At the time that the State budget
was passed, it was followed up by a natural resources “rider” - AB 2121 http://leginfo.ca.gov
Provision number 20 of this bill affects some adjudicated water rights holders in the
Scott and Shasta Valley with “watermaster” services. It has been customary for
the users to pay one half of the cost of that service, prorated according to the amount of
their water use right. The rider has changed this so that the entire cost is to be born by
the water user. However, the Department of Water Rights has also determined that the fee
has been set much too low, so they have taken this opportunity to pass on the “true
costs.”
A rancher neighbor told me that under this new arrangement, his fees
will go from $1,230 to $6,100 a year. Needless to say, where allowed, some users will be
looking at an alternative private service.
All of this comes at a time where verification of water use
conforming to the limits of adjudicated water use rights has become a key concept in water
management for coho. As an officer of the court, the State watermaster has law enforcement
authority concerning the provisions of the
adjudication that a private employee would not.
Northern California coho have been listed as “threatened”
by the State of California. Folks are still sorting out what happens next. As I understand
it, the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) must finish closing the record - reviewing
comments and preparing a summary with responses. The completed package then takes a month
or more for approval from the Office of Administrative Law. After that, it goes to the
Secretary of State. Then it takes another 30 days before it is effective. This means that
the listing will not become formal until December, at the earliest.
In the meanwhile, both the Siskiyou Resource Conservation District
and the Shasta Valley RCD will continue to work with the DFG on trying to develop a
programmatic Incidental Take Permit (ITP.) Agriculturalists with risk of exposure for
“prohibited take” of coho can then choose to participate under an umbrella
permit. (Those not choosing to participate and deciding not to obtain their own individual
permit, could risk citation and prosecution if coho are killed as a result of their
actions.)
Supervisor LaVada Erickson, from the Mt. Shasta area, has indicated
that on Tuesday, September 21, she will be bringing discussion of a proposed “grading
ordinance” to the Board. An ordinance would require people to obtain a County permit
to put blade to road - even for maintenance. That permit would be subject to CEQA
(California Environmental Quality Act) review and public comment. At the time of that
review, it is likely that the DFG could require mitigations for threatened coho salmon;
the North Coast Water Quality Control Board could require mitigations for clean water
issues; and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection could require
increased road standards for emergency vehicles. It could become a very expensive
proposition to maintain a private dirt road.
The “5 County Coho Plan” set up by the State and federal
government endorses the adoption of grading ordinances. Examples can be found here: http://www.5counties.org/Projects/FinalGeneralProjectPages/Grading800.htm
There are other options that will probably be discussed: (1) An
advisory Hillside Development Manual; (2) Area Plan restrictions specific to Mt. Shasta;
(3) Tighten up development standards; (4) “Down zoning” to restrict development
in visible, steep slope areas; (5) Building moratoriums; (6) Promotion of conservation
easements on visible, steep slope areas; and of course – (7) no action.
Please write Chairman of the Board, Bill Hoy, with your opinion
on this issue: P.O. Box 338 Yreka, CA 96097.
Ralph Geidel is the
local Klamath River resident who spent nine months at “ground zero”
in the aftermath of the tragedy of 9/11. A retired New York City firefighter himself, Ralph comes from a family of
firefighters. He joined his father and younger brother to search for his missing older
brother at the towers. Although his brother’s body was never found, Ralph’s
efforts resulted in the recovery of the remains of hundreds of victims, bringing closure
to their families.
During his time at
ground zero, Ralph suffered several injuries. He also has subsequently been diagnosed with
a form of throat cancer – unusual for a man of his age and fitness. Because he is
located so far from assistance set up in New
York, it has been difficult for Ralph to
get the support and care he needs.
On Sunday, September
25, at the Mount Shasta Resort, the Siskiyou Chapter of the Red Cross will be hosting a
benefit dinner, auction and dance for Ralph Geidel. Tickets are $25. Call 842-4476 or
e-mail siskiyouarc@nctv.com. |
