Liz Writes Life 7-31-18

July 31, 2018

Liz Writes Life

Fires

Oh my goodness, the devestation to the south in Redding area is horrific, terrible – just awful! The Manzanita, scrub oak and other brush is so thick. What a gigantic fire hazard! Many of us have family and friends that live down there. I’ve heard that some have lost their homes and others are waiting to hear the verdict.

I saw Cole Laustalot Saturday at the gas station and he said the Denny Bar Co. is gathering hay to take down for evacuated livestock. What a great idea!

Sunday night, I checked on the Denny Bar Co. facebook page and copied this statement: “What an amazing community we live in! Thank you all for the unbelievable generosity, donations & help filling the trailers yesterday & today with hay, bottled water, blankets and other essentials. Today we are taking the first load of hay to the Rolling Hills Equestrian Center in Corning – with the other supplies heading to the Shasta College emergency evacuation center. We have another flatbed trailer parked across from the distillery for more hay or donations the community would like to drop off today (Sunday). We will be back tomorrow (Monday) to collect and shuttle down the next load of supplies to the Carr Fire victims. A special shoutout & thank you to – Kraus Trucking, JH Ranch, Jeff Fowle, Brian Morris, etna rodeo.calif (Pleasure Park Rodeo) Dowling Ranch & the many anonymous others! Please keep up the great work by donating hay & supplies – and we will continue transporting them down.”

Cole said he and wife, Patricia, own a house in Redding, but it is on the East side and so far was safe. I mention this, because Cole has connections in Redding and knows how to get donations to the right places. Sounds like Scott Valley folks jumped on the bandwagon and began donating. Super! To help, call Denny Bar Co. at 530-467-5115.

Many times we want to help and do not know the best way to do it. I read an article on Redding.com, which explained how best to help. Unfortunately, care packages of stuffed toys, second-hand clothes, canned food and blankets really are not the best.

So, much of the time, money or gift certificates to big outlet stores are the best bet. Clothes, hygiene items and exact needed items can be purchased in a hurry.  It is difficult to predict what is needed. Cole knew that hay and bottled water would be paramount and organized the transportation knowing where to take the donations. Good job!

But, fraud is rampant and we need to be careful to whom we donate.

Do not give money to anyone knocking on your door or making phone-call pleas. I think most of us appreciate the American Red Cross and Salvation Army. Both are reputable and put boots on the ground to immediately help the victims. Neither are sending anyone door-to-door asking for donations, so do not donate that way.

Also, Tri Counties Bank has opened a Carr Fire Fund 2018 account with an initial $25,000 deposit and has already raised more than $50,000. The article said that funds will be distributed through the United Way of Northern California and local nonprofits to help the fire victims with immediate needs. You can also give online at a GoFundMe account.

I don’t know which organization it is, but victims returning to blackened or damaged homes are provided with a kit containing shovels, tarps and gloves to help them in recovery efforts. I wouldn’t have thought of that.

Haven Humane Society had to evacuate hundreds of animals to other areas. It is asking for donations. A list of needs can be found on Haven Humane Society’s facebook. It is another reputable non-profit.

The Salvation Army is accepting new clothing and underwear items. It does not have the manpower to sort second-hand items.

Anyone who suspects any fraud should immediately call National Center for Disaster Fraud at 866-720-5721. Our hearts go out to those in need, but let’s do it sensibly and in a manner that will get the donations to those who really need it.

Klamathon benefit

On that note, a benefit dinner for our local Klamathon Fire victims is being planned. It will be held on Sat., August 18, 2018 at the Miner’s Inn Convention Center in Yreka. Grill Master Dave Tyler will barbecue pulled pork with all the fixins. Friends of the Fair will offer a no-host bar. Save some extra funds and a bit of room in your belly for the Unique Dessert Auction. Doors open at 5 p.m. with dinner at 6 p.m.

All proceeds will go to the Klamathon Fire Relief Fund set up at Mechanics Bank. This benefit dinner was quickly organized by Walt Moody, Siskiyou County Republican Women Federated and the Siskiyou Co. Veteran’s Leadership Council. Even if you can’t attend, we can donate at the Mechanics Bank, which recently purchased the Scott Valley Bank.

Smart meters

The Mount Shasta City Council is holding a special council meeting on Thurs., Aug. 2, 2018 at the Mt. Shasta City Park, Upper Lodge on Nixon Road. More than 80 concerned individuals attended last week’s council meeting complaining about the installation of smart meters in the city and surrounding unincorporated area. 

Apparently, the company replacing the analog meters, has not been notified by Pacific Power regarding residents that have opted-out of having the new techy smart meter installed -- resulting in smart meters being installed against their wishes.

At the request of Vickie Gold, the city council is allowing a remote presentation that will be given by Willliam Bathgate, who has investigated the meters. Bathgate says this newest meter Aclara I-S210 is a proven fire hazard with health risk issues and even privacy and hacking risks. With the real threat of fires, more people are looking at the issues alleged towards smart meters.

Garden

The pickling cucumbers are really producing. I like them, cuz they are nearly always sweet, no matter how big they get. Potatoes are about done growing, so we are no longer watering them. They need to be mulched. The one sunflower is about seven-feet and starting to make a head.

I was surprised to see one tomato that is almost ripe. It was hiding down low. I didn’t pick it, but it might be ready by Aug. 1^st, which is surprising for us to have a ripe tomato that early.

Sadly, my large Shasta daisies are almost done blooming along with the yellow coreopsis and the orange day lilies. But, the pinkish Echinacea cone flowers, lavender flocks,  multi-colored ice plants, maroon cosmos, white four o’clocks, purple morning glories, pink begonias, pale-pink anemones, tall bright yellow yarrow and some burgundy amaranth are in full bloom. Red bee balm is growing with bright pink hollyhocks. At least, the bees and hummingbirds are very happy.

Be safe in this dry, hot summer!

Liz Bowen began writing ranch and farm news, published in newspapers, in 1976. She is a native of Siskiyou County and lives near Callahan. Call her at 530-467-3515. Check out her blog at: LizWritesLife.blogspot.com

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Liz Writes Life 7-24-18

July 24, 2018

Liz Writes Life

Water flows!

For once a non-decision was a good decision. On July 20, 2018, Judge William H. Orrick, did not make a decision regarding the Klamath Tribe’s lawsuit against the Klamath Bureau of Reclamation. Because no decision was made, legally-stored irrigation water is still flowing to more than 1,200 Klamath Project farmers. Jacqui Krizo, who grows organic horseradish in Tulelake, confirmed in an email to me that water is flowing. She is thankful!

Brandon Criss, Siskiyou Co. Supervisor for Dist. 1, attended the hearing in the U.S. District Court of California down in San Francisco. Much of the Tulelake area in the Klamath Bureau of Reclamation Project is in his district. Brandon told me there is even more good news. First the judge said he believes the lawsuit is in the wrong court. Because the Klamath Tribe demands more water must be stored in Oregon’s Upper Klamath Lake for ESA-listed sucker fish, the lawsuit should have been filed in the state of Oregon not California.

But, even better is the opinion the judge gave regarding the science and oral arguments for storing an additional foot of water on the lake -- than the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Biological Opinion states the suckers need. Apparently, the Tribe has to prove a very high standard, before an injunction could stop irrigation water to the Klamath Project farmers. Judge Orrick said the scientific argument does not reach that standard.

Brandon said that Modoc Co. Supervisor, Geri Byrne, attended the hearing along with several dozen very concerned Klamath Project farmers. The prospect of loss of water for irrigation in the 220,000 acres of the U.S. established Bureau of Reclamation Klamath Project (specifically to grow food for the nation) has been a problem for over 20 years. The 2001 irrigation water shut-off by the Biological Opinion of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for ESA-listed sucker fish was devastating and destroyed businesses throughout the Klamath basin communities.

Last week, I discussed the Amicus Curiae “Friend of the Court” brief that counties of Siskiyou, Modoc and Klamath filed along with the Modoc Tribe of Oklahoma. It did prove to be helpful with additional scientific facts; and Brandon said several farmers specifically thanked our county for its support.

Klamath dams

The Siskiyou Co. Supervisors held a special meeting to update the public on their work to save the Klamath dams slated for destruction by the non-profit Klamath River Renewal Corp in 2021. The meeting was held at the Montague Community Hall on a very hot July 17^th evening with about 70 attending. Board Chairman, Ray Haupt, introduced three individuals that work for SWCA Environmental Consultants as scientists and experts in administrative technical procedures. SWCA’s mission is to partner with clients (Siskiyou Co.) to achieve sound science on projects that affect the environment. They are a nation-wide company with expertise in California Environmental Quality Act and Environmental Impact Reports; including the correct surrender process by Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

One of the consultants is recently retired from working for PacifiCorp. To our good, he worked on the Condit dam that was destroyed several years ago in Washington. He has personal knowledge and stats regarding the problems that dam removal created including home owners’ wells going dry. He is not afraid to use that info and science to aid Siskiyou Co. in working to save the four Klamath River hydro-electric dams.

Much discussion from the public pointed out the need to retain the reservoirs, which were used earlier this month on the Klamathon Fire for fire suppression and public safety. There is no way KRRC can realistically replace the availability of  water in the reservoirs.

Ruffey Rancheria

Last Friday night, I was watching the KTVL Channel 10 News and was shocked by one news article. It referred to the Ruffey Rancheria near Etna, which our Dist. 1 CA. Congressman Doug LaMalfa has introduced as a bill, in the House, to restore the designation of the 1961 wrongfully-terminated Ruffey Rancheria.  

What caught my attention was a Karuk Tribal representative, who was interviewed, making completely false statements. The most blatant was that there is no known occupation of anyone living on the Ruffey Rancheria. What? My family knew the Ruffeys. We have several fun stories about Pete Ruffey, who my mom referred to as “gentlemanly.” And that was in the days when there was not a good attitude towards Native Americans.

I called the news station and spoke with a woman who answered. I told her that my family knew several Ruffeys. I know where they lived and it was less than a mile from my childhood home. Pete Ruffey was born in the 1890s and he had several sisters and brothers.

My grandfather, George Dillman, served as Etna Town Marshal from 1943 to 1959. Part of his job was to check the Etna water system. Every day he drove his pickup (it was also his official marshal vehicle) up several miles above Etna on Sawyers Bar Road to check the intake-line for the Etna water supply from Etna Creek. It is the city’s legal water right. Quite often, Pete Ruffey would be hiking to or from Etna and Grandpa would give him a ride.

I have always known about the Ruffeys. Etna and the entire Scott Valley area was heavily populated with documented Shasta Indian villages. It is also known that Konomihu Shasta Indian Queen Brazille was born at the Shasta Indian village, where the Ruffey Rancheria was later established. Queen Brazille was born in the early 1800s.

Garden  

Never have I had this happen to a zucchini plant. It was attacked by aphids. When I realized just how thick the black bugs were on the underside of the giant leaves, I quickly made an organic solution of 2 tsp dish soap, a small dollop of vinegar and filled a more-than-quart-size spray bottle full of warm water. I sprayed and sprayed and sprayed. Then, I sprayed the neighboring zucchini plant leaves that were just getting the aphids and also cucumber leaves on the other side. The next day, the originally-infected zucchini plant looked worse. I didn’t want it to continue infecting the neighboring plants, so I took the grubbing hoe and quickly dug it up and took it out to the dry weed pile.

These plants have been producing somewhat slowly, but I have picked 10 or more zucchinis. I will make another batch of the organic mixture and do more spraying on the other zucchini plant and cuc leaves. Hopefully, they will survive. Yes, there are ants in the garden and they like to harvest aphids. I usually lose a cabbage or broccoli plant to the aphids, but have never had them cover a zucchini plant.

Canceled

Tonight’s Yreka Tea Party Patriots’ meeting is canceled and the Scott Valley Protect Our Water meeting for Thursday night is also canceled. Stay home and try to be cool!

Liz Bowen began writing ranch and farm news, published in newspapers, in 1976. She is a native of Siskiyou County and lives near Callahan. Call her at 530-467-3515. Check out her blog at: LizWritesLife.blogspot.com

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Liz Writes Life 7-17-18

July 17, 2018

Liz Writes Life

Hooray! It was a happy day last Tuesday, July 10, 2018, when U.S. President Donald Trump pardoned Dwight Hammond, 76, and Steven Hammond, 49. Many citizens made phone calls to the White House and sent petitions and online support statements. This is incredible, folks. The Hammonds were railroaded and lied against by federal bureaucrats. You see, ranchers in Eastern Oregon have “cooperative” agreements with the BLM so they can burn grass and brush as fire protective management and to improve the range grasses. Hammonds signed these cooperative agreements for decades. Steven called the BLM Dist. Ranger the morning they began the fire, which was on their property. Yep, the winds took it over into BLM scrub lands; and Hammonds put the fire out themselves. It was not terrorism as the Obama Administration and Attorney General Eric Holder alleged.

Oregon Congressman (R-Hood River) Greg Walden was a major player in getting the “pardon” paperwork to Pres. Trump’s desk. Here is his statement:

“Today is a win for justice, and an acknowledgement of our unique way of life in the high desert, rural West. I applaud President Trump for thoroughly reviewing the facts of this case, rightly determining the Hammonds were treated unfairly, and taking action to correct this injustice.

“For far too long, Dwight and Steven Hammond have been serving a mandatory minimum sentence that was established for terrorists. This is something that would ‘shock the conscience,” according to Federal Judge Michael Hogan, who presided over the case and used his discretion in sentencing which later was reversed. As ranchers across eastern Oregon frequently tell me, the Hammonds didn’t deserve a five year sentence for using fire as a management tool, something the federal government does all the time.” Yep, hypocrisy!

Our own CA. Dist. 1 Congressman Doug LaMalfa also lent his support to the pardon-effort and sent out a press release stating the Hammonds “were let down by our justice system.” Wow, that is so true!

Joseph Rice, in Oregon, is leading the charge asking Hammond supporters to call U.S. Attorney for Oregon, Billy Williams at 503-727-1000 to demand Amanda Marshall be prosecuted for lying to federal investigators. It was U.S. Attorney Marshall, who led the push for more severe punishment of the Hammonds, who had already been railroaded, found guilty, then served the previous sentences in prison. Interestingly enough, Marshall has since resigned with her professionalism and qualifications being called into question on other cases.

Happy rally

Supporters of Hammonds held a rally last Wednesday, when Lucas Oil used its airplane to fly the Hammonds home to Burns. Forrest Lucas, who is an oil company owner, founded the nonprofit group called “Protect the Harvest” with the goal of supporting American farmers, ranchers, outdoor enthusiasts and animal owners. Lucas was a huge help is getting the Hammonds pardoned and brought the situation to the attention of U.S. Vice President Mike Pence. A big “thank you” also goes to Forrest Lucas.

Nice to have the truth win for a change.

Needed rain!

So grateful for the good amount of rain we received on Sunday. My goodness, don’t think I will need to irrigate on Monday. The tomatoes really like the heat we’re getting (I don’t!) and are huge with small tomatoes. Picking zucchini and cucumbers; and potatoes are ready for eating.

About a month ago, I pulled up the garlic to let it finish drying. Got a handful that were quite large, but the 25 others are medium to small. Last week, I harvested some mint and put it in paper bags to dry. Need to harvest another batch this week.

Go to this meeting

The Siskiyou Co. Board of Supervisors is inviting the public to attend a special meeting tonight at the Montague Community Hall from 6 to 8 p.m. The supervisors will receive an update from their SWCA Environmental Consultants. Board Chairman Ray Haupt was pleased to hire the SWCA, he said, because it provides expert science for the county’s legal team that is working hard pouring through the mountains of information to focus the county’s efforts on saving the dams. This is environmental science that will help our cause.

Meuser visit

At 8 p.m. at the Montague park across from the Community Center, Mark Meuser will meet with citizens. He is running for Secretary of State and is cycling through all 58 California counties. It will be a good time to get to visit with him.

Amicus Curiae

Through combined supervisors’ and county administration efforts, Siskiyou Co. was able to coordinate with Modoc and Klamath Counties to file an Amicus Curiae “Friend of the Court” brief in the case of the Klamath Tribes v. Bureau of Reclamation. A hearing is set for July 20, 2018 for the judge to decide if legal irrigation water will be shut-off to more than 1,200 farmers in the Bureau of Reclamation Project. Also, the Modoc Tribe of Oklahoma has joined the brief, bringing equal clout of a federally recognized Tribe against the Klamath Tribe. Yay!

Luckily, the judge has allowed the filing of the amicus brief by the three counties and the Modoc Tribe of OK. as it was a discretionary act. Meaning, the judge didn’t have to allow the brief against the injunction that the Klamath Tribe has filed. The Klamath Tribe claims that even more water -- than the USFWS Biological Opinion on sucker fish states – must be stored in Upper Klamath Lake, which will stop farmers from receiving desperately needed water for 200,000 acres of crops.

This is important, because the three counties and Modoc Tribe of OK. are putting the economic and social impacts before the judge to show they will be immensely  hurt by any water shut-off. It is estimated there could a total agriculture loss of over $700 million to Klamath, Modoc and Siskiyou Counties.

The Modoc Tribe of Oklahoma is descendants of Capt. Jack that were removed, in 1873, by railroad cars to Oklahoma after the Modoc War. This Tribe also signed the Treaty with the federal government that included the Klamath Tribes. The Modoc Tribe says it is pro-farmer, pro-local community and pro-local business. It also recently purchased the Tulelake airport that was being threatened for closure, because a Japanese environmental group wanted to purchase the airport land to add to its Japanese World War II encampment monument. The airport is not adjacent to the Japanese encampment and its closure would have drastically impacted the economy and safety of Tulelake area.

Smart meters

On Wed., July 18, 2018, Betty Kreeger will speak on the dangers of smart meters at the Siskiyou Co. Library at 719 4th St. in Yreka. Time is 6:30 p.m.

POW

Scott Valley Protect Our Water will not hold a meeting this month.

Liz Bowen began writing ranch and farm news, published in newspapers, in 1976. She is a native of Siskiyou County and lives near Callahan. Call her at 530-467-3515. Check out her blog at: LizWritesLife.blogspot.com

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Liz Writes Life 7-10-18

July 10, 2018

Liz Writes Life

The Klamathon Fire is devastating. What an emotional toll losing part of Hornbrook and surrounding homes. As of Monday morning, 81 structures had been destroyed and 12 damaged. Cal-Fire estimates this is the second worst fire in Siskiyou Co. history with the 2014 Boles Fire in Weed still ranking as number one, where 150 structures were lost.

I talked with Ray Haupt, who is chairman of the Siskiyou Co. Board of Supervisors, and Dist. 5 Supervisor. Hornbrook is in his district. Late Thursday afternoon, July 5, 2018, he said Jason Vela of Siskiyou Co. Emergency Services, Elizabeth Nielsen, in county administration, and the county counsel wrote the local Emergency Proclamation, because they knew state and federal resources and agencies would be needed for the fast-moving fire. Ray signed it and it was emailed to CA. Gov. Jerry Brown. Within a half-hour, the governor had signed it! Wow that was fast. Ray said outside emergency services and fire fighting resources did begin pouring in. The proclamation also kicks-in help from FEMA and the National Guard.

Then on Friday at 5 a.m., Ray received an inquiry from a White House Assistant Director of Governmental Affairs asking how the Trump administration could help. Throughout the morning, Ray communicated directly with the White House clearing any red tape issues. Ray said the coordination among the fire and emergency agencies has been very good. Because Oregon is also threatened, the Oregon Dept. of Forestry is in the unified command with Cal-Fire. By Saturday evening, three National Guard commanders had arrived and attended the Public Briefing held at the Yreka Community Theater.

 Air assistance began immediately with helicopters dipping out of the Klamath River and reservoirs; and DC-10 bombers dropping retardant. As of Monday morning, 199 fire engines were assigned to the Klamathon Fire along with 21 water tenders, 14 helicopters, 80 hand crews and 26 bulldozers.

“We are a high priority in the state for firefighting response,” Ray said, adding there were 2,016 people working on the fire, which was at 35,000 acres and 30 percent containment.

Ray began visiting dispatch, internal and public fire meetings and evacuation centers on Thursday night. By Sunday night there were 144 evacuees accounted for by the Red Cross. Jackson St. School and the Siskiyou Golden Fairgrounds are serving as evacuation centers. Horse, cattle, dogs and other livestock are at the fairgrounds.

The fire started Thursday afternoon. High winds moved the fire so fast that Siskiyou Co. Sheriff Jon Lopey immediately sent officers door-to-door in Hornbrook and the surrounding area with evacuation orders. The sheriff’s dept. continues to coordinate security, provide welfare checks and let residents know if they are in mandatory or advisory evacuation areas. On Saturday, the fire moved west of Hilt and southeast towards Copco and areas north of Montague. There has been one fatality and three injured or burned firefighters.

Ray said the Modoc Tribe of Oklahoma set up a Go Fund Me page to benefit Hornbrook and the Shasta Tribe has a heritage advisor on the ground aiding firefighters in protecting cultural sites, if possible.

A big “thank you” goes out to firefighters, county and agency personnel, Red Cross and friends that have jumped-in to help. There are a lot of good people, who do the right thing!

Bundy

Last week, I claimed that the Nevada State government is evil. There is a reason 52 Clark Co. ranchers have been pushed out of their businesses and Bundys have been persecuted, because they are not willing to leave their property and livelihood. Money or rather the pursuit of money and power is usually the culprit. Bundy’s water and grazing rights were established through the state of Nevada in 1890. So, it was the state that should have intervened in Cliven Bundy’s behalf. It did not.

Harry Reed, when he was U.S. Senator from Nevada, was quite powerful. But, I surmise it is the people who pulled his strings who are even more powerful. The Mafia built Las Vegas, which is in Clark Co., Nevada. The Mafia did not go away. It just became more legit. We can speculate what is behind the need to destroy cattle ranching in Nevada. And I still claim it is evil, but I admit I don’t know exactly what it is. I do believe that uranium is the new gold and there is lots of it near the Hammond’s ranch in Eastern Oregon and down through Eastern Nevada.

There was good news, on July 3, 2018. The U.S. government asked Judge Gloria Navarro to reconsider and hold a retrial of Cliven, Ammon, Ryan Bundy and Ryan Payne. She denied the motion with an 11-page ruling that repeats the same language from her first decision to dismiss the trial -- with prejudice. Again, Judge Navarro harshly admonished the prosecution for their “flagrant misconduct.” Whew!

She also referenced the previous trials where Todd Engle and Greg Burleson were convicted. Burleson was sentenced to 68 years for showing up to the April 2014 Bunkerville standoff and Engel is scheduled to be sentenced on July 19, 2018. Todd is facing a possible 20 years in prison. Shari Duvale, reporter for Redoubt News.com, wrote in her recent article that the government is desperately trying to keep their convictions from being overturned, yet cannot wipeout the taint of their fraudulent actions. As in the Bundy trial, much information was withheld by the U.S. government.

Smart meters

The Yreka Tea Party Patriots will have more information regarding smart meters at their meeting tonight at 6:30 p.m. It is held at Covenant Garden Chapel at 200 Greenhorn Road in Yreka and is free. The number to call to op-out of the installation of a smart meter on your home is 866-869-8520.

On Wed., July 18, 2018, Betty Kreeger will speak on the dangers of smart meters at the Siskiyou Co. Library at 719 4^th St. in Yreka. Time is 6:30 p.m.

Workshop

Ray Haupt told me that a special county supervisors’ meeting will be held on Tues., July 17 at the Montague Community Center from 6 to 8 p.m. Because the situation with Klamath dam removal is complicated (to say the least), the board is flying-in members of their team from the SWCA technical consultants and their legal team for this meeting. The team will give a presentation on how the county is legally and administratively responding to the FERC process of taking the four Klamath dams out. This is true transparency, folks, and is the latest information on the situation. Hope you can attend.

As a sideline, when any of the firefighters are told about the possibility of the dams being removed, they are incredulous. The reservoirs and the Klamath River are certainly providing significant water for the firefighting efforts.

Liz Bowen began writing ranch and farm news, published in newspapers, in 1976. She is a native of Siskiyou County and lives near Callahan. Call her at 530-467-3515. Check out her blog at: LizWritesLife.blogspot.com

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Liz Writes Life 7-3-18

July 3, 2018 

Liz Writes Life

It is zucchini season! When I was out and about last week, I heard people talking about their zucchini picking and eating. One friend was buying it from the store. Guess he didn’t have any plants at home! Another friend said she had several volunteer plants that look to be a cross between zucchini and yellow crookneck. They taste and look like zucchini, but are yellow.

For several years, we have notice that our first zucchini starts rotting at the blossom-end, when it is about three-inches in size and we don’t get to eat it. Yep, once again, I got excited last week and then it died. But, the next two look to be growing OK, so I hope to make our sausage-zucchini casserole this week.

Don’t remember if I mentioned it, but I really cut back on the garden this year. Jack is re-doing our large porch and boards were stacked into the garden area in May at planting time. Also, the carpel tunnel in my hands has made it more difficult to do plant-tending and weed-hoeing. So, I planted in a row hoping to lay a soaker hose down it. There are six tomato plants, three lemon cucumbers, two zucchini, seven pickling cucs, volunteer potatoes and the two giant rhubarb plants. Volunteer amaranth plants have been transplanted into the row, cuz I just really like the unusual maroon plants that get five-feet tall. In a zig-zag, there is a volunteer 4-foot tall sunflower and transplanted chives.

Problem is that I can’t seem to find soaker hoses that soak correctly. At different times, during the past 17 years, I have purchased soaker hoses that either seeped too fast or not at all. But, for the most part, they seeped just right. I still have two that work well. Last year and this year, the ones I have purchased seep the first half of the hose (these are 50-foot hoses) and literally not at all from the last 25 feet.

As a result, the vegetable plants are not on a soaker hose with a timer, but are being hand-watered. Yes, I know I should do a drip-system, but it is quite time-consuming to put in and a bit expensive. So, I echo what one friend mentioned recently: No matter how you do it, gardening is a lot of work! Also, my knees complain a lot.

But, I can update you on my friend, Tim Grenvik’s, larger garden. He reported that his corn is “definitely knee high” and sunflowers are up to his belly button. He and wife, Lynn, are eating snap peas, broccoli, radishes, garlic and artichoke heads. Wow, that is great. His artichokes are in a variety of stages of growth, but he is fighting with earwigs as they like artichokes too.

Tim’s melons are crawling off their mounds, but the crimson watermelons are slower than the cantaloupes and honey dews. He wondered if that was normal and I think it was for me. Seemed like the cantaloupe vines grew faster than watermelon. Oh, and his tomato plants are putting on tomatoes.

POW

Scott Valley Protect Our Water met last Thursday. It was a small turn-out of stalwarts. I reported CA. Dist. 1 Congressman Doug LaMalfa and three other congressmen have written a letter to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service urging the agency delist three species of wolves: gray wolf, Mexican wolf and red wolf. Among other facts, they cited the recovery success stories in Wyoming, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin have led to the removal of wolf species in certain states from the federal Endangered Species Act list.

POW President, Andrew Hurlimann, read a letter from Mark Baird, leader of the Citizens for Fair Representation lawsuit against the CA. Secretary of State. The decision by the judge has been pushed back again, so the group is still waiting.

I spoke about the Bundy Ranch situation. When Ammon Bundy was here in May, I was able to question him for nearly an hour. I now understand his dad, Cliven’s, situation much better. We, in California, think of grazing on public lands as needing a permit. That is how things work here. But, in Nevada a grazing right is the same as a water right. We understand water rights and POW formed in 2010 to stop the state from demanding we pay for a permit to open our headgate to obtain our legal water right property allotment. That water is our right to use without a permit.

When Cliven said his problem was with the State of Nevada and not with the federal agencies, he meant just that. In Nevada, water and grazing rights are tied together. His family enjoy “vested” water and grazing rights, which are even stronger. The legal definition of vested is: a right belonging completely and unconditionally to a person as a property interest, which cannot be impaired or taken away without the consent of the owner.

So, it is through Nevada that Cliven owns his legal water and grazing rights. It is Nevada that should collect any grazing fees.

For 20 years, the Clark Co. Sheriff (whoever was serving at the time) had provided protection from BLM. Some sheriffs were better protectors than others. This last sheriff didn’t even try. When, Ammon drove from his home in Idaho to support his family in early April 2014, he immediately went to the Clark Co. Sheriff asking for help – he received none.

He went to the ranch, where Cliven and Ryan Bundy families were literally surrounded by BLM employees. Grudgingly released government documents prove there were 213 federal agents with 143 in full-tactical gear, including 19 law enforcement contractors, watching from the hills. There were convoys and guards on the main road and helicopters running the cattle. Ammon said they really thought the BLM was going to kill them. Later, it was learned the military-op had authority to use lethal force.

Also, Cliven had never signed for the federal BLM permit, which is a contract. He never obtained or agreed to a federal grazing permit, so how could he owe a million dollars in grazing fees? In a court of law, there must be a contract that has been breached to demand restitution.

There is something evil behind the removal of cattle ranchers in Clark Co., Nevada and it is higher than the BLM. Back in the 1970s, there were 53 cattle ranchers in Clark County. As the BLM became more aggressive, Cliven tried to get them to stand together. Most did not. Some obtained the dreaded BLM grazing permit and still lost their ranch.

In 2014, Cliven and Ryan Bundy were the last ranchers left. The State of Nevada and the county sheriff did not protect them. That is why Cliven’s frustration is with the state. That is where the protection of his water and grazing rights should have been. What is going on behind-the-scenes in Nevada government? And why were the federal agencies allowed to do a military operation? I’ll provide more next week.

Liz Bowen began writing ranch and farm news, published in newspapers, in 1976. She is a native of Siskiyou County and lives near Callahan. Call her at 530-467-3515. Check out her blog at: LizWritesLife.blogspot.com

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Liz Writes Life 6-26-18

June 26, 2018

Liz Writes Life

Published in Siskiyou Daily News, Yreka, CA

Roses! I forgot to mention the two very hardy rose bushes that also bloom in my not-very-good-soil flower garden. I purchased them 17 years ago at Ray’s grocery store in Etna. They were cheap at just $7.99 each. Didn’t really know what I was getting, but both have survived the rocky ground and sometimes significant snows in winter that have broken them down. I don’t prune them very often, except to take the dead stems out and trim off the old bloom stems. One is a deep red with wonderful rose fragrance. The other doesn’t have as much rose smell, but the color starts a deep orange-pink blending to pinkish yellow. The blooms glow in the afternoon sun!

The wild roses keep trying to come back, but I have worked to stop them. The 12 coreopsis that I transplanted inside the fence, last year, are over three-feet tall and blooming lots of yellow flowers right now. The orange day lilies started blooming and the comfrey needs to be cut back. I use the big leaves for mulch.

Wow, it was hot on Sunday! Yep, summer is here and the plants are really starting to grow. There are two blossoms on a zucchini and the cucumbers are about ready to fall over and start spreading. Oh, when I put the cages around the tomato plants, I found an inch-wide green tomato along with some blooms. There is hope!

Disaster

An unprecedented disaster is facing Siskiyou and Klamath Counties. Last Tuesday, Jim Smith, Siskiyou Co. Ag. Commissioner, Elizabeth Nielsen, Siskiyou Co. Natural Resources Policy Specialist, and Mike Mallory, Siskiyou Co. Assessor/Recorder, spoke at the Siskiyou Co. Supervisors’ meeting sharing staggering costs that will affect both counties if the irrigation water is shut-off to the Klamath Reclamation Project in July. There are well-over 1,200 farmers in the project consisting of over 220,000 acres. Jim also owns 400 acres in the Tulelake area of the project and will be affected, so he knows his stuff -- inside and out.

If you missed the board meeting, you have another chance to learn specifically what is going on with the lawsuit by the Klamath Tribes that could stop all irrigation water – which is also a legal water right for project farmers. Jim gave a presentation to the supervisors and will give it again tonight at the Yreka Tea Party meeting. The meet is held at the Covenant Chapel Church on 200 Greenhorn Rd. in Yreka. Time is 6:30 p.m. It is worth attending.

This is worse than the 2001 water shut-off by the Bureau of Reclamation due to the Biological Opinion from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regarding sucker fish in Upper Klamath Lake and Lost River. It was terribly devastating, but the farmers knew on April 1^st they would not receive their legal allotted water. Most did not plant crops; or they had wells or drilled wells to be able to irrigate.

This year, some water was promised, but it wasn’t for the entire legal amount and it was shut-off in April and major parts of May and June. Crops are struggling. Many farmers obtain contracts with companies like Frito Lay to grow potatoes and get bank loans to meet their costs. Yep, with no water coming in crops will die. The double-whammy of not meeting contracts and falling short on bank loans is heart-wrenching.

Jim said that potatoes and onions will take the biggest hit. Severe impacts in production and quality will also hit hay and grain. Most of the farms in Siskiyou Co. are operated by families. They are not big corporations. It will be devastating for these family farms. Jim put together costs to the county in taxes, the economy and communities.

“Total impacts will be incalculable,” he told me.

But, the loss of direct payment of taxes to the county will be around $400,000. Not good. Remember, Ray Haupt, chairman of the supervisors’ board, reported the county’s next-year budget is $1 million short.

Believe it or not, agriculture is a $278 million economy in Siskiyou County. Tulelake agriculture is a significant portion of that industry.  And, Jim explains, for every 1,200 jobs in agriculture at least 700 more are generated in related businesses. Also for every dollar generated by the agriculture industry, another 91 cents is generated in the community.

In Oregon, the Klamath Co. Commissioners have estimated the man-made drought could cost $557 million or more and close to 4,500 jobs will be lost.

On July 13, 2018, a judge will rule if the Klamath Tribes demand for more water storage in the Upper Klamath Lake for sucker fish will trump legal water designated for the farmers in the federal Klamath Reclamation Project. The Klamath Water District, in the project, is scrambling and has filed their legal claim on the stored water. Tensions are running high.

Smart Meters

Citizens Betty Kreeger and Vicki Gold and engineer John Hill will present information on their research about the dangers of Smart Meters that Pacific Power are putting in throughout Siskiyou Co. on June 30^th at the Mount Shasta Library at 515 E. Alma Street. Time is 6 p.m.

POW meets

Scott Valley Protect Our Water will meet this Thursday, June 28, 2018 at the Fort Jones Community Center at 7 p.m. Erin Ryan, staff to Congressman Doug LaMalfa, will have lots to share. She has been attending meetings in Klamath Falls, where Alan Mikkelsen, the Deputy Commissioner of the federal Bureau of Reclamation, and the non-profit Klamath River Renewal Corp. are working on plans to fix the water fiasco. At the meeting on June 18, 2018, Erin asked if the farmers are going to get any water? There was no real response. And, once again, no plan was even framed. Makes one wonder what is really going on behind the scenes.

Liz Bowen began writing ranch and farm news, published in newspapers, in 1976. She is a native of Siskiyou County and lives near Callahan. Call her at 530-467-3515. Check out her blog at: LizWritesLife.blogspot.com

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