THE RIVER EXCHANGE NEWS
Transcription
THE RIVER EXCHANGE NEWS
THE RIVER EXCHANGE NEWS News & Information about the Upper Sacramento, McCloud & Lower Pit River Watersheds & the people who care for them Vol. 18, No. 1, SPRING 2014 Railroad Safety still an issue; public forum planned When it comes to the health of our Sacramento River, no issue is closer to the hearts of River Exchange members than railroad safety. The disastrous 1991 Cantara Spill near Dunsmuir was one of the worst in the history of American railroads and was the single most important catalyst in the founding of our organization. Now, with two derailments in the past year in the Sacramento Canyon and several recent catastrophic tanker car fires in the U.S. and Canada, our attention has again turned to this issue. That’s right, there were two derailments in the past year in the Sacramento Canyon, and at least five since 2003. On June 13, 2013, seven empty lumber cars went off the tracks onto dry land just 150 yards north of the Cantara Bridge. On January 27, 2014, four boxcars de-railed under an Interstate 5 overpass near Gibson. One landed in the Sacramento River. Fortunately it was not carrying toxic materials and there was no discharge into the river. The National Transportation Safety Board recently held a two-day Forum entitled “Rail Safety: Transportation of Crude Oil and Ethanol.” The proceedings are available www.ntsb.gov/news/events/2014/ online at railsafetyforum/index.html Clearly, despite many improvements, significant and possibly increasing risk remains for the Sacramento River. I’ve contacted Union Pacific’s Public Affairs Office regarding our concerns over this issue. I’ve also spoken with the office of our Assemblyman, Brian Dahle, who serves on the Assembly Committee on Utilities and Commerce. We have invited representatives from Union Pacific and the California Legislature to attend a Railroad Safety Public Forum, hosted by The River Exchange on June 23rd, to explore these issues. Watch for more information via email and on our website: www.riverexchange.org. Thank you for your continued support of these efforts! Morning after Jan. 28, 2014 Gibson de-railment (Photo by Phil Detrich) Phil Detrich, Board President/ Executive Director NEW WEBSITE is live Recent media articles have highlighted growing concerns about the safety of tank cars. Nationally, railroad tank cars carried 30 times more crude oil and other flammables in 2013 than in 2008. It is expected that this amount will increase from 6 million barrels a year in 2013 to over 150 million barrels a year by 2016 (a typical rail tank car holds about 700 barrels). Only about 1% of the tank cars are owned by the railroads—most are owned by their customers and leasing companies. The American Association of Railroads (AAR), which includes Union Pacific, has actually been lobbying the U.S. Dept. of Transportation to require tougher standards for tank cars, including retrofit of existing cars. The AAR has also announced an initiative to increase safety of operations. In January, we rolled out our newly re-vamped website www.riverexchange.org, with help from the very capable team at Pusher Inc., a Dunsmuir-based design company. The web address is the same, but the content has been brought to life with a new look and updated information about who we are, what we do and how we serve the community. Check out the new pages linked at the top of the homepage, including Projects, Programs, Watershed Issues, News and Events. Special thanks go to Wayne Eng, Lynda Hardy, and Willow and Juliane Tinsman, for their help in creating the fine introductory video featured on the homepage. Our Mission : Promoting Healthy Watersheds Through Community Involvement in Stewardship, Restoration & Education Printed on recycled paper NEWS FROM AROUND THE WATERSHED on the Move… To A New Location! Independent Study: Natural Resource Mentorship Program The River Exchange will soon move our office to the historic Cornet building, which we will share with Fire What. The building is located at 5727 Dunsmuir Avenue, in Dunsmuir. Our Watershed and Natural Resource Mentorship Program has successfully accommodated 4 students since its inception in spring of 2013. We anticipate that spaces will be available for 2 high school students for the fall 2014 semester. We are very excited about this opportunity to better interact with the public. This move will place us in the heart of Dunsmuir and across the street from Ted Fay Fly Shop. The newly-renovated building will be frequented by active natural resource professionals, and will greatly increase our visibility and the public’s ability to access our office. High school students are exposed to a range of natural resource based professions throughout the region, including physical/ watershed science, wildlife and fisheries management, native plants and invasive species management, forest and fire management, and cultural resources management. We plan to move in June, and officially open for business in the new space on July 1st. Help from the community in getting us moved across town would be greatly appreciated. Help could include volunteer help to move stuff, donating spare empty boxes, or the use of a pick-up truck. Students are partnered with professionals from local agencies, organizations or businesses in order to gain first-hand knowledge of resource management and the opportunities that our area holds for interested young people. If you know of a student who would like to participate in the fall, contact our office. Please contact us if you are interested in helping REX make this important and exciting move! River Mural Planned In Dunsmuir Coming soon: Dunsmuir’s 4th annual Mural Project—a celebration of Dunsmuir's blossoming dogwoods and Sacramento River, created by well respected mosaic artist Monica Zinda. Made of sparkling glass, tile and stone, and located on the north side of the City Hall building, the 40 foot long mosaic mural will feature a shimmering river running through blossoming dogwood branches. The Dunsmuir Beautification Committee's mission is to beautify Dunsmuir and make it an inspiring and special place to live and visit. This is a volunteer effort, funded by contributions from the community. The cost of the mural is $4,000, and the Dunsmuir Beautification Committee and fiscal sponsor Siskiyou Arts Museum need to raise $1,500 to start the work. If you are able to help, please send your tax deductible contribution to: Dogwood Mural Project, c/o Siskiyou Arts Museum, 5824 Dunsmuir Avenue, Dunsmuir, CA 96025. SAM is located in downtown Dunsmuir between the Pizza Factory and Dunsmuir Hardware, and is open Thurs. - Sat., 10-5 p.m. Visit SAM at www.siskiyouartsmuseum.org, where you can sign up for their newsletter, or call them at (530) 235 -4711. Artist’s rendering of the mural at Dunsmuir City Hall 2 CALENDAR OF EVENTS MAY -— SEPTEMBER 2014 May Would you like to receive event reminders and updates? Contact our office to join our email list, or, follow us on Facebook! Raft & Restore the Klamath River May 17, 2014 Tree Of Heaven Campground FREE Of CHARGE! Join us for our 6th annual invasive plant removal rafting trip on the Klamath River. Help rid the banks of Marlahan mustard & puncture vine, with help from the U.S. Forest Service, who will help dispose of the plants & will provide tools. Call River Dancers at (530) 926-3517 for more information or to register. August Beginning & Intermediate Fly Fishing Clinic Date: To Be Determined Dunsmuir City Park River Celebration May 31st, 6:00—10:00 p.m. Mt. Shasta City Park; Upper Lodge This year’s Celebration marks our 18th year providing watershed stewardship & educational programs. Join friends & community members for great food, music, delicious desserts & amazing auction items. Tickets are $35 apiece, or $65 for 2. Purchase tickets at Village Books in Mt. Shasta or by calling our office. Local fly fishing guides Wayne Eng & Fred Gordon team up again this year to provide beginning & intermediate skills to the community! Date will be announced via email when confirmed. Registration & a $35 fee are required; contact our office for more information or to register. June September Sustainable Watershed Series: Railroad Safety Public Meeting June 23, 6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Cornet Classroom: 5727 Dunsmuir Ave. Dunsmuir, CA 22nd Annual Great River Clean-up September 20, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Dunsmuir City Park A public meeting will be held with Union Pacific staff to inform the public about safety improvements and potential risks to the river. Further details will be announced as plans are finalized. A $5 donation is suggested. REX Board of Directors Fred Gordon, Director Emeritus Phil Detrich, President Chris Stromsness, Vice President Gene O’Rourke, Treasurer Cathy Tait, Secretary Mary Ellen “Mellen” Colberg Gather your friends & join us for the Great River Clean-Up. We’ll meet at the Dunsmuir City Park at 9:00 a.m., then head out to the banks of the Upper Sac & its tributaries to pick up trash. Free lunch will be provided to volunteers after the cleanup at the Dunsmuir City Park. Contact Information Mail: P.O. Box 784, Dunsmuir, CA 96025 Office: 5937 Dunsmuir Avenue, Dunsmuir Phone: (530) 235-2012 Fax: (530) 235-2439 E-Mail: [email protected] Website: www.riverexchange.org 3 REX Staff Phil Detrich, Executive Director Robin Singler, Administrative Director Phyllis Skalko, Finance Director WATERSHED PROJECTS Integrated Regional Water Management Planning: Completed & Closed! After 4 years of planning and building partnerships, the Upper Sacramento, McCloud River, and Lower Pit River region (known as the USR region), led by the River Exchange, has completed and adopted an Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) plan! Copies of the plan are available electronically on the USR’s website, at www.uppersacirwm.org/plan. CD copies can be requested by contacting our office, and hardcopies also reside at the Mt. Shasta, Dunsmuir and McCloud public libraries, as well at the College of the Siskiyous library in Weed, CA. We are very proud of this accomplishment, and you should be too! We could not complete this long and complicated process without the moral support of our partners and the public at large, and the continual financial support of our members. Thank You! The River Exchange began participating in the IRWM program in 2009, with our partners at the Mt. Shasta California Trout office, to start public outreach and gain approval of our planning region from the California Department of Water Resources (DWR). The planning effort is important to our area because DWR requires a completed IRWM plan in order for entities within a region to qualify for state Proposition 84 funds for water-related projects. The cities of Dunsmuir and Mt. Shasta, as well as the McCloud Community Services District, hope to use the IRWM plan to become eligible for funds for badly-needed water management improvements. The Regional Water Management Group (RWMG), formed as part of the IRWM planning process, continues to meet regularly to prepare for the next round of DWR funding. We thank all the stakeholders, staff and consultants, for their sustained efforts in this important undertaking. Call our office if you have questions about the IRWM program or REX’s efforts regarding DWR’s IRWM program. National Forest Foundation Grant: Building Capacity for Regional Coordination As noted above, the IRWM planning process has come to a successful conclusion. But, there is much more work to be done in order to help our region secure funding for critical water-related projects. On behalf of the Regional Water Management Group (RWMG), formed as part of the IRWM planning process, REX recently won a $23,810 grant from the National Forest Foundation (NFF) to fund continued administrative support to the RWMG for one year. This grant allows REX to provide overall coordination support to continue regular meetings to plan for up-coming project funding opportunities for projects that were included in the completed IRWM plan. REX is also providing website support and representation at regional conferences and meetings. NFF awarded this grant as part of their 2014 Community Capacity and Land Stewardship Program. The National Forest Foundation, founded by Congress in 1991, works to conserve, restore and enhance America’s 193-million-acre National Forest System. Through community-based strategies and public-private partnerships, the NFF helps enhance wildlife habitat, revitalizes wildfire-damaged landscapes, restores watersheds, and improves recreational resources for the benefit of all Americans. For more information, visit NFF at www.nationalforests.org. 4 Thank You Volunteers! Each year, we receive valuable volunteer assistance from many members of the public who believe in watershed health and education. Whether it is helping in the office, or providing support to an event or educational program, all of our volunteers make it possible for us to reach more people, and stretch every dollar you give as far as possible. Thank you to our 2013 volunteers: Merle Anderson, Caitlin Bean, Peter Belich, Doug Blackwell, Jeanette Bouchard, Lynda Hardy, Helen Cartwright, Myrna Dupzyk, Wayne Eng, Brooke Mejica (Eustis), Jim Flett, Scott Gatewood, Fred Gordon, Nathan Johnston, Linda O’Rourke, Ally Sherlock, Nora Silber, and Willow and Juliane Tinsman. AND...thank you to the mystery decorators, who bless our copper fish with fresh flowers each year. Thank you to our Current Individual Members Current Individual members are those who have given since January 1, 2013 $1000 + Level Bruce & Janet Allen Peggy Berry Kathy Imwalle Frank & Nancie Pipgras Cathy Tait $500+ Level Tom & Janet Moran Gene & Linda O'Rourke Ann Powers Chris & Sharon Stromsness $250+ Level Mark & Debby Derby Phil Detrich Paul Engstrom Robert & Olivia Hall Mike Hupp & Linda Roddy Mike & Miyoung Kleine Roger Kosel Dan Olstein & Megan Wargo Rich & Carol Ponzio Peter Washington $125+ Level Carl & Harriet Alto Merle & Elizabeth Anderson Leslie Andrews M.D. Brenda & Tom Bains Sam & Kris Baxter Jerry & Rosemarie Bell Brad & Beth Best Brian & Nicole Boer Steve & Hope Bowles John & Susan Brennan Helen Cartwright Jamie Clark Richard Conway Alan Driscoll & Thais Armenta Lauren Eastman Cindy & Len Foreman Clark & Dana Harrison Alan & Judith Harvey Kathleen Hitt Richard & Karen Holmes Robert Kaster Curtis Knight Connie Marmet Sam McCullagh & Cindy Testa Patrick Murray Don Mutch Bob & Kathleen Polkinghorn Parker & Phyllis Pollock Alex & Judith Saldamando Al & Dorothea Schoenstein Lynn & Karen Teuscher Ed & Barbara Valenzuela Coy & Marijo Welborn Bill & Paula Young Elizabeth & Pedro Betancourt Robert & Hazel Billings John Branch Walter Carrier Krista Cartwright Carla & David Chandler Dave Chandler Tom & Jan Clifton Jack & Mary Cook Christy Corzine & Nick Dennis Gary & Janet Crittenden Barbara Cross Hon. Wilson Curle Bob Damschroeder & Melanie Findling Pauline Doolittle Jim Echnoz Gerry Ellinger Carol Evans Bob & Terri Evel& Deborah Fitzpatrick Jim Flett John & Mary Fowler Dale Stanley & Rebeca Franco Beth & Dennis Freeman Robert & Ladona Frost Stephen Funk Lila Gardner Don Gautreaux Paulette Gooch Fred Gordon April Gray & Dana Smitt Rita Green Adamine Harms John & Marguerite Harrell Andrew & Katie Harris Andrea Herr & David Clarno Arleen Hess Dave Hobbs Nina Holzer Cathy & Bob Hutchins Richard Jenne Duane & Kay Johnson Bruce & Ramona Johnston Sally Jordan Terry Joyce John & Christine Kelly Isobel Cade Krell Buck & Suzanna Lang Matthew & Solveig Larson Matt Lutes & Ally Sherlock Steve Maiolini Francis Mangels $75+ Level Tom Ames W.Scott Berry & Coleen Cantwell Carla Bisagno Donna & R&y Boyd Susie Boyd Louise Bradford Judith Austin & Peter Brown Frank & Helen Cardoza Kevin & Juliette Charter Mary & Samuel Chicos Benita & Neal Clark Bim Coyle Jerald & Donna Fikes Seth & Allison Fitzsimmons Charles French Dr. Jack Haling Lori & John Harch Deadra Knox Bob & Diane Madgic Carol & Victor Medrano Nancy & Red Modeen Emily Moller Mary Patton Neil & Stephanie Posson Dave & Christine Reardon Jack & Linda Runnels Allison Scull Bruce Shoemaker Eschelle Stapp Tom & Sara Stibi Rune Stromsness John Summers Michael & Lynn Thamer Mike Wright John Yen $74 & Under Chet Adamick Cheryl Adan Spencer Adkisson Flo Anderson Roberta Anderson Anna Andree George Arabian Carol & Warren Avery Steve & Kate Bachmann Kendra Bainbridge Janice Ball Catherine Barash & Bruce Courtright Penny Barnum Robin Benatti Charles & Betty Berg Alan & Ellen Berkowitz John Berry Ralph Mannina Justin Mapula Bruce Marinese Norma Marsh Albert Massucco William & Sally McClain Roslyn McCoy Galen McCray Charles McDonald Dennis & Sally McFall Floyd & Jan Mellon Steven & Dorie Mellon William Miesse Candace Miller Richard & Rebecca Moore Noa Morales Patti Moss Lance Nishimura Gilbert Ornelas Laurie Ottens Jack & Susan Palmer Julius & Dianna Pereira Douglass Peterson Gary Phillips Mike Plummer Beth Rainsford Jacquie Hagerty & Tom Ravizza Bill & Beverly Rose Dennis Sbarbard Jan Schrag Chuck Schultz & Gay Leonardi Pam & Dave Scott Barbara & Tom Semple Cindy & Mitch Silva Robin Singler Catherine & Danny Smith Mollie & Matt Smith Sid & June Smith Eric Steele Tom Stokely Robin Striebel Carol & David Stringer Brian Theriot George & Bonnie Thomas Dan & Sandra Torquemada Bill & Barbara Trenam Peter & Nancy Van Susteren Michelle Ward Stuart Ward James & Bette Waterstreet Thamar Wherrit Diane Whitehouse Flora Wintering Frank Wong Vicki Wrobel A special thanks to those who made an end-of-the-year contribution. Our 2013 Holiday Appeal raised $2,545, which helps support our education programs. 5 YES; I WANT TO SUPPORT THE RIVER EXCHANGE! Gifts can be mailed to The River Exchange, P.O. Box 784, Dunsmuir, CA 96025 _____ Other _____ $250 Thank You! _____ $125 _____ $75 _____ $35 NEW RENEWAL Supporter Name: ___________________________________________________ Phone: _________________________ Address: ________________________________________________________________________ The River Exchange is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Your contribution is taxCity, State, Zip: __________________________________________________________________ deductible as allowed by law. Email: _________________________________________________________________________ Fed. I.D. #91-1818846 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED The River Exchange P.O. Box 784 Dunsmuir, CA 96025