What is happening in Klamath Basin appears to be part of the plan the World Bank discussed in their policy paper on water.
Here is the link to the analysis which an RMNews Agent did for Rayelan
http://www.rumormillnews.net/cgi-bin/config.pl?read=3915
Read the World Bank Water policy analysis, then read what is happening in Klamath.
KLAMATH BASIN
REALITIES v. ENVIRO MYTHS
By Dick Carleton
In the Portland, OR Oregonian on March 15, 2001, reporter Beth Quinn
quotes Wendell Wood of the ONRC as saying, "Wildlife officials worry that Upper Klamath Lake's suckers may already be doomed following fish kills in
1995, 1996, and 1997 that wiped out 90% of the adult fish."
Reality #1: In 1970 the number of Lost River suckers was "unknown." The
number of Shortnose suckers was "very rare". (Bond, C. E. August 12,
1970 in a letter to Clinton Lostetter, Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife
regarding the Lost River Sucker)
Reality #2: In 1976 there were 94,000 Lost River suckers and 252,000
Shortnose suckers. In 1997 there were 46,000 Lost River suckers and
146,000 Shortnose suckers. (Official ODFW estimates)
Factually, if we don't know how many suckers there were in 1970 how can it be said that suckers are "doomed" or 90% were "wiped out"? Rationally, it would appear that there was at least a very significant increase in numbers during that period.
Examining lake levels for the years '92,' 94 '95, '96 and '97 we find the following:
Year Min Lake Elev
1992 4137.37 No fish kills
1994 4136.79 No fish kills
1995 4138.60 Fish kills
1996 4138.72 Fish kills
1997 4140.10 Fish kills
(Source: US Bureau of Reclamation)
Please notice that the higher lake levels in '95, '96, and '97 produced fish kills whereas the lower lake levels in '92 and '94 did not. Also notice that the lake level in '97 was almost 1 1/2 feet higher than in '96 and there were fewer fish reported in '97 by the Fish and Wildlife Service.
Reality #3: Higher lake levels produce fish kills. Heavy algae blooms reduce oxygen levels at the bottom of the lake where we find sucker habitat. Higher lake levels prevent winds and currents from "turning over" lake water. Simply and factually, higher lake levels endanger the suckers.
Steve Lewis is the biologist who gave the biological opinion for the US Fish and Wildlife Service recommending that the minimum lake level be raised to
its highest level in history.
Reality #4: Mr. Lewis, while handing down the opinion, was the Commodore of the Klamath Yacht Club. In late summer when the lake levels drop, yachtsmen must take their boats out of the water because their keels are in themud. Mr. Lewis owns a boat on Upper Klamath Lake. Is Mr. Lewis protecting the sucker, or is Mr. Lewis protecting himself and his real love, boating? In the same article in the Oregonian on March 15, Beth Quinn writes, "What's at stake here is the decline of waterfowl and the whole fish andwildlife abundance of the Klamath Basin," said Wendell Wood, Southern OregonField Representative of the ONRC. "What do we do, convene the God Squad as all these other species become endangered so we can still grow SUBSIDIZED potatoes for which there is no market?"
Reality #5: Potatoes are NOT subsidized.
Reality #6: Shutting off water to 225,000 acres of farmland plus hundreds of miles of ditches plus the Tulelake National Wildlife Refuge, an entire ecosystem is being destroyed. Habitat for ducks and geese, deer and antelope, muskrats, birds, insects and a myriad of other wildlife is destroyed or severely limited.
In a full page ad in the Herald and News on April 10, 2001, subscribedto by; The Pacific Coast Federation of Fisherman's Assoc., CaliforniaCouncil of Trout Unlimited, Salmonid Restoration Federation, NorthernCalifornia Assoc. of River Guides, Waterwatch, The Wilderness Society, Klamath Forest Alliance, and the ONRC we find the following: "Each year the Federal government provides billions of dollars in assistance to farmers who suffer from drought, other natural disasters or from global market forces beyond their control." ----"We also support the efforts to enhance water supplies and storage, so long as the environment is not further compromised in the process"
Reality #7: Grain is the only crop subsidized in the Klamath Basin and only a small part of that. In 1989 we had a microburst pass through Merrill, OR. We personally lost between $300,000 and $400.000. We received $20,000 in government aid . a far cry from the billions asserted by the environmentalists.
The environmentalist's campaign of mistruths and downright lies have painted a picture that Klamath Lake is "nearly dry." The misinformed public, without understanding the reality, is led to believe that Klamath Basin agriculture is responsible for an environmental disaster.
Reality #8: The lake elevation today is at 4143.09. In only 3 years since 1991 has the lake elevation been higher. In 1996 and 2000 it was .08 feet higher than today. In 1995 it was .12 feet higher. Recall that high lake levels in '95, '96, and '97 produced the significant fish kills.
With proper management we can have a normal irrigation season and protect our natural environment. Wild-eyed hysterical claims of pending environmental disaster are predicated upon fiction. Careful management is based upon reality.
I hope this information will clarify the misinformation that has been given to the public.
Dick Carleton
Dcarl@aol.com
(Dick Carleton is a retired educator who operates a family farm near
Merrill, Oregon)
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