Klamath Science-Informed Decision Making Process Needs Improvement

Dr. Paul R. Houser, 20 June 2012

After I questioned the accuracy of science reporting and summary documents related to the Klamath Secretarial Decision, I faced systematic reprisal and my job as the Bureau of Reclamation’s science advisor was terminated. Subsequently, I filed a scientific integrity allegation, and was invited to speak publically about it in May 2012.  I was confronted with a very wide range of questions, where I carefully offered my opinion or relevant information. Last week Mr. Dennis Lynch  (USGS) questioned some of this information. Below I summarize the rationale for my comments, and offer some additional perspective (full text available at http://prhouser.com/houser/?p=830).

1)      Mr. Lynch states that “our team summarized these findings in an Overview Report that received a second layer peer review from six independent experts.”  He fails to mention the peer review comment 3-5: “The Summary and Findings section does not sufficiently express the uncertainties in the responses to restoration options” which is generally consistent with my allegation These concerns should be addressed by writing a new summary that accurately portrays the dam removal uncertainties and risks, and the additional actions that will be needed to meet the environmental and societal goals.

4)      Mr. Lynch disagrees with my comment that a more in-depth engineering analysis is needed to assure that Iron Gate Dam is removed safely.  My comment was based on an EIS/EIR comment submitted by Stephen Koshy, who warned that notching the earth-filled Iron Gate Dam may cause it to fail. This concern can be addressed by providing a public response to Mr. Koshy along with the relevant engineering analyses.

5)      Mr. Lynch disagrees with my comment that the sediment coming out of the dams would be the equivalent volume of one to three feet covering 190 miles of a 150 foot wide channel.  The sediment volume studies have discrepancies, but my volume equivalency calculations are correct. Further, the draft EIS/EIR states: “Short-term (2–yr) aggradation of sediment from the dams could be substantial below Iron Gate Dam downstream to Willow Creek, with up to 5 feet of deposition within 0.5 miles downstream of the dam, to 1.5 feet of deposition near Willow Creek.”  Downstream impacts of sediment are a significant concern, so alternate options such as dredging may also need to be more seriously considered.

6)      Mr. Lynch disagrees with my concerns that the released sediments may be harmful to fish, and may have a significant impact for 1-2 years.  The draft EIS/EIR states “…the short-term (<2 years following dam removal) increases in SSCs [suspended sediment] in the lower Klamath River and the Klamath Estuary would be a significant impact.” Water quality and reservoir sedimentation in the Klamath basin are very complex issues.  While a 2011 DOI report did show that the reservoir sediments have toxic elements below most guidelines, the upper basin is well known to have water and sediment quality issues, and these sediments are being deposited in the reservoirs.  A 2006 PacifiCorp study concludes that the absence of the project reservoirs would exacerbate water quality impairment by reducing dissolved oxygen and promoting growth of algae.  Water quality issues above the PacifiCorp dams may be amongst the most significant risks to successful river restoration; these water quality issues should be mitigated prior to dam removal.

7)      Finally, Mr. Lynch objects to my statement that nonnative coho salmon were introduced in the Klamath starting in 1895.  A California Department of Fish and Game’s 2002 report confirms my statement and further indicates that “historically, the practice of importing non-native fish was common…” The draft EIS/EIR also states that “the vast majority of coho salmon that spawn in the Klamath Basin are believed to be of hatchery origin, although the percentage varies among years.” Based on the century-long history of nonnative salmon transfers and hatchery origin fish, it would be tough to identify a truly native wild Klamath coho.  None-the less, it is the law to protect them.

The outcomes of dam removal on this scale and in this unique environment have significant risks and uncertainties. A positive outcome is not guaranteed and a tragic outcome is possible. There are several innovative and economical solutions to meet the Klamath Basin goals that are not being actively considered because they fall outside the politics of the Klamath agreements. It is in the public trust, and a duty of scientific integrity to seriously consider these alternatives. My goal is to make sure that decision makers are aware of these risks and uncertainties, and account for them in their decision-making process. By only reporting the positive aspects of dam removal without the uncertainties and additional needed mitigation, the meaning of the science is perturbed, which may lead to poor decisions.

Dr. Paul R. Houser is a Hydrologist with over 25 years of experience. Dr. Houser in an internationally recognized expert in local to global land surface-atmospheric remote sensing, in-situ observation and numerical simulation, development and application of hydrologic data assimilation methods, scientific integrity and policy, and global water and energy cycling. More information can be found at http://www.prhouser.com.

THIS Sunday at 9am we have the ability to honor our Korean War veterans with a General from the South Korean army!  This will be an incredible event if you are able to attend!

June 19, 2012

Scott Valley Protect Our Water meeting is June 27

Water is still very much a topic in Scott Valley and keeping control of our wells and water rights is of utmost concern for Scott Valley Protect Our Water. Recently, the Karuk Tribe released its bogus six-month study of ground water in the Scott River area and it blames the wells for a reduction in Scott River flows, which they then claim is a threat to coho salmon.

I don’t see Craig Tucker and the few leaders of the Tribe letting up on their demands on agriculture and residents who use wells in Scott Valley.

Now the Tribe has contracted with the same enviro company to study the surface water flows in Scott Valley this summer. Guess what they will find? That the flows diminish. And guess who will be blamed? Users of wells, or pumpers, as they are called and agricultural irrigators.

Learn more and attend the next Scott Valley Protect Our Water meeting and learn the specifics of these threats, so we can decide how to move forward – as a community.

The meeting will be Wed. June 27 at the Fort Jones Community Center. Time is 7 p.m. with sharing of desserts first. For more info, contact President Tom Pease at 468-2414.

Sheriffs’ Event

Siskiyou County Sheriff Jon Lopey will be attending the fourth Support Rural America Sheriffs’ Event in Red Bluff this Sat. June 23^rd. Tehama County Sheriff Dave Hencratt is hosting the event at the fairgrounds. Time is 1:30 p.m. and the doors open at noon. Admission is free.

Eight additional sheriffs from the North State will participate in the Panel of Sheriffs. They include: Del Norte Dean Wilson, Trinity Bruce Haney, Modoc Mike Poindexter, Plumas Greg Hagwood, Glenn Larry Jones, Mendocino Tom Allman, Shasta Tom Bosenko and Humboldt Mike Downey.

We hope a huge crowd shows up to support these sheriffs, who stand on the Constitution.

Paul R. Houser Ph.D.

Lack of integrity in our federal government officials continues to raise its ugly head. Last week, Dennis Lynch blasted Dr. Houser. Lynch is a lead official from the U.S. Geological Survey agency, who led the meeting last Oct. 20, 2011 at the fairgrounds asking for comments on the Klamath dam removal EIR/EIS (environmental) studies. Starting June 11, 2012, Lynch wrote opinion pieces in local newspapers stating the “Klamath science process is solid.” What an outrageous statement. More than 75 percent of the comments at the Yreka meeting were exposing flaws in the science and mythical statements being used to promote removal of the four hydro-electric dams in the Klamath River.

So, federal whistleblower Paul R. Houser, Ph.D. once again responded to the opinion pieces. What is interesting is that Lynch did not refute the points of Dr. Houser’s integrity allegations, but focused on unrelated information and opinions.

Dr. Houser has stated that he is not for or against dam removal, but is an advocate for the best science-informed decision that meets the multi-objective of obeying the law and protecting the environment. Yet, he is being attacked because he questioned flawed science, statements by Dept. of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, and the fraudulent process being used to destroy the dams.

This was not an easy thing for a methodical scientist to file a federal whistleblower complaint. Dr. Houser put it this way: “As an aside, it is very discouraging to be personally attacked on these details after mustering the courage to take a stand for scientific integrity and for the public-trust.  In taking the mandatory No-Fear-Act training last year, I could never have imagined that in short order a senior government official would be actively and publicly attacking me in the press.”

To read Dr. Houser’s rebuttal go to Pie N Politics.com and click on the Dr. Houser tab at the top or on the Paul R. Houser category on the right side. I stand with Dr. Houser. I am proud that he chose the path of “integrity” over political science.

Garden

Well it is in — planted beans, cantaloupe, watermelon, more peas and re-planted cucumbers last week. Worked hard making a deep, soft bed for carrots and even patiently (for me) carefully tried to plant the seeds so they were not too thick in a double row and gently irrigated with the fan sprayer. No, I didn’t cover it with netting and, yes, the cats dug two holes. So, I found some netting and covered the 18 feet of freshly planted carrots.

The deep red rose is blooming and boy it needs a major trimming of the dead wood. A few columbine are still blooming, but the pretty spot is the blue delphinium, dark pink sweet William and perky daisies. Enjoying the colorful spot makes the hard work worth it.

Liz Bowen writes biographies, free lances and writes blogs: Pie N Politics.com and Liz Bowen.com

By LIZ BOWEN Special to the DN

Updated:   06/20/2012 05:32:24 AM PDT

A panel of six sheriffs spoke at an event held in Weaverville on May 19, with Trinity County Sheriff Bruce Haney hosting the Support Rural America Event. ( Courtesy photo )

In an unprecedented event, a panel of 10 county sheriffs will address local issues starting at 1:30 p.m. June 23 at the Tehama District Fairground.

Public safety is the No. 1 concern shared by all of these Northern California sheriffs, according to Tehama County Sheriff Dave Hencratt, who is hosting the Support Rural America Sheriffs’ Event.

With continuing cuts in county and state budgets, sheriffs are finding their resources diminished.

Yet, county sheriffs are charged with the safety and health of the people.

It is an expanding dilemma.

These sheriffs are committed to the oath of office they took to protect their residents and will stand on the Constitution to address troubles head-on.

This is the fourth event of its kind held this year following other Northern California counties of Siskiyou, Modoc and Trinity, and participation by county sheriffs is growing.

Hencratt said the gatherings, which feature a panel of county sheriffs, are basically Town Hall meetings.

It is a chance to talk about our issues, he said.

We’ve got your back. We are here to be reasonable and do what is right.

A rural tax base that once existed from timber, mining and agriculture is either non-existent or threatened. Over-regulation by some environmental government agencies is affecting businesses and rural society as a whole.

Hencratt said there are four National Forests in Tehama County.

He claims, under federal law, his county government should have equal say regarding policies and regulations over those lands managed by U.S. Forest Service.

Road closures in the National Forest will hamper our law enforcement functions, he said, adding that a Coordination Committee is working through the process of engaging with the federal agency.

The goal is to affect federal regulations and re-open roads that residents utilize for multiple purposes, including recreation and the ability to fight forest fires.

Sheriffs participating will include Siskiyou County Jon Lopey, Del Norte County Dean Wilson, Plumas County Greg Hagwood, Trinity County Bruce Haney, Modoc County Mike Poindexter, Mendocino County Tom Allman, Glenn County Larry Jones, Humboldt County Mike Downey and Shasta County Tom Bosenko.

Every time I listen to these other sheriffs, I learn something. I am like a sponge, Hencratt said.

And it is gratifying there are so many citizens interested in hearing from us.

The last three events have boasted 200-300 attendees, who were excited to participate and ask questions.

The next event will be hosted by Sheriff Dean Wilson in Del Norte County at the fairgrounds in Crescent City on July 14 at 2 p.m.

Support Rural America Sheriffs’ Events are free.

A donation bucket is passed to pay for the rental of the building and basic costs. The local event will be in an air-conditioned auditorium with seating available for more than 1,000.

Vendors and groups with information to share are invited to participate by renting a 10-foot space for $20. If you need a table, there is an additional $10 charge.

Call Patsy Mohlar at 527-6915; Erin Ryan at 515-7135; or Liz Bowen 467-3515 to reserve your space.

Youtube videos of past events are available at www.supportruralamerica.com.

Read it:

http://www.redbluffdailynews.com/ci_20897736/rural-sheriffs-plan-red-bluff-rally?source=email#

Red Bluff Daily News

By Don Polson

Updated:   06/19/2012 04:55:08 AM PDT

Don Polson has called Red Bluff home since 1988, is a past president of the Tehama County Association of Realtors, licensed since 1994. He can be reached by e-mail at donplsn@yahoo.com. ( DN- )

It’s simply called “Support Rural America Sheriffs’ Event,” to be held this coming Saturday at the fairgrounds’ (air conditioned) Home Arts building ­ gun show and fiddle contest venue. Doors open at 12:30; the program begins with the flag salute at 1:30; admission is free. Tehama County’s own Sheriff Dave Hencratt is hosting a panel of “Constitutional Sheriffs” who will address attendees on their unique challenges and guiding principles navigating the high calling of serving their constituents’ and citizens’ public safety, service and, increasingly, the roadblocks thrown in their way by state and federal agencies.

Why, you might ask, does “rural America” need support, and what do local sheriffs have to do with the United States Constitution? First, this event is sponsored by the Tea Party Patriots of Tehama County, Yreka, Redding and Corning, as well as Scott Valley Protect Our Water and Siskiyou Water Users Association. Take a few minutes to check out these websites: “PieNPolitics.com” and “SupportRuralAmerica.com” and, even if you can’t attend on Saturday, explore the content, links and issues, bookmark them and return to learn of coming events and issues. Call 527-6915 for questions or vendor info.

Would it surprise you to find out that the entire efforts of the many Founders and Framers of the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were devoted to enshrining and protecting the individual citizen from the ravages and abuses of despotic, powerful national governments? Would it occur to you that the most powerful offices of public order and law enforcement that they envisioned were local and municipal sheriffs and police?

Those brilliant men had the burning desire to craft, or “constitute,” government at the federal, state and local level that was sufficiently reined in and bound by law that the individual citizen, that citizen’s property, indeed everything that that citizen created in the “pursuit of happiness” was sacrosanct and shielded by inviolable restrictions against government. They had witnessed, and had learned from history, what despots, kings, rulers (benign or not) and tyrannical mobs were capable of in the course of pursuing even the most well-intentioned (though usually not) designs for those under their rule or sway.

If you have read or listened to Mark Levin’s “Ameritopia” you know that man has, for thousands of years, sought out ideal, or utopian, forms of government, with the wisest of overlords and their equals formulating the best means and structures to guide, more often to mandate and force, all members of society to do what is best for all. Even the most beneficent of kings would hardly want less than that for his kingdom’s subjects.

Levin showed, through quotes from their works, how Plato’s ‘Republic,’ Thomas Hobbes’ ‘Leviathan,’ Thomas More’s ‘Utopia’ and Karl Marx’s ‘Communist Manifesto’ all did just that in their respective visions of an ideally ordered society and government. Our Founders and Framers also knew what all free men and women (set aside for the moment indentured servants and slaves) had come to cherish in this New Land of colonies, towns, farms and enterprise: The unheard of freedom to pursue their individual dreams and designs for supporting themselves and their families.

They began to believe, dream and ultimately act to realize a new kind of constitutionally ordained society of productive people liberated from far-off despots, mob rule or colonial powers. They drew inspiration from such thinkers as John Locke and Charles Montesquieu, who’d written on the philosophical underpinnings of representative self-government. Alexis de Tocqueville wrote of the marvel of seeing Americans act in concert to remedy the challenges they and their communities faced, without waiting for permission, authority, blessing or resources from a far off central official or agency.

Perhaps you get a sense of how far from the original vision and reality of a land of hope, individual freedom and opportunity America has wandered. In the Federalist Papers, wherein our Founders elaborated on the principles enshrined in the Constitution, it was explained how difficult it would be for basic political elements ­ the individual and local governments ­ to fall under the tyranny of the federal state. Even worse, having the power of that state become a tool for one group, or faction, of people to force their will on another group, taking from them the fruits of their labor for the benefit of those who had no claim to it. You get the idea.

That’s where local, particularly rural, sheriffs should be the enforcers of law applied to the land and citizens within their counties’ borders. Their interests and priorities most closely represent their citizen voters. The Constitution contains no provision for federal police or SWAT teams under the purview of the EPA, DEA, Department of Education, Homeland Security, Interior, Immigration or any other agency, which can ride roughshod over local citizens or law enforcement.

Conflicts arise, however, over the fact that the federal government, beginning about a hundred years ago, assumed control over ever-more-vast expanses of land in the western states, land that had been locally or privately held. Local governments and law enforcement thus find themselves the figurative tail of the dog. Fact: Of Tehama County’s $100+ million budget, only a small portion is truly ours to control and spend. Plan to come on Saturday and hear local sheriffs in their own words.

—-

Don Polson has called Red Bluff home since 1988, is a past president of the Tehama County Association of Realtors, licensed from 1994-2010. He can be reached by e-mail at donplsn@yahoo.com

Read it at:

http://www.redbluffdailynews.com/opinion/ci_20889169/don-polson-way-i-see-it-local-sheriffs