Post by blackcrowheart on Jun 12, 2006 10:44:58 GMT -5
From Karuk Tribe (environment)
GOVERNOR’S DISASTER DECLARATION NO HELP TO SALMON DEFICIENT TRIBE
Karuk Tribe Needs Salmon, not loans
Orleans, CA – Yesterday Governor Schwarzenegger proclaimed a State of
Emergency in 10 Counties providing disaster loan guarantees for salmon
fishermen. Although encouraged by the action, Karuk Tribal members will
not see much benefit from the package.
“I don’t need a loan, I need a fish to eat,” lamented Karuk Fishermen
Ron Reed.
Karuk Indians have fished and managed the Klamath River for thousands of
years. Salmon, lamprey eel, steelhead trout and other fishes serve as
the cornerstone of Karuk culture and diet. However, in recent years the
number of returning fish has plummeted leaving the Karuk without their
most important food source.
The Karuk Tribe is the second largest in California with over 3,400
members. “Last year we caught less than 200 fish…that’s not enough to
provide food for our ceremonies and dances much less feed our members,”
commented Reed.
Tribal leaders such as Vice Chairman Leaf Hillman praise Governor
Schwarzenegger’s effort to help commercial fishermen, but ask, “who will
help Indians who depend on subsistence fishing? We need disaster relief
but more importantly, we need disaster prevention.”
The Karuk Tribe has repeatedly called for the removal of four dams on
the Klamath River that restrict salmon from accessing over 350 miles of
spawning grounds and degrade water quality. Recently Siskiyou County
informed residents that the reservoirs behind the dams harbor toxic
algae blooms and warned residents to avoid swimming in the reservoirs in
hot summer months.
The dams are owned and operated by Portland Oregon based PacifiCorp, a
subsidiary of Mid American Energy which in turn is owned by billionaire
investor Warren Buffet. Buffet served as a consultant to Schwarzenegger
during his run for office. According to Hillman, “If the Governor wants
to bring the salmon home to California, put commercial fishermen to work
and food on the table of Indian families, he should let Warren Buffet
know that his dams must be removed.”
Ironically last year, Hillman was a finalist for the Buffet Award for
Indigenous Leadership for his efforts to restore the Klamath River.
The dams are currently being relicensed by the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, a process that could result in their removal. Several
agencies such as NOAA as well as the Pacific Fisheries Management
Council have recommended removal.
Hillman concludes, “PacifiCorp’s Klamath dams are poor producers of
electricity, provide little flood control, and no water diversions for
agriculture or drinking. All they do well is kill fish and breed toxic
algae. We urge Governor Schwarzenegger to stand us and demand the dams
be removed so our salmon can come home.”
GOVERNOR’S DISASTER DECLARATION NO HELP TO SALMON DEFICIENT TRIBE
Karuk Tribe Needs Salmon, not loans
Orleans, CA – Yesterday Governor Schwarzenegger proclaimed a State of
Emergency in 10 Counties providing disaster loan guarantees for salmon
fishermen. Although encouraged by the action, Karuk Tribal members will
not see much benefit from the package.
“I don’t need a loan, I need a fish to eat,” lamented Karuk Fishermen
Ron Reed.
Karuk Indians have fished and managed the Klamath River for thousands of
years. Salmon, lamprey eel, steelhead trout and other fishes serve as
the cornerstone of Karuk culture and diet. However, in recent years the
number of returning fish has plummeted leaving the Karuk without their
most important food source.
The Karuk Tribe is the second largest in California with over 3,400
members. “Last year we caught less than 200 fish…that’s not enough to
provide food for our ceremonies and dances much less feed our members,”
commented Reed.
Tribal leaders such as Vice Chairman Leaf Hillman praise Governor
Schwarzenegger’s effort to help commercial fishermen, but ask, “who will
help Indians who depend on subsistence fishing? We need disaster relief
but more importantly, we need disaster prevention.”
The Karuk Tribe has repeatedly called for the removal of four dams on
the Klamath River that restrict salmon from accessing over 350 miles of
spawning grounds and degrade water quality. Recently Siskiyou County
informed residents that the reservoirs behind the dams harbor toxic
algae blooms and warned residents to avoid swimming in the reservoirs in
hot summer months.
The dams are owned and operated by Portland Oregon based PacifiCorp, a
subsidiary of Mid American Energy which in turn is owned by billionaire
investor Warren Buffet. Buffet served as a consultant to Schwarzenegger
during his run for office. According to Hillman, “If the Governor wants
to bring the salmon home to California, put commercial fishermen to work
and food on the table of Indian families, he should let Warren Buffet
know that his dams must be removed.”
Ironically last year, Hillman was a finalist for the Buffet Award for
Indigenous Leadership for his efforts to restore the Klamath River.
The dams are currently being relicensed by the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, a process that could result in their removal. Several
agencies such as NOAA as well as the Pacific Fisheries Management
Council have recommended removal.
Hillman concludes, “PacifiCorp’s Klamath dams are poor producers of
electricity, provide little flood control, and no water diversions for
agriculture or drinking. All they do well is kill fish and breed toxic
algae. We urge Governor Schwarzenegger to stand us and demand the dams
be removed so our salmon can come home.”