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idleprocess said:
You posted this without commentary, so I'm not sure what you really think, but going your past writings are sharply critical of most environmetalists and environmental reforms.
So... would you end all attempts at reducing the environmental impact of buildings because the first experiments aren't entirely successful? Or are you critical of the two projects mentioned, or...?
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I am critical of the feel good stuff that is not firmly based on sound logic/science, the emotional feel good type stuff that folks leap and latch on to.
I'm for stuff that actually makes a difference and helps. Here in Oregon, I've seen way too many examples of feel-good environmental policies/actions that have made things worse for the creature/environment. Often they are things that make one feel good, emotionally charged, and sound great on the surface.
The atypical tack of all or nothing is another battle cry which often accompanies emotionally based environmental causes. Often I feel a more sound plan of action that is implemented in phases, working towards a goal, measuring and monitoring the results as you go, adjusting the plan as needed to bring about the desired result is a more sane method. It also results in less folks being offended/misplaced, and allows people from both sides of the track to work towards a common goal.
The non-Native(depending on whom you listen to) Suckerfish fiasco is a great example. They darn near killed off the whole population of them, meanwhile destroying the livelyhood of many farmers in the Kalmath basin. The suckerfish thrives in shallow oxygen rich warm water. They cut off the farmer's deeded water rights, and kept the streams high and deep. This cold, deep, and oxygen deficient water actually harmed the suckerfish population. With a little more science involved, they could have just maintained the stream levels and given part of the water to the farmers. Instead, both the fish and the farmers suffered.
All the irrigation water was cut off to 90% of the farmers, comprising 1400 farming families. Kalmath Lake was built in the early 1900's to bring life to a desert area. The farmers had deeded rights to the irrigation water. Over decades the farmers through hard work changed the land, turning it into an abundant farmland. Veterans returning from past wars were offered the opportunity to create new lives here, and in fact, many of their deeds are signed by various Presidents.
"Water was guaranteed to the residents of the Klamath Basin forever; by President Teddy Roosevelt in 1906. "
On top of that, the government built the lake smack dab in the middle of a small wetlands:
"There is evidence to suggest that suckerfish came to the region when the Bureau of Reclamation destroyed 75 percent of the Basin's 350,000 acres of naturally-occurring wetlands to create the irrigation district in 1906. "
Oregon Senator Gordon Smith (R) estimates that no irrigation water will mean a loss of $200 million to the local economy. In this area, farming (and activities supporting farming) are pretty much the only source of income.
As an example of something is more prudent, imho. The Federal Government should buy the deeded water rights from the farmers on dry years, if they are going to take the deeded water away from the farmers.
Finally, sane things are happening.
Appeals court rules plaintiffs must prove
harm to invoke Endangered Species Act
""For too long, environmentalists have been able to easily obtain injunctions against property owners on the basis that courts should give the benefit of the doubt to the species. The Ninth Circuit has just put environmentalists on notice that now they are going to have to give courts legitimate evidence of a likelihood of harm" they can't get away with destroying people's lives on baseless allegations anymore, Brooks said. "
http://www.klamathbasincrisis.org/esa/esa%20lawsuits/esaprovharm050105.htm
The diversion of water for the suckerfish has basically destroyed the populations of two lakes, you can see pictures of Tule Lake and Tingley Lake at the top of the web page here, check out the 2001 photos... At least the snowgeese had water in 2004.
http://www.klamathbasincrisis.org/
In fact, there is a petition you can sign if you disagree with the government actions:
http://www.petitiononline.com/klamath/