FERC, Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, must approve the transfer of the hydro-electric license from
PacifiCorp to KRRC. Siskiyou County has filed as an intervener and is fighting
this move, which is one where a lawsuit is likely to happen.
As of yet, I don’t believe KRRC had actually paid money to
own the dams and if or when it does, the tremendous cost and liability of
taking out the dams should play a huge part in FERC’s decision. KRRC should
have to prove those hundreds of millions of dollars are in their grimy hands to
pay for the destruction.
Also, NEPA, the National Environmental Policy Act, process
has never been completed by federal agencies. FERC must also finalize NEPA on
dam removal, before KRRC can take out the dams. An estimated 20 million cubic
yards of sediment behind the dams will make a huge environmental mess and must
be addressed.
LaMalfa
Recently, our Dist. 1 Congressman Doug LaMalfa grilled U.S.
Dept. of Interior Ryan Zinke, when Zinke appeared at a National Resource House
Committee meeting, where LaMalfa serves. I watched the video showing LaMalfa
specifically asking Zinke to withdraw the previous DOI Secretary’s signature showing
approval of Klamath dam removal. Guess what? Zinke replied that the DOI does
not have a role in the Klamath dam situation. What a lie.
LaMalfa really backed Siskiyou County and accused Zinke’s
“bagman, Allan Mikkelsen,” of pushing dam removal during several public
meetings. I was at one of those meetings, several months ago, and was shocked
at the insulting indifference from Mikkelsen when I, and 70 others, spoke
against dam removal. Mikkelsen has stated the dams are coming out! But major
hurdles have yet to be accomplished. So, I will repeat again loud and clear:
Klamath dam removal is not a done deal. Don’t believe the rhetoric!
Liz Bowen is a native of Siskiyou County and lives near
Callahan. Call her at 530-467-3515.
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