Opinions (Hoopa Valley Tribal Fisheries)

Dear Two Rivers Tribune:

Last week’s Question of the Week, “What is the biggest environmental issue affecting the Klamath-Trinity region?” sparked six similar answers—WATER.

Indeed, water is our most precious and threatened natural resource. Water is to fish as air is to humans. And, fish is as important to Hupa people as life itself. That’s why the Hoopa Valley Tribal Fisheries Department logs thousands of hours protecting and managing the Trinity River fishery under the vision of the Tribal Council.

The Trinity River fishery is smack dab in the center of two of the West’s escalating water wars. Half of the Trinity River is siphoned to the Central Valley to quench the thirst of corporate agriculture (between 1963 and 2004 up to 90 percent was diverted to the Central Valley). And, toxic water quality conditions combined with low flows on the Klamath River pose a deadly threat to Trinity River salmon. The Klamath River’s problem is largely blamed on the dams, but the dams aren’t the only problem.

The majority press boasts about a signed Klamath dam removal deal and a companion restoration deal reached by a diverse group of stakeholders. That is true. But, if you read the fine print, dam removal is not guaranteed by the deal, and only 25 percent of the $1 billion dollar “restoration agreement” is actually earmarked for restoration. Nearly 75 percent of the money will cushion a small group of water users and benefit only the tribes that signed on. Great for them, bad for the rest of us whose goal is true restoration based on a solid scientific foundation, not based on a political deal that panders to special interests.

Another misnomer that the press has let run rampant is that the deals are done. That is a lie by omission. The various stakeholders have completed and signed the deals, BUT, the deals now have to run an obstacle course through the halls of congress, identify funding, become law, pass through the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process and then be determined to be in the public interest by the Secretary of the Interior.

In other words there’s a long way to go on deals that are far less than perfect. We want guaranteed dam removal and guarantees for enough water not to just keep salmon hanging on by a thread, but enough to restore the fishery. We want strengthened protections for the Trinity River. We are working very hard to ensure the continued health of our river system and fish while preserving the Hoopa Tribe’s senior water rights. Please call us or visit our website for more information. www.hoopafisheries.org

 Sincerely, Hoopa Valley Tribal Fisheries Department