Feb. 5, 2019
Liz Writes Life
Published in Siskiyou Daily News, Yreka, CA
Yep, there were several responders to my opinion in last
week’s “Liz Writes Life” about saving the Klamath dams. Good. I could argue
with non-profit organizations, including the pro-dams removal leader Klamath
River Renewal Corp., till the cows come home. But, I am not going to do that
today. I just ask my readers to remember non-profit groups are not government
agencies. Only government agencies are tasked with following the correct
government regulated process for dam removal. And that is the key here.
For years, there have been many voices claiming the dams must
come out. This has been loud rhetoric meant to influence “we the people”.
But, the actual decision for the dams to be destroyed has yet
to be made. It will be made by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. At
this point, the proposition proposed by KRRC to allow KRRC to purchase/obtain
the licenses to the four hydro-electric Klamath dams from PacifiCorp and has not
been decided.
If the decision is made to allow KRRC to obtain the
hydro-electric licenses, then NEPA will kick-in and must be followed. Under the
“Summary of the National Environmental Policy Act” it states: The National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) was one of the first laws ever written that
establishes the broad national framework for protecting our environment. NEPA's
basic policy is to assure that all branches of government give proper consideration
to the environment prior to undertaking any major federal action that
significantly affects the environment. NEPA was enacted as federal law back on
Jan. 1, 1970. Klamath dams removal will significantly affect the environment!
The state of California must also correctly follow its
environmental policies if a pro-dam removal decision is made.
So, instead of listening to the loud voices proclaiming
Klamath dams removal is a done deal, I am waiting for the actual decision by
FERC and then will watch-dog that NEPA and California Environmental Quality Act
are followed – to the letter of the law.
In talking with our Siskiyou County supervisors, and other
groups and individuals, I believe dam-huggers (like me) have stayed on top of
all accusations and issues; and have responded with appropriate letters,
documents and legal concerns. Yes, there is anxiety and fear in waiting, but
that just makes us vigilant!
Remember to read the Executive Summary of the Lower Klamath
Project – draft Environmental Impact Report, released by the CA. State Water
Resources Control Board. Then write your comment -- as we are in the public
review period of the draft CA. Environmental Impact Report – and submit it to
the SWRCB before noon on Feb. 26, 2019.
It can be submitted electronically or by mail: Email address
is: WR401Program@waterboards.ca.gov or by U.S. Mail: Ms. Michelle Siebal, State
Water Resources Control Board Division of Water Rights – Water Quality
Certification Program, P.O. Box 2000, Sacramento, CA 95812-2000.
Or attend the public meeting that will be held tonight, Feb.
5, 2019, at the Miner’s Inn Convention Center in Yreka. The SWRCB staff will be
recording the public comments and you can leave your written comments with them
as well. The meeting is from 5 to 8 p.m.
Snow
It was great to hear the Sierras received lots of snow for
the snowpack survey held last week near Tahoe. It showed 100 percent of average
snowpack for Feb. 1st.
But, that is not the case here in our mountains surrounding
Scott Valley as the snowpack looks low, even though I have not seen our local
survey results. I am writing this on Monday morning and was hoping to wake up
to three-inches of the predicted snow and huge flakes falling outside my
window. Nope, didn’t happen. But, I am still hoping!
POW
Scott Valley Protect Our Water will hold its first meeting of
the year on Feb. 28, 2019 at the Fort Jones Community Center at 7 p.m.
Currently, Siskiyou Co. Dist. 5 Supervisor, Ray Haupt, and Erin Ryan, staff for
Dist. 1 Congressman Doug LaMalfa, are on the agenda. There will be lots to
report!
Hammonds
The Feb. 2, 2019 newsletter from the Public Lands Council
reported great news for Oregon cattlemen Dwight and Steven Hammond. PLC has
worked with the Hammonds to restore their grazing allotments, which had not
been renewed before or after they received a pardon from President Trump, last
July, and were released from prison. The Acting Interior Secretary, David
Bernhardt and his team, were thanked for correcting the hardships Hammonds
faced without grazing allotments for their ranching operation. This is really
good for all grazing allotment holders and the environment.
Bundy
But not-so-good news came, last week, for Bunkerville rancher
Cliven Bundy, his sons Ammon and Ryan, and Ryan Payne, as federal prosecutors
are moving forward with an appeal of U.S. District Judge Gloria Navarro’s
dismissal of felony conspiracy and weapons charges.
It was last year, in January, when Judge Navarro threw out
the case against the Bundy family and Payne after finding “flagrant
prosecutorial misconduct” by the federal prosecutors. The government’s opening appeal
brief is expected to be filed by Feb. 6, 2019.
The Bundys and Payne had been held in federal detention
prison for 23 months as the case slowly worked through the court. The charges
against the Bundys stemmed from an armed standoff with federal agents in April
2014 at the Bundy ranch near Bunkerville, Nevada.
But, Bundy may actually look forward to a bigger showdown
with the feds. At a meeting in Feb. 2018, in Sparks, Nev., Bundy said he would
have preferred for the trial to continue because much more of the bad behavior
of the federal agents would have been exposed. Bundy was quoted by the Las
Vegas Review-Journal of the January 2018 trial, “That court (proceeding) was
actually stopped because we would have embarrassed the government very much if
it would have continued on for even two more hours.”
I also heard Cliven say, in an interview, that he believed
the jury would have found them not-guilty and it would have set a very
important precedent.
But, for me, it is frustrating to imagine the arrogance of
the federal prosecutors to go forward with an appeal. Much has come to light of
the dastardly antics of the federal agents that led up to the April 2014
standoff. How do they think that information can be kept out of court?
Garden
Finally, I addressed the asparagus patch and cleaned it out.
The soil is soft, so the surviving mallow weeds pulled-out pretty easily. And,
I put a couple bags of steer manure on the five remaining plants. Felt good to
get that job done.
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.
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