Letter to the editor

Collaboration is killing Klamath salmon

Felice Pace Aug. 30, 2004 From the print edition
Print Subscribe Donate Now
  Your "follow-up" article about juvenile salmon dying in the Klamath River (HCN, 7/19/04: Follow-up) contained an error. You stated: "But the Bureau of Reclamation has no more water to send downstream ..." BuRec does have the ability to send more water downstream. They could do this by cutting irrigation deliveries by as little as 10 percent. However, the BuRec has been ordered by the Bush administration to provide full water deliveries to irrigators no matter what the consequence for downstream salmon.

BuRec does pay some of these irrigators not to use water — buying back water which, in truth, the irrigators have no priority right to use. But demand still exceeds supply, in part because the $50 million in the Farm Bill for Klamath Basin "agricultural water conservation" has delivered expensive new irrigation systems to irrigators but produced only "paper water."

Meanwhile, the California Governator’s Fish and Game Department pretends that nothing can be done and that "collaboration is the key." What the Fish and Game Department is now about is collaboration in the destruction of Klamath River salmon.

Felice Pace
Klamath, California

Republish Print
High Country News Classifieds
  • MEMBERSHIP MANAGER
     For more information visit www. wyofile.com/careers/
  • THRIVING LOCAL HEALTH FOOD STORE FOR SALE
     Turn-key business opportunity. Successful well established business with room to grow. Excellent highway visibility.
  • DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
     For more information, visit www.wyofile.com/careers/
  • SONORAN INSTITUTE, CEO
     Chief Executive Officer Tucson, Arizona ABOUT SONORAN INSTITUTE Since 1990, the Sonoran Institute has brought together diverse interests to successfully forge effective and enduring conservation...
  • STAFF ATTORNEY
     STAFF ATTORNEY POSITION OPENING www.westernlaw.org/about-us/clinic-interns-careers The Western Environmental Law Center (WELC) is a high-impact, nonprofit public interest environmental law firm with a 27-year legacy using...
  • PROJECT MANAGER
     Position Summary Join our Team at the New Mexico Land Conservancy! We're seeking a Project Manager who will work to protect land and water across...
  • SEEKING PROPERTY FOR BISON HERD
     Seeking additional properties for a herd of 1,000 AUM minimum. Interested in partnering with landowners looking to engage in commercial and/or conservation bison ranching. Location...
  • DIRECTOR OF PRODUCT AND MARKETING
     High Country News seeks a Director of Product and Marketing to join our senior team during an exciting chapter of innovation and growth. This individual...
  • WILDLIFE HAVEN
     Beautiful acreage with Teton Creek flowing through it. Springs and ponds, lots of trees, moose and deer. Property has barn. Easy access. approx. 33 acres.
  • ARIZONA CONSERVATION CORPS PROGRAM DIRECTOR
     Arizona Conservation Corps is seeking a Program Director in Flagstaff or Tucson
  • COPPER STAIN: ASARCO'S LEGACY IN EL PASO
     Tales from scores of ex-employees unearth the human costs of an economy that runs on copper.
  • EXPERT LAND STEWART
     Available for site conservator, property manager. View resume at http://skills.ojadigital.net.
  • CONSERVATIONIST? IRRIGABLE LAND?
     Stellar seed-saving NGO is available to serious partner. Package must include financial support. Details: http://seeds.ojaidigital.net.
  • CANYONLANDS FIELD INSTITUTE
     Colorado Plateau Natural & Human History Field Seminars. Lodge, river, hiking options. Small groups, guest experts.
  • WESTERN NATIVE SEED
     Specializing in native seeds and seed mixes for western states.
  • CHUCK BURR'S CULTUREQUAKE.COM BLOG
     Change will happen when we see a new way of living. Thinking to save the world.
  • COMING TO TUCSON?
     Popular vacation house, furnished, 2 bed/1 bath, yard, dog-friendly. Lee at [email protected] or 520-791-9246.
  • OJO CALIENTE COMMERCIAL VENTURE
     Outstanding location near the world famous Ojo Caliente Mineral Spring Resort. Classic adobe Mercantile complete w/living quarters, separate 6 unit B&B, metal building and spacious...