Siskiyou County is under attack from just about every direction. Although we may be among the worst, rural Counties across America are also under attack. Here are a few examples.

The spotted owl was listed in 1990. Of the 17 lumber mills in existence at that time, only 2 remain. We have dropped from the second most prosperous rural county to the third poorest as a result of the cessation of logging. School enrollment dropped from 8,500 students to 3,600 due to loss of jobs and families moving out of the County. As a result of logging cessation we are experiencing an increased density of trees which, paradoxically, threatens the owls ability to hunt. Interesting point is that in 2002 USF&WS stated the Spotted Owl was in trouble because the forests were too dense and the Owl’s couldn’t properly hunt. We are not the only County affected. Counties across northern California and southern Oregon were also affected. Now, the government is floating a plan to further extend the listed area to include 54 counties across N. California, through Oregon, and into Washington state. Great job Fish & Wildlife.

There is now a plan to destroy 4 hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River in the name of the Coho salmon, despite the fact Coho salmon are abundant in Alaska and have been successfully planted in reservoirs throughout the U.S. and even the Great Lakes. Not only is this absurd, but, NMFS has Coho listed as Threatened and under the Endangered Species Act no action is warranted. Dam removal would also destroy a fish hatchery that produces 6 million salmon per year, badly-needed reservoirs, and release 20+Million cubic yards of silt into the river - enough to cover a 2-lane road, one foot deep in muck, for a distance of 1800 miles. This is a serious violation of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act let alone the Endangered Species Act as hundreds of species will be decimated by this toxic sludge. The most devastating effect of removing these dams is that fire helicopters will no longer have access to fight forest wildfires and will endanger thousands of citizens that live in or near the forests. Dam removal will also put a great many at flood risk as the Iron Gate Dam was built specifically for flood control.

The entire Columbia River Basin - an area the size of Maryland that covers nine counties in Oregon and California - it would take control of this vital resource away from democratically elected, accountable, and transparent local governments, and put it into the hands of government agencies and special interests.

The Fish and Game Department is not helping. In response to requests from the Hoopa and Yurok Tribes downstream, the Department creates an artificial increase in the Klamath River flow for a period of a few days, then drops back to normal. This abnormal pulse entices the salmon waiting in the estuary to come upriver thinking the fall rains have begun, only to find themselves struggling in shallow, warm waters. It also does not help that 73% of the cold, clear water of the coastal Trinity River - which is ideal for Coho salmon production - is being diverted to Southern California.

There is no historical evidence to suggest that either the Hoopa or Yurok Tribes ever held ceremonial “water boat dances” prior to the dams being built on the Klamath.. This would negate any right to call for water pulses by either Tribe. Should they wish to continue having "water boat dances" they should fight to retain the dams.

We must remember that the Klamath would revert to marshes and swamps in the late summer prior to dams being built and it is improbable that there could have been any ceremonial boat dances.

Forestry Roads;

At this time the U.S. Forest Service is closing trails and roads throughout the National Forests denying access to citizens. They claim it is for good forest management, however, the reality is that this is a serious danger to all that live near or in National Forests. Without these roads Police Departments are denied access for search missions and more importantly fire vehicles cannot be used to fight wildfires. Fortunately, Constitutional Sheriffs are not adhering to these closures for the safety of the citizens.

Mining

The State of California has shut down suction dredge mining, denying thousands of miners of their long-standing and lawful claims. Not only have the miners lost but the communities along the river have suffered severely. RV parks, grocery stores, hardware stores, motels and a plethora of others have gone out of business as a result of the miners being denied their Constitutional Rights.

Full Scope of the Problem

Other problems that beset our county: $25,000 fines for a dead Coho salmon on a rancher's diversion - per fish!. 5th generation ranchers being treated like criminals. Persistent moves toward measuring, controlling, and charging ranchers for their well water. Soaring energy costs. Ranchers being accosted by NMFS officers with search warrants, And a lot more.