This month is National Preparedness Month. I stopped in
to see Dianne Mabrey, the Chief Executive Officer of the Siskiyou County Chapter of the
American Red Cross (ARC,) to look into some classes and volunteer opportunities. Their
main office is in Yreka at 118 north Oregon
Street behind the Elks Club, but they
also have a small field office in Etna at 442
Main Street.
I asked her about rumors that
the ARC would be regionalizing and pulling its presence out of Siskiyou back to Shasta
County. Dianne indicated that it appears as long as our local
chapter remains strong, we will continue to be able to maintain our chapter office. She
told me that helping local families in crisis from several small house fires, 2,000
stranded snowstorm victims and the evacuation from the Iron Gate
fire had drained our local chapter of financial resources. They are also in need of more
volunteers and have class offerings for training. Call 842-4476 for more information.
http://www.redcross.org
Apparently, the national ARC
may be interested in locating a regional Disaster Field Supply Center in Siskiyou County along the I-5 corridor. Supplies could also be brought
into the big Siskiyou County airport in Montague. The catch is in finding a 15,000
square foot building that could be donated, (or the value of a lease to it could be
donated.) This could be a nice tax write-off for someone. Apparently, the ARC would repair
and maintain such a building once acquired.
Watch for news releases on
the ARC’s upcoming open house in both the Yreka and Etna offices on Sunday, September
19. Volunteers will assist folks in how to assemble an emergency supply kit. According
to ARC, there are six basics you should stock for your home: water, food, first aid
supplies, clothing / bedding, tools / emergency supplies, and special items.
Detail lists on http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/beprepared/ include such items as prescription drugs, extra
eye glasses, a flashlight, battery-operated radio, matches, camping supplies, sanitation
supplies, important family documents, special needs supplies for babies or disabled
persons. Keep the items that you would most likely need during an evacuation in an easy-to
carry container. Possible containers include a camping backpack or a duffle bag. The open
house will be a great opportunity to check up on your own personal preparedness.
Other dates to remember: Scott
Valley will be holding its annual Swap Meet and carnival
behind Premier West Bank in Greenview from 9
a.m. to 1 p.m. on
Saturday, September 11. At this point, there will be 26-30 swap booths, about 20
informational/carnival booths and 4-5 food
booths.
On Tuesday, September 14, the
Board of Supervisors will discuss new Watermaster Fees. On Tuesday, September 21, the
Board will discuss the idea of a possible grading ordinance. Times are not yet set on the
agenda. You can watch for agendas online at: http://www.co.siskiyou.ca.us/bos/agenda.htm
On Thursday, September 16,
the Klamath Bureau of Reclamation will take public testimony from 6-9 p.m.
at Miner’s Inn in Yreka on the “basin-wide” Conservation Implementation Program (CIP.) The
purpose of the CIP is to: (1) largely restore the Klamath River ecosystem to achieve
recovery of the Lost River and Shortnose suckers and substantially contribute to the
recovery of Coho salmon; (2) contribute to the Tribal Trust responsibilities of the
Federal government; and (3) allow continued, sustainable operation of existing water
management facilities and future water resource improvements for human use in the Klamath
River System.
A draft copy of the CIP can be obtained online at A
draft CIP is available online at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/kbao/docs/CIP-ProgramDoc.pdf or by calling 541-883-6935. Written comments on the
draft CIP may be sent to Ms. Christine Karas, Deputy Area Manager, Bureau of Reclamation,
Klamath Basin Area Office, 6600 Washburn
Way, Klamath Falls, OR 97603. |
