By TIM HEARDEN

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Capital Press

YREKA, Calif. — The former U.S. Bureau of Reclamation senior science adviser who claims he was fired in February for speaking out about the Klamath River dam removal process said removing the dams should be an “extreme” last resort.

Paul Houser told about 200 people here May 7 that removing the four dams from the river is “an uncontrolled experiment” with impacts such as poor water quality that could have dire consequences for fisheries.

He said much further study is needed of alternatives such as fish passage, adding that scientists should truck in fish above the dams to see if they can find suitable habitat.

“We don’t know what would happen if we did nothing, so for me, taking the dams out is the most extreme option,” said Houser, 41, a George Mason University professor and former National Aeronautics and Space Administration scientist who was hired last year to oversee the Klamath scientific studies.

“For me as a scientist, I’d like to know more about those less extreme options,” he said.

Houser filed federal whistleblower and scientific-integrity complaints after he says superiors told him his “skills weren’t a match for the position” and terminated him, he said in an interview.

He alleges officials wrote a summary and news release to elicit support for dam removal while downplaying negative remarks from scientists that were in the full reports. He said superiors told him to be quiet about his concerns, then he faced increasing scrutiny on his job.

Interior spokeswoman Kate Kelly said Houser’s complaints are still being reviewed. The Department of the Interior “has established a rigorous and transparent scientific process that is ongoing and will inform the decision about potential removal of the four Klamath River dams,” she said in an email May 8.

Work has been proceeding on a final environmental document that will choose a “preferred alternative” among five options, which range from doing nothing to fully dismantling the four dams in Southern Oregon and Northern California.

Other alternatives being considered include partial removal of the dams while keeping some structures behind, removing only two of the four dams, and installing fish passages around the dams, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service spokesman Matthew Baun has said.

Houser said in his speech that it appears top Interior officials have already decided they want the dams out and are seeking the science to back up their decision.

“Scientists often do their work based on who they’re paid by,” he said, adding that they stop short of examining all available options. “That happens all the time in science … and you don’t get the unbiased science you need.”

Houser’s speech came during a three-day swing through the region, where he also was slated to address the Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors on May 8 and a tea party meeting later in the evening.

In speaking out, Houser has become a darling of dam-removal opponents and tea party activists, many of whom attended his speech. His appearance was sponsored by the Bi-State Alliance, a recently formed group fighting for water rights issues.

Hearing Houser’s story provides “an assurance that there are honest people in this world and honest people in government,” said Leo Bergeron of Montague, Calif., one of the organizers. “We’ve been dealing with liars and thieves.”

Houser acknowledged in the interview he is concerned that his message may be co-opted by people with political agendas, but he was willing to speak to anyone who would listen. He said he did not initially intend to go public but that others, including Siskiyou County officials, forwarded his complaint letter to the media.

“I wanted to make sure that by moving forward on this that I wasn’t doing it as a benefit to me,” he told the audience. “A lot of scientists in government are doing good work and are afraid to come forward with these kinds of reports because the same thing would happen with them that did with me.”

Online

Klamath Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement studies and EIS/EIR: http://klamathrestoration.gov

Read it:

http://www.capitalpress.com/newsletter/TH-klamath-whistleblower-w-photos-infobox-050712

The California Rifle and Pistol Association Gives Rick Bosetti an “A” Grade
Bosetti was the only candidate in AD 1 to receive the highest possible grade

(Redding, Calif.) – The California Rifle and Pistol Association (CRPA) recently released their voter guide awarding Republican Rick Bosetti an “A”.   The candidate’s score and/or past voting record and legislative efforts were taken into consideration before a final grade was assigned.   CRPA ratings are solely based on a candidate’s position on Second Amendment and hunting related issues.

Bosetti was the only candidate in AD 1 to receive the highest possible grade.  The “A” grade indicates a pro-gun candidate who strongly supports CRPA positions.  For a complete list of CRPA’s voting recommendations click here.

Founded in 1875, the California Rifle and Pistol Association (CRPA) is an organization of sportsmen dedicated to the preservation of our American heritage. In this age of constant political attacks on the rights of law-abiding citizens to own and use firearms for legitimate purposes, the CRPA is the state organization dedicated to protecting firearm freedoms and promoting shooting sports in the State of California.

Yreka Tea Party Patriots

Meeting for Tuesday, May 15, 2012   6:30PM

Decision Life Church

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

Program:  This is will be only debate in Siskiyou County for the State Assembly with all 5 Candidates participating!  

The candidates participating are:  Rick Bosetti (Republican), Brian Dahle (Republican), Robert Meacher (Democrat), Charley Hooper (Libertarian) and David Edwards (Green Party).

The candidates will ask each other questions in the debate followed by questions from the audience. 

You are encouraged to attend to learn more about the person you will be selecting to send to Sacramento to represent you.  

Please plan to attend, become informed and get involved.

 Public welcome to attend:  Call Louise for more information 842-5443

(SACRAMENTO) – Senator Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) today announced that two fire safety bills have passed with unanimous support from the Senate Committee on Appropriations. Senate Bill 1098 increases security at state conservation camps by providing firefighters with full backgrounds of inmates working in camps. Senate Bill 1541 extends a successful exemption from Timber Harvest Plan requirements which was originally authored by LaMalfa.

“With a little creativity, we can find solutions that improve fire safety, the economy and don’t break the bank,” said LaMalfa. “At no cost to taxpayers, these bills will improve fire prevention on private land and increase safety in inmate conservation camps.”  

Each bill was found by the committee to cause little or no cost to the state, which LaMalfa has cited as a key consideration of his efforts in the state Senate. However, the exemption LaMalfa’s SB 1541 allows also benefits property owners by allowing limited harvest of trees to cover the costs of fuel reduction – the removal of dead trees, brush and other debris. LaMalfa described the exemption as a win for the state, property owners and the economy.    

“Giving property owners the means to make their land fire safe also decreases the cost of fighting any fire that might occur and helps maintain jobs in the timber industry,” added LaMalfa. “California would do well to find more solutions to problems that don’t rely upon increased government spending.”  

Senator Doug LaMalfa is a lifelong farmer representing the fourth Senate District including Shasta, Tehama, Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Siskiyou, Sutter, Del Norte, Placer, Trinity, Yuba and Nevada counties