Klamath River Folks,
As you no doubt know, many California Groundwater Basins must develop and adopt groundwater management plans pursuant to the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. Local agencies develop the plans and the State Department of Water Resources must find those plans comply with the SGMA Law and its implementing regulations. If DWR finds that they do not comply with SGMA, “…groundwater sustainability agencies have 180 days to revise and resubmit their plans. Upon evaluation of resubmitted plans, DWR will determine that the basin is either approved or inadequate. An inadequate determination will initiate consultation with the State Water Resources Control Board for possible State intervention.”
Among the local plans DWR recently found to be inadequate are two that are within the Klamath River Basin: Butte Valley and Tulelake.
Groundwater Management in Butte Valley impacts springs in the Klamath River’s Cascade Canyon and may impact river flows. Groundwater Management by the Tulelake Irrigation District has a much greater potential impact on Klamath River Flows. Under SGMA groundwater management must not significantly dewater surface streams and that may be the reason the Tulelake Plan was deemed incomplete.
Because Klamath flows can be impacted, I continue to urge tribes, restoration groups and River advocates to get involved, review and comment on these plans. Please, the Tulelake Plan in particular needs the participation of River advocates!
Here’s the link to DWRs announcement about the groundwater plans: https://mavensnotebook.com/2024/01/18/sgma-implementation-dwr-completes-review-of-groundwater-sustainability-plans-10-plans-approved-7-deemed-incomplete/
Felice Pace
Klamath, CA 95548
Gratefully living since 1976 in the Shasta, Karuk and Polikla (Yurok) homelands
- the Obituary of Karen L. ShipmanKaren L. Shipman Obituary Longtime Yreka resident Karen Capps Shipman passed away on April 30, 2024 at her home in Yreka. She was 79 years old. Karen was born on August 29, 1944 in Portland, Oregon to Joel L. and Viola Hoffman Barker. She was the fifth of six children. The family moved to Grants… Read more: the Obituary of Karen L. Shipman
- California High School Rodeo Association Hosts Successful Rodeo in EtnaThe California High School Rodeo Association (CHSRA) held their 8th rodeo of the season in Etna, CA on April 26-27, 2024. The event showcased the talents of high school rodeo athletes from across the state. Cover photo by https://www.crystalamenphotography.com/rodeo In the bareback riding event, Quentin Personeni from Oroville emerged victorious with a score of 134.… Read more: California High School Rodeo Association Hosts Successful Rodeo in Etna
- Man Convicted of First-Degree Murder in Siskiyou County ShootingYreka, CA – A Siskiyou County jury has found Timothy Chase McDonald, 26, guilty of first-degree murder for the shooting death of Spencer Hodgson, 31, in a case that dates back to April 2019. On April 8th, 2019, the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a possible dead body near Yreka Walker Road… Read more: Man Convicted of First-Degree Murder in Siskiyou County Shooting
- the Obituary of James H. NeptuneJames H. Neptune Obituary James (Jim) H. Neptune passed away on April 24, 2024 at the age of 85. He was born November 8, 1938 to Carl and Amy Neptune in Mt. Shasta. He was preceded in death by wife, Twila Neptune, and brothers, Stanley Neptune and John Neptune. He is survived by his sister,… Read more: the Obituary of James H. Neptune
- Major Decision from FERC Still Pending on Iron Gate Dam RemovalSerious questions remain about the Klamath River Renewal Corporation’s (KRRC) schedule and overall plan for removal of Iron Gate Dam.Reprinted from KWUA’s newsletter By Moss DriscollDirector of Water PolicyKlamath Water Users Association On April 22, KRRC submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) its “optimal excavation schedule” and supporting information for removal of Iron… Read more: Major Decision from FERC Still Pending on Iron Gate Dam Removal
