DOCSLIB.ORG

Wingwatchers Lake Ewauna Management Plan (R

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

WINGWATCHERS LAKE EWAUNA MANAGEMENT PLAN (R. Opp Sept. 2004 - JUNE. 2005) PREFACE The Klamath Wingwatchers Inc. (Wingwatchers) is a 501c3 nonprofit conservation educational organization dedicated to public education regarding Klamath Basin wildlife and wetland habitat and their value as a natural resource. (Attached) Wingwatchers Mission is: “To promote wildlife opportunities in and around the Klamath Basin and to further the education and enjoyment of the wildlife viewing public. The objectives are: “the active promotion of an informed public stewardship for the Klamath Basin resources, providing facilities and trails with participatory educational experiences for both residents of and visitors to the basin”. With an underlying theme of coexistence and resource conservation, Wingwatchers seeks to further its interpretive message and promote the careful stewardship of natural elements in the Basin. The Klamath Basin provides a home and resting place for hundreds of species of wildlife, more than any other area in the western United States. The Klamath wetlands have the largest concentration of migrating waterfowl funneling through the area to be found on the continent. In addition, over 800 bald eagles annually utilize the region’s waters and wetlands for foraging between November and April. An ever-increasing number of visitors seek to enjoy the diversity of species and wildlife habitats in the Basin. However, the major aspect of wildlife viewing missing is a hub for visitors adjacent to the Klamath Falls urban area that would identify the variety of experiences available. To help fill this void, Klamath Wingwatchers, Inc. has created a wetland wildlife interpretive area bordering Lake Ewauna in Klamath Falls. Wingwatchers is made up of partnerships of agency, business and individual memberships. Its support comes from membership fees, donations, fundraisers and grant funds. It relies heavily on a wide variety of volunteer help for some development and maintenance activities. Note: This report (MANAGEMENT PLAN) serves primarily as a Wingwatchers Inc. Project Area Management Plan but has been somewhat broadened to include and/or reflect some of the organization’s history, past activities and future goals. OUTLINE HISTORY DEVELOPMENT Existing Conditions General Planning Ownership Membership Trail Ponds Water Dikes Other Improvements Wildlife Vegetation Habitats Information & Education Problems/Damage Administration MANAGEMENT/MAINTENANCE (similar categories as above) FUTURE PLANS (similar categories above) APPENDICES 1. Wingwatchers Inc. 501c3 determination letter 2. Wingwatchers Inc. Corporation By Laws 3. Lake Ewauna Wetland-Wildlife Interpretive Center Concept Plan, May 1991 4. Klamath Basin Wetlands Information Center - Summary Report Nov. 29, 1993 5. Lake Ewauna Interpretive Area Wildlife species list 6. Proposed Wingwatchers Projects of July 27, 1995 7. Lake Ewauna Wetland Area Plant Species list, (on site and planted) 8 Lake Ewauna Assessment and Restoration Action Plan Draft – Scope of Work, Nov. 8, 2004 9 Hatfield Restoration Program – Klamath Watershed Council Wingwatchers Pond/Wetlands Improvement Proposal 10. Trail and area brochure examples 2 HISTORY Klamath Wingwatchers Inc. was originally formed (incorporated) in 1987 as an Oregon nonprofit corporation and adopted it’s initial set of Bylaws on June 3 of the same year. Its basic goal was to form a group dedicated to help ‘sell’ the Klamath Basin’s excellent bird watching opportunities. (Attached) The group later procured its 501c3 non-profit status about October 18, 1991. (Attached) Through a contract program the consulting firm of Ann Christensen, Environmental Design provided Wingwatchers in May of 1991 with a Concept Plan for a Lake Ewauna Wetland Wildlife Interpretive Center. (Attached) In November of 1993 the consulting firm of David Evans and Associates, Inc, again by contract, provided Wingwatchers with a Summary Report of a Klamath Basin Wetlands Information Center – Summary Report upgrading the earlier work of Ann Christensen. (Attached) The work was paid for by a grant from Jeld-Wen Wood Products Corporation of Klamath Falls. The purpose of both studies was to help identify and outline the necessary steps to be taken by Wingwatchers, and others, to implement educational programs with the final goal of developing a multipurpose interpretive area and facility. Beginning in the early 1990s Wingwatchers began creation of an approximate 7- acre wetland Interpretive Area complete with a 1.1-mile nature trail along the west shore of Lake Ewauna located at the south end of the City of Klamath Falls business area. The nature area lies entirely within the city limits and is surrounded by or close to downtown businesses, residences, Lake Ewauna (the beginning of the Klamath River), Veterans (city) Park, municipal waste treatment facilities, industrial activities, grain fields, plus other wetlands. The interpretive nature area was begun by securing properties, making pond improvements, vegetative plantings, wetland/upland enhancements, establishment of a nature trail, upgrading an eagle perch, improving nesting habitat, plus other additions and improvements. Management and project maintenance have been primarily accomplished under the tutelage of board members utilizing the membership, service clubs, youth groups, court appointed persons, other volunteers and occasional contractors. Since the area’s establishment a wide variety of project area users have been documented over the years including: birdwatchers, joggers, walkers, bike users, school and other youth groups, picnickers, memorials and other non or low wildlife competitive uses. DEVELOPMENT Existing conditions (area location, size, easements/agreements, topography/soils) Klamath Wingwatchers Inc. presently manages or has responsibility for an approximate seven-acre wetland interpretive area, (6.4 acres Klamath County property and about 14.5 acres of Oregon Department of Transportation right-of-way). Both land 3 ownerships are handled by Wingwatchers under standing cooperative agreements. The nature area lies entirely within the city limits on the northwest side of Lake Ewauna at the lake’s extreme north end. A 1.1-mile handicapped (wheel chair) accessible packed- gravel nature trail was created beginning in 1992 and experiences year round use. The area is made up mostly of an isolated section of the lake with its shared edge diked. The diked-in area consists primarily of two shallow ponds. Other lands making up the area consist of filled in land largely as part of state Highway 97 right of way. Soils are mostly peaty, old lake bottom soils except where highway development and other fill materials were added in the past. General Planning In May of 1991 the consulting firm of Ann Christensen, Environmental Design, by contract, provided Wingwatchers with a Concept Plan for a Lake Ewauna Wetland- Wildlife Interpretive Center Plan. In November of 1993 David Evans and Associates, Inc. was contracted to upgrade the earlier study and provided Wingwatchers a Summary Report of a Klamath Basin Wetlands Information Center. Jeld-Wen Wood Products Corporation of Klamath Falls provided the grant utilized. The purpose of both studies was to help create an orderly direction for Wingwatchers and to identify and outline the necessary steps to be taken to implement programs and project developments towards accomplishment of their Lake Ewauna Wetland-Wildlife Interpretive Area idea. Wingwatchers followed up with general planning to accomplish projects such as trail construction, pond deepening, island construction, head gate (outlet) replacement, water management, vegetative plantings (and watering), weed control, volunteer help, media needs, nesting habitat improvements, a replacement eagle perch, trail benches, trash receptacles, viewing station, memorial structures, signage, publications/education etc. A list of Proposed Wingwatchers’s Projects was also developed July 27, 1995 for future funding and accomplishment. (Attached) Ownership Underlying ownership of the Wingwatchers wetland interpretive area, at the present, is Klamath County, the City of Klamath Falls and the Oregon Department of Transportation Wingwatchers management under partnership cooperative agreements. Membership: Wingwatchers is made up of partnerships of agency, business and individual memberships. Its financial support is from membership fees, donations, fundraisers and grant funds. Membership numbers, though never high, have been stimulated and maintained primarily through the newsletter, brochures and service group programs. Trail (purpose, location size, type), The existing trail system is managed to be weed-free and constructed of packed gravel. It was developed to allow access to most handicapped and age groups of individuals. Existing trails are to be upgraded to assure easier and safer access. 4 Additional trails will be extended or added as area and other opportunities arise. Material (pipes) were set into the trail base on that portion immediately adjacent to the water’s edge, (nearest the highway bridges), for later installation of safety hand rails. Consideration was even given to possible future construction of ‘kick-rails’ along the trail for the non-seeing disabled user. Generally trail and area use prohibits motor vehicles (except for maintenance and development activities), camping, littering, unleashed pets and fires. Pets are highly discouraged during key wildlife use periods, which would especially be during the major nesting
Recommended publications
  • Frequently Asked Questions

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Frequently Asked Questions Why are we doing this project? The City of Klamath Falls is working to upgrade the Spring Street Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) due to its aging infrastructure and the need to meet new, stricter treatment standards. The project is an important, long-term investment for the community. The City has operated the Spring Street STP since 1958, serving Klamath Falls for over 60 years. Many of the plant’s parts are original since their installation in the 1950s. As repairs are becoming necessary due to age, it is more cost-efficient to replace them entirely them than to repair them. A comprehensive upgrade is a smart investment in the plant, avoiding short-term, quick-fix solutions that add up in the long run. What benefits will this project provide to the City of Klamath Falls? The City’s Wastewater Division provides services to approximately 21,000 city residents and Klamath Basin area customers, cleaning an average 2.2 million gallons of wastewater per day from over 7,400 service connections. These upgrades will provide the following benefits to this process and to the community: • Improved health, safety, and welfare of the public. • Reliable, robust treatment with sufficient process and equipment redundancy (allowing the plant to stay operational while routine maintenance and repairs occur), and operator-friendly facilities. • Energy efficiency, which will result in additional funding from the Energy Trust of Oregon and reduced power bills. • Reduction in operation and maintenance costs due to the elimination of two existing processes: primary clarification and digestion. Along with being a smart long-term investment, the upgrades will help keep the City in compliance with Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) regulations and protect the area’s natural resources such as Lake Ewauna, the headwaters of the Klamath River where the treated wastewater is discharged.
  • The Case for Dam Removal on the Klamath S

    The Case for Dam Removal on the Klamath S

    Building The Case for Dam Removal on the Klamath S. Craig Tucker, Ph.D. Klamath Campaign Coordinator Karuk Tribe 12/12/03 Pacificorp, a subsidiary of the large multinational power corporation Scottish Power, is in the process of relicensing its Klamath River dams. Since hydropower dams are relicensed only once every 30-50 years, relicensing represents a once in a lifetime opportunity to change flow regimes or decommission dams. The Karuk Tribe believes that the removal of dams on the Klamath should be fully evaluated as dam removal appears to be key in the restoration of native fishes to the upper basin. Our position is supported by sound science and policy research. These dams contribute little to the energy supply1 The California Energy Commission (CEC) reviewed the energy affects of full or partial decommissioning. Their conclusions were that: “Because of the small capacity of the Klamath hydro units…removal of these units will not have a significant reliability impact on a larger regional scale.” The report went on to state: “…decommissioning is a feasible alternative from the perspective of impacts to statewide electricity resource adequacy and that replacement energy is available in the near term.” The National Academy of Science recommends a full evaluation of dam removal2 A recent report by the most prestigious scientific minds in America, the National Academy of Science, recommends that: “serious evaluation should be made of the benefits to coho salmon from the elimination of Dwinell Dam [on the Shasta River] and Iron Gate Dam on the grounds that these dams block substantial amounts of coho habitat…” The California State Water Resources Control Board calls for dam removal studies3 The California State Water Resources Control Board is one party involved in the relicensing of the Klamath Project.
  • Klamath River Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement Interim Measure 15

    Klamath River Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement Interim Measure 15

    Klamath River Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement Interim Measure 15: Final 2019 Water Quality Monitoring Study Plan Prepared: January 16, 2019 KHSA IM15 2019 STUDY PLAN Table of Contents 1. Introduction and Overview ............................................................................................. 1 2. Objectives ....................................................................................................................... 3 3. Monitoring Components ................................................................................................. 4 3.1 Public Health Monitoring of Cyanobacteria and Toxins .......................................... 4 3.2 Baseline Water Quality Monitoring of the Klamath River ....................................... 4 4. Quality Assurance, Data Management, and Dissemination ............................................ 5 4.1 KHSA Program Quality Assurance Strategy for 2019 ............................................. 5 5. Sampling Constituents and Frequency............................................................................ 7 5.1 Public Health Monitoring of Cyanobacteria and Toxins .......................................... 7 5.2 Comprehensive Baseline Water Quality Monitoring of the Klamath River ............. 9 6.0 References ................................................................................................................... 13 List of Figures Figure 1. 2019 KHSA IM 15 monitoring stations .............................................................. 2 List of Tables
  • Link River Algae Removal Demonstration Project: Phase 1 Final Report

    Link River Algae Removal Demonstration Project: Phase 1 Final Report

    Klamath River Hydroelectric Project Interim Measures Implementation Committee: Interim Measure 11 Link River Algae Removal Demonstration Project: Phase 1 Final Report July 5, 2017 Prepared for: Portland, Oregon Prepared by: CH2M 2020 SW 4th Ave, Suite 300 Portland, Oregon 97201 Table of Contents 1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 1 2 Conceptual Description of the Demonstration Project ....................................................................... 1 2.1 Location ......................................................................................................................................... 2 2.2 Proposed Demonstration Project Facilities and Operations ......................................................... 2 3 Assessment of Needed Permits and Regulatory Approvals................................................................. 4 3.1 Removal‐Fill Permit ....................................................................................................................... 4 3.2 Fish‐Related Regulatory Requirements ........................................................................................ 6 3.3 Other Regulatory Permits or Approvals ...................................................................................... 10 4 Assessment of Use and Disposal of Harvested Algae Material .......................................................... 10 5 Additional Considerations ..............................................................................................................
  • Indian Country Welcome To

    Indian Country Welcome To

    Travel Guide To OREGON Indian Country Welcome to OREGON Indian Country he members of Oregon’s nine federally recognized Ttribes and Travel Oregon invite you to explore our diverse cultures in what is today the state of Oregon. Hundreds of centuries before Lewis & Clark laid eyes on the Pacific Ocean, native peoples lived here – they explored; hunted, gathered and fished; passed along the ancestral ways and observed the ancient rites. The many tribes that once called this land home developed distinct lifestyles and traditions that were passed down generation to generation. Today these traditions are still practiced by our people, and visitors have a special opportunity to experience our unique cultures and distinct histories – a rare glimpse of ancient civilizations that have survived since the beginning of time. You’ll also discover that our rich heritage is being honored alongside new enterprises and technologies that will carry our people forward for centuries to come. The following pages highlight a few of the many attractions available on and around our tribal centers. We encourage you to visit our award-winning native museums and heritage centers and to experience our powwows and cultural events. (You can learn more about scheduled powwows at www.traveloregon.com/powwow.) We hope you’ll also take time to appreciate the natural wonders that make Oregon such an enchanting place to visit – the same mountains, coastline, rivers and valleys that have always provided for our people. Few places in the world offer such a diversity of landscapes, wildlife and culture within such a short drive. Many visitors may choose to visit all nine of Oregon’s federally recognized tribes.
  • Water Allocation in the Klamath Reclamation Project (Oregon State

    Water Allocation in the Klamath Reclamation Project (Oregon State

    Oregon State University Extension Service Special Report 1037 December 2002 Water Allocation in the Klamath Reclamation Project, 2001: An Assessment of Natural Resource, Economic, Social, and Institutional Issues with a Focus on the Upper Klamath Basin William S. Braunworth, Jr. Assistant Extension Agriculture Program Leader Oregon State University Teresa Welch Publications Editor Oregon State University Ron Hathaway Extension agriculture faculty, Klamath County Oregon State University Authors William Boggess, department head, Department of William K. Jaeger, associate professor of agricul- Agricultural and Resource Economics, Oregon tural and resource economics and Extension State University agricultural and resource policy specialist, Oregon State University William S. Braunworth, Jr., assistant Extension agricultural program leader, Oregon State Robert L. Jarvis, professor of fisheries and University wildlife, Oregon State University Susan Burke, researcher, Department of Agricul- Denise Lach, codirector, Center for Water and tural and Resource Economics, Oregon State Environmental Sustainability, Oregon State University University Harry L. Carlson, superintendent/farm advisor, Kerry Locke, Extension agriculture faculty, University of California Intermountain Research Klamath County, Oregon State University and Extension Center Jeff Manning, graduate student, Department of Patty Case, Extension family and community Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University development faculty, Klamath County, Oregon Reed Marbut, Oregon Water Resources
  • Dispersal of Larval Suckers at the Williamson River Delta, Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, 2006–09

    Dispersal of Larval Suckers at the Williamson River Delta, Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, 2006–09

    Prepared in cooperation with the Bureau of Reclamation Dispersal of Larval Suckers at the Williamson River Delta, Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, 2006–09 Scientific Investigations Report 2012–5016 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey Cover: Inset: Larval sucker from Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon. (Photograph taken by Allison Estergard, Student, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, 2011.) Top: Photograph taken from the air of the flooded Williamson River Delta, Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon. (Photograph taken by Charles Erdman, Fisheries Technician, Williamson River Delta Preserve, Klamath Falls, Oregon, 2008.) Bottom left: Photograph of a pop net used by The Nature Conservancy to collect larval suckers in Upper Klamath Lake and the Williamson River Delta, Oregon. (Photograph taken by Heather Hendrixson, Director, Williamson River Delta Preserve, Klamath Falls, Oregon, 2006.) Bottom middle: Photograph of a larval trawl used by Oregon State University to collect larval suckers in Upper Klamath Lake and the Williamson River Delta, Oregon. (Photograph taken by David Simon, Senior Faculty Research Assistant, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, 2010.) Bottom right: Photograph of a plankton net used by the U.S. Geological Survey to collect larval suckers in Upper Klamath Lake and the Williamson River Delta, Oregon. (Photographer unknown, Klamath Falls, Oregon, 2009.) Dispersal of Larval Suckers at the Williamson River Delta, Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, 2006–09 By Tamara M. Wood, U.S. Geological Survey, Heather A. Hendrixson, The Nature Conservancy, Douglas F. Markle, Oregon State University, Charles S. Erdman, The Nature Conservancy, Summer M. Burdick, U.S. Geological Survey, Craig M. Ellsworth, U.S. Geological Survey, and Norman L.
  • KLAMATH HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT [FERC No

    KLAMATH HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT [FERC No

    KLAMATH HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT [FERC No. 2082] REQUEST FOR DETERMINATION OF ELIGIBILITY Copco No. 1, c1915 PacifiCorp Archives Photo for PacifiCorp, Portland, OR Prepared by George Kramer, M.S., HP Preservation Specialist Under contract to CH2M-Hill Corvallis, OR October 2003 App E-6E DOE 1_Cover.doc DETERMINATION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR THE NATIONAL REGISTER Property Name: KLAMATH HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT Date of Construction: 1903-1958 Address: N/A County: Klamath, Oregon Siskiyou, California Original Use: Hydroelectric Generation Current Use: Hydroelectric Generation Style: Utilitarian/Industrial Theme: Commerce/Industrial _____________________________________________________________________________________ PRIMARY SIGNIFICANCE: The resources of the Klamath Hydroelectric Project were built between 1903 and 1958 by the California Oregon Power Company and its various pioneer predecessors and are now owned and operated by PacifiCorp under Federal Energy Regulatory License No. 2082. The resources of the project are strongly associated with the early development of electricity in the southern Oregon and northern California region and played a significant role in the area’s economy both directly, as a part of a regionally-significant, locally-owned and operated, private utility, and indirectly, through the role that increased electrical capacity played in the expansion of the timber, agriculture, and recreation industries during the first six decades of the 20th century. The Klamath Hydroelectric Project is considered regionally significant and eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion “A” for its association with the industrial and economic development of southern Oregon and northern California. [See Statement of Significance, Page 19] Copco No. 1, Dam and Gatehouse, 2002 In my opinion, the property ___ meets ___ does not meet the criteria for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.
  • Yurok Final Brief

    Yurok Final Brief

    Case 3:16-cv-06863-WHO Document 107 Filed 03/23/18 Page 1 of 22 JEFFREY H. WOOD, Acting Assistant Attorney General 1 Environment & Natural Resources Division 2 SETH M. BARSKY, Chief S. JAY GOVINDAN, Assistant Chief 3 ROBERT P. WILLIAMS, Sr. Trial Attorney KAITLYN POIRIER, Trial Attorney 4 U.S. Department of Justice 5 Environment & Natural Resources Division Wildlife & Marine Resources Section 6 Ben Franklin Station, P.O. Box 7611 7 Washington, D.C. 20044-7611 Tel: 202-307-6623; Fax: 202-305-0275 8 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] 9 10 Attorneys for Federal Defendants 11 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 12 FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 13 SAN FRANCISCO DIVISION 14 YUROK TRIBE, et al., ) 15 Case No. 3:16-cv-06863-WHO ) 16 Plaintiff, ) ) 17 FEDERAL DEFENDANTS’ RESPONSE v. ) TO DEFENDANT-INTERVENORS’ 18 ) MOTION FOR RELIEF FROM U.S. BUREAU OF RECLAMATION, et al., ) JUDGMENT AND/OR STAY OF 19 ) ENFORCEMENT (ECF No. 101) Defendants, ) 20 ) 21 and ) ) 22 KLAMATH WATER USERS ) ASSOCIATION, et al., ) 23 ) 24 Defendant-Intervenors. ) 25 26 27 28 1 Federal Defendants’ Response to Intervenors’ Motion for Relief 3:16-cv-6863-WHO Case 3:16-cv-06863-WHO Document 107 Filed 03/23/18 Page 2 of 22 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS 2 I. INTRODUCTION 3 3 II. FACTUAL BACKGROUND 5 4 A. Hydrologic Conditions In Water Year 2018 5 5 B. 2013 Biological Opinion Requirements for Suckers 5 6 III. DISCUSSION 7 7 A. Given Hydrologic Conditions, Guidance Measures 1 8 and 4 Cannot Both Be Implemented As They Were Designed Without Impermissibly Interfering With 9 Conditions Necessary to Protect Endangered Suckers 7 10 1.
  • Klamath Basin Food System Assessment Karuk Tribe Data a Survey About Access to Food for Tribal People in the Klamath Basin

    Klamath Basin Food System Assessment Karuk Tribe Data a Survey About Access to Food for Tribal People in the Klamath Basin

    Klamath Basin Food System Assessment Karuk Tribe Data A survey about access to food for Tribal people in the Klamath Basin The Karuk Tribe and the University of California at Berkeley December 5, 2016 This project is supported by the USDA-National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Food Security Grant # 2012-68004-20018 Acknowledgements and Disclaimer The data provided in this internal report represent a portion of the survey results gleaned through a larger food assessment study conducted as part of a 5 year USDA-NIFA-AFRI food security project titled, Enhancing Tribal Health and Food Security in the Klamath Basin by Building a Sustainable Regional Food System. The data in this report reflects a preliminary compilation and summary of the survey data. Further analysis and interpretation of the results will be forthcoming in a final report and in articles and publications, which will be available on the following website: https://nature.berkeley.edu/karuk-collaborative/ The views and opinions expressed in this report do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency of the U.S. government, but that of the authors. The survey was co-designed by members of the Karuk Tribe’s Department of Natural Resources’ Lisa Hillman, Leaf Hillman, and Bill Tripp, in consultation with the Karuk Resources Advisory Board, together with UC Berkeley Cooperative Extension Specialist Jennifer Sowerwine, and research assistant Sara Reid. Data analysis was conducted by Megan Mucioki, post- doctoral researcher at UC Berkeley. Special thanks go to other members of the Klamath Basin Food Security team especially Dan Sarna, Frank Lake and Edith Friedman and to all the survey respondents who contributed their knowledge and experiences to this report.
  • The Effects of Fire on the Klamath Basin Traditional/Prescribed Burning & Wildfires Anthony Ulmer June 16-August 21, 2014 Klamath Basin Tribal Youth Program

    The Effects of Fire on the Klamath Basin Traditional/Prescribed Burning & Wildfires Anthony Ulmer June 16-August 21, 2014 Klamath Basin Tribal Youth Program

    1 The Effects of Fire on the Klamath Basin Traditional/Prescribed burning & Wildfires Anthony Ulmer June 16-August 21, 2014 Klamath Basin Tribal Youth Program 1. Abstract Wildfires, Traditional Burning, and Prescribed have been a way of shaping the landscape of the Klamath Basin for thousands of years. I’ve been researching these subjects for the past summer during my internship for the KBTYP (Klamath Basin Tribal Youth Program). In my time spent up and down the Klamath Basin I have found a great interest in fire, so I decided to write my report on it. This report will detail information about the different types of burning and how each one has a different effect on the climate of the Klamath Basin. It’s been a great experience for me and I have learned a lot from different agencies and people such as, tribal governments, tribal elders, fish and wildlife, people from various communities, and research papers. This report will mainly focus on what’s going on now and how things could be possibly changed in the future. 2 2. Introduction Traditional burning, prescribed burning, and wildfire have all played a big role in changing the landscape of the Klamath Basin. In more recent years, wildfire has dominated the press because of the unforgettable damage it can do and has caused in the past to different communities up and down the Klamath Basin, especially in areas like Orleans, Hupa, and Weitchpec, California. In remote areas such as these, fire crews and resources are often hours away, resulting in the destruction of the forest and resident structures in the community.
  • YUROK TRIBE 190 Klamath Boulevard • Post Office Box 1027 • Klamath, CA 95548

    YUROK TRIBE 190 Klamath Boulevard • Post Office Box 1027 • Klamath, CA 95548

    YUROK TRIBE 190 Klamath Boulevard • Post Office Box 1027 • Klamath, CA 95548 Yurok Tribe Written Testimony Regarding H.R. 5548, Fishery Failures: Urgently Needed Disaster Declarations Act January 14th, 2020 INTRODUCTION The Yurok Tribe is a federally recognized Indian tribe whose reservation is located on the Lower Klamath River in Northern California, spanning from the river’s mouth at the Pacific Ocean upriver to the Yurok village of Weitchpec. With more than 6,300 tribal members, the Yurok Tribe is the largest Indian tribe in California. The fishery resources of the Klamath and Pacific Ocean are the mainstay of the life, economy, and culture of the Yurok Tribe. See Mattz v. Arnett, 412 U.S. 481, 486-87 (1973). The Klamath River Indian fishery is “not much less necessary to the existence of the [Yurok] Indians than the atmosphere they breathed.” Blake v. Arnett, 663 F.2d 906, 909 (9th Cir. 1981). A pillar of the Tribe’s legal rights is its federally reserved fishing right which was reserved in the creation of the Yurok Reservation. The Tribe enjoys commercial, subsistence, and ceremonial fishing rights on the lower 45 miles of the Klamath River which it exercises each year under strict regulation by the Yurok Tribal Government. See, Baley v United States, No. 18- 1323 (Fed. Cir. Nov. 14, 2019) (confirming Yurok fishing rights for commercial, subsistence, and ceremonial purposes). In this way, the Tribe maintains its fishing way of life. Tribal members are able to fish commercially to provide financial stability to their families, 1 ceremonially to support ancient practices necessary to maintain Yurok world balance, and for subsistence purposes to continue a fishing way of life.