Dear Kimberly D. Blose, My name is Lyle Todd Wroe, and the purpose of this letter is to protest the shutting down of both Kilarc and South Cow Creek power houses. I have a vested interest in this because our springs and well’s are dependent on Kilarc seepage and the full release of the return of old cow creek to its 100 year flow, could very well erode our house away in a few years. FERC failed to mention anything beyond “monitoring” the flow for several years. I noticed the EIS Report used the words “minimal effect,” a lot in their document. Problem seems to be no real scientific evidence to back it all up. I do understand that the FERC is just following their legal protocol with regards to allowing P. G. & E. to relinquish their license. But, I have attended 3 meetings where we, the citizens of the Whitmore community along with… We’ll, wait!!! Since it appears that we the public are being ignored, how about I send you just a few of the comments and observations that the public has seen since this all began in 2002. Please note that originally we had no one who was interested in taking over these operations. Now we have two that are competing for them. Please read the following stories and articles from individuals, media, and most important, the citizens of Whitmore. Please note that the entire fish agency personnel did not bother to show up to explain why they feel this will benefit the fish in any way, shape or form. Is this not supposed to be about improving fish habitat while destroying human habitat. We have the solution to solve both issues and make this a better planet for all. Please, do the right thing for a change. F.E.R.C. (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) meeting held in Redding July 14th 2010 The F.E.R.C. staff held a public meeting regarding the draft environmental impact study on decommissioning KILARC was held in Redding CA July 14th 2010. Over 120 residents, interested persons including members of the press attended and spoke about the many issues regarding the proposed decommissioning of Kilarc & South Cow Creek powerhouses and the destruction of Kilarc reservoir & picnic area. The consensus was that the draft E.I.S. was inaccurate and had more holes in it than a slice of Swiss Cheese and that the environmentalists at F.E.R.C. You should take the E.I.S. back to the drawing board so that the public’s comments at both this meeting and the previous scoping meetings in October 2009 are addres Issues covered were the impact on the community as human beings and on the community services. It was emphasized that every individual resident of Whitmore & Shasta County would be adversely affected by the loss of these facilities. R. J. Roth spoke about the erroneous conclusions regarding the benefits to fish. Maggie Trevelyan covered the impact on the individual businesses in Whitmore including (but not exclusively) the Store, the Way Station, and the Lavender farm. Also the potential for loss of our school, post office and other amenities. She also mentioned the impact on, public safety, fire suppression and our volunteer fire fighters caused by a decrease in taxes. Stewart Baldwin from Sierra Pacific Industries addressed the fire hazards already looming above our heads and the possibility of devastation of the land, the loss of jobs caused by decommissioning as well as well as a loss of a source of green power. Many others raised the issues of loss of animal habitat, historical buildings and artifacts, potential for loss of wells, floods of surrounding areas, fish, game, migrant birds & endangered species not to forget the damage to the environment Pretty much everything was addressed that could be. Russ Mull of Shasta County chastised the FERC representatives for not including an air quality assessment in the E.I.S. He also castigated the staff present for not allowing the public to be adequately heard. He outlined some of many discrepancies in the E.I.S. He advised F.E.R.C. about the consequences of a decreased tax base, the destruction of a wheelchair accessible recreational area & the affect on Whitmore residents and businesses in particular the store. He was furious that F.E.R.C. did not understand that the loss of taxes to Shasta County was an amount that would pay for a C.H.P. Officer and so would affect everyone in Shasta County. Steve Tetrick, a local rancher and a principal of Shasta Evergreen Power who had presented an alternative to F.E.R.C. reiterated the nonsensical idea that such an alternative (taking over the running of the hydro plants) was dismissed and not even considered. A second alternative just for the retention of Kilarc was raised by Kelly Sackheim. Almost everyone who spoke also plead that these alternatives for the production of green power not only be considered but adopted instead of decommissioning. Bonnie Tetrick expressed her dismay at the disrespect for prior input over a period of a week in late October 2010 by the apparent ignoring of all the input given at that time and asked whether we were wasting our time. She also rightly complained about the disregard for requests for a change of date, time, and length of meeting as well as venue to a more reasonable date & place that would afford more concerned residents of Whitmore and interested parties to attend. A request was made for any future meetings to be held in Whitmore at our Community Center! At this time a complaint signed by over 100 Whitmore residents was presented for the record that also made the same point and emphasized the opinion of those persons that their attendance and input was not important. This also reiterated the feeling of disrespect by F.E.R.C. for the stakeholders. Ed Farrell discussed the semantics of successful well drilling and the consequences of a change in water table that would impact everyone, not just those living just below Kilarc! F.E.R.C. was asked who would pay for new wells even if that was a feasible alternative. He and Bonnie Tetrick as well as Erik Poole explained that water rights were adjudicated by the state for water supply by methods in place since 1850, well before the building of the diversion dam. Erik Poole spoke for all of us regarding the impact of water loss on every resident, many of whose homes would be uninhabitable. He also raised the issue of loss of income and riparian habitat. Like many he was equally dismayed that data & information previously filed with F.E.R.C. was either not read or ignored leading to several assumptions and fallacies! He requested that F.E.R.C. go back to these filings and base any conclusions on fact rather than fictions or misstatements by agencies with an agenda that was detrimental to all persons. Frances Francis an attorney from Washington D.C. well versed in law pertaining to F.E.R.C. gently but firmly stated the mandate in law for N.E.P.A. (National Environmental Protection Agency) namely that of regarding the impact of actions on the people. She also reminded F.E.R.C. staff of the mandate given to F.E.R.C. by the government that they should be impartial, thus considering ALL options and having the human welfare as a priority! With this in mind she respectfully suggested that the draft E.I.S. be totally rewritten to reflect these mandates. Many people including Bob Mars (age 91) who has actually lived at Kilarc when his father was custodian talked about the joys of fishing at Kilarc for many in the past and generations to come who were & would be learning their fishing skills at this nursery of fishing. Others recounted memories and current experiences fishing at Kilarc. Glenn Dye (Chairman of Save Kilarc Committee) concurred with all prior opinions and emphasized the importance of access for disabled persons. (The disabled represent the largest minority of people in this country yet they have the least amenities.) If I have missed anyone out forgive me but this is the greater substance of a sometimes emotional meeting. It was obvious how much the community cared about the possible travesty that would be caused by decommissioning. Circumstances in 2010 are much different from the inception of the plan in late 2002. Hydro power is profitable; alternatives are possible by a competent coalition. The fish and the people can both be accommodated in a win/win solution to a complex problem. In addition the financial burden of an estimated $14.5 million for decommissioning proposed to be paid for by us as ratepayers will be removed. FERC gets an earful from Kilarc supporters July 17, 2010 by: admin Photo by Sharyn Cornelius: South Cow Creek Valley resident Erik Poole explains to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission environmental panel what the loss of water from the Cow Creek Hydroelectric Plant will mean to area ranchers and their families. Pacific Gas and Electric Company's decommissioning plans for the Kilarc-Cow Creek project call for ceasing water deliveries to the valley's ranches that they have depended on for 100 years without providing any alternate source of water. By Sharyn Cornelius The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) staff who wrote the recently released Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) on Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s Kilarc-Cow Creek Hydroelectric Project that recommends decommissioning the two power plants held a meeting in Redding on July 14, 2010 to hear what the public had to say about its document. They got an earful, to say the least. Well over 100 residents crowded into a room at the Holiday Inn to give the FERC representatives a severe tongue-lashing. Bonnie Tetrick expressed the feelings of many of those present when she said, “We feel wronged by you. We feel you simply regurgitated the information PG&E gave you and ignored all the comments we made last October and filed in writing since them. Your DEIS didn’t even address most of the issues that are important to us and when it did mention them, the language was insulting and belittling.” Though FERC Environmental Coordinator Car Lisa Linton tried to insist that the only purpose of the DEIS was to assess the environmental impacts of PG&E’s decommissioning plans under National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) guidelines, several members of the audience who have broad backgrounds in environmental law begged to differ. Frances E. Francis, a Washington, D.C. attorney who is representing the Tetrick Ranch and the Abbot Ditch Users (who receive their irrigation water through the Cow Creek Powerhouse), gave the FERC staff and the audience a brief tutorial on U.S. environmental law. She pointed out that The Federal Power Act (FPA) sets the standards for the FERC, and its directive is that “public interest [as opposed to fish resource agency interest] is prime.” She said that the FPA directs the FERC to “apply independent judgment” in deciding matters that come before it, [as opposed to just adopting the views of the applicant (PG&E) or the resource agencies], while the NEPA requires the lead agency to collect high quality data based on science, neither of which are evidenced in the DEIS. Francis also noted that NEPA “does not require a super priority for fish and was originally intended to protect, restore and enhance the quality of the human environment.” She gestured toward the audience. “You are seeing the human environment here tonight.” She urged the staff to “revisit their assumptions, get the facts, rethink and refocus their document so it reflects the public interest.” Shasta County’s Director of Resource Management Russ Mull also took Linton and her staff to task. He said that their DEIS was “legally indefensible, full of conjecture and contradictions,” and if Shasta County had produced a similarly inept document, “it would be laughed out of court.” “Writing an environmental document is more than just filling in the blanks,” he said. Mull said he was especially concerned that there had been no hydrological studies done to determine whether dewatering the Kilarc fore bay would cause residential wells below it to go dry. “NEPA requires that you hire a hydrologist to evaluate that possibility,” he said. Mull noted that not only did the document set up “straw man” alternatives to analyze and summarily reject, (such as keeping Kilarc fore bay open as a recreation area only and maintaining the flow of irrigation water through the Cow Creek Powerhouse without generating power from it), the staff failed to review two actual alternatives—the offers by Davis Hydro and Evergreen Shasta Power to take over operation of the power plants. “Under NEPA you must review all alternatives, not just the ones you have authority over,” he said. Several ranchers in the South Cow Creek Valley said that the DEIS had drastically underestimated the effect that losing irrigation water would have upon the families who live there. Erik Poole explained that three of the ranchers use the water from the Cow Creek Powerhouse tailrace as their sole source for drinking water, while others have shallow wells that are recharged from the Abbott Ditch irrigation water percolating down through the soil. “If this water source is lost [through the decommissioning],” Poole said, “The quality of life in that valley will be destroyed. The ranchers will be forced to truck in drinking water or leave their homes.” Rancher William Farrell reported that he had drilled 12 wells on his property and all but one was filled with salt water. “If we lose the Abbott Ditch, we’ll lose our wells, too. And the green grass in our valley will turn to brown.” Many of the speakers reiterated what has been said all along—that tearing out the diversion dams that send water from the Old Cow and South Cow Creeks to the turbines will not benefit endangered species of salmon as the resource agencies claim. Over and over people who know the area well swore that they had never seen a salmon above Whitmore falls in Old Cow or above Waggoner Canyon in South Cow, and biologist Robert Carey said that there was no historical record of steelhead in those areas until the Department of Fish and Game began planting them. Save Kilarc Committee Chairman Glenn Dye pointed out that the only fish that might benefit from the increased water in the bypass reaches of the creeks are brown trout who have adapted to live there. He added that in the Battle Creek fish restoration project, salmon are regaining 42 miles of habitat for the $80 million being spent, but here PG&E proposes to spend $14.5 million to return water to just six miles of creek that do not contain any salmon at all. At the end of the three and one-half hour meeting Linton graciously thanked everyone who came and especially those who spoke. “We wanted to hear what you had to say.” She also said that the FERC was considering holding another local public meeting so that Shasta County Supervisors could be present. Filed under: 08-05-2010, Archives-Front Page Stories Comments (5) Comments 5 Responses to “FERC gets an earful from Kilarc supporters” 1. Kelly Sackheim says: July 17, 2010 at 7:29 pm Sharyn Cornelius has done a thorough job reporting promptly what community members who were not able to attend the meeting want and need to hear. Anyone who would like a personal e-mail when the next FERC meeting is announced, but may not be getting notices directly from another source, is encouraged to request assistance by e-mailing kws@kilarc.info KC Hydro, a collaboration of Davis Hydro and Sackheim Consulting, continues to work for acknowledgment and analysis of the environmental effects of alternatives that may include future hydropower generation and specific measures for the recovery of endangered species that have been proposed by Davis Hydro or may be proposed by the fish resource agencies (beyond simply returning all the water to the natural channel). As I referenced when speaking at the meeting, the FERC’s environmental analysis already made it clear that leaving Kilarc facilities in place as described in the alternative that they crafted would be environmentally preferred over the demolition proposed by PG&E and supported by the fish resource agencies — yet the FERC ignored the conclusions of its own environmental analysis when rationalizing its recommendation for demolition. We are looking forward to a change in direction toward serving community goals as the FERC process continues to move forward. 2. Judy says: July 18, 2010 at 8:23 am Sharyn did do an awesome job. In the media world, no one gets it more than her. 3. Cowfisher says: July 19, 2010 at 5:54 pm FERC came here 2 years ago and asked for ideas because PG&E was leaving. We gave them some. Davis Hydro came forward to run Kilarc and grow fish. FERC later asked what was important in deciding what to do. The community said they were completely dependent on the Kilarc facility. Steve Tetrick said the Abbott ditch was important. And he had a plan. We all fear fire if the “Fore bays” are removed. The hydropower cools the water going downstream to near Millville where there are fish including salmon! 2 plans, many concerns, and many studies were needed to solve them. All were ignored. The FERC puts forward a plan based on imaginary fish in the Old Cow. Steelhead above Whitmore Falls. There are no steelhead above Whitmore falls or from my experience living here nowhere near it. Wish there were. The plan is ridiculous the fish are imaginary and everything put forth by the public is ignored. This is oppressive government at its worst. Cowfisher 4. Kelly Sackheim says: July 23, 2010 at 5:56 am R.V. Scheide did a great job when Kilarc Reservoir first hit the headlines over 3 years ago - http://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/content?oid=335763 Those of us quoted in the article (myself & Dick Ely) are continuing to work with the license surrender AND the new state-wide issue of fish stocking for recreation – yesterday I received Great News! The efforts of KC LLC (a partnership of Sackheim Consulting and Davis Hydro LLC, dba KC Hydro), with the collaboration of California Department of Fish & Game, Redding Office, have caused the resumption of trout stocking in Kilarc Reservoir in time for the August 1 Community Picnic – details at http://www.stocktrout.kilarc.net 5. Maggie Trevelyan says: August 8, 2010 at 3:00 pm VISIT http://www.savekilarc.org for further details on our battle to save KILARC & for information on the second F.E.R.C. Mtg. August 17th at the Whitmore Community Center, 6-8pm, and refreshments will be served! Please come to have your voice heard? The Supervisors & Congressman Herger helped get a meeting locally so many more could attend! Photos by Brad Garrison/Special to the Record Searchlight EmmaRae Westphal, 7, of Cottonwood watches the end of her pole while fishing Saturday during a community picnic at Kilarc Reservoir, near Whitmore. EmmaRae was at the small lake fishing with her dad and sister. In the background is family friend Dave Schmidt, also of Cottonwood. Brad Garrison This group was among the 150 people who attended the Save Kilarc picnic Saturday at the reservoir near Whitmore. Brad Garrison Jeff Logue of Palo Cedro and nephew Michael Hageman of the Bay Area caught these trout Saturday at the Kilarc picnic. The chance to eat good food and feel a sense of community brought out about 150 people to Kilarc Reservoir on Sunday in a picnic protest to save a beloved fishing hole. Maggie Trevelyan, who lives in Whitmore and is one of the leaders of the grass-roots Save Kilarc Committee, said the 3-year-old event is meant to bring awareness about what could be lost. Pacific Gas and Electric Co., which owns Kilarc, wants to remove the reservoir in eastern Shasta County as part of its shutdown of the Kilarc-Cow Creek hydroelectric project. The utility has said the project, which produces enough megawatts to power 3,750 homes, is no longer economical and is blocking potential salmon and steelhead spawning ground. The 4-acre reservoir’s fate now rests with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which currently has Kilarc under environmental review. But Trevelyan and others are not giving up. The commission will host a community meeting to discuss the issue Aug. 17. The event will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Whitmore Community Center. Trevelyn’s group believes that having a meeting in Whitmore could sway officials to keep Kilarc. Sunday’s picnic featured a fishing derby for kids. The state Department of Fish and Game stocked the reservoir with trout last week. Save Kilarc T-shirts and sweatshirts also were being sold Sunday. • August 1, 2010 • 11:45 p.m. • Suggest removal • Reply to this post myopinion2 writes: Kilarc needs to be kept if for no other reason than just being about taking kids fishing. It is places like this that hold memories for lots of folks and are spawning new memories for generations to come. F.F.A. (Future Fishermen of America) depends on places like this, let’s keep it. • August 2, 2010 • 12:19 a.m. • Suggest removal • Reply to this post duckhunter2010 writes: in response to myopinion2: Kilarc needs to be kept if for no other reason than just being about taking kids fishing. It is places like this that hold memories for lots of folks and are spawning new memories for generations to come. F.F.A. (Future Fishermen of America) depends on places like this, let’s keep it. I don’t see the problem with keeping it. I go fishing with grandpa there allot and I know allot of people that go there with family members. like you said it is a great place to make memories. I say keep it. • August 2, 2010 • 4:40 a.m. • Suggest removal • Reply to this post citizenactivist writes: "The utility has said the project, which produces enough megawatts to power 3,750 homes, is no longer economical and is blocking potential salmon and steel head spawning ground." If this was just about fish the Department of Fish and Game would have driven a load of trout to this lakes cooler water instead of dumping them into the bath-water to almost certain death, evidenced by the large kill. As long as sportsmen continue to beg for this like to remain so they can fish, this will not get the job done. Bottom line then, there is little to no evidence that removing this dam will do a damned thing for native fish at this point and time. The experts can't even get a load of trout alive into safe waters... This has to be about that power capacity to deliver, in time of emergency power to a rather remote area of 3,700 homes or half power to 7,200 homes or even 1/4 emergency power to 15,000 homes. PG&E wants to insure there is no completion for their large monopoly, smart grids and "smart" meters... Tearing this dam down in these uncertain times is not "SMART" It's more about POWER of the worst kind, out of control, uneducated, inexperienced, misinformed, unchecked Federal Power and a blood sucking utility that needs to be broken up and resold in pieces. • August 2, 2010 • 9:06 a.m. • Suggest removal • Reply to this post maggiestewart#273609 writes: Many thanks to all the community members & organizations who attended the picnic yesterday Aug 1st, and to those who helped organize it again. A wonderful time was had by all from near and far; Burney, Red Bluff, Citrus Heights, the Bay Area and more as well as many from Redding who came to show their support. And of course the "regulars' with their family members! Please join us Aug 17th at the Whitmore Community center for the meeting with F.E.R.C. to protest the possible decommissioning! www.savekilarc.org Also a big thanks to the RS for their coverage and the great pictures. We appreciate your support! Whitmore is a great place and Kilarc is a treasure! • August 2, 2010 • 2:51 p.m. • Suggest removal • Reply to this post 3343 writes: in response to duckhunter2010: I don’t see the problem with keeping it. I go fishing with grandpa there allot and I know allot of people that go there with family members. like you said it is a great place to make memories. I say keep it. It has nothing to do with the fishing, unfortunately. It is basically out of PG&E's hands now as they did not renew the license. The only way this lake gets saved is in the useless Government employees at the FERC. Write to or call the frikken FERC and tell them how much Kilarc benefits the community - from fishing and recreation to hydro power. This place was built over 100 years ago and ripping it out will have a very detrimental effect on a lot of different wildlife from the diversion dam all the way to the lake. Cold, clean water has flowed through there for 100 years. When it is removed many animals will have to leave this area. Also many trees and shrubs will die from lack of water, resulting in a fire hazard. Many of these trees were recently planted after previous fires. Dead trees and brush will burn up quickly, AND THERE WILL NOT BE A LAKE THERE FOR HELECOPTERS TO DIP WATER OUT OF. Go to the meeting. • August 8, 2010 • 10:18 a.m. • Suggest removal • Reply to this post KChydro#363411 writes: in response to maggiestewart#273609: Many thanks to all the community members & organizations who attended the picnic yesterday Aug 1st, and to those who helped organize it again. A wonderful time was had by all from near and far; Burney, Red Bluff, Citrus Heights, the Bay Area and more as well as many from Redding who came to show their support. And of course the "regulars' with their family members! Please join us Aug 17th at the Whitmore Community center for the meeting with F.E.R.C. to protest the possible decommissioning! www.savekilarc.org Also a big thanks to the RS for their coverage and the great pictures. We appreciate your support! Whitmore is a great place and Kilarc is a treasure! Thanks to Maggie for all your efforts - spearheading 3 annual picnics in a row, and we're all working together to ensure the current kids' grandkids will have similar opportunities! While the fishing may have been “less than spectacular” (quote from Glenn Dye, Save Kilarc Committee founder and Chair, at www.eastvalleytimes.com ) for one important weekend event, CDFG is to be commended for getting any fish stocked at all, after the lawsuit that has required extra studies to maintain their entire stocking program. As noted at www.myoutdoorbuddy.com , the CDFG now has two lists of stock able waters updated August 6, 2010, including those receiving catchable-size trout (19 sites in Shasta County, including Kilarc and the Sacramento River, that weren’t on the single list dated July 23), and those approved under a new program for fingerling (put & grow) release (6 sites in Shasta County that are also on the larger list). KC Hydro, after retaining a biologist to complete the study protocol so that evaluation of Kilarc Reservoir could jump CDFG’s queue to be approved for stocking in time for the picnic, has submitted a new request to CDFG to revisit that study, which identifies that Kilarc should be considered suitable for stocking the standard “diploid” hatchery trout, rather than only the sterile “triploid” trout that are in such short supply. CDFG has indicated that there are no further triploid trout available to stock Kilarc the week of August 8, which was requested by KC Hydro so that persons traveling to the August 17 FERC meeting in Whitmore could get in some fishing on the same trip, but KC Hydro’s latest request has been forwarded to the CDFG Supervisor. The restrictions on stocking non-sterile rainbow trout in Kilarc Reservoir are directly linked to the assumption that Old Cow Creek in the vicinity of the Kilarc Hydropower Project supports anadromy – e.g. steelhead trout (that are rainbow trout that travel to the ocean and return). Additional study to determine the state of anadromy in Old Cow Creek will not only affect stocking decisions but will contribute to establishing a foundation for evaluating the fate of the hydropower facilities upon PG&E’s license surrender as well. Vol. V #28 Notes from July 14 FERC Redding meeting about future of Kilarc Reservoir and hydropower plants [Editor’s Note: The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission held a meeting in Redding July 14 to take public comment about the Draft EIS recently released in which FERC concludes Kilarc Reservoir and associated hydropower facilities should be destroyed. MyOutdoorBuddy was unable to attend this meeting but Maggie Trevelyan of www.savekilarc.org did. Trevelyan took notes as best as she could and has given MyOutdoorBuddy permission to reproduce them here. In her email she added this additional note: “Also speaking was Jeff Parks State of California [Water Resources Control Board] who assured us that the State will be watching carefully and will have additional parameters to consider soon!” Public comments will be accepted until August 25 by writing to FERC as directed in Trevelyan's notes.] By Maggie Trevelyan, Whitmore The F.E.R.C. staff held a public meeting regarding the draft environmental impact study on decommissioning KILARC was held in Redding CA July 14. Over 120 residents, interested persons including members of the press attended and spoke about the many issues regarding the proposed decommissioning of Kilarc & South Cow Creek powerhouses and the destruction of Kilarc reservoir & picnic area. The consensus was that the draft E.I.S. was inaccurate and had more holes in it than a slice of Swiss Cheese and that the environmentalists at FERC should take the E.I.S. back to the drawing board so that the public’s comments at both this meeting and the previous scoping meetings in October 2009 be addressed. Issues covered were the impact on the community as human beings and on the community services. It was emphasized that every individual resident of Whitmore & Shasta County would be adversely affected by the loss of these facilities. R. J. Roth spoke about the erroneous conclusions regarding the benefits to fish. Maggie Trevelyan covered the impact on the individual businesses in Whitmore including (but not exclusively) the Store, the Way Station, and the Lavender farm; also the potential for loss of our school, post office and other amenities. She also mentioned the impact on, public safety, fire suppression and our volunteer fire fighters caused by a decrease in taxes. Stewart Baldwin from Sierra Pacific Industries addressed the fire hazards already looming above our heads and the possibility of devastation of the land, the loss of jobs caused by decommissioning as well as well as a loss of a source of green power. Many others raised the issues of loss of animal habitat, historical buildings and artifacts, potential for loss of wells, floods of surrounding areas, fish, game, migrant birds & endangered species not to forget the damage to the environment Pretty much everything was addressed that could be. Russ Mull of Shasta County chastised the FERC representatives for not including an air quality assessment in the E.I.S. He also castigated the staff present for not allowing the public to be adequately heard. He outlined some of many discrepancies in the E.I.S. He advised FERC about the consequences of a decreased tax base, the destruction of a wheelchair accessible recreational area & the affect on Whitmore residents and businesses in particular the store. He was furious that FERC did not understand that the loss of taxes to Shasta County was an amount that would pay for a C.H.P. Officer and so would affect everyone in Shasta County. Steve Tetrick, a local rancher and a principal of Shasta Evergreen Power who had presented an alternative to FERC reiterated the nonsensical idea that such an alternative (taking over the running of the hydro plants) was dismissed and not even considered. A second alternative just for the retention of Kilarc was raised by Kelly Sackheim. Almost everyone who spoke also plead that these alternatives for the production of green power not only be considered but adopted instead of decommissioning. Bonnie Tetrick expressed her dismay at the disrespect for prior input over a period of a week in late October 2010 by the apparent ignoring of all the input given at that time and asked whether we were wasting our time. She also rightly complained about the disregard for requests for a change of date, time, and length of meeting as well as venue to a more reasonable date & place that would afford more concerned residents of Whitmore and interested parties to attend. A request was made for any future meetings to be held in Whitmore at our Community Center! At this time a complaint signed by over 100 Whitmore residents was presented for the record that also made the same point and emphasized the opinion of those persons that their attendance and input was not important. This also reiterated the feeling of disrespect by FERC for the stakeholders. Ed Farrell discussed the semantics of successful well drilling and the consequences of a change in water table that would impact everyone, not just those living just below Kilarc! FERC was asked who would pay for new wells even if that was a feasible alternative. He and Bonnie Tetrick as well as Erik Poole explained that water rights were adjudicated by the state for water supply by methods in place since 1850, well before the building of the diversion dam. Erik Poole spoke for all of us regarding the impact of water loss on every resident, many of whose homes would be uninhabitable. He also raised the issue of loss of income and riparian habitat. Like many he was equally dismayed that data & information previously filed with FERC was either not read or ignored leading to several assumptions and fallacies! He requested that FERC go back to these filings and base any conclusions on fact rather than fictions or misstatements by agencies with an agenda that was detrimental to all persons. Frances Francis an attorney from Washington D.C. well versed in law pertaining to FERC gently but firmly stated the mandate in law for N.E.P.A. (National Environmental Protection Agency) namely that of regarding the impact of actions on the people. She also reminded FERC staff of the mandate given to FERC by the government that they should be impartial, thus considering ALL options and having the human welfare as a priority! With this in mind she respectfully suggested that the draft E.I.S. be totally rewritten to reflect these mandates. Many people including Bob Mars (age 91) who has actually lived at Kilarc when his father was custodian talked about the joys of fishing at Kilarc for many in the past and generations to come who were & would be learning their fishing skills at this nursery of fishing. Others recounted memories and current experiences fishing at Kilarc. Glenn Dye (Chairman of Save Kilarc Committee) concurred with all prior opinions and emphasized the importance of access for disabled persons. (The disabled represent the largest minority of people in this country yet they have the least amenities.) If I have missed anyone out forgive me but this is the greater substance of a sometimes emotional meeting. It was obvious how much the community cared about the possible travesty that would be caused by decommissioning. Circumstances in 2010 are much different from the inception of the plan in late 2002. Hydro power is profitable; alternatives are possible by a competent coalition. The fish and the people can both be accommodated in a win/win solution to a complex problem. In addition the financial burden of an estimated $14.5 million for decommissioning proposed to be paid for by us as ratepayers will be removed. Please consider this report very carefully and support our continued efforts to SAVE KILARC (in fact both hydro plants). We urge you to submit written comments before August 25. Comments can be submitted to savekilarc@gmail.com or on line to FERC directly. If you need help doing this please contact either Glenn or I at 530-472 3945 or 530 472 3929? Letters should be addressed to Secretary Kimberly Bose, F.E.R.C. Washington D.C. You do not have to be a resident of Whitmore or Shasta County to have your comments considered! Thank you to all who continue to encourage us. -- MT Northern California Outdoor Issues Vol. V #32 What happens when a small town speaks truth to power? By Frank Galusha August 18 -- If a small town speaks truth to power are its pleas for mercy actually heard? That was the question in Whitmore last night when over 100 residents descended upon their volunteer-built Community Center to ask the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to spare Kilarc Reservoir. I think the answer is “It won’t matter!” The people of Whitmore, like their antecedents at Lexington and Concord, are not going to cut and run. They are standing up to the lies made by their enemies, the “Crown’s” so-called resource agencies, and they are going to win the day. It may take a while, even a journey into the courts, but in the end I believe the hydroelectric facilities will be saved, and Kilarc will be fished for another 100 years. Why am I so optimistic? A fired up citizenry armed with the truth and common sense will eventually beat down even the most entrenched bureaucracy. It won’t matter a whit that the representatives from FERC tried to sit stiff and stony-faced, seemingly unaffected as they got read the riot act. The town’s speakers, like those who signed our Declaration of Independence, made their numerous grievances known one by one. Some were emotional, almost to tears while reciting their fears should Kilarc be destroyed. Others used humor, sarcasm and satire to make their points. No one resorted to anything less than the facts. As a result, every one of the 20+ citizens who took to the podium drew blood. Some remarks were only pinpricks but others stung like a cat-o’-nine-tails. When the scolding was over the “King’s” ministers knew the tongue lashing they had just received was only the beginning. It may not be “the shot heard ‘round the world,” but the people of Whitmore are not going to be tread upon. They will Save Kilarc! And, like their battle, this story will be continued. [Author’s Note: There was not time to replay my numerous recordings so that I could share the many points scored by the people of Whitmore, Congressman Wally Herger, Supervisor Glenn Hawes or representatives from Sierra Pacific Industries, Evergreen Shasta Power, Davis Hydro and more. I will try to do so when I pick up my “pen” again. -- FG] Battle for Kilarc takes new paths February 3, 2010 by: admin Local coalition proposed alternative to save Kilarc-Cow Creek hydro project Photo by Maggie Trevelyan Kilarc Reservoir is beautiful year round, one reason why so many people want to see it saved. In a public filing submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on January 22, 2010, a local coalition consisting of Shasta County, Sierra Pacific Industries, Abbott Ditch Users, Tetrick Ranch and Evergreen Shasta Power proposed a settlement that would avoid the decommissioning of the Kilarc-Cow Creek Hydro Project by essentially authorizing a new operator to continue operations on an economic and improved environmental basis. The Settlement proposes that Evergreen Shasta Power, LLC, a new, local entity, would acquire the facilities from Pacific Gas and Electric Company and proceed to obtain authorization from FERC to operate the facilities under two separate License Exemption Applications. As acceptable conditions of the exemptions, Evergreen Shasta would provide greater in stream flows for fish and payments to the County for recreation maintenance at Kilarc, retain Kilarc Lake for recreation and a water supply for fire fighting, and establish a fund for habitat restoration and ditch maintenance in the Cow Creek watershed to improve fish habitat and water quality. The group has also asked that FERC promptly establish a settlement proceeding in Sacramento to further consider and develop this alternative to retain the present Project 606, in cooperation with the other stakeholders. The coalition has received public support from the Save Kilarc Committee and many individuals in the Community of Whitmore and in Shasta County. FERC is in the process of evaluating PG&E’s license surrender application, and FERC’s Draft Environmental Assessment (DEA) is scheduled for issuance soon. In their January 22 filing, the coalition suggested delaying the DEA until after a settlement proceeding was held. This would give the FERC time to receive answers to questions concerning the claimed benefits to the fish from the decommissioning and how PG&E intended to resolve the water rights issues for the Abbott Ditch Users and Tetrick Ranch, as well as to consider the coalition’s Alternative. According to Erik Poole, the coalition’s spokesperson, these basic questions have yet to be answered, and they need to be before any decision is made about whether the Kilarc-Cow Creek Project should be decommissioned. The Alternative presented by the coalition would avoid the currently projected $14.5 million dollars in PG&E ratepayer expenses for decommissioning, the loss of the recreation at Kilarc Reservoir, and the gutting of two operating hydro plants that produce reliable green energy. It would also avoid litigation certain to result from the loss of the water conveyance system used to deliver water to the Abbott Ditch Users, which PG&E proposes to destroy. Litigation could also ensue from property rights conflicts resulting from decommissioning, as well as potential contamination problems from the decommissioning process. Under FERC’s rules, parties have 20 days to respond to the Settlement Alternative and can also respond to the Motion for Settlement Proceeding, as well as the other documents filed by the coalition asking FERC to authorize it to make it possible for the community to retain these facilities and the benefits they provide while establishing an economically viable project. (Submitted by Erik Poole.) KC Hydro asserts that Kilarc may not require a license In a public filing to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission made on Jan. 25, 2010, KC Hydro, a collaboration of Davis Hydro LLC and Sackheim Consulting, requests that the FERC 1) make a determination that Project 606 (the Kilarc-Cow Creek hydroelectric project) is not subject to mandatory federal licensing requirements and 2) terminate Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s License Surrender proceedings. As evidence that Project 606 may not be subject to the FERC’s licensing jurisdiction, Kelly Sackheim, writing on behalf of KC Hydro, cites a 1995 Commission ruling on the Bend Hydroelectric Project #2643 which states: “Under Section 23(b)(i) of the Federal Power Act, a license is required for a hydroelectric project if it: (1) is located on “navigable waters of the United states”; (2) occupies lands or reservations of the United States; (3) uses the surplus water or water power from a government dam; or (4) is located on a non-navigable Commerce Clause stream, affects the interests of interstate or foreign commerce, and has undergone construction of major modification after August 26, 2935. If those conditions are not met, Section 4(e) of the FPA would permit licensing of a hydroelectric project in response to a voluntary application if the project is located on Commerce Clause water.” (The entire 1995 Commission ruling is available with KC Hydro’s Jan. 25 filing on the FERC website.) Sackheim then asserts that Project 606 is not subject to mandatory licensing by the FERC because it is not located upon a navigable stream; does not occupy lands or reservations of the U.S.; does not use surplus water or power from a government dam; and has not undergone construction or major modifications since August 26, 1935. “It is my belief that PG&E may not be required to take any action upon the expiration of its license and valuable time of the Commission may be saved by terminating the present license surrender proceedings by acknowledging that it is no longer in the public interest for the Commission to exercise jurisdiction over this project.” The filing concludes by stating that, if allowed to proceed by the FERC, Davis Hydro is prepared to approach PG&E with an offer to purchase at least the Kilarc portion of the P-606 Project. “We are committed to build a facility that PG&E, the fish resource agencies, research entities, and the community can be proud of. We are committed to build a strong fish resource supported financially by green hydropower and request Commission support of these goals as well.” Filed under: 02-04-2010 KILARC: IMPORTANT MEETING AUG 17TH @ WHITMORE COMMUNITY CENTER WITH FERC RE: DRAFT EIS ON KILARC DE The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission F.E.R.C. held a public meeting in Redding on July 14th regarding the draft E.I.S. on the Kilarc/Cow Creek P 606-027, possible decommissioning of the power plants. As you are aware this report was an unwieldy 275+ pages of deplorable inaccuracies and disregard for the people, environment, history & critters of Whitmore and Shasta county. It was disrespectful and totally lacking in regard for the needs of a rural community. Many of you (over 120) attended and made superbly relevant comments! (Once again). The transcript of this meeting can be accessed as below.......if you have any problems please copy and paste into your browser. On 7/14/2010, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Washington D.C., published the following issuance: Docket(s): P-606-000 Description: Transcript of the 7/14/10 Public Hearing held in Redding, CA re Kilarc-Cow Creek Hydroelectric Project under P-606. You can view the issuance at: http://elibrary.FERC.gov/idmws/file_list.asp?accession_num=20100714-4022 Additional comments reactions were also published in the Record Searchlight following the meeting. People came from near and far to the 3rd Annual Community Picnic @ Kilarc August 1st at Kilarc to show their interest and support for our efforts to prevent this travesty from happening. See: http://www.redding.com/news/2010/aug/01/community-members-rally-for-reservoir/ As a result of protests and complaints by the public, the Shasta County Board of Supervisors and Congressman Wally Herger CD-2 regarding the short notice and inconvenience of time and place for themselves & many Whitmore residents. Subsequently F.E.R.C. is holding a PUBLIC Meeting here in Whitmore to allow those who were unable to attend to have a chance of making their views known. See notice below. We (Save Kilarc & community members) will be providing finger food so that you can come on the way home from work. CHILDREN are welcome! This meeting is for everyone. Your opinions regarding the potential loss of Kilarc as a much loved place of recreation and a source of green energy. If you can help by bringing a few cookies, veggies or chips or whatever we would be grateful. This is a big compromise on the part of F.E.R.C. and it is vital that as many attend as possible. If you went to the July meeting please come as well so we can show strength in numbers. We need you to attend even if you do not wish to speak. If you spoke before you may want to add to your comments in the hope that F.E.R.C. will listen and pay attention. All comments will be recorded so we have proof of what was said. Any and all opinions are very important. Our efforts are supported by the Shasta County Board of Supervisors & Sierra Pacific Industries. (Representatives will be present to speak). If we lose this battle the cost of decommissioning, some $14.5 million dollars will be borne by us as ratepayers as well causing the loss of services and facilities due to loss of local taxes. We have competent people who can take over the running of the facility at a profit & provide jobs and protect the environment & improve fish habitat. A win-win proposal. Decommissioning does NOT make sense! Tetrick continues to challenge resource agencies July 14, 2010 by: admin Looking at South Cow Power house Looking SE Despite the recent Draft Environmental Impact Statement released on June 22, 2010 by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission that recommends the decommissioning of Project-606, the Kilarc-Cow Creek Hydroelectric Plants, Steve Tetrick, owner of Evergreen Shasta Power, (which is poised to take over operation of the two small hydro plants if FERC should change its mind) continues to meet with representatives of the resource agencies to discuss mitigation measures that would make continued operation of the plants palatable to them. He also continues to challenge the agencies’ lack of scientific evidence to validate their opinion that endangered steelhead and salmon would be better off if the hydroelectric facilities were destroyed. In a letter dated June 24, to Richard L. Wantuck, Regional Hydropower Supervisor for the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Tetrick’s attorney Frances E. Francis writes, “Tetrick Ranch is unaware of any existing scientific studies or information that supports NMFS’s conclusion as to the “conservation value” of decommissioning Project No. 606. Indeed, Tetrick Ranch is not aware that NMFS has ever shared with the public any claimed benefits from decommissioning to anadromous or non-anadromous fish in the Cow Creek Stream system. . . . Based on our own observations of the Cow Creek system and knowledge about the water rights issues that govern the flows in south Cow Creek, we do not understand how the decommissioning of Project No. 606 could by itself result in the restoration of “natural in stream flows” throughout Cow Creek watershed.” The letter goes on to point out that steelhead already reach areas upstream of the Cow Creek Development on South Cow Creek and are effectively blocked from reaching the Kilarc bypass reach in Old Cow Creek by Whitmore Falls, “though we understand that NMFS now considers Whitmore Falls ‘passable under unspecified high flow conditions.’” The letter also notes that NMFS’s own Draft Recovery Plan for Sacramento River Chinook Salmon and Central Valley Steelhead states that no steelhead populations have ever been estimated in Cow Creek and no specific studies have been conducted to estimate the size of the spawning run. The Draft Recovery Plan also states that many Cow Creek watershed streams do not provide suitable habitat due to the large number of unscreened diversions and high water temperatures. Ms. Francis wonders ominously whether NMFS’s reference to “obliterating in stream facilities” will require the destruction of the other 19 diversions mentioned in addition to the Kilarc-Cow Creek hydro plants, to avoid any adverse impacts to the fish. To read the entire document, please go to www.ferc.gov. Click on Documents and Filings, then eLibrary and search for Project No. 606. Filed under: 07-15-10,Archives-Front Page Stories FERC denies Supervisors’ postponement request July 14, 2010 by: admin Despite a request from the Shasta County Board of Supervisors, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission refused to postpone the July 14, 2010 public meeting on its Draft Environmental Impact Statement that recommends decommissioning the Kilarc-Cow Creek Hydroelectric Project to give County staff more time to analyze the almost 300 page document. Supervisor Glenn Hawes wrote to the Commission on June 29, 2010, a week after the DEIS was released on June 22, asking that the public meeting be delayed until mid-August because “key County officials who have been assigned to this matter and who have been working on it closely were on vacation on June 22 and remain presently away on their scheduled vacations.” He added that “We have a small staff and do not have the means to otherwise cover this matter within the short time period FERC has set.” Hawes noted that the County’s ability to fully participate in the meeting is important because “The proposed decommissioning of the Kilarc-Cow Creek Project . . . will irrevocably change features in our community that we have long valued and do not want to lose.” The FERC responded to Supervisor Hawes’s request on July 2, saying “Regarding the public meeting, all stakeholders have been given notice of the meeting date and have adjusted their schedules accordingly. It would be unfair to other stakeholders to postpone the public meeting.” The Commission did, however, extend the due date for filing written comments on the DEIS from August 9 to August 25. Kilarc Reservoir makes a perfect spot for a picnic August 3, 2010 by: admin Nikola Escobar and Greg Hawes are set up with one incredible view while trying their luck at catching some trout. Photo by Judy La Russa By Judy La Russa The weather was perfect, and the setting was breathtaking at the Third Annual Whitmore Community Picnic at Kilarc Reservoir. Over 200 people attended the annual community picnic that was held on August 1, 2010. Kilarc Reservoir is an approximately four-acre man-made lake off Miller Mountain Road in Whitmore. The Whitmore Community SAVE Kilarc Committee sponsored the picnic. Picnickers ate hot dogs, walked around the reservoir admiring the views and the lush abundance of wild sweet peas, or relaxed by casting their fishing lines into the pristine lake. Community organizations: Shasta Historical Society, online outdoor news-MyOutdoorBuddy.com, the Whitmore Library and SAVE Kilarc committee had information on display at one of the picnic areas. Besides providing information, the SAVE Kilarc Committee also sold hot dogs, their commemorative t-shirts and held a “guess the number of gum balls in the machine contest” to raise funds for their cause. Ray Washburn of Whitmore guessed the closest to win the gum ball machine. For more information on SAVE Kilarc, go to their website at www.savekilarc.org. New this year was a kid’s fishing competition for children 14 and younger. SAVE Kilarc committee founder Glenn Dye told us that Michael Hageman received first place with five rainbow trout. For a prize he received a grilling fork (a prize he picked out of several choices); second place went to Jacob Rodrigues who caught two trout, (he chose a fishing combination prize); and third place went to Alexis Rodrigues for catching one trout, (a prize choice yet to be exercised). On the overall community picnic afternoon Dye said, “A good crowd was there for the picnic with excellent weather. Too bad the fishing was less than spectacular.” SAVE Kilarc committee member Maggie Trevelyan said that people came as far away as San Francisco, Sacramento, Red Bluff, Burney Round Mountain, Cottonwood and the Redding area. Filed under: 08-05-2010 Comments (2) Comments 2 Responses to “Kilarc Reservoir makes a perfect spot for a picnic” 1. Kelly Sackheim says: August 8, 2010 at 11:19 am While the fishing may have been “less than spectacular” for one important weekend event, CDFG is to be commended for getting any fish stocked at all, after the lawsuit that has required extra studies to maintain their entire stocking program. As noted at http://www.myoutdoorbuddy.com, the CDFG now has two lists of stock able waters updated August 6, 2010, including those receiving catchable-size trout (19 sites in Shasta County, including Kilarc and the Sacramento River, that weren’t on the single list dated July 23), and those approved under a new program for fingerling (put & grow) release (6 sites in Shasta County that are also on the larger list). KC Hydro, after retaining a biologist to complete the study protocol so that evaluation of Kilarc Reservoir could jump CDFG’s queue to be approved for stocking in time for the picnic, has submitted a new request to CDFG to revisit that study, which identifies that Kilarc should be considered suitable for stocking the standard “diploid” hatchery trout, rather than only the sterile “triploid” trout that are in such short supply. CDFG has indicated that there are no further triploid trout available to stock Kilarc the week of August 8, which was requested by KC Hydro so that persons traveling to the August 17 FERC meeting in Whitmore could get in some fishing on the same trip, but KC Hydro’s latest request has been forwarded to the CDFG Supervisor. The restrictions on stocking non-sterile rainbow trout in Kilarc Reservoir are directly linked to the assumption that Old Cow Creek in the vicinity of the Kilarc Hydropower Project supports anadromy – e.g. steelhead trout (that are rainbow trout that travel to the ocean and return). Additional study to determine the state of anadromy in Old Cow Creek will not only affect stocking decisions but will contribute to establishing a foundation for evaluating the fate of the hydropower facilities upon PG&E’s license surrender as well. 2. Maggie Trevelyan says: August 8, 2010 at 2:11 pm The Picnic was a great success and enjoyed by all. The planting of the fish was most appreciated. The next step is the F.E.R.C. Mtg. re: Draft E.I.S. in Whitmore at the Community center August 17th.at 6pm (refreshments will be served. Please call 530 472 3929 for more details/direction or visit http://www.savekilarc.org It is vital that as many attend as possible to express the comments. if you cannot attend comments can be filed on http://www.ferc.gov by e-filing them. Northern California Fishing News Vol. V #30 Kilarc: NMFS & CA DFG know not what they do! By Frank Galusha It’s too bad the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) decision-makers, officials from the National Marine Fisheries Service and the CA DFG did not attend the Save Kilarc Whitmore Picnic on August 1 from noon to dusk. If they do not attend the upcoming Save Kilarc meeting on August 17 6-8 p.m. at the Whitmore Community Center and face the public I say they are cowards who know their evidence is insufficient and thus know not what they do. Had they been present at the picnic there’s a good chance they might rethink their decision to sacrifice this fine recreation area. They would have seen first-hand how many local families, including would-be anglers, the elderly or handicapped enjoy this place. Just seeing this unique and beautiful lake, its fine recreational facilities and the superb view of the valley floor should have been enough to change their minds. As it stands, the public, along with the proponents of alternative solutions must bear the cross! The fight to save Kilarc is not over. Despite the unreasonable intransigence of NMFS and CA DFG, I believe its destruction is highly unlikely. FERC’s recently issued a Draft EIS and EIR absolutely failed to meet the guideless set down by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). To destroy green hydropower at a time when we are striving to achieve new renewable energy goals is ironic. To do so at great cost to taxpayers and ratepayers during the Great Recession is simply outrageous. To ignore proposals to save the facilities and provide at least as much support for anadromous fish is preposterous. We the people cannot let it happen! The people have been fighting to save Kilarc for years and support has been intense. Despite receiving short notice, over 120 stakeholders showed up at a meeting on July 14. That response had an impact. FERC has agreed to hold another meeting on August 17 from 6-8 p.m. at the Whitmore Community Center. Please attend!!! Once again, the people who want to save this facility will have a chance to show FERC representatives why the draining of this reservoir and the re-watering of Old Cow and South Cow Creeks is less likely to benefit anadromous fish that the alternatives being offered by Davis Hydro and Evergreen Shasta Power, LLC. We must keep fighting! We have the law on our side. We have common sense on our side. We have the facts on our side. The Resource Agencies are taking rigid stands and have no proof their plan will significantly help the fish. To use the phrase attributed to Jesus as he was being crucified, “They know not what they do.” We have to make them aware of the fine turnout at this picnic. The parking area was crowded with vehicles by noon! Long before noon fishermen had started to arrive. Many single anglers came up to try their luck. Dads with their sons and daughters in tow were going to and from the lake. Whole families showed up to have their own picnic. Every table and barbeque stand was in use. Temperatures hit the high 80’s as the sun crossed the clear sky but the huge oaks provided plenty of cooler shade. It was very relaxing and everyone had a great time Many youngsters entered the hastily organized Kids Fishing Derby and a good number of trout were caught. According to Maggie Trevelyan, a member of the Save Kilarc Committee, the lake had been planted a few days before. “On Saturday (the day before the picnic) we had ten cars in the parking lot. The word got out the lake was being planted before our picnic, which just proves how popular Kilarc is among anglers,” Trevelyan said. The winner of the Derby was Michael Hageman. Michael chose the grilling fork as his prize. He caught five rainbow trout. Second place was taken by Jacob Rodriquez. He took the fishing pole combination donated by Koch Bros. Sporting Goods of Shingletown. He caught two nice rainbows. Third place was taken by Alexis Rodriquez with one trout. She had not yet picked out her prize, according to Glenn Dye, Save Kilarc Committee Chairman who presided over the event. Dick Ely of KC Hydro (KC) and Steve Tetrick of Evergreen Shasta Power (ESP) were there to support the event and to show the people they were still committed to saving the lake and the facility. They will fight for us. They will appeal. They will prevail if we don’t give up! Ely had this to say about the situation, “I think FERC is in a difficult position. The agencies have taken a very hard line on this as an anadromous species issue. The proponents have actually put forth alternatives that will do more for the fish. So FERC is caught between these agencies who have not offered a shred of evidence for their assertions and the proponents of alternatives who have the people’s support. I don’t think we can blame FERC. The problem is mainly with the NMFS and the CA DFG,” Ely said. Representatives from NMFS and the CA DFG have not attended the hearings and meetings that have been held in Redding to provide evidence or to support their rigid positions for re-watering the creeks and destroying the lake and hydro facilities. They are afraid to confront the people. Why? I think they know their position is arguable and their evidence flimsy. Steve Tetrick of ESP told me the August 17th meeting was the direct result of intervention by Wally Herger, Congressional Representative for the 2nd District, and Shasta County. Tetrick said, “Personally, I feel FERC is on some kind of agenda or doesn’t read or simply doesn’t get it in terms of what we are trying to accomplish. I’m glad they’re coming back for another meeting with the public. We had great representation at the last meeting, including the backing of Russ Mull, Resource Director for Shasta County. The public, ESP, the property owners, the stakeholders, including, Sierra Pacific Industries (SPI) and Shasta County made it absolutely clear that FERC has failed to meet the requirements of NEPA. We have until the 25th of August to get our comments and criticisms about the EIS/EIR that has been submitted to FERC. We are urging everyone to submit their comments. It’s pretty obvious to me that FERC’s staff is not listening. It’s up to us to make sure they know they have failed in their responsibilities,” Tetrick said. “According to our attorney, the NEPA process puts the burden on them to take into account the best interests of the public, the stakeholders and the property owners with water rights, but this has simply not been done. It’s as if they can’t read or can’t comprehend the facts and evidence we have put before them and the lack of evidence offered by the resource agencies. The NEPA process charges them with doing exactly that and if they fail to do so we will take whatever steps are necessary to appeal their decision,” Tetrick said. Residents support keeping Kilarc By Dylan Darling Published Tuesday, August 17, 2010 Bait didn't sell like it normally does this spring and summer at the Whitmore General Store. Owner Jeff Dresen, who has tended the shop for 16 years, said that's because of the uncertain future of Kilarc Reservoir – a popular trout fishing hole near the eastern Shasta County community of about 1,000. Like other Whitmore residents who spoke Tuesday night at a public meeting at the Whitmore Community Center, Dresen said he wants federal power officials to find a way to save Kilarc – and his business. He said his store depends on the money spent by anglers going to and from the 4-acre reservoir six miles from Whitmore. Without that cash he said he doesn't know how he'd keep paying his three part-time workers, especially during the Great Recession. "It could put the nail in the coffin if Kilarc goes away," he said. Dresen was among about 100 who attended a public hearing held by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Tuesday night in Whitmore on a proposal to remove the hydroelectric project that created the reservoir. This was the last public meeting scheduled on the issue before FERC releases its final plan, but people can still submit written comments through Aug. 25. FERC plans to shut down the century-old Kilarc-Cow Creek power project that Kilarc Reservoir is a piece of, following a recommendation by its owner, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. The San Francisco-based company said in March 2005 that the 5 megawatt hydroelectric project – which produces enough power for about 3,750 homes – is no longer economically viable. PG&E also says removing the project would open spawning waters for salmon and steelhead. "There are a wide range of state and federal resource agencies that have noted the benefits of removing this project," said Paul Moreno, spokesman for PG&E. But many people who spoke at Tuesday night's meeting argued otherwise. Having lived in Whitmore for six years, Bob Scheide, 73, said hasn't seen dead, spawned-out fish above Whitmore Falls, nine miles downstream from the project. He and several others said fish don't make it over the nearly 10-foot falls. Tuesday night's meeting was the second in the north state in just over a month for the FERC panel. On July 14 about 120 people attended a meeting in Redding. The meeting in Whitmore was sparked by calls by Whitmore residents and letters by Shasta County Supervisor Glenn Hawes and U.S. Rep. Wally Herger, R-Chico. About 80 percent of the people at Tuesday night's meeting weren't at the Redding meeting, said Maggie Trevelyan, one of the leaders of the grass roots group Save Kilarc. "It shows that there are even more people who want to have their say," she said. While two small power companies have competing proposals to take over the project and keep water in the reservoir, they both missed the window for PG&E to sell the project, said CarLisa Linton-Peters, a FERC environmental coordinator who headed up the meeting. "We are not looking at relicensing in the future," she told the crowd. Without a federal license, FERC would require the removal of the project – and Kilarc. The effort to preserve Kilarc is bonding the community, Trevelyan said. The group recently held a community picnic at Kilarc that drew 150 people. HAVE WE MADE OUR POINT!!! I HAVE MORE, BUT IT’S LATE AND I HAVE TO WORK TOMORROW. I can be reached at (530) 472-3647 or (530) 221-8551. Thank you. SINCERELY, TODD AND KIMBERLY WROE