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That's who I thought you meant. I've said on this board before that FERC negotiations include interested parties on all sides--those who want no change in flows when the new contract is put in place, i.e. continued reduced flows because of dams, and parties who want to restore some of the flows. There is no doubt that compromises are made, and strange alliances created. Monitoring of conditions is put into the contracts, and presumably there is an obligation to mitigate if merited. I completely believe Dale when he says that there are fewer Velma Mays on the North Fork Feather. I also believe that CHRC had the right intention in fighting for increased flows. And I firmly believe that all parties are obligated to live up to the promise of analysis and mitigation, and if the increased flows have had a negative effect then American Whitewater, Friends of the River, CalTrout, TU--all have to follow up and make right what has been screwed up. But honestly, anyone who thinks CalTrout just went along to go along, that they were more concerned with rafters than anglers, I think those folks are wrong. It'd be sweet if CalTrout and TU and FFF could sit down at the FERC meetings and say, "We want increased flows, we want mitigation for fifty years of damage to the watershed, and we won't support recreational whitewater flows." Just doesn't work that way.
I think more would be gained if folks on this board who are pissed off at CalTrout would engage with them and hold their feet to the fire instead of pissing and moaning. Bottom line is that CalTrout, and particularly the conservation guys who work there, are working to preserve and protect trout and steelhead in California. Are there a handful of organizations doing that work? Isn't it in our interest to be engaged with them and be constructive?
I worked at CalTrout for a year. My year there did not end well, so I could have burned my bridges with the organization, certain personalities, some folks on the board. But as long as Brett, Tom, and Curtis are still there I support what they do. And I think Brian Stranko as Executive Director has been great for the organization and its collaborative work as well.
I doubt if I've changed anybody's mind, but what the hell.
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