Liz Writes Life 9-18-19

September 18, 2019

Liz Writes Life

After a 92-degree day at my place, last Saturday, I did not believe it would actually rain (it was a drizzle) on Sunday night. But it did! The weather forecasters are saying cooler temps and drizzles several days this week. Yay! Boy, am I ready for fall. In checking the weather, it doesn’t look like it will freeze for several more weeks, but my plants are slowing down. My goal is to clean-up the garden this fall and have it ready to go next spring. I haven’t done that for several years and April and May have been exhausting, because of all the work. Yep, good intentions! Ha, ha.

POW

The next Scott Valley Protect Our Water meeting is Thursday, Sept. 26, 2019 and I haven’t finished reporting on the last one. So here goes.

Ray Haupt, Dist. 5 Siskiyou Co. Supervisor, introduced Tom Jackson, who was in attendance at the August meeting. Tom is a long-time friend of Ray’s, whose family were early pioneers settling in the Weed area. Tom is a local historian with extensive knowledge of Native Americans.

Ray then touted the recent article about the Klamath dams in “Range” magazine written by local author Theodora Johnson. The proposed removal of four Klamath hydro-electric dams is a long, complicated and convoluted issue, but Theo “boiled it down to where it is easy to understand,” Ray said.

Because he read the article, an attorney from a law firm in Medford called Ray. He was quite concerned. Years ago, the senior partner of the law firm worked on the legislation that created irrigation for Jackson County from the Klamath River. Yep, much of the agricultural irrigation for the pear orchards and winery grapes is from the upper Klamath River. 

Howard Prairie Lake is one of the storage lakes from that legislation. He was quite frustrated the Jackson Co. Commissioners are not involved, because a loss of irrigation water will certainly affect Jackson County’s economy.

Also, a county supervisor from Del Norte has woke-up and is concerned its harbor will fill with sediment from the destruction of the dams. Apparently, dredging out the harbor is an expensive operation.

Then, Ray mentioned he has received phone calls from Copco area residents upset about big equipment from a construction company doing work (and survey) in their area. The impression is that work has begun on taking the dams out. This is not the case.

Dam removal is not a done deal!

Kiewit is the contractor, who was awarded the job by non-profit Klamath River Renewal Corp. to do preliminary work, doing drilling to understand the ground sloping, underground water situations and taking soil samples. Kiewit would also be the contractor to do dam removal, if KRRC is able to obtain ownership of the hydro-electric licenses from PacifiCorp. Yep, KRRC does not even own the dams, so how could they remove them?

First, KRRC must obtain the hydro-electric licenses through the Federal Energy Resource Commission. This is where the process stands right now.

It is under FERC that both federal and California environmental processes must be completed. And, they have not yet been completed. This is where Siskiyou Co. and other groups have weighed-in detailing significant aspects of the environmental studies that must be addressed and or mitigated.

Ray said the county sent a letter through its law firm to FERC highlighting the many aspects of KRRC’s Definite Plan, which have not been addressed. I obtained a copy of this long and detailed letter.

Here are some troublesome points from that letter:

So far, non-profit KRRC has not shown that it has the adequate funding to complete the $450 million dam removal project. Through investigation, the county states the actual cost will be more than $450 million. Where will that funding come from?

Removing the dams by KRRC is a “complex experiment” that will have potential impacts on “imperiled species, water quality, and overall health of the Klamath River ecosystem, as well as socioeconomic impacts on the local community.”

“KRRC does not have the capability to sufficiently manage project risk,” according to the county’s letter to FERC. The letter explains that KRRC is a recently-created shell corporation with “no track record” and is incapable of self-insuring.

The county also states: “The License Transfer Process Should Not Be Used By PacifiCorp to Escape Responsibility for the Responsible Decommissioning of a Long Held Project.” Again, the risk of huge liability problems must be fully addressed by PacifiCorp, FERC and KRRC.

Loy and John Beardsmore, who own a home and property in Copco, have also sent a long, questioning letter to FERC. They are interveners in the process and as such carry weight as well. A major frustration by the Beardsmores is the loss of fire suppression resources, when the Copco and Irongate lakes no longer have water.

The Beardsmore’s letter covers many of same concerns as the county, including correctly finalizing the environmental studies. A National Environmental Policy Act process has not been completed, which is a must. So far, environment studies, including California processes, are still in draft form.

Recently, KRRC claimed that the denial of water quality certification from the California Water Resources Control Board was not a problem and dam removal was still imminent. Wow, what a flat-out lie.

I also have a copy of the State Water Board’s denial letter in which Eileen Sobeck, Executive Director, states: “At this time, the State Water Board is unable to certify that the Project will comply with California water quality standards and other appropriate requirements of state law because of recent changes to the proposed Project requiring evaluation, the pendency of information requests, and the ongoing work necessary to comply with CEQA. The KRRC is hereby notified that the September 4, 2018, request for water quality certification for the Project is denied without prejudice, effective the date of this letter.” That date was Sept. 3, 2019.

So, until environmental federal and state regulations, including water quality requirements, are met – the removal of the Klamath dams is not a done deal. Please do not be deceived. There are governmental processes that must be finalized, before the dams will be destroyed by KRRC. Our county and other interveners are boldly holding government agencies’ feet to the fire.

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 year can be found at: lizwriteslife.blogspot.com. Call her at 530-467-3515.

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Liz Writes Life 9-11-19

Sept. 11, 2019

Liz Writes Life

Today is the 18^th anniversary of the horrendous attacks on the United States of America by those who hate our Constitution our freedoms and our country.

Seven years ago, a special museum and memorial opened on the site of the twin towers in New York City that were destroyed by the attackers, who hijacked commercial airplanes and flew them into the buildings. At least 2,996 people were killed that day. This memorial also honors the six people, who died in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.

The Memorial Mission statement, at the site, reads:

“Remember and honor the thousands of innocent men, women, and children murdered by terrorists in the horrific attacks of February 26, 1993 and September 11, 2001.

“Respect this place made sacred through tragic loss.

“Recognize the endurance of those who survived, the courage of those who risked their lives to save others, and the compassion of all who supported us in our darkest hours.

“May the lives remembered, the deeds recognized, and the spirit reawakened be eternal beacons, which reaffirm respect for life, strengthen our resolve to preserve freedom, and inspire an end to hatred, ignorance and intolerance.”

Sept. 11, 2001 was a severely shocking and sad day. Many lives have since been lost as a result of the dastardly deeds from that day. My hope is that “we the people” and all of our elected leaders will humble ourselves and strive harder to end hatred, ignorance and intolerance. Let us not forget 9-11 in 2001.

Dog days

Yay, the coolness of September arrived several days ago ending the hot, long, dog days of summer. Evening shadows are slanted differently from the sun’s solstice a few months ago -- and come quicker. Fall is coming! Last week, I canned tomatoes and made a big batch of Italian sauce using my home-grown herbs of oregano, basil and parsley. Now, I will need to can several batches of Green Tomato Sweet Relish, but will need to purchase bell peppers as I didn’t plant them this year and the onion starts didn’t do well.

Three weeks ago, I pulled-up the cucumbers. They were bitter – yuck! 

The non-volunteer cosmos and four o’clock flowers are finally blooming in gorgeous colors and the pie pumpkins turned orange a month ago.

Speaking of pumpkins, Alaska just set a new state record for a giant pumpkin during its state fair the end of August. Dale Marshall, of Anchorage, broke his previous giant pumpkin champion by nearly 600 pounds. This year, his pumpkin weighed 2,051 pounds. Yep, totally amazing. The long, almost 24-hour days of light are a huge growing factor, but Marshall also thought the extra actual “sunny days” they received this year really helped; and also heated the greenhouse, where it grew 25 to 50 pounds a day during July.

Marshall said the pumpkin received between 75 to 200 gallons of water a day. Wow. Another amazing fact is that it grew that large in 89 days. Yep, time to stop irrigating my pumpkins. They have been growing for 120 days and are done.

Film Festival

Once again, the Jefferson State Flixx Fest 2019 will be held Sept. 19 – 22 in Fort Jones at The Rec. An interesting number of films will be shown with evening activities sponsored by local businesses. Learn more by calling 530-468-2888 or going to FlixxFest.org website.

“Fun” Raiser

After years of holding its General Election Primary in June, California has moved that election date to March 3, 2020. This will be the date for the Presidential Primary and other office elections. This is not to be confused with our upcoming District General Election that will be held on Nov. 5, 2019 and will choose our Dist. 1 Assemblyperson, which is a runoff between Democrat Elizabeth Betancourt and Republican Megan Dahle. A few other local district elections will also be on the ballot.

Because the General Election Primary is three months earlier than what we are used to, fundraisers and campaign activities are also starting earlier.

The Siskiyou Citizens for Doug LaMalfa is holding a Harvest Festival “Fun” Raiser on Sat., Sept. 28^th in Scott Valley. Grill Master Dave Tyler and his talented wife, Kathy Tyler, will be cooking barbeque ribs, chicken and all the fixins. The event starts at 3 p.m. with games, contests, auctions, live music, dance and a townhall discussion from LaMalfa.

Our congressman loves Siskiyou Co. A few years ago, Doug stopped the federal funding of $450 million that was needed to remove the four Klamath Hydro-electric dams under the previous Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement. Because of LaMalfa, Klamath dam removal is not a done deal and the new non-profit Klamath River Renewal Corp. is still lacking the funds and federal authority to remove the dams.

Dinner will be at 6 p.m. for LaMalfa’s Harvest Festival. Tickets are $30 for ages 13 and over; $15 for ages 8-12; and $3 for 7 and under. It will be held at Dowling Ranch Barn at 4500 Eastside Rd. near Etna. Call Kathy Bergeron Insurance at 530-842-4400 to get your tickets. I already purchased mine!

POW

Ray Haupt, Dist. 5 Siskiyou Co. Supervisor, shared at the August Scott Valley Protect Our Water meeting that the proposed permit for the Kidder Creek Orchard Camp expansion is currently under the Environmental Impact Report review process. Because of the thick forest where the camp is located, Ray said the review will scrutinize the threat of forest fires. Also, this process will be the first test after the recent court decision regarding public doctrine and ground water.

Correction to last week’s column: Pat Thompson called to let me know that she and Fred (Arnberg) did not purchase Montague Hardware. I accidently got her husband, Lloyd Thompson, and Fred’s name mixed up. It was Pat and her husband, Lloyd, who purchased Montague Hardware after working with Fred at Montague Aviation. I apologize for the mistake. Hopefully, with the passing of the dog days of summer my brain will work better! Ha, ha.

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 year can be found at: lizwriteslife.blogspot.com. Call her at 530-467-3515.

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Liz Writes Life 9-4-19

Sept. 4, 2019

Liz Writes Life

Talk about embarrassing! Yep, I have a correction to make. Last week, I said there were “1,400 fires” started from the dry-lightning that began the ’87 Fire Siege. There were a lot of fires, but Jon Silvius, Public Information Officer for Klamath National Forest, reported in press releases there were an estimated 1,400 dry-lightning strikes in our area on Aug. 30, 1987 not fires. I do apologize. Sheeze what a brain freeze!

After deadline to get my column in, I realized my mistake and used Google to quickly see if there was an article on the Internet with the correct info. The siege was 32 years ago and the best article that came up was Judy Bushy’s “Happy Camp News.com” column from 2007, when she wrote about the 20^th anniversary. The info she used from KNF said that by the end of the first week, fires had grown together and they did have a count of 75. Wow, that is still a lot of fires!

Then, Wednesday night, Terry Weathers called me. He asked for my brother’s phone number, so he could pick his brain about the Sis-Q Flying Service. Terry and a committee are gathering information about the early days of aviation in Siskiyou Co. for a potential display at the county museum. We chatted.

Early on Aug. 31, 1987, Terry, with Dennis Brown, who was working recon and air attack for KNF, flew his one-engine Cessna 182 into a bright blue sky over Shasta Valley from Montague-Yreka airport. As they headed towards Happy Camp, they began sighting smokes and more smokes and more smokes!

Dennis communicated with lookouts and called the smokes to ground communications. Immediately, the USFS ordered-up a group of smoke jumpers to get a quick start on the fires. The jumpers were flown up from the USFS base in Redding and, unfortunately, one jumper broke his leg on landing. So, the fire jumpers quickly directed their intentions to cutting a few trees and clearing brush to make an open space for a rescue helicopter. They were in wilderness. Then, they attacked the fires along with Hot Shot teams, fire crews and air attack.

At the time, Terry and his wife, Jean, owned Montague Aviation and he typically piloted air recon personnel for USFS and Cal-Fire, which was California Dept. of Forestry at the time.

I received more info on Thursday, when Pat Thompson called me from Yreka. She is 91-years old and shared that her husband, Lloyd Thompson, was hired by Sis-Q Flying Service in August of 1964 as chief mechanic and a pilot. So, we figure the Harry Chaffee buzzing-Yreka escapade must have occurred in the spring of 1964, because she doesn’t recall the incident happening in 1965.

Lloyd and Pat were living in Chico, when Bud Davis, co-owner of Sis-Q Flying Service, blew an engine on his F-7 tanker while flying near Chico. Bud landed and Lloyd was the mechanic that repaired his engine. A few months later, Bud called and offered Lloyd a job. So, the Thompson family moved to Montague.

Lloyd actually owned a one-engine plane and also did air recon for the USFS and flew customers on chartered flights. In deep December, the 1964 catastrophic rain and flood hit the Pacific area. Bridges and roads were damaged isolating many towns and residents. During the continuing rain, Lloyd was asked to fly-in medicine and oxygen to Seiad area. He tried to land without a proper runway and wrecked his plane -- and ended-up in shock. Without available medical care, he began trying to get back home – on foot. At some point during the day, a Pacific Power helicopter picked him up and landed him in Yreka. But, power and likely telephone lines were down, so he ended-up walking home to Montague.

The bridge over Shasta River was unsafe for driving, but area folks were still walking it. Pat recalls Lloyd was drenched and a very tired, disoriented man when he finally arrived home. But, he was safe.

In 1968, Bud Davis and his partner, Fred Arnberg, split. Bud took Sis-Q Flying Service with some tankers and a handful of pilots to Santa Rosa. Fred stayed in Siskiyou Co. and started Montague Aviation. Lloyd and Pat threw their hat-in with Fred and invested in the business. Pat remembers serving as dispatcher, organizing schedules for pilot training and the Scott Valley Airmen, which kept its plane at the smaller Montague-Yreka airport. Fred flew recon for fires and worked on planes. 

Pat said sometimes she was the only one around to fuel planes. She remembers dragging the heavy hose over her shoulder and climbing the ladder to fuel Doc Hall’s plane, (and others) when he flew in from Happy Camp.

In 1971, Fred and Pat decided to buy Montague Hardware and moved out of the aviation business. They later sold the hardware store to do an upholstery business.

Pat did recall working at the fire headquarters based at the Siskiyou Golden Fairgrounds, in Yreka, during the ’87 Fire Siege. She helped serve food to 1,000s of firefighters as they came in blackened and exhausted from their work. Lloyd operated a folk-lift moving supplies. She finished our conversation saying her life has certainly been adventure!

Thank you, Terry and Pat, for your phone calls and sharing your memories.

POW

Erin Ryan, staff for Congressman Doug LaMalfa, spoke at the Scott Valley Protect Our Water meeting last Thursday night in Fort Jones. Erin said that our congressman took objection to U.S. Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders’ claim that Climate Change caused the fires that destroyed most of the city of Paradise, last November. Recently, Sanders visited Paradise and, once again, touted his proposal that will spend $16.3 trillion on Climate Change over the next 10 years.

LaMalfa responded: “While I am always happy to have elected leaders see firsthand the destruction that catastrophic wildfires and poor forest management has inflicted on our community, using our communities as a stage to promote the very policies that make these deadly fires more likely is insulting.”

LaMalfa explained much more to candidate Sanders. And I totally agree. The real reason for these horrible fires is the excessive government over-regulations resulting in excessive over-growth and unhealthy thickness of trees that fuels such intense fires. Whether there is Climate Change or not, government regulations and fashionable Green protect-the-environment attitudes are the true destroyers of forests and wildlife.

I will write more, next week, from the Protect Our Water meeting.

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 year can be found at: lizwriteslife.blogspot.com. Call her at 530-467-3515.

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