Publish to Newswire
Add an EventFrom the Open-Publishing Calendar
From the Open-Publishing Newswire
Indybay Feature
Klamath Communities Rally at FERC Hearings to Demand Corporate Accountability
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is hosting a series of meetings this week to gather public comment about a draft environmental impact statement on the relicensing of Klamath River dams.
P R E S S R E L E A S E
KARUK TRIBE YUROK TRIBE
For Immediate Release: November 14, 2006
Contact: Craig Tucker, Klamath Coordinator, Karuk Tribe, 530-627-3446 x3027
Troy Fletcher, Spokesman, Yurok Tribe, 530-625-4015
COMMUNITIES RALLY AT FERC HEARINGS TO DEMAND CORPORATE ACCOUNTABILITY
FERC Plan would give Corporate Polluter a cheap out at river’s expense
Yreka, CA – Despite what some experts consider an iron clad case for the removal of PacifiCorp’s Klamath dams, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) recently issued a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) that recommends only modest changes to current dam operations. This week, FERC is hosting a series of hearings to gather public comment. The deadline for comment is December 1.
“FERC’s draft document disregards sound science, the needs of our communities and federal law. It allows Warren Buffet’s power company to continue the export of this basin’s wealth to corporate shareholders around the globe,” according to Leaf Hillman, Vice Chair of the Karuk Tribe.
Dam removal advocates celebrated last March when federal agencies issued their terms and conditions for a new license to operate Klamath dams. Although the agencies’ terms and conditions did not order dam removal, they did order ‘volitional fish passage.’ In other words, the agencies want fish to swim upstream, not hitch a ride in trucks. The National Marine Fisheries Service did recommend dam removal as the preferred means to achieve this mandate. The agencies do not have the authority to mandate removal, however, FERC does.
“Our economic analysis concluded that dam removal is cheaper than installing ladders as did FERC’s,” according to Troy Fletcher of the Yurok Tribe. However, FERC’s draft environmental impact statement does not recommend dam removal or ladders. Instead the commission recommends trucking fish around the dams. Fletcher adds, “FERC’s meager reintroduction plan fails to take into consideration all the species that the agencies’ terms and conditions address such as spring salmon and lamprey eel.”
“There’s a reason that the National Marine Fisheries Service and the Department of Interior gets to write the terms and conditions for a new license – that’s where the fish biologists work. By ignoring sound science FERC is not only attempting to land the death blow to Klamath salmon, but they’re breaking federal law as well,” says Hillman.
The Tribes point out that under the Federal Power Act, the agencies’ terms and conditions must be implemented; however last year the Act was amended to give stakeholders the ability to appeal fish agency requirements and to make alternative recommendations. PacifiCorp appealed the conditions however the presiding administrative law judge ruled against PacifiCorp one day after FERC released the draft EIS.
In addition to the Federal Power Act, the United States also has Tribal Trust responsibilities. “With this draft plan, the United States clearly fails to fulfill their responsibility to Tribes. Again, Indian People will have to fight tooth and nail to protect their resources,” adds Fletcher.
PacifiCorp’s dams are poor power producers, generating on average only 90 mW of power. However, the dams severely damage water quality and host toxic algae blooms and parasites that cause fish diseases. The result has been widespread in-river Tribal and sportfishing closures as well as coastal fishing closures over 700 miles of coastline. On August 10th, Secretary of Commerce Gutierrez declared a “fishery failure” disaster in California and Oregon because of the Klamath declines. Both Oregon and California Governor’s had previously declared economic disasters and are seeking federal disaster assistance for those whose livelihood have been affected.
“PacifiCorp’s dams are a key factor in creating the rotating crisis in the basin. One year the feds cut water to farmers, the next they cut fishing allocations in a desperate effort to keep salmon alive. Everyone else is paying the price for PacifiCorp’s impacts. Today, we have an opportunity to finally hold PacifiCorp accountable,” states Hillman.
Tribes, fishermen, and others will rally at each of four FERC public hearings over the next couple of weeks. On Tuesday, November 14 hearings were held in Klamath Falls at the Shiloh Inn from 9 a.m. to noon.
On Wednesday, November 15, hearings will be held at the Yreka Community Theater from 9 a.m. to noon and 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
On Thursday, November 16, hearings will be held at the Red Lion Hotel in Eureka from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Additional meetings are being added in Oregon for later this month.
# # #
For more information and previous press releases log on to: http://www.karuk.us/press%20&%20campaigns/press.php
Also see http://www.ferc.gov
S. Craig Tucker, Ph.D.
Klamath Campaign Coordinator
Karuk Tribe of California
office: 530-627-3446 x3027
cell: 916-207-8294
ctucker [at] karuk.us
http://www.karuk.us
KARUK TRIBE YUROK TRIBE
For Immediate Release: November 14, 2006
Contact: Craig Tucker, Klamath Coordinator, Karuk Tribe, 530-627-3446 x3027
Troy Fletcher, Spokesman, Yurok Tribe, 530-625-4015
COMMUNITIES RALLY AT FERC HEARINGS TO DEMAND CORPORATE ACCOUNTABILITY
FERC Plan would give Corporate Polluter a cheap out at river’s expense
Yreka, CA – Despite what some experts consider an iron clad case for the removal of PacifiCorp’s Klamath dams, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) recently issued a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) that recommends only modest changes to current dam operations. This week, FERC is hosting a series of hearings to gather public comment. The deadline for comment is December 1.
“FERC’s draft document disregards sound science, the needs of our communities and federal law. It allows Warren Buffet’s power company to continue the export of this basin’s wealth to corporate shareholders around the globe,” according to Leaf Hillman, Vice Chair of the Karuk Tribe.
Dam removal advocates celebrated last March when federal agencies issued their terms and conditions for a new license to operate Klamath dams. Although the agencies’ terms and conditions did not order dam removal, they did order ‘volitional fish passage.’ In other words, the agencies want fish to swim upstream, not hitch a ride in trucks. The National Marine Fisheries Service did recommend dam removal as the preferred means to achieve this mandate. The agencies do not have the authority to mandate removal, however, FERC does.
“Our economic analysis concluded that dam removal is cheaper than installing ladders as did FERC’s,” according to Troy Fletcher of the Yurok Tribe. However, FERC’s draft environmental impact statement does not recommend dam removal or ladders. Instead the commission recommends trucking fish around the dams. Fletcher adds, “FERC’s meager reintroduction plan fails to take into consideration all the species that the agencies’ terms and conditions address such as spring salmon and lamprey eel.”
“There’s a reason that the National Marine Fisheries Service and the Department of Interior gets to write the terms and conditions for a new license – that’s where the fish biologists work. By ignoring sound science FERC is not only attempting to land the death blow to Klamath salmon, but they’re breaking federal law as well,” says Hillman.
The Tribes point out that under the Federal Power Act, the agencies’ terms and conditions must be implemented; however last year the Act was amended to give stakeholders the ability to appeal fish agency requirements and to make alternative recommendations. PacifiCorp appealed the conditions however the presiding administrative law judge ruled against PacifiCorp one day after FERC released the draft EIS.
In addition to the Federal Power Act, the United States also has Tribal Trust responsibilities. “With this draft plan, the United States clearly fails to fulfill their responsibility to Tribes. Again, Indian People will have to fight tooth and nail to protect their resources,” adds Fletcher.
PacifiCorp’s dams are poor power producers, generating on average only 90 mW of power. However, the dams severely damage water quality and host toxic algae blooms and parasites that cause fish diseases. The result has been widespread in-river Tribal and sportfishing closures as well as coastal fishing closures over 700 miles of coastline. On August 10th, Secretary of Commerce Gutierrez declared a “fishery failure” disaster in California and Oregon because of the Klamath declines. Both Oregon and California Governor’s had previously declared economic disasters and are seeking federal disaster assistance for those whose livelihood have been affected.
“PacifiCorp’s dams are a key factor in creating the rotating crisis in the basin. One year the feds cut water to farmers, the next they cut fishing allocations in a desperate effort to keep salmon alive. Everyone else is paying the price for PacifiCorp’s impacts. Today, we have an opportunity to finally hold PacifiCorp accountable,” states Hillman.
Tribes, fishermen, and others will rally at each of four FERC public hearings over the next couple of weeks. On Tuesday, November 14 hearings were held in Klamath Falls at the Shiloh Inn from 9 a.m. to noon.
On Wednesday, November 15, hearings will be held at the Yreka Community Theater from 9 a.m. to noon and 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
On Thursday, November 16, hearings will be held at the Red Lion Hotel in Eureka from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Additional meetings are being added in Oregon for later this month.
# # #
For more information and previous press releases log on to: http://www.karuk.us/press%20&%20campaigns/press.php
Also see http://www.ferc.gov
S. Craig Tucker, Ph.D.
Klamath Campaign Coordinator
Karuk Tribe of California
office: 530-627-3446 x3027
cell: 916-207-8294
ctucker [at] karuk.us
http://www.karuk.us
Add Your Comments
Comments
(Hide Comments)
Here's the latest from Humboldt County;
"County leaders advocate Klamath dam removal"
John Driscoll/The Times-Standard
Article Launched:11/15/2006 04:32:52 AM PST
"Humboldt County supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday in favor of removing four of the Klamath River's dams, riding what many say is a wave of public opinion and political will toward restoring salmon runs and economies on the river.
The resolution comes as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission hears communities' concerns about the continued operation of the hydropower dams. The agency, which will decide whether to issue Pacificorp a new 50-year license, has not considered removing the dams as a viable option.
But several key developments recently have provided momentum toward such an end. Pacificorp lost an administrative hearing challenging federal fisheries agencies' orders to build expensive fish ladders over the dams. A bond measure just passed by voters holds millions that could be used for restoring the Klamath. California Coastal Conservancy studies have found the cost of dam decommissioning relatively low, and also found few toxins in sediment trapped behind the dams.
”This is really the Berlin Wall of fisheries issues on the North Coast,” Tom Weseloh of California Trout told the board. "
read on @;
http://www.times-standard.com/local/ci_4662498
"County leaders advocate Klamath dam removal"
John Driscoll/The Times-Standard
Article Launched:11/15/2006 04:32:52 AM PST
"Humboldt County supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday in favor of removing four of the Klamath River's dams, riding what many say is a wave of public opinion and political will toward restoring salmon runs and economies on the river.
The resolution comes as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission hears communities' concerns about the continued operation of the hydropower dams. The agency, which will decide whether to issue Pacificorp a new 50-year license, has not considered removing the dams as a viable option.
But several key developments recently have provided momentum toward such an end. Pacificorp lost an administrative hearing challenging federal fisheries agencies' orders to build expensive fish ladders over the dams. A bond measure just passed by voters holds millions that could be used for restoring the Klamath. California Coastal Conservancy studies have found the cost of dam decommissioning relatively low, and also found few toxins in sediment trapped behind the dams.
”This is really the Berlin Wall of fisheries issues on the North Coast,” Tom Weseloh of California Trout told the board. "
read on @;
http://www.times-standard.com/local/ci_4662498
The conference room at Eureka's Red Lion in was packed full of people waiting to comment on FERC's DEIS as are the cold water pools where oceanbound juvenile salmon congregate to escape the higher water temps of the Klamath River..
Segment from Eureka Times-Standard;
"So many showed up that about 200 people packed the hallway outside the hearing room at the Red Lion Inn. Frustrated people were turned away as the 350 people in the room was the maximum allowable according to fire codes. FERC's John Mudre, assessing the situation in the hall, blamed local biologist Pat Higgins and the media for getting too many people to turn out to a public meeting.
”You guys caused the problem,” Mudre said.
FERC booked the same room -- with similar results -- in June 2004."
entire article @;
http://www.times-standard.com/local/ci_4677323
Here another point is made obvious as we read between the lines, does FERC ever learn from their mistakes?? The 50 years of the lower four Klamath dams (not "us guys") have caused enough problems, nearly extirpating salmon, lamprey, sturgeon, etc.. from the Klamath riparian ecosystem, now in 2006 FERC is proposing another 50 years of obstructing barriers by relicensing the dams??
One would think that the wealthiest nation in the world could afford to hire some scientists who are aware of the needs of biological organisms, that catch and hauling salmon around the reservoir, only to dump them into toxic algae (Microcyctis aeruginosa) soup upstream??
"Microcystis aeruginosa is native to the Klamath, but only in the reservoirs do conditions allow for massive blooms to occur, resulting in toxic levels of microcystin. These conditions include water rich in fertilizers, stagnation and warm water temperatures."
read on @;
http://klamathrestoration.org/wp/what-is-toxic-algae/
The two main problems with FERC's DEIS were repeated in many different forms by nearly every public commentator; FERC's DEIS is inadequate because it doesn't address removal of lower four Klamath dams (Iron Gate, Copco I & II, and J.C. Boyle), and that catch and haul proposals are not able to prevent the inevitable extirpation of salmon from the Klamath, in addition returning juveniles will find themselves lost in a sea of warm, low oxygen water choked with toxins from Microcyctis aeruginosa algae infestations. Algicide as proposed by FERC works by lysing, (splitting) the algae, thus relasing the microcystin toxins into the reservoir in one large dosage..
Here's a wee bit o' science the folks at FERC may have missed during their snooze;
"What are microcystins?
One group of toxins produced and released by cyanobacteria are called microcystins because they were isolated from a cyanobacterium called Microcystis aeruginosa. Microcystins are the most common of the cyanobacterial toxins found in water, as well as being the ones most often responsible for poisoning animals and humans who come into contact with toxic blooms.
Microcystins are extremely stable in water because of their chemical structure, which means they can survive in both warm and cold water and can tolerate radical changes in water chemistry, including pH. So far, scientists have found about 50 different kinds of microcystins. One of them, microcystin-LR, appears to be one of the microcystins most commonly found in water supplies around the world. For this reason, most research in this area has focused on this particular toxin.
<-->
Generally speaking, chemicals (such as copper sulphate) or any other treatment method that causes the cells to break down and release their toxins should not be used.
The best way to avoid the problems associated with cyanobacterial blooms is to prevent blooms from forming. This can be done by reducing the input of nutrients, such as phosphates, into the water source or by mixing the water in a reservoir."
read on @;
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/water-eau/drink-potab/cyanobacteria-cyanobacteries_e.html
Needless to say, eliminating the reservoir that enables the algae blooms to form is the simplest and surest way to prevent toxic algal blooms..
In addition, several members of the Klamath River Nations (Yurok, Hupa, Karuk, Klamath/Modoc) expressed their concerns about the effects of the loss of healthy salmon habitat on their culture, referring to the FERC's DEIS disregard of relevant cultural issues as a continuation of decades of genocide against the indigenous nations of North America. Several youth from the Klamath Nations also proposed a return to practices of indigenous ecological stewardship, generating jobs and a healthy ecosystem following Klamath dam decommissioning, removal and riparian/forest restoration..
"..a preliminary assessment of removal of the four Lower Klamath River dams. It will identify and begin to quantify the likely economic impacts, both positive and negative, that dam removal would have on local stakeholders, particularly Siskiyou County, as three of the four dams being considered for removal are located within its borders."
read on @;
http://karuk.us/press/press.php
Segment from Eureka Times-Standard;
"So many showed up that about 200 people packed the hallway outside the hearing room at the Red Lion Inn. Frustrated people were turned away as the 350 people in the room was the maximum allowable according to fire codes. FERC's John Mudre, assessing the situation in the hall, blamed local biologist Pat Higgins and the media for getting too many people to turn out to a public meeting.
”You guys caused the problem,” Mudre said.
FERC booked the same room -- with similar results -- in June 2004."
entire article @;
http://www.times-standard.com/local/ci_4677323
Here another point is made obvious as we read between the lines, does FERC ever learn from their mistakes?? The 50 years of the lower four Klamath dams (not "us guys") have caused enough problems, nearly extirpating salmon, lamprey, sturgeon, etc.. from the Klamath riparian ecosystem, now in 2006 FERC is proposing another 50 years of obstructing barriers by relicensing the dams??
One would think that the wealthiest nation in the world could afford to hire some scientists who are aware of the needs of biological organisms, that catch and hauling salmon around the reservoir, only to dump them into toxic algae (Microcyctis aeruginosa) soup upstream??
"Microcystis aeruginosa is native to the Klamath, but only in the reservoirs do conditions allow for massive blooms to occur, resulting in toxic levels of microcystin. These conditions include water rich in fertilizers, stagnation and warm water temperatures."
read on @;
http://klamathrestoration.org/wp/what-is-toxic-algae/
The two main problems with FERC's DEIS were repeated in many different forms by nearly every public commentator; FERC's DEIS is inadequate because it doesn't address removal of lower four Klamath dams (Iron Gate, Copco I & II, and J.C. Boyle), and that catch and haul proposals are not able to prevent the inevitable extirpation of salmon from the Klamath, in addition returning juveniles will find themselves lost in a sea of warm, low oxygen water choked with toxins from Microcyctis aeruginosa algae infestations. Algicide as proposed by FERC works by lysing, (splitting) the algae, thus relasing the microcystin toxins into the reservoir in one large dosage..
Here's a wee bit o' science the folks at FERC may have missed during their snooze;
"What are microcystins?
One group of toxins produced and released by cyanobacteria are called microcystins because they were isolated from a cyanobacterium called Microcystis aeruginosa. Microcystins are the most common of the cyanobacterial toxins found in water, as well as being the ones most often responsible for poisoning animals and humans who come into contact with toxic blooms.
Microcystins are extremely stable in water because of their chemical structure, which means they can survive in both warm and cold water and can tolerate radical changes in water chemistry, including pH. So far, scientists have found about 50 different kinds of microcystins. One of them, microcystin-LR, appears to be one of the microcystins most commonly found in water supplies around the world. For this reason, most research in this area has focused on this particular toxin.
<-->
Generally speaking, chemicals (such as copper sulphate) or any other treatment method that causes the cells to break down and release their toxins should not be used.
The best way to avoid the problems associated with cyanobacterial blooms is to prevent blooms from forming. This can be done by reducing the input of nutrients, such as phosphates, into the water source or by mixing the water in a reservoir."
read on @;
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/water-eau/drink-potab/cyanobacteria-cyanobacteries_e.html
Needless to say, eliminating the reservoir that enables the algae blooms to form is the simplest and surest way to prevent toxic algal blooms..
In addition, several members of the Klamath River Nations (Yurok, Hupa, Karuk, Klamath/Modoc) expressed their concerns about the effects of the loss of healthy salmon habitat on their culture, referring to the FERC's DEIS disregard of relevant cultural issues as a continuation of decades of genocide against the indigenous nations of North America. Several youth from the Klamath Nations also proposed a return to practices of indigenous ecological stewardship, generating jobs and a healthy ecosystem following Klamath dam decommissioning, removal and riparian/forest restoration..
"..a preliminary assessment of removal of the four Lower Klamath River dams. It will identify and begin to quantify the likely economic impacts, both positive and negative, that dam removal would have on local stakeholders, particularly Siskiyou County, as three of the four dams being considered for removal are located within its borders."
read on @;
http://karuk.us/press/press.php
We are 100% volunteer and depend on your participation to sustain our efforts!
Donate
$110.00 donated
in the past month
Get Involved
If you'd like to help with maintaining or developing the website, contact us.
Publish
Publish your stories and upcoming events on Indybay.
Topics
More
Search Indybay's Archives
Advanced Search
►
▼
IMC Network