 |
|
Klamath-Siskiyou eNews #149 September 15th 2009 In This Issue:Get your tickets for KS Wild's biggest and best event of the year! Our Annual Dinner and Auction is 9/26
Suction dredge miners zeroing in on So. Oregon rivers- Please send a quick auto letter to DEQ
Please Comment on the Draft Conservation Plan for the Klamath Marsh Wildlife Refuge
KS Wild's biggest and best event of the year! Our Annual Dinner and Auction 9/26All the details are coming together for this fun, celebratory evening! Scores of local farmers are donating produce for a Greek style meal of buffalo or vegetable moussaka, business supporters from far and wide have dedicated an amazing array of quality auction items from outdoor gear and artwork to fine wines and river rafting adventures! The Justin Gordon Band is booked to play throughout the night, and as always, ticket purchase includes your meal and access to our two bars serving local wines and microbrew beers. Suction Dredge Miners Zeroing in on So. Oregon Rivers- Please send a Quick Auto Letter to DEQA mining group called the "New 49ers," based on the Klamath River, has made it clear that they are moving operations to southwest Oregon now that California has banned destructive suction dredge mining. KS Wild is asking folks to click here to send a letter to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) asking them to monitor and enforce environmental protections along SW Oregon's precious free flowing rivers as the pressure from recreational suction dredge miners increases following the banning of the practice across the border in California. Please Comment on the Conservation Plan for the Klamath Marsh Wildlife RefugeThe US Fish and Wildlife Service is accepting comments on its Draft Conservation Plan for the Klamath Marsh National Wildlife Refuge. The Marsh is important and sensitive wetland habitat for tens of thousands of birds, especially migratory waterfowl, as well as many other animals.The Plan contains some good ideas, and some bad ones. Of particular concern is the proposal to continue and encourage commercial grazing and farming within the Wildlife Refuge. Please click here and take a moment to send the following automatic letter now. Comments are due by Friday the 18th. Mr. Mark Pelz, Chief Refuge Planning US Fish and Wildlife Service 2800 Cottage Way Sacramento, CA 95825 Dear Mr. Pelz, Please consider my concerns regarding the following resource issues when selecting and implementing your Conservation Plan for the Klamath Marsh National Wildlife Refuge:
-Grazing. The negative aquatic impacts of such grazing are readily apparent at numerous locations in the refuge. Please eliminate public lands grazing within the refuge in order to protect water quality and native aquatic plant species.
-Farming. The growing of crops on refuge lands is a long-standing controversial issue. Please recognize that many wildlife enthusiasts strongly believe that the vast amount of lands dedicated to commercial farming in the Klamath Basin need not include the wetlands and wildlife habitat of our publicly owned wildlife refuges. Please acknowledge the significant role that prescribed fire can play in reducing the need for hay-growing activities.
-Wilderness. As indicated in Appendix F of the Environmental Assessment (EA), Refuge Units A, C, and D are appropriate for Wilderness designation as they offer significant scenic, educational and ecological Wilderness values. Yet the Service is proposing none of these areas for Wilderness designation. This blanket opposition to Wilderness does not reflect a balanced approach to refuge management.
-Wetlands. I strongly support increasing the amount of open water and wocus habitat to historic levels.
-Water Diversions and Water Levels. Please pursue all available methods to remove irrigation and diversion ditches and secure water rights necessary to protect the aquatic habitat values of the Klamath Wildlife Refuge.
-Hunting. Please respect the current non-consumptive enjoyment of wildlife. Sport hunting of waterfowl is fundamentally incompatible with the purpose of this Wildlife Refuge and completely displaces long-standing non-hunting recreational activities. It is also incompatible with the Service's obligations under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Please note that the EA estimates that 85-90% of Klamath Refuge visitors are there for wildlife observation or photography.
-Road Management. The Service cannot afford to maintain or patrol the existing road system. The system should be "right sized" to protect wildlife habitat, hydrology, and allow for meaningful enforcement of refuge policies and rules.
-Treaty Rights. Please Respect the treaty rights and historical ecological knowledge of the Klamath Indian Tribe.
Sincerely,
|
Click here to become a member of KS Wild today! By sending a minimum annual membership
of $35 to KS Wild you receive our quarterly print newsletter and protection for the outstanding
Klamath-Siskiyou wildlands.
The Klamath-Siskiyou (KS) Region of southwest Oregon and northwest California is a world-
renowned hub of biological diversity. Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Cascade Mountains,
this region houses more conifer species than any other region in the world. From ancient old-growth
forests to dry desert climate - and everything in between - the KS is a refuge for wild nature.
Laurel Sutherlin
Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center
PO Box 102
Ashland OR 97520
541.488.5789
www.kswild.org