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Conservation Corner
by Heath Wakelee
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Well a new year is upon us and those New Year’s resolutions about losing weight and cleaning the garage have likely been put on hold. Too bad but that is how it always seems to turn out. Maybe next year…
One resolution that you need to move up on your list is completing that four (4) hours of conservation work everyone in the club should do each year. This year we will have many repeat activities like participating in “Creek Week,” the Salmon Egg Program for the schools and Salmon counting in our local creeks. We will also be looking to add some local activities in our streams to support Fish & Game, Fish & Wildlife, the Forest Service or BLM.
Locally we’re winning a few and falling behind in others. Of concern is an attempt by the Placer County Water Agency (PCWA), Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) and the Nevada Irrigation District (NID) to hold secret meetings to decide water policy. Their reasoning, I believe, is that water matters are so litigious that it allows them, under the Brown act. to meet in private. This prevents public input in the development of policy and further promotes the use of the courts to resolve issues where the public has not had sufficient opportunity to provide input into the process.
The Brown act does provide for “closed door” meetings when personnel, real estate or legal matters are going to be discussed. OK, but is there justification for a “closed door” meeting, preventing public input into policy, because you just think you are going to be sued? Given this scenario I suspect that future City Council meetings will be “closed door” because they might get sued. A very big thumbs down to the local water agencies. I smell another expensive (for the taxpayers and ratepayers) lawsuit that should not have to happen. Water agencies - Open your doors and put your papers on top of the table.
On the positive water side, the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) recently made some good decisions about how they will manage some of their water rights. After a lot of effort by SMUD and the interested parties a good agreement was made. Thumbs up on this round to SMUD.
In February our GBF speaker will be Bobbie Foster (www.fostercalm.com) who will talk about Wilderness First Aid. I’ve taken her course and highly recommend you coming to hear her talk and you don’t have to ask why you should attend. We all know that rock hopping is dangerous and accidents along the bank, in a boat or along the river bank happen all the time. Think about the first aid equipment you carry and how you would help someone that has gone down. Think about that and come to hear an expert tell you some of what you need to know.
Tight Lines, Heath Wakelee VP Conservation Phone: 916-870-5253 |
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