Monday, March 4, 2013

Gorgeous new video for Klamath Dam Removal

There is a gorgeous new video available on causes.com featuring the mural in Orleans which KlamBlog recently called to readers attention. The "cause" in the video is Klamath Dam removal; it features traditional members of the Karuk and Yurok Tribes.

Karuk artist Biran Tripp working on the Orleans mural

The causes.com page then asks viewers to click on a link in order to "add your voice to theirs, send an Un-Dam the Klamath letter to Congress and share this action with your friends." 

The link is to the Klamath Riverkeeper page where one can sign a letter to Congress asking members to "please introduce and pass legislation to Un-Dam the Klamath in 2013."

There is no mention anywhere on causes.org of "the other side of the story" - that is, of the normal route to dam removal through the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Also not mentioned is that, while many folks who have worked long and hard for the River and Klamath Salmon think Congressional authorization of the KHSA Dam Deal is the quickest and best path to dam removal, others who have also worked long and hard for Klamath restoration think FERC is the surest, quickest and best path to dam removal.

That is why at the same time Klamath Riverkeeper is urging folks to contact Congress, the Hoopa Tribe has petitioned FERC to resume jurisdiction over the fate of PacifiCorp's Klamath River Dams and Rogue Group of the Sierra Club is urging folks to contact FERC in support of the Hoopa Tribe's petition.

Such is the state of affairs on the Klamath: natural allies and friends who have worked long and hard to restore the Klamath River and Klamath Salmon have been divided by the KHSA Dam Deal and KBRA Water Deal. The division plays on old inter-tribal antagonisms and weakens the overall effort; it is NOT in the interest of the River.

KlamBlog believes we need leaders who can resolve the conflict and bring those who work for the River and Klamath Salmon back into coalition.  That IS the River's interest.

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