Stephen Koshy, scientist

Mr. Stephen Koshy is a humble man, aged 77, who just happens to love our country and share our concerns over what is happening to it. He became aware of the plan to destroy four Klamath River dams, due in part to the publicity generated by Defend Rural America’s launch in Yreka, California on October 22nd. Having overseen the construction of four earth dams in his native country of India, Mr. Koshy became alarmed.

Government Ignored His Warnings

On November 18, 2011 Mr. Koshe wrote Thomas Hepler of the Bureau of Reclamation expressing his concerns:

“The ‘proposed action’ to remove the Iron Gate and J.C. Boy earth dams, is not safe or doable. … Any attempt to breach a dam, with its clay in such condition, will be dangerous. The dam will collapse catastrophically.”

“The fatal error of catastrophic collapse, invalidates all those Alternatives that involve earth dam removal. …The significant impact of the earth dams’ catastrophic collapse, can not be avoided or mitigated.

“The future of Salmon will be adversely impacted.”

According to Mr. Koshy, it was this letter that caused Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to extend the public input period on the EIS/EIR reports to the end of December 2011. To insure his first warning did not go unnoticed, Mr. Koshy followed up with a second letter to Thomas Hepler on December 21, 2011, this time requesting his warning be communicated to:

1. •California Governor Jerry Brown

2. •Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber

3. •Interior Secretary Ken Salazar

4. -His Special Advisor to Chief of Staff

5. •The Bureau of Reclamation’s:

6. -Deputy Commissioner Operations

7. -Directors for Operations, Technical Resources and Technical Services Center

8. -Regional Director

9. -Engineering and Geo-technical Services Divisions and Group leader

There was no satisfactory response. Instead, the Interior Department continued onward toward what Dr. Paul Houser has called a pre-determined outcome to destroy the dams. The plan was to be formally adopted by the end of March 2012.

Mr. Koshy Reaches Out To The People

On March 23, 2012 Stephen Koshy mailed his concerns to the Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors, having discovered their names from continued publicity about the ongoing fight to save the dams. To his earlier comments he added:

“It is a certainty [the proposed action will cause the dam’s catastrophic collapse]. It is not just a probability.”

Unexpectedly, as the end of March neared, Secretary Ken Salazar unexpectedly postponed his decision for an indefinite period, leaving the situation unresolved.

Catastrophic Consequences Explained

During my interview with him, Mr. Koshy detailed what he meant by a catastrophic collapse. Earthen dams consist of four main parts:

Clay core to prevent water from seeping through the dam. When installed, the clay is relatively dry and hard, but over the years water seeps into the clay at a predictable rate and the clay becomes water-saturated. This gives clay the properties of a very viscous liquid, especially under high pressure.

A lining around the clay core to prevent the clay particles from migrating.

Sloping sides made of dirt and gravel to lock the clay core and lining in place.

A cap at the top of the dam, above the clay, consisting of dirt, gravel, concrete, etc. This cap, say 20 feet thick for illustration purposes, covers the clay core and puts downward pressure on it.

This entire structure works somewhat like a tube of toothpaste. The clay is like the toothpaste, the liner the tube, the sloped sides like hands squeezing the tube, and the dam’s top like the cap. The forces are terrific, but opposing, so the clay stays put and the dam remains intact. Indeed, the dam is inspected four times a year and has been determined to be in excellent condition.

If the top of the dam were to be notched, however, as proposed by Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, Mr. Koshy states the integrity of the dam would be compromised, resulting in the dam’s ultimate collapse.

The removal of a portion of the dam’s cap, say 5 feet for illustration purposes, is like unscrewing the cap on the toothpaste tube. There is no longer sufficient downward force to contain the clay.

Part of the clay would squeeze upward, creating a void.

The sides of the dam would collapse into this void.

The top of the dam would slump downward, perhaps by as much as one-third of the dam’s height, say 50 feet for illustration purposes.

The water inlets and outlets would be plugged. The reservoir’s water level would rapidly rise. Lowering the reservoir’s water level prior to deconstruction would only delay, but not stop, the consequences.

The rising water would seep through the dam. The clay, no longer held in place by the liner since its integrity would have been breached, would flow away.

Ultimately, the rising water would overflow the top of the dam.

The velocity of the water flowing over and through the dam would accelerate as the dam erodes. The erosion would increase the volume and velocity of the escaping water, which would in turn erode the dam at an accelerating rate.

The canyon walls would collapse. The earth’s crust in this volcanic region consists of layers of sediment separated by layers of volcanic ash, formed by millions of years of volcanic eruptions and tilted upward at an angle of 20 to 40 degrees due to volcanic pressures. Exposed faces were cut into these layers by the dam’s construction. The structure remains solid and stable in the presence of the dam, but becomes unstable without the opposing forces of the dam’s presence. The problems are compounded by fault lines in the region.

The unconstrained reservoir waters would rush down river at velocities as high as 10 times normal, carrying with it rocks, boulders, and debris.

Homes and communities would be destroyed. Lives could be lost.

Salmon and other fish would be destroyed. If the destruction were to last for 3 years ― the reproductive cycle of salmon ― the salmon would be permanently destroyed unless restocked by salmon from another area.

The high velocities would continue for a period of perhaps 2-3 years.

Is Government That Corrupt?

All of this had to have been known within government. The U.S. Army Corps. of Engineers is the finest in the world.

Why was the dam removal proposal not stopped early in the process?

Failing that, why were these issues not addressed in the Environmental Impact Statement and Report?

Have political agendas so taken over our government, that science and engineering have both been corrupted as individuals bow to the pressures created by those behind the scenes?

Go along and get money, grants, and promotions? Speak out and get fired, like what happened to Dr. Paul Houser?

Is our hard-earned money being used in a carrot-and-stick to feed an agenda that will ultimately destroy our economy?

Will There Be Accountability?

There is a lot of explaining to do. But the fault does not lie with Thomas Hepler. The problems go to the top.

From Klamath Basin Crisis.org

Dam Removal Would Be Catastrophic, interview of scientist Stephen Koshy, DRA, posted to KBC 3/31/12

 Saturday, February 18,

5 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Scott Valley Grange

Quartz Valley Road, Greenview

Registration starts at 4 p.m.

Presentation

Kirk MacKenzie, founder of Defend Rural America, returns to offer ideas on how to win American back one county at a time, using the principles and protections provided to us by our Founding Fathers and Constitution. The problems we face as a nation are not new. Throughout history, would-be rulers schemed to subordinate all others to their dictate, by one means or another. Our Founding Fathers understood this, and the building blocks upon which totalitarianism is established and maintained. They decided America was to be different, and to be a guiding light by which others nations could follow. America would be a nation of Free People.  Government would be the servant, not the master. To guarantee this as best they could, the Founding Fathers wrote into the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights the principles and protections for preserving Liberty. Rural America can be saved by restoring and exercising these principles and protections.

Siskiyou County Panel

Following the presentation, there will be a panel discussion to expand upon the application of these concepts to the problems that face Siskiyou County. The panel members include: Anthony Intiso, Bill Gregory, Dr. John Menke, Leo Bergeron, Mark Baird, Ray Haupt, and Rex Cozallio. Following their opening remarks, the floor will be opened for questions & answers.

Contacts:

o Leo Bergeron 530-340-1283

o Kirk MacKenzie 650-967-5679

_______________________________________________
SCC mailing list
Kirk@DefendRuralAmerica.com

Larry Pratt — Sheriffs Standing with the People against the Feds

http://www.newswithviews.com/Pratt/larry124.htm

SHERIFFS STANDING WITH THE PEOPLE AGAINST THE FEDS

By Larry Pratt
January 7, 2012
NewsWithViews.com

I have reported earlier that sheriffs in New Mexico are threatening to arrest federal agents if they attempt to enforce unconstitutional federal acts in contravention of state law.

The even better news is that sheriffs in other states are doing the same. Sheriff Brad Rogers of Elkhart County, Indiana has told Food and Drug Administration agents they will be arrested if they go on Amish farmer David Hochstetler’s land. Having falsely alleged that raw, unpasteurized milk sold by Hochstetler had caused several cases of food poisoning, the FDA filed a complaint in federal court to support their attack on the farmer.

I have consumed raw milk for years and can affirm that it is not only safe, but much healthier than pasteurized milk.

The threat of incarceration led the feds to withdraw their complaint against Hochstetler. This was even after US Department of Justice attorney Ross Goldstein emailed the Sheriff that he would be arrested if he protected Hochstetler. When Sheriff Rogers refused to back down, the FDA cried uncle.

Rogers’s communication to the feds seemed to have been quite convincing: “Any further attempts to inspect this farm without a warrant signed by a local judge, based on probable cause, will result in Federal inspectors’ removal or arrest for trespassing by my officers or I.” The feds have gotten used to acting without due process — in this case, that means not bothering to get a search warrant.

Rogers’ campaign website listed his number one objective as “Upholding the Constitution.” He is also concerned about the heart condition of his inmates and is determined to help “Provide Hope to Change a Heart.” Under that header he says, “The Elkhart County jail has 74 church services a month and allows unprecedented access to ministry volunteers. Not only can we impact inmates for the here and now, but for eternity.”

Sheriff Rogers requires his deputies to take three, two-day classes on the Constitution (at a tuition rate of $125 per person).

Rogers is not alone in his love for the Constitution. Ellis County, Texas Sheriff Johnny Brown has stated that he would resist any effort by the federal government to confiscate firearms in his county.

Sheriff Joe Baca in Sierra County, California told his county commission that he will not enforce road closures on Bureau of Land Management and Gila National Forest Lands.

Sheriff Gil Gilbertson of Josephine County, Oregon has told the Forest Service that he will protect those using the forest in his county. He has written a short treatise entitled, “Unraveling Federal Jurisdiction within a State.” It is actually a scholarly piece based on citations from the Constitution, court cases and statutes and concludes that the Forest Service has no authority in any county.

Siskiyou County, California Sheriff Jon Lopey has said: “I have told federal and state officials over and over that, yes, we want to preserve the environment, but you care more about the fish, frogs, trees and birds than you do about the human race. When will you start to balance your decisions to the needs of the people?…We are right now in a fight for our survival.” Lopey spearheaded a coalition of eight sheriffs calling themselves: “Defend Rural America.”

In the days after Hurricane Katrina, power was out for days. Food and medicine were about to be lost. So Sheriff Billy McGee of Forrest County, Mississippi — a Democrat – took action when he realized that a federal shipment of six trucks of ice bound for Hattiesburg turned out to be only four. McGee went in search of the other two and found them being guarded by some Army reservists who possessed bureaucratic mindsets.

McGee took steps to secure the ice, but was told he was not authorized to take the vehicles. When a reservist would not get off one of the trucks, McGee had him handcuffed. The ice was delivered where it was needed in Hattiesburg, explaining why McGee is also known as The Ice Man.

Not surprisingly, the feds have brought suit against the Sheriff in federal court. Perhaps McGee will arrest any marshals seeking to interfere with the duties of a peace officer.

It is encouraging that men of integrity, who understand that the sheriff is the top law enforcement officer in his county, have been elected in counties around the country. We should be looking for more who fit this description.

Please let me know if you are aware of any constitutional sheriffs, and email me their names and stories at ldpratt@gunowners.org.

© 2012 Larry Pratt – All Rights Reserved

Erich Pratt is the Director of Communications for Gun Owners of America, a national gun lobby with over 300,000 members. GOA is located at 8001 Forbes Place, Springfield, VA 22151.

Either Pratt or another GOA spokesman is available for press interviews.

Larry Pratt has been Executive Director of Gun Owners of America for 27 years. GOA is a national membership organization of 300,000 Americans dedicated to promoting their second amendment freedom to keep and bear arms.

He published a book, Armed People Victorious, in 1990 and was editor of a book, Safeguarding Liberty: The Constitution & Militias, 1995. His latest book, On the Firing Line: Essays in the Defense of Liberty was published in 2001.

The GOA web site is:  gunowners.org. Pratt’s weekly talk show Live Fire is archived there at: www.gunowners.org/radio.htm

E-Mail: ldpratt@gunowners.org

Posted by Western Mining Alliance.org

From Rural Liberty Alliance: Karen Budd-Falen Speaks about Environmental Groups Abuses

Posted on December 11, 2011 by rick

by Bob on November 18, 2011

Karen Budd-Falen is a leader in protecting private property rights. She is the main author of the Government Litigation Savings Act (GLSA), H.R. 1996, introduced by Rep Cynthia Lummis, R, WY. The GLSA passed committee in the House of Representatives last week.

Environmental Terrorism Against Rural America

Environmental groups have launched an assault on our rural America. The government, primarily through the courts, is denying rural America access to our resources that make us self-sustaining. We have allowed this to happen to our country and are funding our own demise, but no longer. The Founding Fathers gave us the tools to fix it in the U.S. Constitution. We can take back America county by county. And that is exactly what we intend to accomplish.

Bullet Points to Consider from Karen’s Speech

• The word constitution means foundation

• Federal and state governments NEED a law for EVERYTHING they do!

• Start asking the government, “what law gives you the right to stop my use?”

• Daniel Webster wrote the first dictionary so they (the courts) couldn’t change the meaning of the words in the U.S. Constitution.

• All of our rights including free speech and the right to vote along with the basis for every freedom we have in this country is based on ownership of private property. Keep in mind that Karl Marx Communist Manifesto said the theory of Communists can be summed up in ONE sentence: Abolition of Private Property..

• Government pays environmental groups to stop you from using your property. And they don’t even track the money spent.

• Karen has tracked $36 million paid to 19 environmental groups in 19 states over 9 years.

 http://westernminingalliance.org/?p=442

Enjoy the video from Defend Rural America event on Oct. 22, 2011 in Yreka, CA.  — click on the above link !!!

Karen Budd-Falen Speaks about Environmental Groups Abuses

By Sheriff Jim R. Schwiesow, Ret.
November 12, 2011
NewsWithViews.com

Recently eight duly elected and active Oregon and California county sheriffs’ addressed, in a public forum, federal and state intrusions upon the unalienable rights of their citizens and the unconstitutional (illegal) incursions of warrantless state and federal endeavors in their jurisdictions. By their testimony these fine sheriffs’ verbally documented the assault on sovereignty and the abridgement of individual rights by the despotic strives that they have personally witnessed.

Most disturbing was the fact that federal encroachments were aided and abetted by state politicians who were willing to bargain away state sovereignty and the exclusive right to local control in exchange for federal dollars; a disturbing development given that states ought to employ a barrier against unconstitutional federal trespass upon the personal liberties of their people.

If you became aware of this event, via the mass media, friendly reader you were indeed a rare exception as the particulars of the forum had all of the earmarks of being a closely guarded secret by a media that totally eschews any moral obligation to apprise the public of other than sensationally motivated, politically correct, or politically actuated and patronage-directed substance. It is a bread and butter issue with the media why waste precious air-time and tabloid space on trivial matters such as constitutional devastation when there are so many millions of dollars to be garnered through sensationalistic enterprise and by political and corporate patronage.

ONE SWALLOW DOES NOT A SUMMER MAKE

And eight sheriffs do not a consensus make. Think not that these eight ethically inclined and morally sound sheriffs are indicative of the profession of which they are a part, or that they are suggestive of the majority of their counterparts that are spread across the length and breadth of this nation; because they are not.

God bless their selfless souls, I would like to be able to shake their hands and convey to each of them personally my words of thanks and to express my admiration and respect for the courage that enabled them to make a stand in the face of federal and state tyranny.

These eight lonely souls – and the few others of their caliber across the nation – who direct the powers of the office of sheriff to an unremitting and persevering preservation and enforcement of the unalienable and inherent protections of the Constitution are distressingly rare.

A CORRUPTION OF PUBLIC SERVICE

The power of the Office of Sheriff does not emanate from self-possessed privilege, nor is it established by political requisite or based upon legislative agency; the power of the sheriff is of and by the people.

Read more:

http://www.newswithviews.com/Schwiesow/jim189.htm

 8 Sheriffs Standing for Constitution

Dr. Menke Discusses The Infectious Zone

Dam Removal Could Be Catastrophic To The Salmon

There are scientifically supported concerns that removal of the Klamath River Dams, rather than increasing coho salmon populations, could be catastrophic to the coho and chinook salmon alike, and consequently to America’s Pacific Northwest fishing industry. Listen in as Dr. John Menke and Kirk MacKenzie discuss just one of those concerns ― the release into the Klamath River of over 20 million cubic yards of sediment that has accumulated behind the dams over the past 100 years. That is enough material to deposit one foot of muck over a two-lane road 1,900 miles in length.

http://www.defendruralamerica.com/DRA/Blog/Entries/2011/11/20_Dr._Menke_Discusses_The_Infectious_Zone.html

Sheriffs Rise Up Against Feds | American Free Press

http://americanfreepress.net/?p=1399

Sheriffs Rise Up Against Feds

By Pat Shannan – American Free Press

November 11, 2011

As more people became dissatisfied with federal government controls and land grabs, it was inevitable that local law enforcement would eventually see the bigger picture. At the northern California fairgrounds of Yreka last month, seven California sheriffs and another from Oregon gathered with a large group of citizens to say that they are finally going to do something about it.

“A giant has been awakened,” said Plumas County, Calif. Sheriff Greg Hagwood, “and they didn’t count on that,” speaking of the federal bureaucracy.

With exposure of the Emergency Management Center in San Luis Obispo a few decades ago, California began to offer the rest of the nation some evidence of the psychological conditioning aimed from the federal level at state, county and city law enforcement.

Dean Wilson, sheriff of Del Norte County (Sacramento), is a great example of this great awakening. He received the loudest and longest applause  for his candor in confessing past faults after apologizing for not understanding the central government assault and land grab being committed against the people and what he should have been doing about it. Only in the past year has he done a turnaround and begun to behave as a county sheriff instead of an extension of federal law enforcement.

“I had spent a good part of my life enforcing the penal code, but not understanding my oath of office,” he told the audience. “I was ignorant and naïve, but now I know of the assault against our people by the federal government.”

Host sheriff John Lopey of Siskiyou County, speaking about the federal environmental intervention, said: “I have told federal and state officials over and over that, yes, we want to preserve the environment, but you care more about the fish, frogs, trees and birds than you do about the  human race. When will you start to balance your decisions to the needs of the people?” Later he told the audience, “We are right now in a fight for our survival.”

Glenn Palmer, sheriff of Grant County, Oregon, said, “If an elected official has not taken an oath of office, he does not belong in office.”

AFP readers are familiar with the work of former Arizona Sheriff Richard Mack, who has spent the latter half of his life teaching sheriffs that they are the top law enforcement officers in their counties despite continuing federal intervention attempts. The ears that were deaf for so long may finally be starting to hear.

“It’s becoming a national movement now,” Mack told AFP, citing Immigration and Naturalization Service failure at the Mexican borders, the phony drug war, plus IRS and other unconstitutional intervention within these states.

His plans to take this movement national will be launched at a January meeting, where he anticipates 200 sheriffs will be in attendance.

“The county sheriff is the last line of defense guarding our people’s liberty,” he said.

Retired USAF Col. Richard Niemela of Reston, Va. has been exposing the federal monster for years.

He told AFP: “It’s the surreptitious domination by international globalists insidiously using unauthorized and illegal tactics to render null and void those historic and unique powers of the sheriff.”

By Sally Rapoza

After reading this front page article last Sunday Nov. 6, I am compelled to write “the rest of the story.”

None of the scientific facts from the hour and a half video were highlighted, such as dam removal will release 22 million cubic yards of sediment down the river creating significant environmental damage or that the dams provide cheap, clean, green renewable hydro electric energy to over 70,000 homes.

No compromises were explored like the proposed “fish by-pass tunnels” which are estimated to cost less than 2% of dam removal. No mention that the Dam Removers will get $2.2 Billion from the taxpayers for “restoration.” They have everything to gain and nothing to lose.

There was no mention of the businesses along the river like the Fishook Inn and the RV Park that will have no water part of the year and be flooded out other years.

There were no personal stories of the farmers and ranchers whose land has been in the family for generations. Without water or cheap power their land becomes unproductive, unusable, and unsellable.

What would compel 12 Sheriffs (yes 4 more have come on board) to band together to fight against all enemies foreign and DOMESTIC? You see, it’s not really about the fish. The Coho Salmon are just the next Spotted Owl–an environmental excuse to kill the economy, devastate all industry and reclaim the land. Siskiyou County is just a starting place –S hasta, Trinity, Tehama and Lassen Counties are also on the agenda. If you think this is just a “fishtail” google Agenda 21 and the Wildlands Project.

My opinioin

By Liz Bowen

Nov. 6, 2011

Once again, the reporter, Ryan Sabalow, of the Redding Record Searchlight has shown his true liberal Green colors.

Sabalow’s article on the Defend Rural America event held in Yreka, CA. on Oct. 22 danced all around the real issues. He quoted Erica Terrance of Klamath River Keepers, who had absolutely nothing to do with Defend Rural America.

Sabalow did not bother to show up to the event, so he missed the documentary film explaining the destruction that will occur if the four hydro-electric dams are removed. The film also tells why America should be growing its own food — health and safety and protection are great reasons.

Sabalow also missed the Panel of Constitutional Sheriffs led by Siskiyou County Sheriff Jon Lopey; and included a property rights attorney from Wyoming, Kared Budd-Falen. What he gleaned for his “article” was from youtubes.

Sabalow’s story was out of context and focused, once again, on Erica Terrance, who does not even live in Siskiyou County. Does not gain a livelihood through agriculture, so how could she have any understanding of the truth?

I agree with Redding Tea Party Patriots who sent out the following email.  We must make our frustration, concern and voice be heard.

——————————————————————————————————————

EMAIL sent Nov. 6, 2011

SISKIYOU COUNTY is under attack from the Record Searchlight today with the three articles linked below.  I don’t care where you live.  This is an assault on all freedom-loving Americans everywhere.  The event in Yreka two weeks ago was incredible and THIS is how a reporter who DID NOT ATTEND characterizes the issues facing the people who LIVE there.  Stand with them and tell the story.  Get this to anyone who can add to our voice.

Please click the links and make comments on these articles with FACTS.  Don’t read too much of their commentary, however, because your head WILL explode!  They must NOT be allowed to go unanswered.  If you are a subscriber to this paper your mission is clear.  Do your duty to support rural America!

Forward this to anyone who will support our mission to get the truth out to the public.  The full sheriff’s panel video and subsequent parts is posted at www.SupportRuralAmerica.com .

This a social network up for our own use.

Get in on the ground floor and post anything that has to do with rural issues.  Links, upcoming meetings, fact sheets.  Don’t be shy and get the word out to all of your friends.  Thanks!

http://www.redding.com/news/2011/nov/05/lopey-siskiyou-klamath-scott-shasta/

http://www.redding.com/news/2011/nov/05/mainbar-klamath-siskiyou-lopey-salazar-scott-shast/

http://www.redding.com/news/2011/nov/05/dfg-sued-all-sides-over-shasta-scott-rivers-coho/

 Erin Ryan

24HourPatriots.com

WeThePeopleRadio.us