347 N. Main Street
Yreka, Ca. 96097
842-4400
PRESS RELEASE
June 7, 2011
Should the present listing of Coho Salmon as endangered by the California Fish & Game continue the impact on the citizens will experience loss of four hydroelectric dams and a fish hatchery resulting in higher power charges, inundating floods in the winter, serious loss of recreational revenue and the decimation of the Fall run of Chinook Salmon. California Fish & Game report indicated the Salmon kill in 2002 was caused by deposition of silt and gravel from the 1997 flood and 70% of the Trinity river water being diverted to Southern California resulted in shallow water and higher temperatures and had nothing to do with the dams.
The following are excerpts from the delisting petition to authenticate this action against Calififornia ESA.
1. Coho were not native to California waters. Failed plantings in 1895, 1899 by Fish & Game were then followed by introduction of Coho Salmon from Cascadia, Oregon which appeared to have a minimal effect of survival in California waters. A Karuk Tribal Council meeting in Dec. 2001 statements were made that Coho were not indigenous to the Klamath and there would be no reason for trying to reintroduce them. http://www.savethedams.com/?page_id=350
2. The 1993 NMFS Oceanic Report states that the increased temperature of the Pacific Ocean in 1983-1985 was responsible for devastating the Coho Salmon population off the coast of California by driving Coho Salmon North into Alaskan waters.
4. A historic rise in temperature of the Pacific Ocean which correlates with the volcanic activity in the Ring of Fire has driven these cold water Salmon North into Alaskan waters. NMFS data indicated that in 1950 80% of 149,000 Salmon were caught in Alaskan waters and in 2007 they caught 97% of 403,000 Salmon.
5. According to Michael Rode of California Fish & Game in 2002 indicated a genetic analysis between hatchery and wild Salmon displayed no difference. To not count hatchery fish has been the basis of listing the Coho Salmon in the first place.
6. The final expert report on Coho appears to indicate that the extinction of the Coho Salmon looks like it cannot be avoided. It does not appear that it is resource users (timber, farming, mining,) in the mid-Klamath is the reason, but is instead Ocean and climatic conditions. FINAL Report_Coho Salmon-Steelhead_Klamath Expert Panels_04 25 11
7. According to the Karuk Tribal Council meeting of Dec. 27, 2001 Coho Salmon were never in the Klamath River.
Based on these few points the listing of Coho Salmon in Northern California is illegal and capricious and should be removed from the Endangered List in California.
Leo Bergeron
President SCWUA
Yreka, Ca. 96097
842-4400
PRESS RELEASE
June 7, 2011
Should the present listing of Coho Salmon as endangered by the California Fish & Game continue the impact on the citizens will experience loss of four hydroelectric dams and a fish hatchery resulting in higher power charges, inundating floods in the winter, serious loss of recreational revenue and the decimation of the Fall run of Chinook Salmon. California Fish & Game report indicated the Salmon kill in 2002 was caused by deposition of silt and gravel from the 1997 flood and 70% of the Trinity river water being diverted to Southern California resulted in shallow water and higher temperatures and had nothing to do with the dams.
The following are excerpts from the delisting petition to authenticate this action against Calififornia ESA.
1. Coho were not native to California waters. Failed plantings in 1895, 1899 by Fish & Game were then followed by introduction of Coho Salmon from Cascadia, Oregon which appeared to have a minimal effect of survival in California waters. A Karuk Tribal Council meeting in Dec. 2001 statements were made that Coho were not indigenous to the Klamath and there would be no reason for trying to reintroduce them. http://www.savethedams.com/?page_id=350
2. The 1993 NMFS Oceanic Report states that the increased temperature of the Pacific Ocean in 1983-1985 was responsible for devastating the Coho Salmon population off the coast of California by driving Coho Salmon North into Alaskan waters.
4. A historic rise in temperature of the Pacific Ocean which correlates with the volcanic activity in the Ring of Fire has driven these cold water Salmon North into Alaskan waters. NMFS data indicated that in 1950 80% of 149,000 Salmon were caught in Alaskan waters and in 2007 they caught 97% of 403,000 Salmon.
5. According to Michael Rode of California Fish & Game in 2002 indicated a genetic analysis between hatchery and wild Salmon displayed no difference. To not count hatchery fish has been the basis of listing the Coho Salmon in the first place.
6. The final expert report on Coho appears to indicate that the extinction of the Coho Salmon looks like it cannot be avoided. It does not appear that it is resource users (timber, farming, mining,) in the mid-Klamath is the reason, but is instead Ocean and climatic conditions. FINAL Report_Coho Salmon-Steelhead_Klamath Expert Panels_04 25 11
7. According to the Karuk Tribal Council meeting of Dec. 27, 2001 Coho Salmon were never in the Klamath River.
Based on these few points the listing of Coho Salmon in Northern California is illegal and capricious and should be removed from the Endangered List in California.
Leo Bergeron
President SCWUA
