NEC :: ECONEWS

Klamath Film Showing, Dam Water Permits, Claire Courtney Dies, ECONEWS highlights and More!

River of Renewal Film Premier
Wildfires to be discussed on Econews Report Thursday, July 24

Redwood Marine Terminal Business Plan Hits the Street
Coho Tracking Feature and more!
Highlights of Last Month's ECONEWS
Scientific Review of Proposed Klamath Basin Settlement
The Proposed Settlement
Scientific Peer Reviews of Flow Models Used in the Settlement

River of Renewal Film Premier

Klamath River Book Becomes A Movie,

Arcata Screening Sponsored By NEC

Acclaimed Klamath River researcher and author Stephen Most and the longtime Klamath River defender and advocate Northcoast Environmental Center (NEC) invite the public to attend an early film screening of the River of Renewal, released as a book in 2006 and now as a movie.

The fine-cut screening starts at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 9 at the D Street Neighborhood Center located at 14th and D streets in Arcata. Admission costs $5. Local beer and wine will be sold and refreshments served at the event. All proceeds will benefit Klamath programs at the NEC.

Wildfires to be discussed on Econews Report Thursday, July 24

Join Greg King for the Econews Report at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, July 24, for an interview with

Rich Fairbanks, the California Forest and Fire Program Associate for the Wilderness Society, and Scott Greacen, executive director of the Environmental Protection Information Center. We'll be talking about the WILDFIRESthat have raged through Northern California for more than a month. What are the ecological consequences of the fires? Of fighting the fires? Learn more from two experts on the subject.

Econews Report

July 24, 2008

1:30 p.m.

KHSU/KHSR

90.5 Arcata-Eureka

91.9 Crescent City-Brookings

89.1 FM Ferndale-Fortuna

89.7 FM Garberville

99.7 FM Willow Creek

Streaming live and archived (for 2 weeks) at www.khsu.org

Help Decide If Klamath Dams Will Get Water Quality Permits

Update: HEARINGS CANCELED. Klamath dam owner PacifiCorp has withdrawn its application for permits. However, the company plans to resubmit "in the near future." Check back often for updates.

Four fish-killing Klamath River dams are up for state water quality certifications this month in a protracted relicensing proceeding. Three public hearings will be held and your participation is crucial. If you can't be there in person, click here to find out where to mail your letter.

Click here for the full story.

Photo at right depicting Iron Gate dam by Thomas Dunklin. To see more of his photos, visit www.thomasbdunklin.com/

Two Klamath River Water Quality Documents

PacifiCorp says toxic algae blooms in the Klamath River reservoirs behind their dams aren't a problem.

Click this link to read the company's document explaining why they believe they should get water quality permits for another 50 years.

And while the relicensing process on the Klamath hydroelectric project grinds on, so does the establishment of total maximum daily load (TMDL) water pollution listings, limits and plans for rivers in Northern California, including the mainstem Klamath.

Click here to see an EPA outline of TMDL processes, funding sources and timeline for Northern California rivers.

Claire Courtney Has Fought Her Last Fight

Longtime NEC Board member and overall North Coast rabble rouser Claire Courtney died June 30. She was 81. This is truly a loss for her family and friends and the many communities she served here.

Courtney joined the board of the NEC during the mid-1980s, and remained on the board until the time of her death. She served several years as president, and helped guide the NEC after the death of longtime Executive Director Tim McKay, in July 2006. Courtney stepped down as president in February.

The family of Claire Courtney and the NEC will host a celebration of Claire's life on Sunday, October 19 (changed from August 10), from 3-6 p.m. at the Wharfinger building in Eureka.

Claire requested that donations be sent to Planned Parenthood and the NEC.

Redwood Marine Terminal Business Plan Hits the Street

The draft plan submitted by TranSystems to the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District presents some surprises.

Over 100 people packed the meeting of the District's Board of Commissioners at the Wharfinger Building on June 26, and many expressed concerns about the plan. one of those who spoke was Greg King. Click here to read his comments to the Board.

The plan is available on the District's web site, or click here to download it.

Comments on the plan will be taken at the next two Board meetings, and written comments will be accepted until August 30.

Coho Tracking Feature and more!
Read this month's ECONEWS feature story on two local tribes' coho habitat discoveries, other Klamath news, a retrospective on the rich, full life lived by Claire Courtney and more bioregional news.

Highlights of Last Month's ECONEWS

A recent diesel tanker accident along the wild and scenic Smith River resulted in little damage to wildlife, but raised the specter of future accidents.
Click here to read about the implications of a chemical spill along the Smith River, and factors that influence that possibility.

The polar bear has been placed on the Endangered Species List. This listing has raised a storm of controversy.
Read the ECONEWS article about it here.

And because life isn't supposed to be entirely serious, check out a photo of our "Sick Mother" rolling down the road during the Kinetic Sculpture Race.

Scientific Review of Proposed Klamath Basin Settlement
The NEC believes that the proposed settlement does not provide for enough water in the Klamath River to ensure the survival of fish.

The Proposed Settlement

After many years of negotiations, a draft settlement document was created. The following links will lead you to
a summary of the document as well as
the complete draft.

Scientific Peer Reviews of Flow Models Used in the Settlement

The NEC commissioned two studies by well-respected fisheries biologists. Our concern, which they showed to be valid, was that the settlement provide for the survival of fish as least as much as it provides water for farmers. Click here to read the report done by McBain & Trush followed by their recommendations.

Kamman provided a second scientific opinion.

Updated Tuesday, March 01, 2005