Comment from California Farm Water Coalition: National Research Council scientists just released a two-year study that identifies stressors of salmon as they pass through the Delta. These stressors also include loss of habitat and food supplies, poor water quality and the discharge of ammonium into the waterways. These same scientists declined to rank the stressors regarding impacts and emphasized that addressing the salmon population numbers will require a multi-prong approach, which is a direct contradiction to those critics who have maintained that diversions have been the main culprit. 

Posted: 4:02 p.m. Friday, April 6, 2012

Doug Whitsett needs people at a meeting with him and Karl Scronce Wednesday April 11 at 6:00 PM at the Klamath County Government Building.

For an experience, check out Karl`s facebook page.  The likes are pretty clearly pro-KBRA.   Reports from several people with direct experience from the contacts report Occupy Movment people are going door to door for him.

Again, this is of no great surprise to anyone, but we should spend some effort to get to the Courthouse.  The more rational people that show up, the less likely we are to have a pro KBRA advocate elected.  This indicates the pro-KBRA crowd is kind of desperate and are pulling out the stops to elect one of their own.

The Whitsett`s need our help.
–
Steve Cheyne

PNP comment: With a broken budget, the federal government does not need to be purchasing more land. Plus, it is the “public’s land” and currently, over-regulations are stagnating the use of the land by “the public” rendering these lands a burden to the public. In Siskiyou County, more than 65 percent of the land is USFS and BLM. Yep, no taxes are paid on these lands. Over-regulation has stopped business operations on these lands. Marijuana growers tied to Mexican Mafia use these lands growing billions of dollars worth of illegal pot. Hiking and recreating in our National Forests is now a dangerous past time. Guess you can drawn some conclusions to this scenario. — Editor Liz Bowen

By Matt Weiser
mweiser@sacbee.com

California will get more than $8 million in federal funds to protect and manage public lands and sensitive habitats.

The money comes from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, created in 1964 to funnel federal royalties from oil and mineral leasing programs into environmental projects and land protection. The program has been a political football for decades. The Bush administration sought to defund the program, and the Obama administration vowed to revive it.

The U.S. Forest Service on Friday announced more than $40 million in disbursements from the fund for 15 states. California will get the largest single share, totaling more than $8.3 million.

The projects include: $1.5 million to add land to Lassen National Forest along Deer and Mill creeks, important salmon streams; $1.5 million to protect Eldorado Meadows, a sensitive habitat site in Eldorado National Forest; $2 million to protect land at the headwaters of the American and Yuba Rivers for the Tahoe and Eldorado national forests; and $1 million to protect wildlife corridors along the Pacific Crest Trail (to be shared with Oregon and Washington).

The projects are selected in a competitive process based on ability to protect and restore habitats, provide recreation access, safeguard clean water and other criteria. Many of the projects are augmented with additional funds from private groups and local government agencies.

“These projects will help ensure a long future of quality open space for those hunters and anglers, hikers, campers and other nature lovers who enjoy America’s great outdoors,” Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell said in a statement.

For more information, visit: http://www.fs.fed.us/land/staff/LWCF/index.shtml

Read more here:

http://www.sacbee.com/2012/04/09/4401443/california-to-get-millions-for.html#storylink=cpy

PNP comment: Wow, I was interviewed. I also sent in a Press Release on Paul R. Houser Ph.D. coming to Klamath and Siskiyou and this is all the Herald and News printed?  Oh yeah, Herald & News signed on as supporters of the KBRA. Check out KBRA = Jobs site, which is nothing but biased propaganda! And there is also much more to the Whistleblower complaint. — Editor Liz Bowen

Herald and News

Klamath Falls, Oregon

April 9, 2012

A scientist who filed a whistleblower complaint after being fired as an advisor to the Bureau of Reclamation on ethical issues will talk about his case during public appearances in Klamath Falls and Yreka.

Dr. Paul Houser will speak at meetings hosted by the Cal-Ore Bi-State Alliance, including a 5 p.m., May 6, session at Triad School in Klamath Falls.

In February, Houser said in his complaint he was fired because he believed statements by Interior Secretary Ken Salazar supporting removal of four Klamath River dams predetermined results of scientific studies that support dam removal.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
NOTE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, any copyrighted
material herein is distributed without profit or payment to those who have
expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for non-profit
research and educational purposes only. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml

This information and much more that you need to know about the ESA,
the Klamath River Basin, and private property rights can be found at The
Klamath Bucket Brigade’s web site – http://klamathbucketbrigade.org/index.html –
please visit today.

TWO RIVERS TRIBUNE ~ ONLINE | Survey Respondents Split on What to do with $49.2 Million

http://www.tworiverstribune.com/2012/04/survey-respondents-split-on-what-to-do-with-49-2-million/

Survey Respondents Split on What to do with $49.2 Million

Final Agreement May be Weeks Away

By Allie Hostler, Two Rivers Tribune

April 4. 2012

Upon learning that the Hoopa Tribe planned to settle a six-year suit against the federal government for mismanagement of trust funds and resources, the Two Rivers Tribune decided to launch an online survey to find out what the tribe’s membership might like to see happen with the $49.2 million.

Although the money hasn’t yet been turned over to the tribe, nor has a final formal agreement between the tribe and the federal government been reached, tribal members are talking about how the money should be spent, in their pockets or in the tribe’s coffers.

The survey posed 10 questions designed to identify respondent demographics and how they hope to see the money spent. Most of the respondents were tribal members—92 percent. The remaining were either parents of tribal members or members of a different tribe. The survey was only available online, therefore limiting the ability of those without internet access to participate.

Out of 88 respondents, 91 percent believe there must be a payout of some amount to the tribe’s membership.

But, respondents were split on what that amount should be. Slightly more than half believe all of the money should be split amongst tribal members with none being withheld by the tribe for any purpose. Almost half believe the tribe should retain a portion of the money for investment in current or new programs.

About 30 percent of respondents are employed by the tribe and another 30 percent are employed somewhere else. Few respondents were self-employed, recipients of TANF, unemployment, disability or social security. But, several checked ‘other’ and wrote in that they are students.

Respondents’ income levels ranged proportionately with 20 percent making less than $10,000; and 17 percent making $50,000 or more. The rest fell somewhere in between.

Results show that respondents would be more likely to invest, save and make a down payment on a home or vehicle if they receive a lump sum payment of $10,000-$15,000. If they received a payment of $2,000 they would be more likely to pay small bills and shop according to the survey results.

Respondents feel fairly informed about the settlement with nearly 64 percent claiming to “know a little.” About 10 percent said they nothing. And, 17 percent said they know more than most. No respondents claimed to be an “expert” on the settlement.

About 91 percent of respondents believe they should be given the opportunity to vote on a range of options for use and disbursement of the $49.2 million. Four respondents said no and four said they weren’t certain.
One respondent who checked “no” wrote in a comment box, “We elected a council trusting that the seven elected officials represent the best interest of the Tribe, its members and the future generations.”

Council member, Ryan Jackson posted the following message on his Facebook page last Friday, March 30.

“We have received word that the Feds are close to issuing a determination on the status of the Hoopa Valley Tribes settlement offer. The Tribal Council should know within a week or two whether or not the Feds will approve the settlement. In the meantime the Council is working on a letter to the membership with details of the settlement and the process we are going through. I believe a general meeting will be scheduled soon after the Feds give the Council an indication they will approve the settlements. Stay tuned.”

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
NOTE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, any copyrighted
material herein is distributed without profit or payment to those who have
expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for non-profit
research and educational purposes only. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml

This information and much more that you need to know about the ESA,
the Klamath River Basin, and private property rights can be found at The
Klamath Bucket Brigade’s web site – http://klamathbucketbrigade.org/index.html –
please visit today.

TWO RIVERS TRIBUNE ~ ONLINE | Settlement Proposal to Obama Administration

http://www.tworiverstribune.com/2012/04/settlement-proposal-to-obama-administration/

Proposal to Obama Administration

Feds Trying to Settle all Tribal Mismanagement Cases

By Kay Heitkamp, Two Rivers Tribune Contributing Writer

April 4, 2012

Recent headlines proclaimed an end to the claim filed in 2006 by the Hoopa Valley Tribe (Plaintiff) against the United States (Defendant) in the Court of Federal Claims for mismanagement of its assets and failure by the Defendant to provide a full accounting of its trust funds and assets.

On July 14 and Dec. 17, 2008, the Court ordered Plaintiff and Defendant to file joint status reports as they worked together during informal settlement discussions. One such report was filed on June 10, 2011 and the latest was filed on Dec. 9, 2011.

In December, both parties agreed to continue to conduct the informal settlement discussions or alternative dispute resolution (ADR), as well as informal productions of relevant or potentially relevant documents to determine the possibility of resolving Plaintiff’s claims without ongoing litigation.

A total of 74 tribes who filed their own trust accounting and trust mismanagement cases in the Court of Federal Claims and various federal district courts had been working closely together as part of a tribal trust case settlement initiative called the “Settlement Proposal to the Obama Administration” (SPOA).

Having represented the Hoopa Valley Tribe in Court, Tom Schlosser, long-time counsel to the Tribe, continued to represent the Tribe’s interests during the SPOA process. Together with attorneys for other tribes, Schlosser worked with the appropriate program officials, employees, and consultants of the Interior Department to devise ways to address claims of all the plaintiffs regarding the United States’ mismanagement of tribal trust funds and non-monetary trust assets.

Discussions between Schlosser, counsel for the 73 other tribes, and counsel for the United States, as well as senior officials in the Justice, Interior, and Treasury Departments, were ongoing during 2010 and 2011 in the form of meetings and conference calls.

According to Schlosser, about 40 of the 73 tribes are represented by the Native American Rights Fund, consolidated into one case, Nez Perce et. al. v. Salazar. Many of those tribes have already settled, with each tribe having a separate settlement agreement, although they are part of one case. When one of the 40 tribes settles, it is dismissed as a plaintiff in the Nez Perce case.

“The remaining 30 or so tribes have individual cases, some in federal district court and some in the court of federal claims,” said Schlosser. “Some tribes filed in both courts. So, although the tribal lawyers have worked together, there are many separate lawsuits. The US is trying to settle all of them.”

During the informal discovery process, the United States researched, identified, located, collected, and provided to Plaintiff some 4,768 documents or 86,268 images (as calculated by Defendant). Both parties stipulated to the confidentiality of the materials and the Court issued protective orders to further ensure confidentiality for settlement discussion purposes.

Among other data, the United States sent Plaintiff the latest version of their Trust Account Database (TAD) containing information about the Tribe’s trust accounts, including the “proceeds of labor,” judgment award and Tribal-related Individual Indian Money (IIM) accounts. Schlosser reviewed the TAD and had multiple questions for program staffers of the Interior Department. On December 5, 2011, the United States’ responded to his questions by sending written responses.

At the time the latest Joint Status Report was issued, the parties agreed some progress had been made since the last report. However, they said additional work needed to be done to determine if there could be a resolution to Plaintiff’s claims without the need for additional court litigation.

At the meeting on Dec. 6, 2011, the United States made a settlement offer to the Hoopa Valley Tribe. The Tribe reviewed the offer and worked with Schlosser to plan their next steps. At the time of the last 2011 status update, while the settlement talks were ongoing, the parties agreed to submit another Joint Status Report before June 8, 2012.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
NOTE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, any copyrighted
material herein is distributed without profit or payment to those who have
expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for non-profit
research and educational purposes only. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml

This information and much more that you need to know about the ESA,
the Klamath River Basin, and private property rights can be found at The
Klamath Bucket Brigade’s web site – http://klamathbucketbrigade.org/index.html –
please visit today.

FROM:    Land Rights Network

American Land Rights Association

PO Box 400 – Battle Ground, WA 98604

Phone: 360-687-3087 – Fax: 360-687-2973

E-mail: alra@pacifier.com

Web Address: http://www.landrights.org

Legislative Office: 507 Seward Square SE – Washington, DC 20003

House LWCF Highway Vote Possible Shortly, Call Now!

Massive increase in land acquisition at stake.

Congress returns from recess. Action by you now is critical.

The House and Senate agreed to a temporary bill to extend Highway funds for 90 days. President Obama signed the bill. No LWCF included yet. Now House will decide its position on a version of the full Highway bill and then a House-Senate Conference Committee begins over whether it will include huge land acquisition funding for LWCF.

Urgent Action Required

—–The House will now take up the Senate passed version of the Transportation (Highway) Bill or it may pass its own version. Either way, this process could move fast.

—–All property owners must take immediate action.

If the LWCF Land Acquisition Amendment is included in the Highway Bill it means a huge increase in land acquisition funding for the Park Service, Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service and Bureau of Land Management.

Threatened are inholders, landowners, ranchers, farmers, miners, forestry advocates and many others. It also means a threat to off-highway vehicle users. Access will be cut off to Federal lands.

It also threatens and undermines local communities with the loss of tax base as the LWCF converts private land into government ownership.

It threatens Rural America.

- – - – - – - – - – - – - -

—–Here’s what the environmental groups said with glee about the Senate LWCF Amendment your Senators voted on:

*—–From Energy and Environment Newsletter:* “The result is an amendment that supporters now say would provide perhaps the largest-ever federal boost to conservation and environmental efforts in the nation.”

—– “This could be the biggest infusion of conservation dollars in history,” said Joshua Saks, legislative director for the *National Wildlife Federation.* “This would be a remarkable achievement.”

- – - – - – - – - – - – - – -

—–In summary, the Senate doubled the money they take from taxpayers for the Land and Water Conservation fund to buy land by adding $700 million for each of the next two years on a guaranteed basis (no need to for Congress to appropriate).

There is no Congressional appropriations process for this money in the LWCF fund and little or no oversight in spite of our country facing a huge deficit.

Stop The LWCF Highway Bill Land Grab, Go To www.landrights.org <http://www.landrights.org/>  for more details.

Letter protesting sale of water to SF spurs city to review details

By John Holland
jholland@modbee.com

Friday, Apr. 06, 2012

A last-minute hitch delayed Friday’s planned release of a proposed water sale contract between the Modesto Irrigation District and the city of San Francisco.

The city asked to postpone the release after reviewing a March 28 letter from the Tuolumne River Trust objecting to the sale.

The group contends that the deal — involving a fraction of the total water that eventually could be sold — would interfere with efforts to revive the river ecosystem. It also says the water is not needed anyway because of reduced demand.

The delay will assure that the sale complies with legal requirements for assessing environmental impacts, said Steven Ritchie, assistant general manager for the water enterprise at the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission.

“Our initial take is no, it’s probably still good, but we have to go through the analysis to be certain,” he said.

The MID board had tentatively planned to discuss the draft contract at an April 24 meeting and possibly vote May 8.

The tentative plan now is for an initial discussion May 8 and a possible vote May 22, district officials said in a meeting Friday with The Bee’s editorial board.

This first sale would involve 2,200 acre-feet of water to be taken by San Francisco into its Hetch Hetchy Water and Power System, upstream on the Tuolumne from the MID’s diversion.

The city ultimately could buy another 25,000 acre-feet — water the MID plans to free up thanks to conservation projects on its canals.

The district delivers an average of 185,000 acre-feet to its farmers each year. An acre-foot covers an acre a foot deep.

Some key details are known about the first sale, though the exact contract language has not been released. The city would pay $700 per acre-foot to start — about 100 times what the MID charges its farmers — and the district could end the sale after 10 years if it does not work out.

The contract will spell out price increases in future years, among other details.

Read more:

http://www.modbee.com/2012/04/06/2147590/mid-water-sale-hits-snag.html

By CATHY BUSSEWITZ
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

An abundance of salmon expected to return to the Sacramento and Klamath Rivers likely will mean longer seasons for salmon fishermen this year.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council announced its recommendations for the 2012 sport and commercial salmon fishing seasons on Thursday. The plan now goes to the National Marine Fisheries Service for approval by May 1.

The changes were viewed by fishermen as “modest but significant” increases over the season last year, said Dave Bitts, president of the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations.

“If the numbers are like they said, it might be our best season since 2004,” Bitts said. “If there’s anything like the kind of fish that has been predicted, we should be able to use our opportunity more productively than we have the last couple years.”

The season for sport fishermen will begin Saturday and run through Oct. 7 south of the Shelter Cove area in Humboldt County.

Along the Sonoma County coast, the commercial chinook salmon season will be open May 1 to June 4, June 27 to Aug. 29, and Sept. 1-30. The fishing area stretches from Point Arena to Point Sur in San Francisco.

In the Fort Bragg area, from Horse Mountain to Point Arena, commercial chinook salmon fisheries will be open July 11 through Aug. 29 and Sept. 1-30.

The Sacramento River could have the largest number of returning fall Chinook salmon since 2005, the Council said, based on an estimated 819,400 salmon in the ocean. Chinook returning to the Klamath River are expected to be four times more numerous than average and the highest on record since 1985.

Read it:

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20120405/articles/120409727?tc=ar

Meeting for Tuesday, April 17, 2012  

6:30PM

Decision Life Church

Corner of Main and Oberlin. 1301 South Main St. Yreka

Topics: Debate between candidates for district 2 Supervisor, Dan Dorsey (challenger) and Ed Valenzuela (incumbent).

This is a debate in which the candidates will as each other questions.  The audience will have an opportunity to ask their questions after the debate on a one to one basis.

Public Welcome. Call Louise for more information 842-5443