January 31, 2013
All justifications for Klamath Dam removal sit on shaky scientific ground but one of the most egregious is the false claim that Coho salmon were native to the Klamath Basin. Those agencies responsible for listing this species as endangered in the basin are, in fact, in clear violation of the Endangered Species Act itself. The Karuk and Shasta Tribes have both confirmed that this species was never present in the upper Klamath River or its tributaries until they were planted in 1895, and later after the Klamath Dams were constructed. What’s more, genetic analysis of the current population of Coho in the Klamath proves conclusively their origin is from the Cascade Hatchery that empties into the Willamette River in Northern Oregon. The listing of this non-indigenous species by NOAA, NMFS and the CA DFW is one of the flimsiest in a house of cards propping up the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement (KBRA) and the accompanying hydropower agreement. For example, the so-called Coho Recovery Plan calls for control of water flows that have been shown to be insignificant to the life cycle of Coho. The same Coho Recovery Plan predicts increased future runs even though BOR studies clearly indicate dam removal could decimate future runs. Read more of Dr. Richard Gierak's article KBRA/KHSA based on lies and contradictions.
Today's Posts:
Klamath River Basin Issues:
Dr. Richard Gierak: KBRA/KHSA based on lies and contradictions Jan 23, 2013
Pie N Politics: Points from CA. DFG Director Chuck Bonham meeting in Yreka on 1-29-12 Jan 30, 2013
Sacramento Bee: Viewpoints: Time for Congress to act on Klamath pact Jan 31, 2013
PNW Salmon News:
Oregon Dept of Fish and Wildlife Press Release: ODFW will haze California sea lions at Willamette Falls Jan 29, 2013
AP: Oregon to haze salmon-munching sea lions on Willamette Jan 29, 2013
AP: About 60000 chinook salmon fry die at Idaho hatchery Jan 29, 2013
Oregon Dept of Fish and Wildlife Press Release: States set spring chinook, sturgeon seasons for Columbia and Willamette rivers Jan 30, 2013
Oregonian: Oregon and Washington set spring salmon and sturgeon seasons for Columbia River Jan 30, 2013
San Jose Mercury News: Endangered coho salmon released into San Vicente Creek Jan 30, 2013
Important Reading:
A. Dan Tarlock, Georgetown University Law Center: Takings, Water Rights and Climate Change - The 14th Annual Conference on Litigating Takings: Challenges to Land Use and Environmental Regulation Nov 18, 2012
Capital Press: Ag leaders hopeful about new Senate immigration bill Jan 28, 2013
Capital Press: Rural America must speak up to get farm bill, Tonsager says Jan 28, 2013
EPA Press Release: EPA’s environmental enforcement helps keep water, land, air clean and clear in the Pacific Northwest Jan 29, 2013
Oregon Dept of Fish and Wildlife: Oregon Wolf Update Jan 29, 2013
Seattle Times: Bills legalizing the killing of wolves draws crowd to Olympia Jan 29, 2013
Capital Press: Breakthrough possible for E. Oregon irrigation water Jan 30, 2013
Capital Press: Obama misfired on immigration, farm labor leader says Jan 30, 2013
Red Bluff Daily News: Plans in works for grey wolves in California Jan 30, 2013
Family Farm Alliance: January 2013 "Monthly Briefing" Jan 31, 2013