Archive 132 - May 2013
also see main archive page

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1-minute video in Moore, OK with Mercy Chefs

Response to commentary about Klamath County Commissioner Tom Mallams, letter to H&N by David Oxley, Klamath Falls, 5/26/13
followed by: Commissioner working against Klamath’s interests, by 15 Project irrigators, H&N 5/26/13

Initiative would recognize hydropower as renewable, Capital Press, posted to KBC 5/26/13. "Smith said hydroelectric power, generated from dams, is the No. 1 source of electricity for Oregon, providing more than 40 percent of the state's electricity."

TID well water pumped May 16-23
TID well water levels 5/23/13

5/26/13 - Psalm 13:1-6 "How long O Lord? Will You forget me, forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? How long will my enemy be exalted over me? Consider and hear me, O Lord my God; enlighten my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; Lest my enemy says, "I have prevailed against him." Lest those who trouble me rejoice when I am moved. But, I have trusted in Your mercy; my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. I will sing to the Lord; because He has dealt bountifully with me." sent from Frank Tallerico

California Farm Bureau Federation Friday Legislative Review 5/24/13: tax hikes, CESA accidental take extensions, air quality improvement, purchasing preference for California grown ag products, bobcat trapping, permanently raise minimum wage, shut down businesses for reporting illegal farm labor, substantial new penalties of employers of part time laborers who are not required to provide health insurance, spotted owl and Cal OSHA, and much more.

Another Chilling Leak Investigation, NY Times, posted to KBC 5/22/13. "With the decision to label a Fox News television reporter a possible “co-conspirator” in a criminal investigation of a news leak, the Obama administration has moved beyond protecting government secrets to threatening fundamental freedoms of the press to gather news."

"Mercy Chefs is deploying Mercy 1 to Moore, OK. Prayers appreciated. Information to come.
If you are in the Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, Colorado, or Texas areas and can volunteer with Mercy Chefs please contact: Lane Griffin - 229-425-5615. Mercy Chefs are also in need of anyone that is good with mechanics ie... working with propane, plumbing, diesel, etc... Teams are being set up now to "Go and Feed People. "If you would like to donate to Mercy Chefs and help us serve these people, go to www.mercychefs.com "

Oregon PERS restructuring, Democrats need for more tax $, by Oregon Senator Doug Whitsett 5/21/13

Groups sue to reclassify species; more may be listed, CFBF, posted to KBC 5/21/13. "The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed protections for three amphibians that live in the Sierra Nevada, and proposed to designate more than 2 million acres of land as critical habitat for the species..."

"Oregon State Senator Alan Bates (D-Ashland) is facing a recall as a result of his attempts to attack mining and property rights in defiance of local, state and federal laws. The recall is being spearheaded by Rick Barclay of Ruch, Oregon, a long time timber worker and local miner, who charges that Bates has violated his oath of office and has broken state and federal laws for political purposes." sent from Jim Foley, Property and Mining Rights Advocate, Klamath River, California jfoley@sisqtel.net , posted to KBC 5/20/13. 530-465-2211

Psalm 97:10-12 - You who love the Lord, hate evil! He preserves the souls of His saints; He delivers them out of the hands of the wicked. Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright. Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. Sent from Frank Tallerico.

Senate hearing called for water issues; Goal of discussions to gather input from Klamath Basin residents, H&N 5/17/13. "Glen Spain, regional director for the Pacific Coast Federation of the Fisherman’s Association / PCFFA and the Institute of Fisheries Resources, is spending the week in Washington, D.C., providing information on the Basin’s complex issues." KBC NOTE: PCFFA sued against Klamath irrigators getting an affordable power rate, against irrigators getting compensation when the federal government withheld their deeded water, against Klamath River miners, sued Calif Water Quality Control Board to force them to regulate Klamath farmers' water quality, PCFFA is often represented by George Soros-funded Earthjustice.
PCFFA Glen Spain ANALYSIS OF “Outline of Objections to the Klamath Basin Restoration and Hydroelectric Settlement Agreements.” Spain explains why environmental NGO's and Tribes should support the dam removal and ag-downsizing 'agreements', posted to KBC 2/20/10, 12/4/10.
* "The primary “guarantee” the Project irrigators will get under the KBRA is the guarantee that in dry years they will typically get much less water from the river than before -- and the fish will therefore get that much more.
* “...guaranteed increase” in the volume of water for lower river salmon and endangered lake fish of between 130,000 and 230,000 additional acre-feet which would kick in immediately."
* "...KBRA leaves the ESA alive and well."
* "...short-term and long-term measures including: “conservation easements, forbearance agreements, conjunctive use programs, efficiency measures, land acquisitions, water acquisitions, groundwater development, groundwater substation, other voluntary transactions, water storage, and any other applicable measures.”
* agriculture "..permanently giving up as much as 130,000 acre-feet of current legally held water rights) that the Project and non-Project irrigators are surrendering."

Ninth Circuit decision stops “sue and settle” tactic, Western Livestock Journal 5/17/13.

California Farm Bureau Federation governmental and legislative review 5/17/13. "Governor Brown) cautioned that cuts in federal spending and higher payroll taxes could have a slowing effect on the state’s economic recovery. ..) Several Democrats introduced bills to raise many taxes requiring a 55% vote down from 2/3s. FB reminded the lawmakers that increasing property tax on millions of acres of farmland will have a negative impact on farmers trying to feed the world. Bill to raise minimum wage, end trapping of bobcats, and OSHA bills. Revoke business licenses of farmers enforcing rules or threatening to enforce rules on illegal workers.

Public meeting to address Forest vehicle travel plan May 31, H&N, posted to KBC 5/15/13. “If you cut wood, hunt, fish or even drive in the national forest you must be at this meeting, said Dave Andreatta, who is helping to organize the meeting...possible fines up to $5,000 and/ or up to six months in prison for traveling a closed road.

HERE for Forest closes 5,000 miles of roads, trails to vehicles in Winema Fremont National Forest in 2011.

Part 1 - Klamath River Dam Removal: Boaters, property owners see holes in taking out hydroelectric dams, H&N, posted to KBC 5/15/15

Utility’s retort to city power, Pacific Power looks to protect market in Klamath, H&N posted to KBC 5/15/13

Klamath Tribal Council address to Off-Project community, by tribal Vice-Chairman Don Gentry, posted to KBC 5/15/13

Senate begins work on massive farm bill, Capital Press 5/14/13.

The Nature Conservancy supports 2013 Farm Bill, posted to KBC 5/14/13: "Improve the conservation of wetlands, grasslands and private forests by maintaining funding for easements, with a special emphasis placed on permanent easements and the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP), Grasslands Reserve Program (GRP) and Farm and Ranchland Protection Program (FRPP)..."

KBC Farm Bill Page

Horse Tripping Bill by Senator Doug Whitsett, posted to KBC 5/14/13. "In my opinion, it represents a first attempt to outlaw the use of animals for competitive events, such as team roping, ranch branding and other rodeo competitions..."

Oregon Legislators, Rep Mike McLane and Senator Doug Whitsett, create National Day of the Cowboy, H&N, posted to KBC 5/14/13

Irrigators prepare for the worst, Delivery uncertainty: Klamath Project operating ‘without guidance,’ posted to KBC 5/14/13 Including legal actions, adjudication

Agency looks to curtail water usage, (Klamath) Group is preparing for drought, H&N, posted to KBC 5/9/13.

Psalm 62:9-12 - Surely men of low degree are a vapor; men of high degree weighed are a lie; if they are weighed on the scales, they are altogether lighter than vapor. Due not trust in oppression, nor vainly hope in robbery; if riches increase, do not set your heart on them. God has spoken once, Twice I have heard this; that power belongs to God. Also to You, O Lord, belongs mercy; for You render to each one according to his work.

Commissioners oppose dam removal; Counties join forces to write letter to new Interior Secretary, H&N, posted to KBC 5/11/13. "Klamath County Commissioners are joining the Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors in sending a letter to new Interior Secretary Sally Jewell urging her and the department to abandon the Klamath River agreements and the proposed dam removal...."

Tulelake Irrigation District / TID public meeting 5/13/13: water operations, walking wetland policy for 2013, KWAPA proposal for TID well pumping, adjudication, GMP

PRESS RELEASE - Members Launch Endangered Species Act Working Group, House Natural Resources Committee, posted to KBC 5/11/13.

California Farm Bureau Federation Friday Legislative Review, posted to KBC 5/11/13: Water, Coastal Commission, Working Land Coalition and Cal/OSHA.

Public meeting to address Forest vehicle travel plan May 31, H&N 5/11/13

TID well water pumped in 2013 as of 5/9/13
TID well water levels 5/9/13

Water war between Klamath River farmers, tribes poised to erupt, LA Times, posted to KBC 5/8/13. "Tom Mallams, a hay farmer and tea party member from Beatty, Ore., who was elected Klamath County Commissioner in November, said the new tribal water rights are being used as a hammer to try to force opponents to sign on to the deal. The supporters of this are desperate," he said. "They're making a last-ditch effort to make it go through right now because they know it's dying. I think some people will sign on to it in sheer desperation, but there is no trust in those agreements."

Upper Klamath Basin Braces for irrigation shutoffs, Fresno Bee, posted to KBC 5/8/13.

Oregon, worst state for retirement, bankrate.com, posted to KBC 5/8/13. (thank you for posting on the Discussion Forum Buster Keester.

Upper Basin water shutoffs likely, Low water flows a troubling sign as state directors visit Klamath, H&N 5/7/13. "Upper Basin contestants have filed stays against various instream claims, Upper Klamath Lake levels, and the Klamath Project’s consolidated claim"

Department of Interior Federal Register: over 2 million acres proposed critical habitat for yellow legged frog and Yosemite toad, 1,105,400 acres. 750,926 acres in Yosemite: Part 2 Part 3 Public Comments due June 24, 2013. Mining and timber country..."Butte, Plumas, Lassen, Sierra, Nevada, Placer, El Dorado, Amador, Calaveras, Alpine, Mariposa, Mono, Madera, Tuolumne, Fresno, and Inyo Counties, California." Sparked by lawsuit by Center for Biological Diversity
Letter by U.S. Congressman Tom McClintock on NPS Merced River Management Plan draft EIS regarding preserving Yosemite for people to use and enjoy, posted to KBC 5/7/13.
Senator Diane Feinstein's bill to create over 900,00 more acres of wilderness. posted to KBC 5/7/13.

Western Mining Alliance April 2013 Newsletter "On April 19th the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) denied both the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Western Mining Alliance (WMA) petitions for administrative rule making. We consider this a victory."

Petition for administrative rulemaking to amend the suction dredge permitting program regulations 2013, by Center for Biological Diversity, Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen, Karuk Tribe, Klamath Riverkeepers, etc...many groups who are on the "stakeholders" negotiations of the controversial KBRA/Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement, posted 5/7/13.

KWAPA agenda 5/7/13.

Psalm 28:6-9 "Blessed be the Lord, because He has heard the voice of my supplications! The lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him and I am helped; therefore, my heart greatly rejoices, and with song I will praise Him. The Lord is their strength, and He is the saving refuge of His anointed. Save Your people, and bless Your inheritance, shepherd them also, and bear them up forever." Sent by Frank Tallerico

KBC STATS for April 2013: 13,343 visits, 6076 unique visitors, 48,700 pageviews, 76,198 hits

California Farm Bureau Federation Friday Legislative Review 5/4/13. Water, labor, arson, timber, bobcats, ESA, milk, ...

Reclamation biologists to keep jobs, H&N, posted to KBC 5/4/13. ".. Murillo wrote that Phillips’ memo will be rescinded with an apology..."
See detailed allegations below from biologists.

13. "The complaint identifies specific research that Phillips found problematic. One area was a finding of higher-than-anticipated populations of endangered sucker in Lake Ewauna. The complaint suggests this may have complicated a view that Lake Ewauna was essentially a dead-zone for fish moving downstream from Upper Klamath Lake. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reportedly had to re-evaluate its recovery strategy for Lake Ewauna and the finding led to assertions that others’ work had been proved wrong. A second problematic and disputed point of research was a study of threatened coho life-cycles. The biologists argued tributary flows were more important to these salmon than mainstem Klamath River flows. Mainstem Klamath River flows are controlled by Reclamation through the Klamath Project and a series of PacifiCorp-owned and operated dams. Phillips decided not to allow the life-cycle research to be published after the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration raised concerns regarding this model, the complainants assert."

Seven Southern Oregon Fisheries Biologists Allege Censorship, Coercion, NW Public Radio 1/8/13. "Biologists with the Bureau of Reclamation ... found a population of endangered suckerfish in a part of the river other agencies considered a dead zone. The biologists say their manager criticized them for “proving others wrong.” Then, they say, their manager announced plans to reassign them and outsource future fish studies."

*** Klamath biologists threatened with removal; Scientists File Complaint Citing Political Interference and Censorship, PEER 1/7/13. “Scientific differences are supposed to be addressed through consultation, not suppressed by bullying and threats.”
See the memo
Read the PEER scientific integrity complaint
View Reclamation evasion on specifics
Revisit Houser scientific integrity case
HERE for Klamath Science Misconduct page and federal whistleblowers.

Oregon Legislative 4/30/13 Update from Representative Gail Whitsett, posted to KBC 5/4/13. Includes driver's licenses for illegals, raccoons, much more...
Legislative Update from Rep Whitsett 3/28/13

Sawmill to close in Cave Junction; 85 losing jobs, H&N, posted to KBC 5/4/13. "...the number of sawmills operating in Josephine and Jackson counties dropped from 22 in 1975 to six a decade ago, and in recent years, Rough & Ready was the only sawmill in Josephine County."

Basin leaders looking for drought solutions; Joint biological opinion expected early May, H&N, posted to KBC 5/4/13.

Groups to file suit over Klamath River flows, H&N, posted to KBC 5/4/13. "Oregon Wild and Water-Watch of Oregon filed a 60-day notice of intent to sue. They object to a new water management plan for a federal irrigation project that straddles the Oregon-California border south of Klamath Falls"

County to bill feds $3.9M in taxes, H&N, posted to KBC 5/4/13. "Payment in lieu of taxes, or PILT, was a federal program that ended this year where payments were made to timber producing counties."

Jackson County landowner sentenced for illegal ponds, gets 90 days for storing rain and snowmelt runoff, H&N, posted to KBC 5/4/13.